The biggest issue for most runners Thursday morning was the mud on their shoes at the end of an otherwise smooth AJC Peachtree Road Race at Piedmont Park.
Threats of rain may have thinned the spectator ranks a bit, but there were still several thousands along the route to cheer on the 60,000 runners. By the time several tens of thousands of feet had passed through the chute at the end of the race, those at the end were slogging rather than sprinting.
Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia won the 44th AJC Peachtree Road Race.
Competing in drizzly conditions, Geremew finished the 6.2-mile course in 28:04. Lineth Chepkurui of Kenya won the women’s division in 32:07.
The rain generally held off until most of the runners completed the course.
One runner collapsed from cardiac arrest about halfway through the race, but he was alert when medics arrived, said Allison Ritter, an event spokeswoman. She said there weren’t any other major incidents.
At the start of the race, some MARTA riders experienced a delay. Passengers getting off a train at the Buckhead Station, which is at the starting line, were held there for about 20 minutes. MARTA Spokeswoman Cara Hodgson said the Atlanta Track Club requested the hold to get the first group of runners started.
Hodgson said that otherwise everything was on time around race start time.
Along the race route, some people did say they noticed fewer spectators, but there were still plenty of people cheering the runners along.
If anything, participants seemed even more intent on having a good time this year.
“I loved it. I had a great time – great atmosphere, great people,” said Marqursa Picou, 29, of Duluth.
Actually, little rain fell on the course from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park. But it was hardly the downpours predicted for the day.
“Even though it was rainy, it kept it cool,” said Valerie English, 48, of McDonough.
And while security was heavier than usual, people said the event went smoothly. At the park, it was not as difficult as predicted to get inside the fence that encircled the Meadow. At some entrances, officers were diligent about checking bags while at the huge opening on 10th Street there were few if any checks.
At virtually every block, fans lined Peachtree Street. Some who had come for many years. Others came to cheer on family and friends. There were those who came to gawk at the runners’ outfits. And there were many who came to party.
“I just love seeing the Atlanta community come together like this,” said Nancy Alford of East Point.
Several participants said they were mindful of bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon earlier this year, but few expressed overriding safety concerns.
