LISTEN: This year's race has the highest number of people registered to run since 2019. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports on changes to the race this year.

A big blue arch with a white shield that says " Atlanta Journal Constitution Peachtree Road Race"

The Peachtree Road Race archway near Piedmont Park is set up early on July 3, 2025.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Over 53,000 runners have registered for the 56th annual Peachtree Road Race. This year marks the highest number of people registered since 2019.

One cohort will be the first to see new race day changes. Rich Kenah is the CEO of the Atlanta Track Club and Director of the Peachtree Road Race. He said organizers have new strategies to keep runners safe in the heat.

“We’re starting 10 minutes earlier than last year,” Kenah said. “It might not seem like a lot, but at 10 a.m., as it starts to get warm and humid, that 10 minutes makes a lot of difference.”

At the finish line, all participants will also receive a cool towel to help beat the heat.  

For some families, running this race has become a tradition no matter the weather. John Turner and his family have been running for over 40 years.

“Since 1981, I started running. That was my first year,” Turner said, “Then my son joined me a little bit later, then my daughter, and my wife. Now we got grandkids running it. So we got three generations running the Peachtree.”

Turner wants to see his grandkids keep the tradition alive with their grandkids. Organizers are hoping to encourage more people to celebrate beyond just the race. Kenah said this year organizers have planned a fireworks show and closed the road down earlier.

“We’re looking to create a fun festival-like atmosphere over multiple days,” he said, “where people can shop dine stay in a hotel and get that selfie underneath the start truss before it comes down on July 4.”

Kaila Alexander and her parents pose and smile. Kaila has a medal and a bib on from the race.

Kaila Alexander, 14, and her parents Kelley and Chad pose for a photo after Kaila finished first in her division for the 1-mile Peachtree Junior race July 3, 2025, one day before the annual 10K Peachtree Road Race.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Young runners participate in a dash race, or a 1-mile race called the Peachtree Junior, held the day before the main race.

Kaila Alexander is a returning champion. She placed first in the 13-year-old girls bracket in 2024 and secured the top spot in the 14-year-old girls bracket on Thursday this year. Alexander said with her parents’ encouragement she’s looking forward to running the full 10K on July 4.

“I actually am feeling really great,” she said. “Now that I got this 1-mile out of the way, I can just recover, and then have a good night’s sleep, and then wake up in the morning. Do it all over again.”

The Peachtree Road Race will begin at 6:50 a.m. on July 4.

Tags: sports  running  Atlanta  Georgia