This was maybe my 4th or 5th time running the Peachtree. As always, I had a blast.

Even though there are 60,000 runners for a 10K, race management is outstanding. The first wave starts at 7:00 AM and subsequent waves start every five minutes thereafter. I was near the front of my corral (maybe 3-4 people in front of me) and my Garmin time shows I crossed the timing mat at the time we were told we'd start.

There are people out all along Peachtree Road. Of course there are the official water stops along the course, but you can also find things such as beer, food samples from restaurants and grocery stores, and you can even get blessed by a priest. For the first three miles, the course is downhill. But then you get past that 5K mark and the hills start. Water stop placement for the second half of the race coincided with the start and end of the hills. When you're in the last mile of the race, pay attention. It's not quite a mile once you make the turn off Peachtree don't be fooled by the early "finish line". It's not really a finish line. It's a photo op and it's actually maybe a quarter mile before the end.

The race ends in Piedmont Park. There is plenty of water as you cross the finish and volunteers are moving people along to get their shirts and food. To get away from the park and back to MARTA you do have a bit of a hike. Mine was over a mile (I missed the first station because I was busy taking pictures). Which reminds me, getting to and from the start/finish on MARTA is a HUGE pain in the butt. Remember, 60,000 people. If you're riding MARTA in to the start, get out there EARLY. Even if you start at a station that's not really crowded, if you have to change trains, especially at the central station downtown, you will be trying to get on a train with a lot of other people and may have to wait for several trains before you get your turn. The problem is not totally as bad at the end, but there are still a lot of people trying to get back home at the end. If you plan early, you can find great hotel deals downtown really close to the start. I'd recommend that. I was a block from the start this year.

As far as running with 60,000 people, it's actually not too bad. I am able to maneuver around slower runners and maintain my pace.

Registration usually happens in March. Atlanta Track Club members get guaranteed, priority registration. The race only costs $35 and ATC membership is another $35. Otherwise, you have to rely on a lottery or hope you have family or friends that work at one of the large sponsors who also get guaranteed entries.