History

Peachtree Through the Years 1970-2021

1971

The first of the now famous Peachtree T-Shirts are handed out at the end of the race.

1976

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution becomes the title sponsor.

1978

Race finish is moved to Piedmont Park in front of the Bath House to accommodate the 12,500+ runners.

1980

Race is capped at 25,000 participants. The limit is set due to the congestion on the course where it entered the park.

1982

The Shepherd Center's Wheelchair Division is added. Since then the event has produced several world record-breaking performances by participants in the wheelchair division.

1985

Julia Emmons becomes the Executive Director of the Atlanta Track Club and the Director of the AJC Peachtree Road Race. She will remain the director for the next 22 Peachtrees. The AJC also comes back as title sponsor and will remain title sponsor through the present.

1987

First AJC Peachtree Junior is held.

1990

New race cap of 40,000 is announced.

1992

Race cap increases to 45,000 and race fills in nine days.

1995

Race cap increases to 50,000, and the first AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt Design Contest is held. Carle Wattenberg, III is the winning designer.

1998

Race cap increases to 55,000 participants.

1999

Race finish moves to 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive due to sewer construction inside the park. The finish will remain there for the next eight years.

2004

First overseas race is held in Baghdad.

2006

After 22 years, Julia Emmons directs her last AJC Peachtree Road Race and retires from the Atlanta Track Club.

2007

Tracey Russell takes over for Emmons as Executive Director of the Atlanta Track Club and directs her first AJC Peachtree Road Race. First USA Men's 10 km Championship is held in conjunction with the race.

2008

Due to the drought, race cannot finish in Piedmont Park and is successfully moved to Juniper Street and Ponce de Leon Ave.

2009

For the first time every participant is electronically timed and race finish returns to 10th Street.

2010

Start waves are assigned by performance, expanding from nine time groups to 20 start waves. An official number transfer system is also implemented.

2011

Race cap increases to 60,000. Online lottery system is implemented for registration.

2014

First Kilometer Kids Charity Chase is held at the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

2015

The Peachtree Cup team competition is introduced, featuring Team USA, Team Africa, Team Asia and Team Europe.

2016

A 5K split time is offered for all participants for the first time.

2018

Bernard Lagat becomes the oldest winner in race history at the age of 43.

2019

With largest field in race history, event records fall in men's and women's wheelchair and footrace divisions with the following times: Manuela Schar (21:28), Daniel Romanchuck (18:11), Brigid Kosgei (30:22), Rhonex Kipruto (27:01)

2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AJC Peachtree Road Race is re-scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The event is ultimately held virtually as the pandemic does not subside in time for a safe in-person event.

2021

To encourage social distancing, the 52nd Peachtree is held over the course of two days, July 3 and July 4 for the first time in its history. Sara Hall and Sam Chelanga win U.S. 10km Championship