South African Will Run in Atlanta Road Race

Ashley Johnson, who was banned from running in the Peachtree Road Race last year because he was a citizen of South Africa, will compete in this year’s July 4 race because his application for American citizenship has been recognized by The Athletic Congress.

Johnson was allowed to run in the Peachtree in 1984 and finished second to Filbert Bayi, but his arrival in Atlanta last year was followed by a warning from TAC that the Atlanta Track Club would jeopardize the sanctioning of the race and the eligibility of other world class runners if Johnson competed.

Johnson was allowed to compete the previous year because he was a student at Western Kentucky University, and athletes competing under NCAA regulations are exempt from international athletic rules.