Atlanta is known for its traffic.
But commuting south on I-75 at 8 a.m. has nothing on the mass of humanity that will make the commute from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park for Saturday’s The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
You can get there from here, but be patient, be courteous and have a plan. The race may be 6.2 miles long, but by the time you are done you will have ran or walked anywhere from seven to 10 miles, perhaps been bumped a few times and perhaps ignored a few times by those slower or faster than you.
“You will be on your feet longer than you think you are,” Atlanta Track Club ambassador Nicole Lock said.
To try to make the race as efficient and enjoyable as possible, Lock said it’s important to think ahead. Ample preparation can reduce the chances of something going wrong and putting you in a bad mood on a day that’s supposed to be a celebration of America, the city and ourselves.
First, if you haven’t been to the Peachtree Health and Fitness Expo and plan to go, Lock advises that you give yourself plenty of time because it will be crowded.
If you aren’t going, try to stay off your feet Friday so that you will be properly rested for Saturday.
Either way, drink plenty of fluids, including electrolytes Friday. At least eight to 10 glasses of water, with another drink featuring an electrolyte, is good.
Purchase a MARTA ticket Friday, which will make getting on the train, getting to the starting line, and getting into your proper flight, that much faster Saturday morning. Choose your race clothes and shoes and lay them out Friday night. Go ahead and pin your bib to your shirt. Also set our your water or electrolyte bottle, something to hold your car key and anything else you plan on carrying with you during the race. And plan your breakfast, but consider avoiding anything you’ve never eaten before.
Once you arrive at the start line, stay hydrated by using the water bottle you brought. Lock said it’s important to maintain your electrolyte balance before the race starts.
“If it is going to be really hot and humid, I sometimes eat a salt packet before the race,” Lock said. “It’s gross, but it helps keep fluids in your system.”
If you are going to listen to music during the race, turn down the volume so that you can hear your fellow runners, especially if they are asking you to move over so that they can pass. If you don’t, you may get accidentally jostled.
“With over 60,000 participants, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to other participants — to make sure you don’t trip someone or get tripped yourself, to be aware of smaller children on the course, and just for the general safety and courtesy of others and yourself,” Lock said.
As you approach the water tables during the race, everyone usually goes to the first one they see, which cause a logjam and may cause some curtness. Consider instead going to the last table.
“There is usually a lonely, eager volunteer waiting for you,” Lock said.
So, you are halfway through the race and your pace is starting to drop. If you are slowing down, or already were slower, raise your hand — a signal to others — and move to either side of the route.
If you do inadvertently cause someone to fall, or are tripped by someone, Lock said try to use “Southern courtesy. Acknowledge it. Help them up and encourage them on the way. Try not to let the heat get the best of your emotions.”
About the Author
