After PR'ing my 17th Peachtree Road Race in 2021 with a 45:09 I got pretty lazy about the world's largest 10K. And then 2022 rolled around and I had major FOMO for the snazzy finisher's shirts, which were now being supplied by the Atlanta Track Club's new sponsor Adidas.
So I made sure I signed up in 2023 to earn my shirt, posting a 53:48 in the process. Today I ran my 19th Peachtree Road race in 53:22, an improvement over last year but still have lots of work to do as I will have to run under 23:01 for a 5K or 47:59 for a 10K. In 2023, my 2021 PR was still valid for Wave A but this year, my fastest race was a 23:11 Resolution Run from 2023 that put me 10 seconds from Wave A.
Despite a hot morning that was about 75 degrees at race start (and the race ended up being cancelled a few hours later because of high humidity and temperatures over 80 degrees) I felt like I ran a decent race for my current ability. The starting pace in Wave B felt comfortable, but perhaps a little too comfortable as my first mile went at 8:40.
I felt hot after Mile 4 and slowed enough where I thought a few times about walking but worked my way through the finish. I did not use the one Maruten gel that I brought with me.
This year they have a new sign-up period for one week after the race to guarantee a place in the 2025 race. I would do it but I do not want to lock in the time from this race, which would put me in Wave C next year. (EDIT: I decided to register and it says you have until March next year to submit a better time for wave placement).
Here's some metrics on my 19 races:
Fastest time: 45:09 (2021; also ran 45:11 in 2019)
Slowest time: 58:36 (2008)
Years finishing between 55 minutes and 1 hour (5)
Years finishing between 50 minutes and 55 minutes (6)
Years finishing between 45 minutes and 50 minutes (7 -- includes virtual race in 2020)
Gear: Sleeveless technical T-shirt (Team BEEF Georgia), Tracksmith compression shorts, Picky Bars Boco visor (very helpful)
Shoes: Nike Vaporfly Next% Hakone
