Charity Wave Entry Registration Now Open
ATLANTA - March 18, 2026 - Before tens of thousands of runners take to Peachtree Road this July
4, the public now has two ways to get involved — helping select the design of
the adidas finisher's shirt and securing a spot on the start line.
Voting opened today
for the 2026 Peachtree T-Shirt Design Contest, giving the public the
opportunity to select the official finisher's shirt for the 57th Running of the
Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race. As the official media partner for the
Peachtree, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's website and mobile app will be
the exclusive home for voting on the designs of the shirt.
The public will
ultimately decide which design more than 50,000 finishers will wear across the
finish line in Piedmont Park on July 4, making the contest one of the most
visible artistic traditions connected to the race.
Voting runs through
April 10, and users may cast one vote per day.
"The Peachtree
finisher's shirt has become one of the most recognizable symbols in running,"
said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club and race director of the Peachtree.
"Each year, this contest gives artists the opportunity to leave their mark on a
tradition that stretches across generations of runners. We're excited to see
the community once again help decide which design will define the 57th
Running."
This year's contest
received 531 submissions, with a panel of judges from Atlanta Track Club and
Northside Hospital selecting five finalists. The winner will receive $5,700 in
honor of the 57th Running of the Peachtree. The runner-up will receive $2,000,
and third place will receive $1,000.
The five finalists
are:
- Grace Cho, 22, Atlanta, Ga.
- ose Hadathy, 34, Marietta, Ga.
- Dyan Szall, 26, Sandy Springs, Ga.
- Lydia Sweeney, 30, Opelika, Ala.
- Russ Vann, 39, Atlanta, Ga.
To preview the
designs and vote, download the AJC News app from the Google Play Store or Apple
App Store here, or visit ajc.com/peachtree. Once inside the app, look for the 2026 Peachtree Road Race icon.
Registration for the
57th Running of the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race is now underway.
Beginning March 18, participants can secure guaranteed entry here through the Fuel
the Future Peachtree Charity Wave, which supports Atlanta Track Club Foundation
and its Kilometer Kids youth running program, as well as through select sponsor
entries.
General registration
and the public lottery will open April 1. Atlanta Track Club members receive
guaranteed entry at the lowest price and placement in start waves A-M.
Non-members may enter the lottery for a chance to participate and will be
notified of their status in late April.
The 57th Running of
the Peachtree will take place Saturday, July 4, starting at Lenox Square and
finishing in Piedmont Park. For more information, visit atlantatrackclub.org/peachtree.
About the Designs Below:
Artist: Grace Cho
Occupation: Creative Marketing Specialist
Design Title: Atlanta at Heart
About the Design: My design reimagines the peach, Atlanta's most recognizable symbol, as a heart formed by a winding road that begins in the heart of the city. For me, the Peachtree Road Race isn't just a route on pavement, it's a pulse. It starts in Atlanta and radiates through every neighborhood, every runner, every volunteer and every cheering spectator.
The
heart-shaped road represents how deeply this race is woven into the spirit of
the city. On race day, miles turn into memories. Strangers become encouragers.
The streets transform into a celebration of resilience, unity and pride.
Artist: Jose Hadathy
Occupation: Manager, Creative Design at Atlanta United FC
Design Title: Look Closer, Atlanta
About
the Design: In
this design, Atlanta's landmarks spell out "Peachtree," challenging
viewers to look closer at the skyline they think they know. This year's race is
also a personal milestone for me. After a recent knee injury sidelined my
lifelong passion for playing soccer, I am using my first-ever Peachtree Road
Race as the finish line for my recovery. Professionally, I design retail
collections for Atlanta United, and having the opportunity to design the
Peachtree Road Race T-shirt during a World Cup year would truly be a dream come
true.
Artist: Lydia Sweeney
Occupation: Design Director, Ampersand
Design Title: It's Always Peachy in Atlanta
About the Design: The Peachtree has been a Sweeney tradition since the early 80s. As both a runner and a spectator, I am always inspired by the joy and community the race brings. I commute into ATL sometimes and illustrated the moment I see the city skyline, still surrounded by trees. There's a lot of positive energy on race day (even on the 6 a.m. MARTA) which influenced the colors, movement and texture in my design.
Artist: Dyan Szall
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Title: We the Peaches
About the Design:
As an artist, designer and runner, creating the Peachtree Road Race shirt has
been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Born and raised in Marietta, my family
and I have run the Peachtree almost every year since I was 12. Now, I can't
imagine a July 4 without fighting for my life on Cardiac Hill, getting a
picture in front of my alma mater, SCAD, and stopping for a few beers just to
get a juicy peach and a T-shirt at the finish.
For me, the best part of the race is after the hills when you get to 17th St.
and you can relax a little in the shade of the tree-line and the Midtown
skyline. This is the feeling I wanted to evoke in my design. For America's
250th, the U.S. Constitution replaces asphalt on Peachtree Rd. and forms Cardiac
Hill. Trees and iconic Atlanta buildings cascade from Buckhead to Midtown to
Piedmont Park. We the Peaches celebrates the community we build on Peachtree
Road every July 4th — the runners, the walkers, the supporters and the
volunteers. From the start under the flag to the finish line, it champions the
inclusivity of freedom and justice for all.
Artist: Russ Vann
Occupation: Creative Director
Design Title: Big Peach Classic
About the Design: My design, "Big Peach Classic", celebrates
Atlanta's most iconic race with elements inspired by one of the city's
nicknames and the patriotic energy of July 4th. As a runner who has
participated in the race for many years, I wanted to create something that felt
classic and simple. The big peach gives a nod to the nickname, while the other
colors, stars, and stripes honor the July 4th race tradition and the upcoming
America 250 celebration.