PEACHTREE IN BAGHDAD

Some soldiers fighting in Iraq will put down their weapons for a few hours next month to participate from the war zone in an annual road race being held in Atlanta.

A group that includes more than 100 soldiers will run a similar course as the 55,000 competitors in the 10-kilometer Peachtree Road Race on July 4. Because of the heat in Baghdad, the Iraq runners will start at a different time than those in Atlanta.

Race organizers will initiate the Baghdad start via cellphone at 9:30 p.m. Atlanta time on July 3.

Organizers on Monday sent race numbers, T-shirts with "Baghdad Division" on the sleeves, volunteer shirts, a finish-line banner and finish cards to Iraq.