The Peachtree Road Race has been run in Atlanta every July 4 since 1970, becoming the world's largest 10K race late in its first decade. Kenya's Joseph Kimani, a two-time winner, has held the race's best time since 1996, when he scorched Atlanta's streets by running a 27:04. Lornah Kiplagat of Kenya holds the women's record: 30:32, set in 2002.
Scan the complete list of winners and you'll note Kenyans hold the top five men's times and four of the top five women's times. Ten of the last 11 years have seen a Kenyan produce either the men's or women's top time, with Kenya sweeping the event in 2009.
After a curious 2008, Kenya once again posted at least one winner in 2010, with Lineth Chepkurui winning her second-straight women's title by running a 30:51, the second-best women's time in Peachtree history. Ethiopia's Gebre Gebremariam won the men's event by turning in a time of 27:56, eighth-best ever.
Kiplagat and University of Georgia alum Gayle Barron share the record for most all-time victories, with five each.
Barron has been the biggest local celebrity in race history since dominating the event's early years and going on to be inducted into both the Georgia and Atlanta sports halls of fame. She was even named Waffle House's fitness expert, the highest possible honor for a Georgia athlete.
For more on the 2011 Peachtree Road Race, visit the official site and stay tuned to this StoryStream.