The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race starts in Buckhead near Lenox Square Mall and ends in Piedmont Park.
Start wave assignments for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race are performance based. During registration, all participants have the opportunity to enter valid results from a previous race within the established guidelines provided below. Start waves are assigned to participants based on the qualifying time submitted during registration as well as the estimated predicted finish time. Participants who do not enter qualifying times are randomly placed in later start waves. This process ensures safety and efficiency for all participants with the fastest athletes beginning the race first.
Start Wave Standards
For the first time, participants in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race will know to which start wave they will be assigned before they even register for the race. Atlanta Track Club members are guaranteed to be placed in Wave M or higher.
Waves will be assigned based on standards listed below. If you find yourself in a different start wave from someone you would like to participate with you can simply move back to participate together. Wave change requests can ONLY be considered by visiting the Solutions Desk at the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo presented by Publix on July 2 or 3.
Start Wave Placement & Time Verification
For those that registered for the Peachtree and submitted a qualifying time, the time verification process of these times has begun. If you have any questions regarding this process, please email peachtree@atlantatrackclub.org.
You will be approved as long as your qualifying time was from:
- A 5K or 10K race
- A race that took place from January 1, 2021 to March 11, 2023
- A race that is on a USATF certified course
If you were approved, you will be assigned a Start Wave based on the qualifying time you submitted not your submitted estimated finish time. Wave assignments will begin on Tuesday, May 2.
You will be denied if your qualifying time was:
- A race distance other than a 5K or 10K
- A race that took place before January 1, 2021 or after March 11, 2023
- A race that is not on a USATF certified course
- A virtual race, a cross country race, a trail race or your run of the day
- A qualifying time submitted with a name that doesn't match your registration
- Unable to be read - example your screenshot of proof did not show the name of the race
If you were denied, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to adjust your submitted qualifying time and the timeframe allowed to do so.