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AJC Peachtree Road Race moves to Thanksgiving Day

ATLANTA — The AJC Peachtree Road Race has been held every July 4th for decades. But this year, it will be held on Thanksgiving Day.

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.”

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“A safe event on the Fourth of July just isn’t possible,” Kenah told Channel 2 anchor Wendy Corona. “Half a century of running the Peachtree on the Fourth of July will come to an end.”

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.

Jim Childers has run the race 35 times. “There’s no social distancing with 60,000 people, so it really hit me it probably wasn’t going to take place this year,” Childers said.

Childers plans to run the 10k for the 36th time this year even if there’s rain or snow.

“There’s so much logistics involved in getting that many people in one place, so I’m glad it wasn’t canceled” Childers said.

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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, reimagining 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.”

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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.

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