AJC Peachtree Road Race to Be Held Virtually in 2020

ATLANTA - August 19, 2020 -- The 51^st Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race will be held across the country and around the world as the race moves to a completely virtual event in 2020, Atlanta Track Club announced Wednesday. The Club, which organizes the Peachtree, had previously postponed the event from July 4 to Thanksgiving Day. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Club concluded that a virtual race was the safest option for participants, volunteers, staff, and the hundreds of city and state employees, many of whom are first responders, who come together to help deliver the event to Atlanta each year.

The Virtual Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race will still be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Participants can complete the 10K between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.

"Atlanta Track Club will deliver a virtual experience worthy of the Peachtree name to ensure that runners and walkers feel the community, camaraderie and competition of the world's largest 10K," said Rich Kenah, Executive Director of Atlanta Track Club and Race Director of the AJC Peachtree Road Race. "As coronavirus has spiked in recent weeks here in Georgia, we recognize that this decision is the best and only responsible way forward."

"The curve is no longer flattened and we have significant community spread of the virus here in the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia," said Dr. Jonathan Kim, the Peachtree's Co-Medical Director. "It is true that outdoor environments are safer than indoor. That doesn't mean there is zero risk. You can't reliably maintain social distancing when you are running a race even if you limit the number of participants well below our usual 60,000."

Atlanta Track Club will fill the remaining spots in the Virtual Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race on a first come, first served basis. Registration will open on August 31 and remain open until the event sells out at its 60,000-person capacity. Participants will have their race kit, including race numbers and finisher's shirts, delivered to them by race partner UPS before Thanksgiving Day. There will be no Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo. In yet another first, the winning T-shirt design will be unveiled prior to race day. The Club will also release an app this fall where participants can track their time, upload GPS-driven results and measure their performances against other participants, listen to the sounds of the Peachtree and share their race on social media. All participants will also receive access to a complimentary 10-week Peachtree training plan.

As the AJC Peachtree Road Race moves forward into its next 50 years, the race will include a competitive division for high school runners. Prizes are available for the fastest open, age-graded performances as well as for the top three times in each age group. The top 500 women and top 500 men will also be awarded.

Those who had already registered for the Peachtree will be automatically placed into the virtual event. Atlanta Track Club is not offering additional refunds or deferrals. For a full list of FAQs, please click here.

Peachtree Junior, which has now been scheduled for November 26 as well, will also be held virtually. The race is open to children 14 and under.Registration is open now and all participants will receive a T-shirt, race number and medal via UPS prior to race day.

Atlanta Track Club has also unveiled the remainder of its 2020 race schedule. It includes a mix of in-person, by-appointment and virtual events as the Club works to deliver unique and safe experiences to Running City USA. The annual PNC Atlanta 10 Miler, originally scheduled for October 18 at Atlantic Station, will instead be held on November 1 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. Participants will register for a specific time slot and the race will be run throughout the day with no more than 25 runners and walkers per wave.

"We are excited to be able to offer a responsible in-person race that protects the health and safety of all participants and volunteers," said Kenah. "Runners and walkers looking to really test their toughness will love the challenge of the extreme course familiar to race car fans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. It's a safe bet that when the race returns to Atlanta in 2021, the hills of Midtown and Buckhead will seem easy!"

A virtual option is also available. Registration is open now.Click here for more details.

Beginning this month, runners and walkers will have the opportunity to take part in three virtual races, all of which are free to members of Atlanta Track Club and $10 for non-members as part of the Grand Prix Series presented by Piedmont Healthcare. The races include a 4 Miler (August 27-30), a 3K Cross Country race (September 25-27) and a 10K (October 16-18), which will provide an opportunity to prepare for the Peachtree.

Separately, a series of three virtual races for children 14 and under will kick off in October. The Fall Youth Running Challenge features distances from the 40-yard dash to the 5K as well as fun games and challenges for kids to take on with their families.Registration is open now.

A full calendar of events is below.

The Atlanta's Finest 5K, Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD and Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash will not be held in 2020. The Wingfoot XC Classic will be an in-person event in 2020 with a modified schedule and open to middle school and high school teams only.

Atlanta Track Club Schedule of Events for Remainder of 2020