Peachtree Road Race continues Atlanta July 4 tradition

ATLANTA — The 42nd annual Peachtree Road race took to the streets under a banner of patriotic fervor and enthusiasm.

“I’m excited to be in the Peachtree again,” one long-time participant said. “It’s a fun Fourth of July tradition for my family.”

More than 60,000 took part in this year’s 10K race, which was one of the hotter ones. By the time the race started, the temperature was in the mid 70s, and the humidity was high.

A number of runners fell victim to the heat and humidity, turning to medical personnel mid-way through the race.

Sammy Kitwara of Kenya won this year’s race with a time of 28 minutes and 5 seconds for the 6.2 mile run. But, even Kitwara wasn’t immune to the heat, telling ajc.com “it was just too hot.”

Werknesh Kidane of Ethiopia won the women’s race with a time of 31 minutes and 22 seconds.

Krige Schabort of Cedartown won the men’s wheelchair race with a time of 19 minutes and 47 seconds. Tatyana McFadden of Clarksville, Md., won the women’s wheelchair race with a time of 24 minutes and 46 seconds.