Local

Thousands run AJC Road Race despite wet weather

ATLANTA — Cleanup is underway after thousands of people crossed the finish line at the 44th annual Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.

Channel 2 Action News has a team of reporters covering the Fourth of July event, which brought thousands to the busy Buckhead area, despite drizzling. Sixty-thousand people were expected at the race. But some runners believe the conditions are to blame for fewer spectators this year.

Channel 2's Rachel Stockman spoke to runners near Lenox Mall. They told her the drizzling made running nice and cool, and pushed through.

Lineth Chepkurui, of Kenya, 26, crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 32:06. Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia, 21, crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 28:04.

American Matt Tegenkamp won the Men's U.S. 10K Championship, finishing 6th overall.

Josh Cassidy crossed the finish line of the wheelchair race first, with an unofficial time of 21:13. Manuela Schar won the women's wheelchair race, with an unofficial time of 25:43.

Organizers did not report any issues during the race, earlier noting stronger efforts to keep everyone safe.

A flag system was implemented to help warn runners of potentially dangerous conditions. The race began under yellow flag conditions. A yellow flag means slow down, red means potentially dangerous conditions and a black flag means participants should stop.

Besides a little rain, which hasn't been recorded for the start of the race since 1974, there was more security in place this year.

Channel 2's Ryan Young was at Piedmont Park, near the finish line, where police presence is increased in light of the Boston Marathon deadly bombings in April.

Additional Atlanta police officers were brought in to monitor more than 2,000 cameras watching every inch of the race route. Officers were also placed on every street corner and undercover officers are participating in the race.

Young also caught Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed just after he crossed the finish line. Reed said earlier this week the bombings in Boston wouldn't hinder the city of Atlanta from moving forward with its road race tradition.

Participants were encouraged to wear blue and yellow, the city's colors, to honor the bombing victims. A moment of silence in their memory took place before the start of the race.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News and WSBTV.com for the latest on the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Tonight at 9, Channel 2 will also present the Georgia Salutes America July 4 celebration live from downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.

Click here for a list of Fourth of July events across metro Atlanta.