Heat taking toll at Peachtree Road Race
They came to Atlanta from 48 states and Washington D.C. to push themselves to exhaustion in temperatures better suited for sitting under a shade tree than lacing up running shoes.
They didn’t suffer alone. More than 60,000 new friends suffered too.
They came to run in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, the world’s largest 10k race. Unlike last year’s cool 62-degree 7:30 a.m. starting-time temperatures, this year’s temperatures were around 74 degrees with sock-soaking humidity.
Click here to search the 2011 AJC Peachtree Roadrace results.
“There’s no way it was 74 degrees,” U.S. runner Ed Moran said.
How hot was it?
It was so hot even the winner forgot about the $25,000 in prize money for a short time. “It’s just too hot,” Kenya’s Sammy Kitwara said. He took $15,000 as the first-place finisher and a $10,000 bonus in the Professional Road Running Organization circuit.
Kitwara and countryman Mathew Kisorio ran shoulder to shoulder for most of the last three miles of the 6.2-mile journey through Atlanta. Kitwara outsprinted him to the finish line to post a winning time of 28 minutes, 5 seconds for his second victory in three years in the event.
Ethiopia’s Werknesh Kidane won the women’s race, topping the field in an unofficial time of 31:22.
Ben True was the top U.S. men’s finisher, taking that title from Moran. True picked up an additional $10,000 for that distinction, though the heat and humidity took a mental and physical toll.
“It was quite unbearable at the end,” said True, who was competing in the event for the first time. “But it’s a great course, phenomenal.”
The medical tents were busier than in previous year’s races, but no serious injuries have been reported. Some Runners are experiencing cramping and dehydration.
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66 comments Add your comment
BobDog
July 4th, 2011
5:37 pm
Newbie, congratulations and good for you. Keep working on getting better each year. It will give you motivation to continue getting healthier.
Viktoria Grace
July 4th, 2011
6:04 pm
This was my first time in the Peachtree Road Race so I have nothing to compare it to but yes, it was very hot. I had a great time though! I’d like to do it again next year if I get picked.
Running Fool
July 4th, 2011
6:04 pm
It was hot out there!
Bill
July 4th, 2011
6:05 pm
Had to walk this year (for the first time in 17 years) due to an injured leg. Of course, I walked on the rightt
Running Fool
July 4th, 2011
6:08 pm
All of the complaints about spelling are true. Now can we get back too tha Peechtrea Rhode Rayce?
Bill
July 4th, 2011
6:09 pm
I had to walk this year due to an injured leg (first time to walk in 17 Peachtrees). New perspective – many runners are discourteous of walkers by running through them “aggressively” on the right. I won’t complain about walkers so much in the future.
Roger
July 4th, 2011
6:12 pm
PRR Vet – Well said and I absolutely agree. For many AJC writers, spell-check has been a crutch instead of a tool. Let JaniceB. wallow in her “inept” use of what must have been her word of the day–”allay.” You do not allay a response, you avoid it. You do allay someone’s fears, etc., as you lessen or mitigate them.
Linda and Carol, why would you take your time to mention such a trivial matter. I would not have responded to you, but I’m hoping to allay other inept responses.
watson
July 4th, 2011
6:39 pm
I thought this years road race temperatures were great. How does someone from Kenya think Atlanta is hot at 74 degrees?
dean
July 4th, 2011
6:43 pm
Somewhere in Afghanistan is a Marine or soldier humping a 100lbs over his body weight who really doesn’t care how hot it was in ATL this morning. Perspective is a good thing. Seller Fi.
dean
July 4th, 2011
6:45 pm
Uh…I hate auto-correct. That should have ended “Semper Fi”
Marcia
July 4th, 2011
7:59 pm
My 6th or 7th P’Tree, and certainly the hottest. But what an incredible job of organizing by the ATC. 60,000 runners, on time starts for all time groups, great volunteers starting and shepherding the runners, adequate watering, cool down and elimination stations all along the way. And those elimination stations didn’t run out of toilet paper or hand sanitizers – that’s impressive. The Georgia peaches (along with the other goodies) they were handing out at the end were the icing on the runner’s cake. Boring T-shirt design, but still has pride of place among my 2011 running spoils. Sure people complain, but you just can’t please all the people all the time. Thanks ATC. Thanks volunteers. Thanks onlookers. See you in 2012!
Rodney
July 5th, 2011
11:26 am
Great race. It was my first one. I’ll definitely do it again next year lord willing. I’ll also bring more carbs. Thanks to all that made it possible. What a beautiful route also.
Ryneberg
July 5th, 2011
4:58 pm
Arguably the slowest of my 17 Peachtrees, but I had a blast doing a kegstand and having a few beers along the way.
Sebastian...KBHFIT.COM
July 6th, 2011
10:15 am
We had a great time!!!! There were about 20 people in our group from KBH fitness. Our goal was to finish and leave noone behind. I absolutely enjoyed it! Next year I will have my 9 year ol daughter with me!!!! Live Clean, Live Healthy = Living Longer
Heywood Jooblome
July 6th, 2011
11:54 am
I b!tched about the very bad corral/crowd control last year. It was good this year. Smart move to funnel everyone along Lenox Road to the middle of the corrals instead of from the starting area. Who’d have thunk it would have taken the ATC this long to figure that out.
Courtenay
July 6th, 2011
9:39 pm
My very 1st PRR. My time was ok, but I knew that it wouldn’t great given the heat,humidity, and humanity…..and our “Y” wave group. Great job with organization ATC! “Y” is the last group and we actually started right on time! I stopped at every water station for a few sips and then poured the rest over my heat. Ran thru the sprinklers when I could. Had to weave a bit, as it is the world’s largest 10k! Fantastic! I’ll be back!