Best places to watch the AJC Peachtree Road Race

With help from the of the Atlanta Track Club, here are some recommendations for where to watch the race:

1) Lenox Square: Fifty-five thousand runners will take off in waves from this area throughout the morning. Take it in, then go shopping.

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There are great places to watch the AJC Peachtree Road Race all along the course and to cheer on the runners.

• See a map of the router

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2) Intersection of Paces Ferry, Peachtree and Roswell roads: This spot, early in the second mile, is a crowd-heavy location. Less than a mile later, race day events are held at The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, and passing runners are often sprinkled with holy water.

3) Peachtree Battle shopping center: Shop, eat and watch. Nearby Piedmont Hospital and the Shepherd Center are also popular viewing spots. Patients are often outside, cheering on runners as they head up Cardiac Hill.

4) Peachtree neighborhoods: This stretch of the race mostly attracts residential onlookers, and some from the restaurants along the path between Interstate 85 and Colony Square.

5) Woodruff Arts Center and Colony Square: This area around the fifth mile is popular for watching while giving quick access to museums and MARTA.

6) Peachtree and 10th streets: This corner is some of the favorite (and crowded) viewing because runner are steps away from the end. Head into Piedmont Park, too, for shade, food and a chance to meet up with friend and family who just finished their 6.2 mile race through town. (Alphabetically arranged balloons in the park’s family meeting area will help people find each other post-race.)