ATLANTA — The AJC Peachtree Road Race is still four months away but runners now have their first look at the finalists for the event's coveted t-shirt.
The Atlanta Track Club unveiled five designs, pictured below, which people can vote on to determine a winner.
According to a release, "artists were judged based on adherence to the official rules and how well their design captured the theme and history of Atlanta’s most-iconic summer event."
The winning artist will receive a $1,000 prize and their design showcased on Adidas shirts wore by more than 50,000 runners at the end of the event.
“The kickoff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt Contest means the Peachtree season is officially upon us,” said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club. “I hope when runners see this year’s designs, it will get them even more excited to sign up and join us for Atlanta’s greatest day on the Fourth of July.”
Finalists for 2023 AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt
Full look at finalists
Artist Cece Page from Atlanta: "I love that Atlanta's nickname is The City in the Forest and wanted to incorporate that into my design. I run regularly and always enjoy looking at the way Atlanta's urban architecture blends so well with our abundance of trees and plants. There's so many rolling hills and winding roads and Atlanta doesn't follow a traditional grid which makes it feel like a big, patchwork neighborhood."
Artist Erica Dean from Lawrenceville: "I wanted to capture the essence of the Fourth of July in a subtle, yet fun way. I chose to make the peach the star of the show; the leading lines sprouting from the peach showcases the bold energy of fireworks, with the dotted lines alluding to roads. I chose muted colors for a less aggressive approach, so the lines and overall illustration wouldn’t get washed out by bold colors."
Artist Eryn Kelly from Acworth: "To me, The Peachtree feels like a kickoff party for the rest of your Fourth of July! I wanted the design to be fun and vibrant, and to represent what a joy it is to experience running down Peachtree year after year."
Artist Maurice Garland from Tucker: "Runners constantly check their watch to monitor their pace, heart rate and anything else these fancy features offer. So why not have the shirt feature one of a runner's favorite accessories? The watch face is ode to the peach and the 4th of July, but it also includes some data presented in the form of the four area codes of Atlanta, symbolizing the ongoing growth and expansion of the city's population and identity."
Artist Stephen Mullinax from Stone Mountain: "I wanted to capture the feeling of the uphill portion of the race, which is the most challenging, but often the most memorable."