ATLANTA - October 13, 2020 -- Adding to a long list of unprecedented 2020 occurrences, the winning design for the AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt contest was revealed today, more than six weeks before anyone completes the event.
Beckie Dominick's appropriately and optimistically named "Keep On Keeping On" will grace the front of the shirts delivered to all participants of the Virtual Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race. The shirts, which were printed for the traditional July 4 running of the race, were sent back to the printer to add a message on the back of the shirt that reads "Peachtree: An Atlanta Tradition 2020 Can't Stop." It marks the first time a printing appears on the back of the shirt since the 1984 Peachtree.
Dominick, a graphic designer from Gainesville, Georgia received the news over Zoom on Tuesday. "I think every time I see someone wearing the shirt, I'll think 'oh my gosh! I did that!" Dominick said. Dominick, who recently moved to Georgia from Ohio is a first time entrant in the contest. She also plans to complete her first Peachtree on Thanksgiving weekend. Dominick will be awarded $1,000 for her winning design.
Held annually on July 4, the Peachtree was postponed to Thanksgiving Day in hopes the COVID-19 pandemic would subside enough for large gatherings. When it became clear an in-person event would not be possible, race organizers Atlanta Track Club announced the race would be held virtually over the course of four days from November 26-29. Race packets began shipping via UPS today and will be arriving at participant's homes over the course of the next three weeks.
That won't stop 90-year-old Bill Thorn of Tyrone, Georgia. He's the only person to complete every Peachtree. In honor of his streak, Thorn was the first participant to receive his shirt, hand delivered by Race Director Rich Kenah on Tuesday morning. "For y'all to even think about me under these circumstances, I just can't get over it," Thorn said.
Registration for the AJC Peachtree Road Race is open until November 1. Click here for details.