Elite High School Division - Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 

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The Tradition Continues in 2025

The Second Annual Elite High School Division of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race hosted by Atlanta Track Club will give the best distance runners in Georgia the chance to experience professional road-racing firsthand. The top 36 runners from across the state will line up next to the sport's best at the World's Largest 10K on July 4. The two-day immersive experience will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional distance runner and the opportunity to race against their peers on one of road-racing's biggest stages.

Date

  • July 3-4, 2025

Locations

  • The InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Hotel - Pre-Race Dinner and More
  • Lenox Square - Expo, Press Conferences, Starting Line
  • Piedmont Park - Finish Line

Cost

  • Free to selected athletes
  • Participation is by invitation only

The Experience

Each participating athlete will be treated as a professional including the following experiences:
  • Athlete luncheon, briefing and welcome at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta hotel
  • Equipment fitting at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race Expo presented by Publix
  • Complimentary professional uniform kit courtesy of adidas including adizero adios Pro 4 racing shoes
  • Engagement with professional athletes at the pre-race press conference
  • Answering questions from the press and/or public at the high school athlete panel
  • Pre-race banquet with the professional field at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta hotel
  • Inclusion at the pre-race technical meeting with the professional field
  • Opportunity to meet and talk with the professional athletes
  • Access to professional athlete wellness services and hospitality before and after the race
  • Access to the professional athlete warmup area the morning of the race
  • Begin the race at the front of the main field with the professional men's field next to them and more than 55,000 runners behind them!
  • Compete in the 55th Running of the Atlanta Journal Constitution Peachtree Road Race in the High School Elite division
  • Post-race hospitality at the finish line with the elite field
  • Optional bus service to return to the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta hotel
  • Please note: A hotel room for the night of July 3 is not included, but rooms will be available at a reduced rate for those interested. Hotel options, including the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta can be found here and prices vary depending on the hotel.
a group of people sitting in chairs

How to Qualify

The top 18 non-senior boy distance runners and the top 18 non-senior girl distance runners residing in the state of Georgia will be selected to join the field based on the following considerations:

  • Athlete must be in the graduating class of 2026, 2027 or 2028
  • Automatic selection if athlete is named to the Atlanta Track Club All-Metro Cross Country Team
  • Exceptional performances at high-level cross country meets during the 2024 season such as the Wingfoot XC Classic
  • Top performances on the track during the 2025 season in the 1600m and 3200m
  • Athlete must compete on an organized high school team within an organization such as the GHSA or GIAA, GAPPS, etc.

July 3 Schedule

All times are approximate and will be updated as the event approaches

12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Arrive at InterContinental

12:50 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.

Introductory Meeting

1:30 p.m.

Depart For Expo

2:00 p.m.

Expo Exploration

2:45 p.m.

State of the Sport: A Conversation with adidas Leadership

3:30 p.m.

Depart for InterContinental

4:15 p.m.

Marketing and Press Activities

4:45 p.m.

Elite Athlete Panel

5:30 p.m.

Technical Meeting

6:15 p.m.

Banquet Dinner

7:15-7:30 p.m.

Athlete Pickup

July 4 Schedule

All times are approximate and will be updated as the event approaches

4:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.

Arrive at InterContinental

5:45 a.m.

Depart For Elite Warmup Area

7:00 a.m.

High School Elite Race Begins

7:50 a.m.

All Athletes in the Hospitality Area

7:55 a.m.

Post-Race Interviews

8:00 a.m.

Awards Ceremony

8:30 a.m.

Athletes Depart With Parents

9:15 a.m.

Final Bus Returns to InterContinental

Confirmed Participants

*Updated 4/4/2025 (Personal bests are XC, 3200m, 1600m, 800m and conversions are used when relevant)

Boys

  • Dash Brackin, Carrollton High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 15:05, 9:20, 4:23
  • Riley Comstock, Harrison High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 15:05, 9:20, 4:17
  • James Daniel, Clarke Central High School - 15:06, 9:19, 4:18, 1:53
  • Walker Elrod, Grace Christian Academy - 15:32, 9:16, 4:15
  • Haris Flynn, Mount Vernon Presbyterian School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 15:53, 4:17, 1:52
  • Hayden Hermansen, North Gwinnett High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 15:27, 9:29, 4:27
  • Clint Huggins, Harrison High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 14:49, 9:24, 4:16
  • Jackson Hunter, Glynn Academy - 15:25, 9:31, 4:25
  • Jacob Jacquot, Westminster Schools - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 15:31, 9:14, 4:21
  • Alex Loffredio, Dunwoody High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 15:45, 9:33, 4:27
  • Jameson Pifer, Collins Hill High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 14:54, 9:07, 4:04
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
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  • TBD

Girls

  • Liliana Beemer, Evans High School - 18:02, 11:01, 4:59
  • Harriet Blaha, Pace Academy - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 18:41, 11:15, 5:09
  • Paige Comstock, Harrison High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 17:36, 10:49, 4:53
  • Grace Danser, Maynard Jackson High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 18:40, 11:35, 5:16
  • Aislynn Dunn, Pope High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 18:25, 4:58, 2:14
  • Josie Hutchinson, Pope High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 17:58, 10:42, 4:49, 2:15
  • Mary Nesmith, Marietta High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, State XC Champion, 17:34, 10:22, 4:49
  • Caroline Rogers, Marist School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 18:20, 11:22, 5:20
  • Effie Ward, Harris County High School - 18:14, 10:53, 5:00
  • Kennedy Wardle, Brookwood High School - 2024 Atlanta Track Club All-Metro XC Honoree, 18:12, 11:08, 5:08
  • Ella Williams, Lakeside Evans High School - 17:51, 11:03, 5:16
  • TBD
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Highlights from the Inaugural Running


Kristopher Strong winning the 2024 High School Elite Division in 33:04 - photo by Kevin Morris

Georgy Helmers, Winner of the 2024 Elite High School Division in a time of 37:09 - photo by Kevin Morris

Helmers and Strong Together - photo by Kevin Morris

2024's High School Elite Field

Putting on bib numbers

Facing 10K, we are all on the same team!

Explaining the day ahead

Thank you adidas!

adidas Adios Pro 3? Yes, please!

We have enough for everyone!

Event Sponsors

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