Due to extreme heat and humidity forecasted for the Fourth of July, the 57th annual Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race will begin under “red” flag conditions.
The color-coded alert system — “green” for normal conditions, “yellow” for worsening conditions, “red” for potentially dangerous conditions, and “black” for event cancelations — has been standard for major road races since 2007.
The Atlanta Track Club (ATC) consulted with event public safety partners and its medical team to make this decision.
Metro Atlanta has been under a heat advisory for the last week, with temperatures expected to be in the upper 70s to lower 80s by the time the Shepherd Center Wheelchair Division kicks off at 6:12 a.m., followed by the first running wave launches at 6:50 a.m. The last wave crosses the starting line at 8:30 a.m., when the heat index could potentially be at 90 degrees.
ATC urges participants to hydrate in advance, take fluids at every aid station, slow their pace, pass through the sprinklers along the course, manage their efforts accordingly, and follow instructions from race officials and volunteers. People at risk for heat-related illnesses, or who are unable to safely complete the 6.2-mile course in the hot and humid weather, are strongly encouraged to prioritize their health and safety — even staying home if needed.
Temilola Sobomehin Marshall, race director for The Race and Run Social Atlanta, said it is important for people to adjust their expectations and efforts to account for the weather conditions.
“I get it, I’ve been training for the Peachtree myself for weeks,” said Marshall. “But the goal is to survive it, to finish healthy, and not end up in the medical tent.”
Between now and the race on Saturday morning, event organizers will continue to monitor conditions and communicate updates through event channels, include on-course signage, social media, text and email messaging, and the ATC website.
