The Fourth of July means a great many things. It's a day celebrating Liberty, the birth of a nation and throwing off the shackles of imperialism so a country could march to the beat of its own drum. There are a great many things you'll see today that will show you what America is all about, but perhaps none that started earlier than the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.
It's a 10K run but with a strictly American twist. Yes, there are the hardcore runners setting times and looking to place, but there are also a great many average Joes looking to get their America started early. Here's why the race is great:
1. There's a GIANT American flag suspended by a crane over the start line.
The big American flag flies over the starting line of the Peachtree Road Race. #July4On2 pic.twitter.com/opbfTLLSy7
— Jason Durden (@JasonDurdenWSB) July 4, 2014
2. It's a race where you're free to eat doughnuts while jogging.
Sadly every once in awhile we lose one #PeachtreeRoadRace pic.twitter.com/gkKmNBHWHb
— Amy Richter (@amyrichter) July 4, 2014
3. There's free beer everywhere and people are encouraged to drink WHILE running.
Free Red Hare's for Peachtree Roadrace runners! Chase the Rabbit! pic.twitter.com/D7LTfeUKu9
— Red Hare Brewing (@RedHareBrewing) July 4, 2014
4. There's free beer AND pizza everywhere and people are encouraged to eat and drink WHILE running.
Yes, they are handing out beer and pizza mid-race. Memo to @NASCAR: do this. pic.twitter.com/5dq9tg0Glq
— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) July 4, 2014
It's about getting out with your friends and meeting strangers to tackle a common goal, all while being cheered on from the sidelines by folks you've never met and are likely to never see again. It's about being seriously dedicated towards a feat, or wanting to be relaxed and treat it like a party. No one approach is more valid than another.
Cynicism towards events like this is easy. Appreciating that this isn't common everywhere it's slightly more difficult.
Have an amazing Fourth of July.