This year’s The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race is expected to draw about 150,000 people to sidewalks of Peachtree Road and 10th Street near Piedmont Park.
If you’re among the crowd on hand to watch the world’s largest 10K race, your best bet is to arrive early to pick your spot.
The Atlanta Track Club recommends finding a place where you can obtain refreshments, enjoy the shade and find a good view of the course. Here are some recommendations from the ATC:
Mile 1
The place where it all starts — the center of Buckhead shopping. If you’re watching the race in this part of town, you’ll find yourself among and you’ll get to see the monstrous crowd near the start line. Cool off while your friends line up at the start by having a bagel and iced java at a local coffee house, or scope out all the luxury shopping you can do later.
Mile 2
Top recommendations for getting the true-crowd feel are watching the race where West Paces Ferry, Peachtree and Roswell roads meet. Further down mile 2, you’ll find the Cathedral of St. Philip, known for hosting race-day events and for being the site where Dean Sam Candler sprinkles Peachtree runners with holy water.
Mile 3
Shop and watch. Good locations for watching Mile 3 of the race are at the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center and Piedmont Hospital, where music is paying while runners conquer “Cardiac Hill.”
Mile 4
Here, it’s all about the business of getting down the course toward the finish line and recovering from the workout of “Cardiac Hill.” This section attracts spectators from the surrounding residential areas and from the local dining and drinking establishments.
Mile 5
The race really becomes a spectator sport thronged by massive crowds after Peachtree crosses I-85 heading south toward the Woodruff Arts Center and the restaurants of Colony Square and Midtown.
Mile 6 (and the additional two-tenths)
The corner of Peachtree and 10th is a popular area for race watching and festivities. As you head to the park, there are a number of shaded areas for watching the runners, as well as numerous trendy Midtown restaurants where you can sit and enjoy the race.
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