Nearly every year since 1970 on the Fourth of July, thousands of people wake up before the crack of dawn to take part in an Atlanta tradition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
It’s the largest 10K race in the world, starting from Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead, winding through a Peachtree Street that any other day would be loaded with cars rushing to work. The race moves through Midtown to Piedmont Park, where those runners (or walkers) cross the finish line to pick up their coveted PTRR tee shirts. The only time the race was not held was in 2020, due to the pandemic.
The weather, owing to the southern heat and humidity that lingers even in the mornings, can be challenging to runners. The race is expected to be operating under cautious conditions, with the expected temperature at 86 degrees.
The first of the elite runners start at 6:45, with the wheelchair competition, then elite runners, then other non-competitive participants.
Last year’s winners in the competitive running competition were Kenya’s Rhonex Kipruto (Men’s, 27:26) and Ethiopia’s Senbere Terferi (Women’s, 30:49). In the wheelchair division, Daniel Romanchuk (his fifth consecutive first place finish in the men’s division, USA, 18:39:40) and Susannah Scaroni (her second in the women’s division, USA, 21:14:71, a record.)
THIS YEAR’S WINNERS (UPDATED as of 7:42 am)
Wheelchair
MENS: Daniel Romanchuck 19:28 (his 6th)
WOMENS: Susannah Scaroni 22:11 (her 3rd)
Elite Runners
MENS: Charles Langat 27:42
WOMENS: Fotyen Haiylu 30:34
Last year’s women’s elite winner Senbere Terferi appeared to be on course to win her second consecutive PTRR women’s title, but she apparently went off course seconds away from crossing the finsh line, alowing Haiylu to take the lead. Terferi finished 3rd.
No records was set this year.
Official race time data source: Athlinks
