The Great Pumpkin Race 5K & 10K Run/Walk
Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race features two 10K events on the same course, run in opposite directions. The main Independence Day race proceeds south, while the January Polar Opposite race heads north. The South race, established in 1970, has been the world's largest 10K since the late 1970s, attracting over 70,000 participants vying for 60,000 available spots. It accommodates a large field of runners, including elite 10K competitors, and has previously hosted the U.S. men's and women's 10K championships. The South course route extends from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park. Conversely, the North race begins at 10th Street near Piedmont Park and concludes at Lenox Square. The Shepherd Center wheelchair division precedes the main footrace. A separate division is available for soldiers deployed in the Middle East. Younger participants can compete in the Peachtree Junior mile and 50-meter dash, both held in Piedmont Park. An early event quirk involved organizers underestimating T-shirt demand, leading to them being given to early finishers and subsequently running out.
