Atlanta Track Club opens 2026 Peachtree Road Race T-shirt contest with $5,700 top prize

A signature Fourth of July tradition returns with a new eligibility rule on design methods

Atlanta Track Club has opened submissions for its 2026 Peachtree Road Race T-shirt design contest, offering a $5,700 first-place award and the chance to create the finisher’s shirt for the 57th running of the race. Organizers expect the artwork to appear on shirts distributed to more than 50,000 finishers after the July 4, 2026, event.

The contest includes a total prize purse of $8,700. Second place is set at $2,000 and third place at $1,000.

Deadlines, eligibility, and what designers must include

Artists may submit up to three entries. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on February 20, 2026. The contest is open to individuals ages 16 and older who are U.S. residents through race day, and entrants must be the sole author of their work.

Design specifications include a 10-inch by 10-inch layout, digital submission in PDF or JPG format, a minimum resolution of 300 dpi, and a maximum file size of 3MB. Entries must use no more than four spot colors and include the following text:

• “Peachtree Road Race”
• “Atlanta, GA”
• “July 4, 2026”

Organizers also note that designs will be evaluated with printing constraints in mind, including ink limits and performance-fabric considerations.

What’s new for 2026: AI-assisted artwork barred

A key change for the 2026 contest is an explicit prohibition on artwork made with or assisted by artificial intelligence. Organizers state that only entirely human-created designs are eligible.

Additional content rules bar nudity, sexually explicit material, disparaging or libelous content, and commercial promotion unrelated to the organizer or promotional partners. Designs also may not depict trademarked apparel.

How finalists are chosen and when the public votes

A judging panel drawn from Atlanta Track Club and the local running community is expected to select five finalists, with criteria that include creativity, rule compliance, and alignment with the race’s legacy. Public voting is scheduled to run from March 9 through April 10, 2026, via the AJC News app. The winning design is typically kept confidential until the first finisher reaches the finish in Piedmont Park on race day.

The finisher’s shirt has become a widely recognized keepsake for participants—one element of an event that has grown into the world’s largest 10K by participation.

Theme guidance tied to 2026’s national milestone

Designers are encouraged, but not required, to acknowledge the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. Organizers specify that official America250 logos, phrases, or trademarks should not be used and that the contest is not affiliated with the America250 initiative.

The 57th Peachtree Road Race is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026.