Peachtree Road Race T-shirt sparks debate over color, design
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The design of the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race for 2026 has sparked debate on social media. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios
Days after tens of thousands of people walked, wheeled and ran the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race, Atlantans are still talking about this year's T-shirt.
Why it matters: Receiving the shirt at the end of the race is the pinnacle of Atlanta's 4th of July tradition of running a 10K in the Georgia heat and humidity along the city's most famous street from Buckhead to Midtown.
Driving the news: The design, titled "We the Peaches," was created by Marietta artist Dyan Szall and was unveiled Saturday after the first runner crossed the finish line.
- "We the Peaches celebrates the community we build on Peachtree Road every July 4th — the runners, the walkers, the supporters and the volunteers," Szall said of the design. "From the start under the flag to the finish line, it champions the inclusivity of freedom and justice for all."
What they're saying: The design has drawn mixed reactions on social media.
- "Nothing says America 250 like yellow," one person wrote under the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race Facebook post about the design.
- "Designed by the Savannah Bananas marketing staff," said another person under a post published on the Facebook page of the Atlanta Track Club, which organizes the race.
- Other people questioned the abbreviation of Georgia, and expressed that the shirt should have been red, white or blue.
The other side: Not everyone hated the design.
- One person on Facebook, who said they have run in the race since 1996, referred to the yellow as "different and bold."
- "Hard to make everyone happy," they added.
- Another person said in a post they were grateful the flag was featured and they like the material because it is different from previous shirts made with heavy cotton.
- "As for the color, well, I don't have another Peachtree shirt that color, so I'm good. Thanks!"
Kristal's thought bubble: The design reminded me of a children's summer camp shirt from the 1970s. And for some reason, the 1976 movie "Bad News Bears" popped into my head.
- The technically incorrect abbreviation of Georgia doesn't bother me. The color definitely smacks you in the face, though.
- I don't typically wear yellow, but I'll make an exception for this because it's comfortable — and I can always use more shirts to exercise in.
What do you think of this year's Peachtree Road Race shirt? Let us know at [email protected].