Use the month of June to familiarize yourself with three last-minute AJC Peachtree Road Race tips!
Wow – it’s fascinating to realize that the 2018 AJC Peachtree Road Race is only a few weeks away! Are you ready to brave the heat, hills, and humidity for that coveted tee shirt? Yes? Outstanding! Before proceeding, however, let’s backtrack for a few moments and revisit a few words of wisdom from the March, April, and May articles.
First, if you are dragging your feet (pun intended) for a new pair of running shoes from your local Big Peach store, there’s still time to purchase new kicks and accumulate miles before the race. Don’t dawdle! Second, continue running outside so the body can acclimate to warming weather. Third, start thinking about what you’ll wear at the race. If you are planning to wear a special shirt, short, or skirt, take it out on a short training run to gauge comfort and feel. The same goes for (non-cotton) socks. If you are opting for patriotic threads, wear them once or twice prior to the race.
Finally, if you recall the May article, we examined the benefits of cross-training (swimming, cycling, and strength-training). Keep these exercises up to lower the risk of injury. Speaking of which, if an injury will prevent you from running the 2018 AJC Peachtree Road Race, defer the entry to 2019. Visit the Atlanta Track Club website for more details about this process. Below are a few last-minute tips to keep in mind before July 4th.
Number Pick-Up
Race numbers sent out in the mail will begin arriving mid-June. All other runners can pick up their bibs at the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo on July 2nd and 3rd from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring a copy of your race number confirmation and identification.
A family member or friend can also pick up your number, provided they bring a copy of your confirmation and identification. While you’re at the Expo, don’t forget to drop by the Big Peach booth and say hello and pick up any last-minute items you need!
Event Alert System
Between thousands of fellow runners, volunteers, and spectators, it’s easy to overlook the Event Alert System (EAS) signage on the course. Green indicates good conditions while yellow indicates caution.
Red denotes dangerous conditions, so prepare to potentially modify your race plan. Black denotes event cancellation, so let’s all hope for green and the corresponding “Go!” from officials. During the race, pay attention to all official announcements and flag colors as the miles unfold.
Ticket to Ride
The Atlanta Track Club advises runners traveling to the race to take MARTA. Service will begin at 5 a.m. on race day, which will help participants eliminate the stress of navigating traffic and instead prepare their minds for Georgia’s most prestigious 10K.
Between your race number, apparel, and shoes, you don’t need much gear for the race. In fact, I’ll close by recommending shorts or skirts that emphasize function. Think zippers, and their ability to keep keys, a gel, and the MARTA card secure for all 6.2 miles. Speaking of which, use the MARTA trip to begin hydrating so you feel fresh at the start. If your stomach begins to rumble during the trip, bring a light snack as well (e.g. a banana or gel) as you settle into your respective corral.
Have a great race! Or in the words of what all Guest Advocates at Big Peach Running Co. repeatedly say, “May your best miles be those covered on foot!”
P.S. If the 2018 AJC Peachtree Road Race is your very first 10K race, drop by your local store for a free Peachy magnet!
Austin Bonds is a Guest Advocate at the Big Peach Suwanee location.
