By Natalie Cabañas
The Origin Story
The first five months of every year at Atlanta Track Club is
a whirlwind: months of preparation and countless hours of effort leading up to
the world's largest 10K on July 4. Afterward, we recover and recharge from the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race during Peachtree Week, , a
beloved and much-needed tradition for Atlanta Track Club staff.
Our first day back in the office was supposed to be a quiet
return to routine. Or so I thought. My
calendar had other plans. A 9:15 a.m. meeting invitation from
our CEO, Rich Kenah, popped up with no label, no context and just 15 minutes
allocated for it.
Odd.
Rich, known for his love of big ideas and even bigger
challenges, doesn't do short meetings. I glanced at the time — oh, that's soon —
and hurried to find out what was in store.
Still groggy, I walked into Rich's office alongside Jennie
Coakley, who was our director of events at the time. We exchanged curious
glances as Rich leaned back in his chair, clearly savoring the suspense.
"I've had some time to think," he said, letting the words
hang in the air. Jennie and I raised our eyebrows. What does that mean?
I muttered under my breath.
Then came the reveal. "I have an idea for a brand-new
event," Rich announced, leaning forward with a grin. "What if we ran Peachtree
in the winter?"
Jennie and I locked eyes, still processing, when he added,
"…and what if…we ran it in reverse?"
Now our jaws dropped. A winter Peachtree? Running down
Cardiac Hill? The audacity! But also, the brilliance.
It would take a few weeks to rally the team and finalize the
- details, including the name — a stroke of creativity from the marketing
department. With snowflakes replacing the logo's fireworks and the signature
red shifting to a cool winter blue, the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race was born.
Its mandate? To embody everything
familiar yet be delightfully different from its July counterpart.
What Makes It Unique
Set for January 4, the Polar Opposite Peachtree will begin at
Piedmont Park, taking participants right on Peachtree, down Cardiac Hill and finishing
at Lenox Square.
"We wanted to create
something fresh and fun for our community," said Enrique Tomas, director of
events. "This race is about challenging ourselves to think differently while
celebrating the same sense of camaraderie and tradition that makes Peachtree so
special."
Here's what makes it stand out:
Coveted T-Shirt: Every finisher receives a
commemorative adidas hoodie, but the design will remain a mystery until the
first finisher crosses the line. "The secret of the finisher's shirt design has
always been one of Peachtree's most exciting traditions," said Tomas. "We knew that
had to be the one tradition we carry into the Polar Opposite."
A True Finisher's Medal: Unlike the July Peachtree,
where a commemorative medal is an optional purchase, every Polar Opposite
Peachtree finisher earns a medal — a new tradition celebrating the grit it
takes to conquer this sneaky, mostly uphill course.
Peachy Prizes: Winners in the male, female and
nonbinary overall categories will take home handmade glass peach paperweights. Masters
male and female winners will receive peaches as well, while engraved snowflake ornaments
will be mailed to first-, second- and third-place age group winners a few weeks
after the race.
Logistics Made Easy: To simplify race day, every
participant will get a complimentary two-way MARTA pass to park at Lenox Square
and ride to the Piedmont Park start line.
Spectators and Volunteers
The Polar Opposite Peachtree isn't just for runners — it's a
community celebration. Spectators are encouraged to line the course, bringing
the energy Atlanta is known for as participants take on this new challenge.
Volunteers will play a key role on race day, filling
hundreds of positions. "Volunteers are the backbone of our races," said Kristin
Lide, senior manager of community engagement & volunteer services. "It
takes a dedicated team to put on a race this size, and volunteers are
essential. It's a unique way to make a difference and be part of something
bigger."
Volunteer positions are still available, including course
monitoring and finish line services. Sign up here
by Thursday, January 2 at 5 p.m., to be part of Atlanta's newest tradition.
Looking to the Future
With a cap of 5,000 participants and a registration sellout in
less than five hours, the inaugural Polar Opposite Peachtree has already cemented
its place as a popular addition to Atlanta's running calendar. While plans to
expand capacity and introduce new features remain under wraps, the excitement
surrounding the event is undeniable.
"The Peachtree represents the heart of Atlanta," said Kenah. "This winter
edition is a bold way to evolve that tradition while staying true to its
roots."
For details on the race day schedule, visit the Polar
Opposite Peachtree webpage here.