I love race expos, duh. The Peachtree Road Race expo is always a huge highlight of the race for me for sure. Between some sweet expo specials, samples of products, and great free photo ops, it is a runner's playground for sure. Remember, if you didn't pay to have your race packet mailed to you, you MUST attend the expo held at Georgia World Congress Center on July 2 or 3rd or have a friend/family member pick it up for you with the appropriate information which can be found here.
One of my most absolute favorite days of the year is July 4th! I love celebrating America and who doesn't love fireworks, time with family & friends, and just totally rocking your red, white, and blue!?! The 6.2 mile course of the Peachtree Road Race definitely has a lot of patriotism being shown along the way! From runners to volunteers to spectators, there is a lot of American pride being shown! Be on the look out for some epic patriotic costumes and outfits as well as those waving Old Glory along the way.
High-fives along the way are the best, aren't they!?! As you make your way down the 6.2 mile course, you will be greeted by THOUSANDS of spectators and awesome volunteers along the way. From local business and organizations to friends and family, there is no shortage of cheers, signs, cowbells, and more. Even in the monsoon of 2015, the course support was still absolutely amazing! The Peachtree Road Race is an Atlanta tradition that people want to be a part of regardless if they are lacing up their running shoes or not on July 4th.
My absolute favorite cheer location though is at Shepherd Center. As you come up to "Cardiac Hill" at mile 3.5ish, stay to the right for some of the absolute best motivation, smiles, and high-fives you could ask for - the patients, staff, and family from Shepherd Center line the course and are sure to get you motivated like never before!
Don't forget your free pizza and beer at mile four from Mellow Mushroom - they will be on the right-hand side just as you come up to the mile 4 marker.
After rocking 6.2 miles, what could be better than celebrating with your friends and family!?! Gather in Piedmont Park and meet up with fellow runners or spectators for a little bit of relaxing and celebrating! With 60,000+ runners plus spectators and volunteers, it can be challenging to meet-up, make sure to find a designated meeting place prior to race morning.
There are so many different vendors with food and drinks to help refuel afterwards that the options seem to be endless. Be sure to stop by the Publix table and get one of the best sought after post-Peachtree Road Race treats - a fresh Georgia peach! While the food is awesome, my favorite is the Coca-Cola set up that has bins full of just about any Coca-Cola soft drink and PowerAde that you could possibly want. Nothing beats the taste of an ice-cold drink after 6.2 miles on July 4th!
Oh yea, don't forget, if you are an Atlanta Track Club member be sure to stop by their after party at Park Tavern! Not a member? Why the heck not?!?! You can register for membership at the Peachtree Road Race expo on July 2nd & 3rd and get into the party (plus other awesome membership perks).
One of my absolute favorite things about the Peachtree Road Race each year is the coveted t-shirt. I know, I know, what's the big deal about a shirt? Well, the Peachtree Road Race t-shirt is kept a secret until the first finishers cross the finish line which makes it a fun surprise. Granted, runners from the earlier corrals are typically showing off their new shirts just about the time I get to mile 5, but still, the anticipation of which shirt won the vote is fun along the way. Plus, the shirt is truly a finisher t-shirt. 60,000ish runners will be dawning their hard-earned race shirt to 4th of July festivities that afternoon - will you be one of them?