The hard rains held off and security concerns floated away as 55,000 people ran and thousands more watched the 44th edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
Atlanta’s sneakered travelers just would not buckle under worries prompted by the Boston Marathon tragedy and a host of nasty weather forecasts.
As the thick crowd trotted along the 6.2-mile course from Lenox Mall to Piedmont Park Thursday, there were many signs that this event is really just a giant community party disguised as a competitive road race.
Block after block, spectators cheered the passing throngs, some waving from parties held on apartment balconies. On the ground, people passed the runners beers, Bloody Marys, water and fruit. One group popped cheese balls into joggers’ open mouths.
Every mile or so, bands of musicians played country songs or steel drums. A few spectators thought the race needed one specific musical addition: more cowbells!
Right before the notorious incline dubbed Cardiac Hill, a runner started to chant, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands,” and everyone around followed suit.
“I loved it. I had a great time — great atmosphere, great people,” said Marqursa Picou, 29, of Duluth, who ran the race accompanied by a friend.
Atlanta authorities said the April bombings at the Boston Marathon on Patriots’ Day were at the forefront of their planning of this Independence Day race. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is billed as the world’s largest 10K race, and it was one of America’s first big races since the Boston Marathon. Security was up from prior years, with numerous personnel in neon-yellow security vests patrolling the route, in particular checking people backpacks and duffel bags as they entered Piedmont Park.
Atlanta and MARTA police worked extended shifts, and K-9 units conducted sweeps of the area.
Still, some people said they were able to get bags into the park without going through checks.
Dave Hofsetter, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, said he was not asked to open a heavy bag of beer and ice for inspection.
“I walked past 10 police officers,” he said.
People took the weather — a soft rain; for some, just a few drops — in stride, so to speak. More people seemed to be carrying ponchos and raincoats than wearing them. If anything, people said the weather provided a cool change for a race that is often bathed in relentless heat.
“Rain doesn’t phase us in the least,” said Miriam Niemira, 50, of Lilburn.
Race organizers said the tally of finishers was 55,714, just a few thousand shy of last year’s figure.
Still, the drizzle was enough to make people feel rain-washed. Sodden shoes slowed times at the finish line. By the time back-of-the-pack runners completed the race, they descended on a soggy Piedmont Park that made people into a muddy mess.
The foreboding forecasts also seemed to thin the ranks of spectators.
For many people, the Peachtree is a milestone. They’ve trained months for it, and finishing is a major accomplishment.
Niemira was joined by Tina Guined, 50, who was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes last November. Last year, she said, she couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs. So she began training for this race.
“This is sort of the finish line for me,” said Guined, also of Lilburn.
People have long histories with this race; some mark their aging by their performances.
Sandra Threadcraft, 70, of Decatur, has participated in the Peachtree for the past 11 years.
“I really enjoy the running, but the knee is gone so I’m doing more walking,” she said.
For many people, the weather was a greater concern than any security risk. The FBI had said there were no credible threats to the metro area.
“I don’t live my life in fear,” Threadcraft said.
Having lived in Boston for 8 years, Alison Green of Atlanta said she was mindful of the tragedy there as she ran.
“That was one of the reasons I ran it,” she said.
One sign along the course: “Atlanta is Boston strong.”
Three sisters running together said they were worried about both the weather and security.
All three wore matching shirts that said “Daddy’s running girls.” That’s because they agreed during a Christmas dinner to run the Peachtree, so their 65-year-old father would not continue to show them up running long races.
“It was the wine,” said the eldest, Stacey Burrell of Anderson, S.C.
Despite their initial concerns, the day turned out to be a big “bonding experience,” she said.
Atlanta Police Sgt. Gregory Lyon said the event “was smooth sailing. No major incidents. … For us it was boring.”
One runner collapsed and was taken off the course by emergency personnel, and another was arrested after a dispute with runner, police said.
Atlanta’s cyber universe came alive during the race as a multitude of people put up postings and pictures on Twitter, Facebook and other sites. Photos included Atlanta firefighters taking the course in full gear as a tribute to the 19 firefighters who died fighting an Arizona blaze; a girl wearing a green Statue of Liberty crown (with matching tank top); and a woman dressed as a bride, replete with a white veil and tutu.
For Nancy Alford of Newnan, it was enough to just watch the race and take it all in. She’s witnessed it for 28 years. This year, the former teacher called out cheers of encouargement to passing family, friends and former students.
“I just love to see the Atlanta community come together like this,” she said.
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