The world’s largest 10k with registered participants at 60,000!
Living in Atlanta it was overwhelming to see some of the busiest streets shut
down and to have so many runners in one place. Needless to say it was a
horrible week for the weather. Rain Rain and more rain. This is what my weather
app said the night before.
After spending some time on Google on what to wear for a
race I decided on the classic trash bag look. With the humidity and possible
rain I knew my rain jacket would just leave me hot and mad at my decision.
(Been there done that)
This lovely addition to my favorite outfit was tossed as
soon as I lined up in my start wave. Perfect timing the rain stopped just as I
started to feel really judged in my crazy trash bag. I tossed it in the trash
put my phone in my zip lock bag…RACE TIME!
My favorite part of the start line was the American Flag yes
this was what I was excited about celebrating the 4th with fellow
runners. I even got a little emotional when they asked people who have severed
our country to raise their hands. A man standing in my wave was patted on the
black and applauded for his tour overseas. Call me a softy but truly awesome
and a wonderful way to start the race.
The race was surprising REALLY smooth with the water stops,
getting each start wave out on the course, and the finish. The rain even held
off until I was able to finish! I would say it was a successful race I earned a
new PR at 1:02:27 who would have tough with THIS COURSE that I could beat my
last time! Finishing 16,558th what an odd feeling to race with almost 60,000 people.
The biggest trick on the course is once you take a left on
10th street heading towards the finish there is a big photo
bridge with photographers that LOOKS just like the finish. Jokes on everybody
else there is still like .3miles to go before the end. I hate it for the people
that start to walk when they thought they finished.
Race Shirt
Post race with rain coming I grabbed some food, a water, and
saw some friends. I was in such a rush to get back on Marta (public
transportation in Atlanta) and back to house to shower and dry off ASAP!
Why was this the best thing I had? (I may of had 2)
My favorite shirt post race...
The boyfriend and I were off to Marta and to make it home
before LOTS of people started to finish. I was very thankful to be in one of
the beginning start waves to avoid the mass amounts of people afterwards.
Needless to say the police presence was there and strong! The security was
tight getting in afterwards following everything in Boston. Still don’t know if
I felt safer with all the security or if I was just focused on getting a
rainbow Popsicle but it was a successful event.
Lots of Mud and wet clothes!
I do not know if I would add this event to the list next
year it’s a lot of work to wake up at 5am get to your start wave before they
leave 7:30-9:00 depending on what you qualify for. If I have some friends that
do the race again next year and have some new runners want to do the race for
the first time I would be inclined to participate again. I am excited for a
faster start wave next year. Something to be said about your peers that are around
your same pace pushing you!
Excellent race and lots of fun with friends! Congrats to all that finished for 2013. First Peachtree Road Race is in the books.
