Atlanta Police in action during Peachtree Road Race

In addition to ensuring the safety of participants, Atlanta officers, as well as firefighters, took photos with runners, walkers and rollerbladers – and even participated in the race themselves.

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

The July 4 race attracts elite runners from around the world with its famous Cardiac Hill, a stretch of Peachtree Road that pushes athletes to their limits as they tackle the 12-story climb in less than a mile.

However, this year’s 55th annual race, hosted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in partnership with the Atlanta Track Club, was cut short due to dangerously high temperatures.

But the heat didn’t stop many participants from crossing the finish line in style. Many wore costumes ranging from ridiculous bananas to George Washington impersonators.

Among the participants was Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, who was really craving pancakes after finishing the race.

Warnock wasn’t the only politician running in the race. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also took part in the famous tradition and planned to hit up a few barbecues after the event was over.

Also among the runners was Betty Lindberg, who crossed the finish line for the 35th time just months before her 100th birthday.

World number one ranked road racer Sebastian Sawe crushed his male opponents, and Stacy Ndiwa won the elite women’s division with a time of 31:12 despite limping over the finish line.

Wheelchair racers Daniel Romanchuk and Susannah Scaroni defended their respective 2023 titles.

A full list of results can be found here.

Spectators filled spots along the 6.2-mile course to cheer on everyone from elite runners to friends and family, and volunteers assisted runners along the course and as they crossed the finish line.

Additionally, the winning Peachtree Road Race t-shirt design was a success and joined a long list of contest winners dating back to 1976.

The project, “Peach Planet ATL,” features various iconic Atlanta landmarks “wrapped around a peach (like a planet), where you can see almost everything at once,” winner Nick Benson said of his thought process. “That’s what it feels like to run the race.”

Once the party was over and it was time for everyone to head to their respective fireworks shows and barbecues, race participants and spectators boarded the MARTA to head home.