ATLANTA - May 1, 2020
-- Atlanta will celebrate family, fitness and the
Founding Fathers this fall as the AJC Peachtree Road Race moves from the Fourth
of July to Thanksgiving Day in 2020. The 51st Running of the Peachtree will take place on Thursday, November 26,
Atlanta Track Club announced today. It marks the first time in the
event's history that it will not be held on July 4.
"As Atlanta and the nation continue to take precautions to slow
and stop the spread of COVID-19, we understand that Peachtree participants,
volunteers, medical staff and the other first responders who keep them safe
need more time to prepare for this year's race," said Rich Kenah, race director
of the Peachtree and Atlanta Track Club's executive director. "We are thankful
for the opportunity to move forward together with all of Atlanta on
Thanksgiving Day in a responsible and safe format."
More than 45,000 people have already registered for this year's AJC
Peachtree Road Race. All confirmed participants will remain registered with no
further action needed. Current registrants will also have the option to
complete the race virtually, move their entry to 2021 at no charge, transfer to
a new participant, donate their registration fee to Atlanta Track Club's
community initiatives or receive a refund. A full list of options can be found here.
Additionally, Atlanta Track Club plans to reopen registration for
the Peachtree on August 31 -September 6 for members of the Club. For
non-members it will open September 7 and will close on September 13 or when the
event reaches capacity. Kilometer Kids Charity entries
will remain open throughout the spring and summer.
The Club also announced efforts to plan and implement new safety
measures at this year's race including fewer
participants on each start line, longer separation between waves, re-imagining hydration
stations and working with MARTA to get people to and from the event. "As it has
been for 55 years, health and safety is Atlanta Track Club's top priority. COVID-19
has pushed us to review our best practices and protocols in the areas of event
and program safety," Kenah said. "As this situation evolves and changes, we
will make decisions based on the advice and information the Club receives from
health experts."
Participants who chose to pick up their numbers
in person will be able to do so at the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo on
November 23, 24 and 25 at the Georgia World Congress Center. This year's
Peachtree Junior for children ages 14 & under will be held on Friday,
November 27. Registration is open now.
The AJC Peachtree Road Race will replace the Invesco QQQ
Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile and Dash, which will be canceled for
2020. The Triple Peach Series presented by Mizuno will instead include the
Publix Atlanta Half Marathon on February 28, 2021. Those registered for the
Triple Peach will be automatically registered unless a refund is requested
A full list of questions and answers about the 2020 AJC Peachtree
Road Race can be found here.