Vote for the official 2026 Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race T-shirt design
The time has come to vote in the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race T-shirt contest.
Each year, more than 50,000 participants join the Peachtree Road Race on Fourth of July weekend — all eager for the coveted T-shirt.
The 57th edition of the annual 10K race is planned for Saturday, July 4th. As in recent years, runners and walkers will have the option to participate in-person from Lenox Square to 10th Street or to join the race virtually.
A panel of judges from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Track Club, and the Atlanta running and walking community have narrowed down hundreds of submissions to five. Now the public will decide the winning design.
Voting is open through April 10 exclusively on the AJC News app. If you’re not already a user, you can download the app here. You can vote once daily. The winning design will be kept a secret until it’s unveiled at the finish line and the first person receives their T-shirt in Piedmont Park.
“The Peachtree finisher’s shirt has become one of the most recognizable symbols in running,” said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club and race director of the Peachtree. “Each year, this contest gives artists the opportunity to leave their mark on a tradition that stretches across generations of runners. We’re excited to see the community once again help decide which design will define the 57th running.”
This year’s winning designer will receive a prize of $5,700 (in honor of the 57th running of the race), with the second and third place designers receiving $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
Check out this year’s finalists and read what the artists had to say about their inspiration. Then head over to the AJC News app to vote for your favorite.
‘Atlanta at Heart,’ by Grace Cho
“My design reimagines the peach, Atlanta’s most recognizable symbol, as a heart formed by a winding road that begins in the heart of the city,” designer Grace Cho explained. “For me, the Peachtree Road Race isn’t just a route on pavement; it’s a pulse. It starts in Atlanta and radiates through every neighborhood, every runner, every volunteer and every cheering spectator. The heart-shaped road represents how deeply this race is woven into the spirit of the city. On race day, miles turn into memories. Strangers become encouragers. The streets transform into a celebration of resilience, unity and pride.”
‘Look Closer, Atlanta,’ by Jose Hadathy
“In this design, Atlanta’s landmarks spell out ‘Peachtree,’ challenging viewers to look closer at the skyline they think they know,” designer Jose Hadathy said. “This year’s race is also a personal milestone for me. After a recent knee injury sidelined my lifelong passion for playing soccer, I am using my first-ever Peachtree Road Race as the finish line for my recovery. Professionally, I design retail collections for Atlanta United, and having the opportunity to design the Peachtree Road Race T-shirt during a World Cup year would truly be a dream come true.”
‘It’s Always Peachy in Atlanta,’ by Lydia Sweeney
“The Peachtree has been a Sweeney tradition since the early ’80s,” designer Lydia Sweeney noted. “As both a runner and a spectator, I am always inspired by the joy and community the race brings. I commute into ATL sometimes and illustrated the moment I see the city skyline, still surrounded by trees. There’s a lot of positive energy on race day (even on the 6 a.m. MARTA) which influenced the colors, movement and texture in my design.”
‘We the Peaches,’ by Dyan Szall
“As an artist, designer and runner, creating the Peachtree Road Race shirt has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” designer Dyan Szall explained. “Born and raised in Marietta, my family and I have run the Peachtree almost every year since I was 12. Now, I can’t imagine a July 4 without fighting for my life on Cardiac Hill, getting a picture in front of my alma mater, SCAD, and stopping for a few beers just to get a juicy peach and a T-shirt at the finish.
“For me, the best part of the race is after the hills when you get to 17th St. and you can relax a little in the shade of the tree-line and the Midtown skyline. This is the feeling I wanted to evoke in my design. For America’s 250th, the U.S. Constitution replaces asphalt on Peachtree Rd. and forms Cardiac Hill. Trees and iconic Atlanta buildings cascade from Buckhead to Midtown to Piedmont Park. We the Peaches celebrates the community we build on Peachtree Road every July 4th — the runners, the walkers, the supporters and the volunteers. From the start under the flag to the finish line, it champions the inclusivity of freedom and justice for all.”
‘Big Peach Classic’ by Russ Vann
“My design, ‘Big Peach Classic,’ celebrates Atlanta’s most iconic race with elements inspired by one of the city’s nicknames and the patriotic energy of July 4th,” designer Russ Vann said. “As a runner who has participated in the race for many years, I wanted to create something that felt classic and simple. The big peach gives a nod to the nickname, while the other colors, stars and stripes honor the July 4th race tradition and the upcoming America 250 celebration.”
