At the finish line, runners are met with fist-bumps and congratulations from volunteers as they file into Piedmont Park.
Chants of “What you need?” followed by “Ice water!” can be heard. Runners are offered water bottles, peaches and T-shirts entering the park.
61-year-old Patty Foster traveled from Mount Dora, Fla. to run with her family in honor of her father. ”We’re celebrating my dad who ran this for many, many years,” Foster said. “He’s passed away but this is in his honor.”
Sarah Fraser, 30, from Sandy Springs, ran the entire 10k in a felt peach costume honoring the race’s theme. She completed her first Peachtree in 2006 and has dressed up for the last five years.
Fraser said she enjoys the festive atmosphere and even ran alongside a group dressed as America’s Founding Fathers at one point.
”Everyone was cheering at the end,” Fraser said. “It’s always a great time.”
First time finisher Hannah Smith, 25, from Atlanta joined two friends in the park who made “Run Hanny run” signs to cheer her on. She also felt encouraged by the crowds supporting runners from the sidewalk along the way.”It was hype the whole way, so it kept the energy up,” Smith said.
Atlanta resident Karen Momongan had a crowd of supporters waiting for her outside the Piedmont Park gates.
”The energy was great. This was my first one, and I loved it! Can’t wait to do it next year,” she said.
People on the sidelines kept her and Susan McCarty motivated to keep going during the race.
“I’ve been doing it since 1980 and you see all sorts of things out here,” McCarty said. “This year there were a lot more spectators that keep you going when you need it most.”
McCarty plans to celebrate the rest of her day cruising Lake Allatoona on her boat.
This was originally published on our Live Updates page.
