Stifling heat and humidity – not security – emerged as the biggest threat at this year’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
With violent terrorist attacks hitting targets around the globe, participants and onlookers at Monday’s huge race said law enforcement was visible along the 6.2-mile route.
“Everywhere you looked, there was someone,” said Lacey Krout, who runs with the Atlanta Track Club and was in her first Peachtree Road Race. “I felt completely safe.
The Peachtree drew 60,000 runners. Thousands also lined the streets to cheer them on as the race traveled from Lenox Mall to Piedmont Park. Police promised heightened security even though there was no known threat against the race.
Those interviewed by the AJC on Monday insisted they hadn’t let fears of violence alter their plans.
Susan Foxworth and her husband, Monty, both 54, are Peachtree veterans. Between them, the couple from Vinings have run the race 35 times.
But Susan Foxworth was nervous enough this year to Google “Peachtree Road Race security” and “plans for terrorist attacks.” What she saw reassured her and she was on the starting line Monday.
“I love the race,” Susan Foxworth said. “It’s always fun.”
She said security was the tightest she had ever seen. So much so, that it spoiled another annual tradition: When she and Monty tried to sneak into an earlier heat, as they do every year, they were turned away.
Nancy Walshe, of Lilburn has been running the race for six years along with her extended family. And she wasn’t letting anything spoil the tradition.
“I did notice the police officers at the beginning and the police officers along the route, more so than I have ever noticed,” said Walshe, glistening with sweat shortly after finishing in less than an hour.
“I’m glad that their presence is visible. I felt safe.”
This year's race comes on the heels of the deadly shooting in Orlando, Fla., as well as overseas attacks in Istanbul, Baghdad and Bangladesh, where two Emory University students were among those slain by Islamic militants.
Law enforcement officials were also mindful of the 2013 attacks at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Police promised a strong presence, worried that the packed race - coming on the Fourth of July - could prove a tempting target.
Instead, the biggest problem was the heat. At 8:30 a.m., race officials ratcheted up the status to red, signifying dangerous heat conditions. Temperatures soared into the 80’s and humidity was at a sopping 80 percent.
Some basking in the holiday sun Monday were happy simply to be enjoying the festivities.
Tammy Hall, seated in an Ole Miss camping chair, and her husband, Pete Hall, of John’s Creek, have cheered on their daughter Emily Hall, 25, since she started running in the fifth grade.
“I haven’t noticed security at all, I was kinda surprised, but that’s okay, we don’t mind,” Tammy Hall said. “We didn’t think about it. We didn’t want to.”
Others reflected that the race would go on regardless.
Jessica Rucco and Dylan Ogozelec, both of Atlanta, were both running their first Peachtree.
They said security concerns crossed their mind but they figured with also figured that with all the heightened attention it wouldn’t be a problem.
Dylan said that he couldn’t imagine what would have to happen for people to not show up for the race because it’s so ingrained in Atlanta.
“It’s such a tradition at this point that even if there were massive security concerns to consider, they’d still come out.”
