It is never too early to start training for the AJC Peachtree Road Race. And by early, we mean young. On May 17, some 3,000 kids are expected to participate in the Peachtree Jr., a 3K run through Piedmont Park for 7-to-12 year olds. Those even younger can run in the Lil’ Peach, a 50 meter dash. To find out more, we talked to Rich Kenah, executive director of the Atlanta Track Club, which puts on both the big and junior Peachtree races. Kenah won medals in the 800 meters in two world championships and represented the U.S. in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. His success in the sport started at a tender age — and in the back of the pack.
Q: You’ve been running your whole life?
A: I ran my first race at the age of six on a whim, a four-mile road race in New Jersey with my cousin. I was so far back in that race that my dad flagged down a police car and they drove around looking for me. There was certainly no indication that I would be a future Olympian. But the race did introduce me to the sport and I very much enjoyed it.
Q: What’s the purpose behind the Peachtree Jr.?
A: First and foremost, it fits with our overall mission and vision to impact the health and wellness of people in the Atlanta area through running and walking. There is no better way to learn proper fitness habits at a young age than to start running or walking. Secondly, the AJC Peachtree Road Race has become a Fourth of July tradition here in Atlanta. By introducing a mini version of the race to our region’s next generation of runners, we are ensuring that the Peachtree running tradition will continue for the foreseeable future.
Q: Is the focus of the Peachtree Jr. on speed?
A: The emphasis is on participation. We simply want to introduce the sport to kids so we don’t focus on speed and competition. We chose a distance that will be a bit of challenge but not too tall a task. Getting faster comes with age and maturity.
Q: Is running a good sport for young kids?
A: I don’t believe that running should be the exclusive sport for kids of all ages. I have 10-year-old twins and they are involved in soccer, baseball, basketball as well as cross county and track and field. It is very important for kids to be physically active and, in almost any sport, running is a vital component to successful participation.
Q: Should kids train for Peachtree Jr.?
A: The race is the climax of our Kilometer Kids program, an incentive-based 11-week program that introduces the sport of running to kids. A large percentage of the kids running will have done some sort of preparation. If you are not in Kilometer Kids, can you run 3,000 meters without having prepared? Absolutely. We welcome any kids who are interested regardless of speed and experience.
Q: What’s new with Peachtree Jr. this year?
A: We will have a handful of Atlanta-area based Olympic athletes on site to sign autographs and to show our young participants some of their own techniques in their respective track and field disciplines. Some of the athletes who will be there are Adam Nelson, 2004 Olympic champion in shot put, Dwight Phillips, Olympic and World champion in the long jump, and Chaunté Lowe, an Olympic athlete and the American record holder in the high jump.
Q: Are there scholarships, too, this year?
A: If we are encouraging kids to run, we feel we should be encouraging the coaches, parents and leaders of youth organizations to get as many of their members fit by running and walking as well. So the group or organization that brings the most participants will receive a scholarship — first prize is $1,250 in cash and a $250 Sports Authority store credit; second and third, a $500 cash prize and $250 store credit.
Q: Is there a T-shirt?
A: In keeping with the AJC Peachtree Road Race tradition, we offer a T-shirt for all participants. All finishers also receive a pennant or ribbon.
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