If you want to run Atlanta, then do the half. That is a great race.
The marathon course is nice and hilly, with interesting (though sometimes drab) scenery and although not many spectators, those who were there were very enthusiastic.
I dunno if this has happened in the past, I doubt it, but they closed the course early this year. I was running 11 minute-miles quite securely... until they moved me and everyone around me to the side walk. If only they kept the course open, I would have ranked this higher.
However, I DNFed after several miles with no aid despite going faster than the cut-off pace.
This was my first marathon, and it crushed me.

I was hesitant to run the Atlanta marathon because of the 5-hour limit and the course's reputation for being hilly. However, I was familiar with the course as I have run the Peachtree Road Race 10K and the Atlanta Half Marathon in the past, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I live near Atlanta and regularly train in hilly areas, and did not find the hills to be bad at all compared to the ones I'm used to. The Atlanta Track Club did a wonderful job of organizing the race (as they always do), and there was plenty of fluid and post-race refreshments left even for us 4 1/2 hour runners. Great expo, T-shirts and medals, too. The volunteers were very encouraging--they seemed happy to be there, even on a chilly Thanksgiving morning! I gave the course 4 stars, only because once the course leaves Atlanta it gets rather boring, but then you turn around and enter the city again and the interest picks up. What a great finish just past the Olympic rings! Out of the three marathons I've run (Chicago, Mardi Gras), this one is my favorite.

This race is what running is about. Tough, fair course that must be finished in 5 hours. The 'hills' coming home surely will test your mettle. The Olympic tower at the finish was a great inspiring sight. Organization was a-ok. The most porta-potties at the start and on the course that I have ever seen. The volunteers and police were great. 28 degrees at the start didn't seem to phase anyone.
Even the police and auxilarys were hi-fivin'. Plenty of fluids. Finish line
was smooth and a cheerful volunteer untied my triple knots with a smile.
Not a lot of fans but those that were out there were very loud & friendly. Lots of HAPPY THANKSGIVING all along the way. This was my 3rd Atlanta (in a row) and I'll be back.

Ok, I love this marathon, and in general, I like runners, but common sense seems to have left many of the runners who commented on this race!

The race is on THANKSGIVING morning, you knew this when you registered, do you really think there will be a lot of spectators?? I was impressed with the number that did show and their enthusiasm they brought with them! This isn't NYC, you knew that when you registered also.

Its a great race with FANTASTIC volunteers, but the course does close at the 5 hour pace--you are notified of that before you register though.

I love this marathon!

I have to agree with the previous poster who said this marathon is an embarrassment. Atlanta deserves a world class marathon on the level of Chicago, Los Angeles & New York but that will NEVER happen as long as the Atlanta Track Club keeps their current regime. The ATC tends to look down their collective noses & 'pooh-pooh' slower runners that cannot maintain at least a 5 hour pace, actually using the Thanksgiving holiday as an excuse. So unless you live here or you're going to be in Atlanta anyway on Thanksgiving it is NOT worth coming here just to run our pitiful excuse of a marathon. 50 Staters, a better choice would be Warner Robins in January, Tybee Island in February or Cherry Blossom in Macon which is in March.

As a beginner (I had only run in 2 marathons prior to this one), the course can be pretty brutal. The first half is quite hilly, but then it levels off for about 7 or 8 miles, until the hills return. My legs were dying, but I'm sure that with adequate training these hills probably aren't too bad. Fan support is moderate, considering less than 1000 people were running. Overall, this is a great Thanksgiving run!

I've run the Atlanta Marathon 18 times, and the current (olympic) course--although challenging--makes Thanksgiving unforgettable every year! the atlanta track club does a good job coordinating the marathon/half marathon (which is turning into a MAJOR event) through a busy metropolitan city on a traditional holiday (which would mean volunteering--instead of sleeping in--is a sacrifice)--quite an accomplishment!

Naturally, the crowd support won't reach the levels of New York or Chicago. but I would much rather be treated as a welcomed participant in the Atlanta Marathon than I would as 'one of the head of cattle' at the New York Marathon. besides, I appreciate the southern hospitality much more than the occasional cat-calls in NEw York. as for the challenging hills: (a) what do you expect in Atlanta? and (b) marathons are NOT for whiners!

Any marathon course which features a tour of the host city, featuring many landmarks and the true character of the city (southern hospitality, hills) is OK in my book. you know where to find me on Thanksgiving morning.

This course is interesting because it is the one used in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, this hasn't been my most enjoyable marathon experience. The course itself is challenging (a plus) because of the varied terrain; however, it's rather boring because it's only an out-and-back marathon on a road through downtown. You really don't get to see much more than office buildings. In terms of refreshments, there are drink stands every 2.5 miles; no fruit is available. The spectators weren't high in number, but those who came were a great support. Most cities make much festivity when the yearly marathon comes around, but this is not the case for the Atlanta marathon. It's run on Thanksgiving morning (bad timing), underpublicized, and it takes a back seat to the much more popular Peachtree Road Race (10K--July 4th). But I highly recommend this course for those runners who are in for a challenge because there are many hills, and these hills are quite lengthy.

I used to be a member of the Atlanta Track Club, but resigned my membership in protest of this race. While cities like San Diego, Chicago, Washington, NYC, and Los Angeles are organizing world class events surrounding their marathons, the track club of the city of Atlanta prefers to keep this race low key, so much so as it is embarrassing. (The track club doesn't want ANY race to even approach the Peachtree Road Race in popularity.) Many years ago, the course was point-to-point, starting outside the city and coming into Piedmont Park. When the 'Olympic Course' was created, it became a loop, running from the stadium to the north side of town and back. (The track club contends that the old course was too difficult to coordinate - which is partially true, but well worth doing.) The course is brutal with three major hills. The race is run on Thanksgiving morning, so spectators are nearly nonexistent. Race support consists of WATER stops every 2.5 miles. (MY race support was my wife in her trusty Beetle, carrying oranges and Advil.) And, finally, the race officials close the course at FIVE HOURS - and they mean it. I have run the half marathon many times (and enjoyed it), and attempted the full this year, pulling up with a sore leg at mile 17. I will conquer this beast one day, but will recommend that those who enjoy a good race stay home.

Challenging course with hills. Fun running an Olympic course also. Well organized with aid along the way. Not a lot of fan support. I'd do it again.