ATLANTA — Two years after the last in-person AJC Peachtree Road Race some 13,000 runners took to the streets of Atlanta to welcome back the annual fourth of July holiday tradition.

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This years return was a little different from previous races. Previous years saw some 60,000 runners cross the starting line in front of Lenox Mall. But this year, things were broken into two separate days, primarily for social distancing purposes.

Race Director Rich Kenah said they split the event into two days primarily as a safety precaution to limit any potential COVID-19 exposure among the runners.

“To participate this year, they would either need to show proof of vaccination and/or go through a COVID screening process,” Kenah said. “So we’ve been doing that over the last four days in our expo.”

Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway spoke with Brad and Heather Sobel before the race started. The Sobel’s said they really missed the massive crowds.

“It wasn’t a lot of people. The atmosphere was still here it’s just a little different,” said the Sobel’s. “The spatial, social awareness, you’re going to have to find your wave through the first mile.”

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Holloway also spoke with Erin Lawson who has run the race seven times. She was just happy to be back out and racing with others.

“We are so excited! I think I speak for everyone so excited to be live. Virtual is just not the same,” Lawson said. “It’s a little different being two days this year but we’re excited to be back in race mode with all the lights and flags it’s awesome.”

The fastest woman on the course Saturday morning Jessica Smith said she could have been more excited to compete again.

“I’m feeling really good. It was definitely a good course. We have a beautiful day and we could not get more lucky with the weather,” Smith said. “It was a great race overall.”

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The 18,000 or so runners set to start Sunday will feature four of the six Olympic Marathon runners scheduled to run this weekend. It also means Peachtree Street will be closed in the morning, so please plan accordingly.

Channel 2 Action News will have Live Coverage throughout the day on Sunday

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