For Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race participant Tevin Craft, what started as a spontaneous challenge with his cousin has grown into a meaningful family tradition rooted in fitness, connection and celebration.
Now preparing for his fourth consecutive race on July 4, Tevin said the energy of race day is what keeps him coming back year after year.
“I would say the hospitality and just the excitement everybody had of the overall race,” he said. “Everybody joined as one, had good camaraderie, and made sure everybody had a good time.”
After completing the race with his cousin for the first two years, the tradition expanded when his brother joined them for the third race. Since then, the annual event has become a staple of their family’s Fourth of July celebration.
“We were like, wow, this is a thing that we’re just going to start doing every year,” Tevin said. “Now we’re building a team with it and making it a tradition for our family.”
While challenging moments like Cardiac Hill test runners physically and mentally, Tevin said the feeling of crossing the finish line makes every step worth it.
“That feeling of overcoming all those obstacles is always rewarding,” he said. “You don’t really know it until you actually do it.”
This year, Tevin is adding another layer of purpose to the experience by serving as an AVIVE AED volunteer during the race, supporting runner safety while continuing the tradition with his family. After crossing the finish line, he plans to celebrate the Fourth of July with family and fellow Northside participants.
Tevin is an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation at Northside Hospital Forsyth.
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