Thousands of people laced up their running shoes for the 53rd Annual AJC Peachtree Road Race

WSBTV.com News Staff
·2 min read

50,000 Runners laced up their running shoes for the 53rd Annual AJC Peachtree Road Race this 4th of July.

The runners were excited for Monday’s race.

“It’s just wonderful, everyone is so friendly it’s such a great place to be,” said Amy Wade, a runner.

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After finishing a 10k run in the thick humidity, many people like Tara Harris, who’s returning for her 6th year, are just thankful to cross the finish line.

“I was just happy I didn’t walk or pass out it’s really hot out here today,” said Harris. “Every year to me is brutal. It’s July 4th, the heat of the summer in Georgia so every year it’s really hot. .”

People also came to participate from other states. Nigel McGregor flew in from New York City and he walked Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway through his preps for race day.

“I hydrated on the plane all the way through the whole entire flight, got here did a shake out run, got adjusted to the humidity here and it worked out well,” said McGregor.

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And we all know the uphill climb in the last stretch was brutal, but first time runner Katie Sharron said she strategized and saved energy.

“I saved up and when I came time for cardiac hill it was hard but I felt really good on it,” said Sharron.

Speaking of feeling good, Daniel Romanchuk said this is his 5th win the wheelchair division at the Peachtree Road Race.

“I’m not to great at down hills so I kinda fell back a little bit and just waited for the climbs and once we hit the climbs it was just an all out sprint,” said Romanchuk.

Each participant was part of the huge party in Piedmont Park to celebrate the victory run.

Almost everyone said that crossing the finish line and enjoying time with family and friends this holiday was the best part.

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