The Best 4th of July Parade!

Peachtree Road Race

The Peachtree Road Race is the biggest and best 10k in the country! People from all over descend on Atlanta for the opportunity to run the race on the 4th of July. The race where the runners are the parade. Families make it a tradition to line the streets and cheer on the runners. Other families make it a tradition to run the race together. 

  

This was my first time running the Peachtree. It was exhilarating! The atmosphere was electric. You really feel like you're part of something much larger that you can't explain. The first two miles of the run are fairly easy, but then at mile three you come up to Cardiac Hill. There are two reasons it is called Cardiac Hill. 1. Piedmont Hospital is located at the top. 2. This hill climbs 12 stories in one mile and tends to get the best of some runners. They end up passing out or having trouble breathing due to issues in their chest. 

I decided to push myself and run the entire way up the hill. So it made me extremely happy and emotional to see some familiar faces when I got to the top. My dad and stepmom were waiting to cheer me on! 

 

I cried when I saw them and got hugs to power me forward. Right after seeing my family I was able to get a slice of pizza and a beer from Mellow Mushroom. Sometimes all you need to give you the extra edge is an alcoholic beverage. 

However, the best part of the Peachtree is the coveted tshirt! This is the only race where you get your medal before the run, but the tshirt is after. The community votes for a design, but nobody knows the winning one until the first person crosses the finish line. Even the winning designer doesn't find out until its completed! The designs always show a piece of history from the race which make them unique and collectors items. 

I can't wait to be a part of this magnificent tradition for its 50th running on July 4th 2019! Cheers to freedom and fun!