This was a good marathon, but not great. It was very cool to be able to run on Thanksgiving day, and to have a small race (less hassle!)... but those same things did mean less than you'd expect at other marathons (even small marathons). The shirt was just ugly this year. The course was moderately hilly... nothing awful but definitely noticable... and a little boring through downtown Atlanta. Still, the organization was flawless and you certainly could not ask more from the ATC. I probably will run again, as it's close to home and helps you get ready for the turkey!

The start/finish area at Turner Field was great. The Olympic rings and torch tower are still there from the 1996 Olympics, along with several memorial plaques. Very motivating for me. These provided lots of great photos at the finish! The last five miles of this course are hilly (check the elevation profile to see it!), but make for a good challenge.

I ran the half-marathon in 2009. I thought the race was well organized. It is a tough course. The last four miles (for half and full) are completely uphill, and intense. I don't mind hills, but, for me, this was just too much.

This race says it has a five-hour cut off, but they shut down the course for runners running slower than 4:40 - and when I say, "Shut down," I MEAN shut down. There was no water after mile 13, no traffic support, and you are handed a map to guide yourself with. They even take away the mile markers. I even had volunteers getting in my way as I tried to run by. Fortunately, I had been warned and brought my own water, but I am sure several people were struggling because they did not think they would get cut off.

The course is steady mild hills. Nothing steep, but constant hills. It runs through the downtown, and since it is a morning race, you spend a lot of time in the shade. Not scenic at all.

The idea of a Thanksgiving marathon was fun, but a nasty chest cold made it very unpleasant experience. The half marathon had a much larger crowd and that probably would have been more enjoyable.

There's not much to say. I was thankful to be able to complete my second marathon without injury. I did not train enough, and it was apparent when I reached the 18-mile marker. My goal was to finish in under 5 hours, and I believed that I missed my goal due to severe cramping. I did not experience any cramping in my first marathon, but afterward I had a torn right meniscus that caused me to "just be able to finish" run. I will be more prepared this Thanksgiving!

This checked off my 12th state in my "50 states before I'm buried" goals list.

I thought it was a good marathon, and several runners I talked with had run it for many years, some traveling from other states to make it an annual event. The 1996 Olympic sign at the top of the start was pretty cool, and it reminded me a little of when I ran the Knoxville Marathon, which takes you through the site of one of the world fairs.

The course is pretty much out and back, though out you go on Piedmont and back you come on Peachtree (you have to hit at least one Peachtree in Atlanta!). There are some hills, but all are runnable and not steep. The longest hill seemed downhill on the final leg back. Downtown has a lot of tall buildings, and the shade can make you feel a little cold, especially if you are a little tired and have slowed your pace in the final few miles. I have a hooded tech shirt with a zippered front that I could use to regulate my temperature effectively, so I didn't find it an issue.

Wow! This is my second year running the 1/2 here, and the Weather Channel sponsorship really swanked it up! As others have noted, fabulous tech tee's and we also got Weather Channel embroidered gloves at the end. The medals were fabulous compared to last year's! Another cheap thrill: face painting post-race. ;) Yes, I'm 30; yes, I did it! The new corral start was smooth - I ran a 2:12 and was in the middle corral. It only took me 4 minutes to cross the start line. The Atlanta Track club can always be counted on for a smooth, first-class, quality production! This isn't a "party" run; it's a race! No bands, no stunts; just a great race at which to go out and test yourself. I love it! The course has fabulous support from both volunteers and police! The spectators this year were at least double from last year! They are still sparse, compared to "production" races, but it's a holiday morning, so I was thrilled with the number out there - and they were all very supportive! Great race all around - highly recommended!

I trained 16 weeks specifically for this race, in Tampa, Florida, home of hill-less country. Having never been to Atlanta, I thought it would be a great opportunity to run through the city and get a "feel" for the area. I also had specific goals: A) run sub-3 hours; B) qualify for Boston (3:10 for me). First off, this course was beautiful, the city is awesome and the volunteers were amazing. The weather was pristine - 35 degrees at gun time, around 50 at the finish and a moderate breeze. However, this is not a PR course, nor is it a good place to qualify for Boston. I fell 25 seconds short of qualifying; the hills were too much for me. I ran strongly in the intermediate 10 miles from 8-18, but the other 16 miles were best summed up by saying they were pure hell! In the last mile there is a sick joke played on you: a quarter-mile, 45-degree hill. It is called "capital punishment" and that's exactly what it felt like. If you're looking for a hell of a challenge, in a beautiful city and a well organized race, go for it! If you're looking to run a great time, try the Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa.

I was happy to hear that there were so many more runners than in previous years, but the full marathon still has the feel of a small-town race. Having just under 1,000 runners is nice.

It was nice to see the electronic timers at the 5-mile intervals instead of the flip charts as in past years.

The volunteers are great!!!!!! Thank you.

I was disappointed that this year's finishers medals didn't have the different colored ribbons for finishing times; however, the technical race shirt was sweet!

This year's race was the best of the three I have run from 2006-2008. It's got to be the weirdest race in that the profile, on paper, looks tame - yet, the entire time you are running you feel like you are going up or going down.

Good for the muscles. Constantly switching it up.

I'll run it as long as I live here.