Peachtree T-shirt finalists named, race will be run over 2 days

Organizers expect the 2021 Peachtree Road Race to look a little different than the races of the last few years. This year’s event will be held on both July 3 and July 4 to allow for social distancing and other measures to keep runners safe.

The 2020 event was postponed from its usual July 4 slot and ended up being held virtually in late November. Prior to 2020, the race had been held annually on the morning of July 4.

This year’s event will begin at Lenox Square and end at Piedmont Park. The Atlanta Track Club, the group that operates the race, hasn’t announced a capacity for this year’s event, but according to a release from the club, they expect there to be less than the 60,000 runners it has hosted in the past.

Registration opens on March 15.

“A lot has changed over the last year,” said Rich Kenah, the Peachtree’s race director. “The AJC Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt contest has not. In fact, this year’s submissions were some of the strongest we have ever received.”

The Atlanta Track Club also announced the five finalists to be featured on the 2021 Peachtree Road Race T-shirt. One of the designs will appear on the shirt that is given to all of this year’s runners who finish the race.

Leah Knighton, of Lithonia, created this design.

“My inspiration for this design is my pride in Georgia,” Knighton said. “I wanted it to be simple but still show the key things that we associate with our state. I wanted to include a road design that went through the whole state outline. Peachtree Street and Peachtree Road really embody how I perceive Atlanta. The area is filled with diversity, art, history and community.”

Stephen Mullinax, of Atlanta, created this design.

“This year, I wanted to celebrate that the race is back and better than ever,” Mullinax said. “The phoenix has long been a symbol of Atlanta and represents our city’s ability to rise above challenging times with strength and resilience.”

Mark Singletary, of Atlanta, created this design.

“(It’s) a fun, retro design that captures the energy of the day,” Singletary said. “It’s a little goofy to run six miles with 60,000 folks; the t-shirt should reflect that.”

Russ Vann, of Atlanta, came up with this design.

“Inspiration for my design came from wanting to showcase a peach,” Vann said. “I wanted to use the elements of a classic peach, but give the design some fun.”

The final finalist was created by Matthew Vogel, of Cumming.

“The great community of Atlanta comes out to support those running and walking, cheering on the runners every step of the way,” Vogel said. “With this design, I wanted to use bright colors alongside a more playful kind of illustration that gave the design that same embracing feeling that we share each year in the heart of the great Peach State.”

Voting is open through the end of March.

Cox Media Group