AJC Peachtree Road Race expands, adopts lottery format

"Certainly anytime we make changes with the event, people sometimes have a hard time with change or what we feel is in the best interest of the event," track club executive director Tracey Russell said. "We felt this was the best option for us."

Russell, who assumed leadership of the track club in 2007, said organizers have considered expanding the field in recent years to accommodate demand. Last year, with the field split into 20 start groups instead of the usual nine, the race course was less congested and the final runners to cross the start line did so a few minutes sooner than in years past. That convinced club officials that the race could handle 5,000 more spots.

Russell said it was not a reaction to the growing Bolder Boulder (Colo.) 10K that has challenged the race's status as the world's largest 10K. Last year, the AJC Peachtree Road Race had 50,918 finishers – the standard measurement for race size – which was about 2,000 more than the Boulder race.

"I think right now, we're going to stay at 60 [thousand] for a while," she said.

The track club switched to a lottery system for applicants to ease the frenzy of the online application system, which began in 2009, the same year that time chips were introduced. Last year, the field was filled in 4 ½ hours. This year, runners can apply online at ajc.com/peachtree between March 15-24. They can also apply in groups of up to 10 people, a first. All applications will have an equal chance of being accepted. Runners who have competed in 10 or more Peachtrees will receive special consideration.

The race is following the entry process of many other races with high demand, such as the New York Marathon and Houston Marathon.

Here is the information about the registration process from the track club:

Those wishing to participate in the 2011 AJC Peachtree Road Race can register for the lottery online at ajc.com/peachtree any time during the 10-day period from 5 a.m. on March 15 to 11:59 p.m. on March 24. Regardless of the day or time one enters, all individuals and groups who enter the lottery during the 10-day period will have an equal chance of being selected. Entrants will be randomly selected after the lottery closes on March 24. All lottery entrants will receive an email by Tuesday, March 29 informing them of whether or not they were selected. Searchable results of the selection process will also be posted on peachtreeroadrace.org and ajc.com/peachtree on March 29.

To accommodate those who enjoy participating in Peachtree with family and friends, the registration system will allow for up to 10 people to enter the lottery as a “Group”. During the selection process, if a “Group” is selected, everyone in the group will receive entry into the event. On the contrary, if a “Group” is not selected, no one in the group will receive an entry. Those entering the lottery as a “Group” will have an equal opportunity of getting into the event as those who enter as individuals. Entrants who enter the lottery and are not selected for the event two years in a row will receive guaranteed entry into Peachtree the following year.

As in years past, Atlanta Track Club members will continue to receive an early and guaranteed entry opportunity into the AJC Peachtree Road Race provided their memberships are current as of Feb. 28. Special consideration will also be given to “streakers” – those who have participated in 10 or more Peachtrees – when they register through the new lottery system.

For more information: http://peachtreeroadrace.org