For Allison Dukes, running began as a salve for crushing grief. After losing both her husband and mother in a single year, Allison hit the pavement with a walk, then a jog, and eventually crossed the finish line of her first 5K despite mountains of self-doubt. Running helped Allison cope with immense loss and find both physical and mental strength. She's since adopted the daily philosophy of “do something today that I couldn't do yesterday.” Allison will be running the Peachtree for Atlanta's Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to building affordable housing for families with dreams of first-time homeownership. “Just like me doing something each day that I couldn't do before, many of these first-time homeowners are doing what they never thought they could achieve. I feel a deep kinship with them all.” Click below to donate to Allison's fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

Winston Carhee knows a thing or two about what it means to grow up a Black man in Atlanta — and the kind of support it takes to be the kind of father and citizen role model he feels grateful to be today. A successful area chiropractor and proud mentor with 100 Black Men of Atlanta, a nonprofit committed to supporting and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for Black youth in the city, 49-year-old Winston has overcome hurdle after hurdle to get to where he is. At 16, he suffered a head-on collision that resulted in a yearlong recovery. Now, Winston refuses to take anything, especially his health, for granted. It’s a message he passes down to his own sons and mentees: “The healthier you are, the more you can empower yourselves to take control of your lives. And when you can change your own lives, you can help change your community — and next, the world.” Click below to donate to Winston’s fundraiser for 100 Black Men. Click below to donate to Winston's fundraiser for 100 Black Men. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

From his early high school cross country days in North Carolina to an engrossing role with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, David Jernigan has always found the act of running a most prime way to decompress from the day and clear his head. Though he'll have to walk this year's Peachtree due to an injury, David can't wait to be among the best of Atlanta on the Fourth of July. As president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta — a nonprofit that invests in kids and teens through engaging after-school programs — David tries to model the organization's three core pillars of academic success, good character and a healthy lifestyle in his own work and life, especially when it comes to managing his own employees. “As folks who are constantly pouring into young people, I think it's important that we find ways to find balance ourselves,” David said. “Wellness is an important part of our ability to give back.” Click below to donate to David’s fundraiser for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

As staff attorney at the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Stephanie Stutts is dedicated to holding polluters accountable. The job isn't for the faint of heart but being able to spend so much time outdoors is certainly therapeutic. Stephanie only took up running in March of this year, but she's quickly learning it not only helps her clear her head but also encourages her to be a better advocate. A quick afternoon escape, she said, helps her regroup and refocus during a particularly stressful workday. “It's amazing what a 1-mile run can do for my mental health.” This won't just be Stephanie's first Peachtree; it'll be her first race ever. Why not start big? Click below to donate to Stephanie’s fundraiser for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

For Atlanta native and former Chicago Cubs outfielder C.J. Stewart, baseball was a golden ticket out of poverty. He fell in love with the sport at 8 and credits the influential Black men in his life for giving him the confidence and work ethic to use his talents wisely. That's why he's excited to run on behalf of the L.E.A.D. Center For Youth, a nonprofit that teaches youth how to overcome crime, poverty and racism through baseball and tennis. C.J. didn't get into running until 2020. It was the racially motivated hate killing of 25-year-old Black man Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick that propelled him to the streets, C.J. said. Arbery had been out jogging when three white men chased him through a neighborhood and shot him to death. They later told police they thought he was a burglar. “Running started out as an homage to him, but in forcing myself to spend so much time with my own thoughts, I think it really saved my own life,” he said. Click below to donate to C.J.’s fundraiser for L.E.A.D. Center For Youth. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

A recent graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Kristine Jordan may have been born to lead — but not necessarily born to run. In fact, the last time she hit the ground running was for a 5K race about 20 years ago that led to two weeks of painful shin splints. Though health and wellness are part of Kristine’s DNA, she completely underestimated the endurance and training that goes into running a race. This year, as she gears up for a significant feat with the Peachtree, Kristine’s not taking any step for granted. At Empty Stocking Fund, where members provide school-aged children with backpacks and help teachers restock classrooms, Kristine finds herself running down warehouse aisles in her new race-appropriate running shoes and clocking in some serious steps she hopes will pay off. Click below to donate to Kristine’s fundraiser for Empty Stocking Fund. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

Track star Gail Devers, a three-time Olympics gold medalist, has overcome her share of health obstacles — from Graves’ disease to thyroid eye disease and all the mental gymnastics that come with chronic conditions. But each obstacle is just another hurdle to cross. Gail is determined to share her lifelong love of triumph and tenacity with her current track and field students at Gwinnett’s Mountain View High School. As coach, she tells self-doubting runners time and time again, “I’m going to believe in you more than you believe in yourself. And then, eventually, it’s going to switch. Trust the process.” Our local Olympian will be running the Peachtree with Atlanta Track Club, a beloved Atlanta organization rooted in connecting people through running — and one Gail credits for giving her the sense of community she always craved. Click below to donate to Gail’s fundraiser for Atlanta Track Club + Peachtree with a Purpose. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

Thirty-two-year-old Josh Porter has the kind of contagious charm that can turn any bad day around, according to racing partner and push assistant Sarah Roberson. Born prematurely, Josh had to have one leg amputated at age 15 and has been living with cerebral palsy in the other leg ever since. But he’s never let physical limitations get in the way. Through the Kyle Pease Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through sports and beyond, Josh has found the confidence to not only compete in inclusive sports, such as racing; he also was one of six people hired on staff as part of the foundation’s inclusion employment program. Although Sarah has completed the Peachtree nine or 10 times, with this race being her first time as Josh’s push assistant, she says 2024 will top them all. Click below to donate to Sarah and Josh’s fundraiser for Kyle Pease Foundation. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

To say Elise White is a people person is an understatement. As a community-centered human, wellness advocate and longtime marathoner, Elise has always gravitated toward organizations that share her own values of empowering others to live happier, fulfilling lives. When Elise found Girls on the Run Atlanta, it was a match made in heaven. The nonprofit, which is committed to helping women and girls foster friendships, manage emotions and express empathy through evidence-based physical activity, also teaches them that they can get through anything. It’s exactly how she’s lived her own life, Elise said. And now it’s time to continue passing the baton. Click below to donate to Elise’s fundraiser for Girls on the Run. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)

Growing up in Atlanta, Blake Fortune often found himself on the greens of Piedmont Park, surrounded by skylines and hills and all the people that make the city feel like home. Even now in adulthood, running in the park is an integral part of how he decompresses from the hustle and bustle of a busy career in finance. Running for the Piedmont Park Conservancy is a no-brainer for Blake, who is dedicated to bringing more attention to the organization’s goals to create a more attractive, community-centric greenspace for young people that allows them a chance to escape from computers, unplug from social media and find solace under the trees. Click below to donate to Blake’s fundraiser for Piedmont Park Conservancy. (Photo credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photos)