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The world’s largest 10K is known for its hills, its heat, and the wall of humidity that greets runners at the starting line every July 4th. Every runner who has raced the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race knows the relief of passing under a canopy of shade trees on a sweltering summer day. Those trees aren’t just scenery. They lower surface temperatures, filter the air, and make running in Atlanta’s summer heat a little more bearable.

This year, Trees Atlanta is proud to be an official charity partner of the race, and we have five incredible runners lacing up on our behalf. They include volunteers, staff, board members, and friends of Trees Atlanta, and they are running to raise fund for the urban forest.

We hope you’ll support their efforts. Each runner has a personal fundraising goal of $1,000 to raise before race day. Will you help them cross the finish line?

These Tree-Hugging Runners Need Your Support

You might recognize some, or all, of these great people! Click each runner’s link to donate directly to their fundraising page, or designate your gift through our website with their name and “Peachtree Road Race” in the Special Designation field.

Chris Ross

Host, Keep That Same Green Energy® Podcast

Running and raising funds for Trees Atlanta perfectly combined Chris Ross’ passion for sustainability and a commitment to making Atlanta greener and healthier for everyone. This year marks Chris’ second time running for the trees! He’s the host of Keep That Same Green Energy®, a podcast that empowers everyday people to take climate action, whether that’s reducing their carbon footprint or supporting efforts like forest restoration.

↪  Help Chris Reach His Goal

Eric Blumenschein

Workforce Development Manager, Trees Atlanta

Eric manages the Workforce Development program at Trees Atlanta, helping connect youth and young adults to green collar careers through hands-on training in fields like urban forestry, environmental conservation, arboriculture, and more. For Eric, running has always come naturally. He loves the active and supportive community that running brings to various organizations, just like the weekly Trees Atlanta run club. This will be Eric’s first Peachtree Road Race and he’s excited to experience the largest 10K in the world! Eric’s favorite tree (of the moment) is the winged elm because he enjoys its unique bark structure and funky growth pattern.

↪  Help Eric Reach His Goal

Martha Issa

Senior Director of Sustainability, Veritiv Corporation

Martha Issa believes in the power of trees to transform communities, and she’s putting that belief into motion by running the Peachtree Road Race in support of Trees Atlanta for the second year in a row. A Trees Atlanta Board Member since April 2024 and Senior Director of Sustainability at Veritiv Corporation, Martha’s commitment to environmental stewardship reflects both her personal passion and professional mission. Join her in making a lasting impact one tree (and one mile) at a time.

Mat Smith

Beltline Arboretum Supervisor, Westside Trail, Trees Atlanta

Mat Smith is Trees Atlanta’s Beltline Arboretum Supervisor for the Westside Trail, and he lives this mission in every sense of the word.  He is a Kennesaw State graduate with a degree in Exercise Science, and has poured his blood, sweat, and tears into making Atlanta’s urban forest a reality. He ever spends his downtime building native meadow and arboretum space at his childhood home in Woodstock. He hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2019, and has since completed the Colorado Trail, Bartram Trail, and Foothills Trail. That’s 2,200+ miles of perspective that reinforced exactly why this work matters!

Mat is part of the Trees Atlanta weekly run club, and is running the Peachtree for the first time. He couldn’t be more excited to raise funds for a mission he eats, sleeps, and breathes. His favorite tree is the white oak, one of the most ecologically valuable trees in our urban communities, supporting over 500 species of insects and a lifespan that outlasts us all.

↪  Help Mat Reach His Goal

Cee G.

Cee G. is driven by a vision of cities at their best— greener, more sustainable, and built for the long term. Supporting Trees Atlanta is, for her, an investment in the future to help our communities grow with intention. A dog mom of two and cat mom of one, Cee keeps active with HYROX training and running. The Peachtree Road Race marks a milestone on her way to an even bigger goal; she is currently training for her first full marathon! Her favorite tree is the palm tree because it stands tall through heat, wind, and storms, yet still brings a sense of peace and east wherever it grows.

↪  Help Cee Reach Her Goal

Support Their Run

There are two ways to support our runners:

1. Click the link in any runner’s bio to donate via GivenGain. Donations are automatically added to their tally and transferred to Trees Atlanta.
2. Donate on Trees Atlanta’s website and add the runner’s name and “Peachtree Road Race” in the Special Designation field so we can manually credit your gift.

The fundraising period runs now through July 11, 2026. Every dollar counts.

The 2026 Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race takes place on July 4, 2026. This program is organized by the Atlanta Track Club, a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta through running and walking.

Follow Trees Atlanta on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for runner updates, race day coverage, and more. Plus, cheer on our team as they cross the finish line!

Published: May 29, 2026