dpAmid Atlanta’s relentless heatwave, thousands prepare for the Peachtree Road Race.
ATLANTA — Running the Peachtree Road Race, the world’s largest 10K, which got its modest start in 1970, typically means two challenges: hills and heat.
Cardiac Hill will always be there midway through the run. And heat will certainly be a factor this year, as Atlanta continues with a string of days in the 90s and lows in the upper 70s.
In fact, the Atlanta Track Club, the race organizer, anticipates starting the competition under a Red Flag, the highest level just short of shutting down the course.
“Based on current forecasts and in consultation with our medical team and public safety partners, we anticipate beginning race day under the RED Flag conditions of the Event Alert System,” the club said in a statement. “This high level of alert indicates potentially dangerous conditions and requires participants to make smart decisions throughout the race.”
The club said it “strongly discourages participation by anyone who is at increased risk for heat-related illness or who is uncertain about their ability to safely complete a 10K in hot and humid conditions.”
But will it rank among the hottest ever?
It will come close, but the forecast right now calls for 77 degrees at 7 a.m., soaring into the upper 80s when the course closes at 10:30 a.m.
The hottest Peachtree Road Races
It will have to reach 81 degrees at the start time to break the record. In 56 Peachtrees, runners took off at 80 degrees six times, including the inaugural 1970 race.
A total of 150 runners gathered at the old Sears parking lot at Peachtree and Roswell Road that first year. Of those runners, 110 finished—that means nearly 30% didn’t make it, a remarkably high rate.
That mark was also met in 1973, 1977, 1980, 1983 and 1991.
Over the past 10 years, start-time temps have typically been in the low to mid-70s.
In a statement on its website, the Atlanta Track Club said:
We have comprehensive plans in place to address hot weather conditions. These include weather tracking using our [emergency alert system] color-coding system designed to communicate current and expected race-day conditions, additional hydration and cooling resources, and ongoing communication to participants about best practices for running and walking safely in the heat.
We encourage all participants to stay informed, listen to their bodies, adjust their race-day goals as needed and take advantage of the resources available along the course.
The race starts early; elite athletes begin at 6:60 a.m. to avoid rising temperatures.
With 55,000 runners, the race is run in waves that start about every five minutes. The course closes at 10:30 a.m., giving the last runners about two hours to finish after they leave the start line.
In 2024, officials issued a Black Flag Warning, closing the course due to excessive heat at the very end of the race. About 200 runners had yet to cross the finish line.
That happened twice, at 62 degrees, in 1986 and 1989.
Peachtree Race Day Timeline
6:12 a.m. Shepherd Center Wheelchair Division Start
6:30 a.m. Approximate time first male wheeler will finish
6:47 a.m. Message from VP of Marketing, Northside Hospital – Jerry Tolk
6:48 a.m. Mayor’s Message – Andre Dickens
6:35 a.m. Approximate time first elite female wheeler will finish
6:38 a.m. National Anthem by Briar Blakely
6:43 a.m. Men’s Elite Start
6:45 a.m. Women’s Elite Start
6:45 a.m. Awards ceremony for top 3 finishers in Shepherd Center Wheelchair Division
6:50 a.m. Elite High School Division, Seeded and Wave A Start
6:54 a.m. Approximate time first push assist finish
7:11 a.m. Approximate time first elite male finish
7:15 a.m. Approximate time first elite female finish
7:21 a.m. Approximate time first Elite High School male finish
7:27 a.m. Approximate time first Elite High School female finish
7:40 a.m. Awards ceremony for top 3 finishers in footrace, wheelchair and high school division
8:30 a.m. Last Start Wave begins
8:30 a.m. Start Line Closes
10:30 a.m. Finish Line/Race Course officially closes
