The Planning Of The First Virtual Peachtree Road Race
Registration is currently open for the Atlanta Track Club‘s first virtual Peachtree Road Race. Participants have from now until Nov. 1 to sign up for the Thanksgiving Day 10k/6.2 mile road race.
Executive Director Rich Kenah says the demand to run is far better than he expected. An hour or so after registration opened Monday, he said, thousands were on board.
But that isn’t to say, some didn’t have questions like how authentic of a race will this be.
Kenah said the Atlanta Track Club will do their best to keep the race as authentic as possible.
He added, “The first piece of our virtual experience will be the coveted finisher’s shirt at Peachtree that everyone expects. We are going to ask everyone to use a little bit of their imagination. We are committed to delivering a race kit. And a nod to this crazy year 2020. We are delivering the shirt before the race. Hopefully, this will be one and done unique aspect of this virtual run of the Peachtree. We will unveil the t-shirt the last week in October”.
Runners can hit the pavement between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. anywhere in the world on Thanksgiving Day. The race usually takes place on the 4th of July.
“The Peachtree does not exist without our throng of 40k volunteers. We did not feel comfortable asking volunteers and staff to be out there in an environment that is not safe.”
Kenau added, “We made the decision to invest in high tech technology. We are customizing it for the Peachtree. It uses GPS technology to customize your performance. We will be able to track no matter where you are in the world. When you get to the end of your 6.2 mile /10K journey finish you can measure your results. It is not apples to apples because we are not all on the same course. If you have time on your hands you can map out your route and earn your personal best road race time. You can find the flattest route or if you want the challenge you can run the hilliest route.”
Kenau added, “No roads will be blocked off. Peachtree Road will not be blocked off. Everyone use common sense when you are running please. We will have age group awards and overall awards.”
Also for the first time, there will not be a health a fitness expo this year. Kenau conceded the expo is a big part of the Peachtree tradition and celebration.
Kenau, “We want to keep our staff and volunteers safe. So rather than cancel, we decided to invest our resources, our time, our staff in delivering 40,000, 60,000 packages to people. And the technology that will deliver that authentic Peachtree experience.”
Top Stories
