This is a small no-frills marathon. There were about one thousand runners. The course had seven hills. It was quite tough. Some marathoners who had completed flat courses in 4 hrs finished this course in 5 hrs. The volunteers were just superb - most of them were friends and relatives of the runners. The weather was perfect - partly cloudy, around 40s. The organizers were very strict about the 5 hr deadline. Everything was packed off by that time.

During the past three years its been my opportunity and privilege to run marathons (or ultras) in ten different states and D.C., with Atlanta being the southernmost one to date. Even though the 1999 edition was run under rainy skies, the upbeat efficiency and painstaking efforts by the excellent Atlanta Track Club organization afforded runners with a great experience. Terrific volunteers, well-placed aid stations, an ample variety of snacks at the finish line, a nice t-shirt and medal combine to make this a top-notch event. Above all, the hilly, scenic and always interesting '96 Olympic course through urban Atlanta make this a very memorable marathon. If it wasn't a 1700 mile round-trip, I'd do it every year. It's a great marathon and well worth the trip!

It's hilly enough to be a challenge, but just the fact that it is the 1996 Olympic course is reason enough for every runner to try it.
Being on Thanksgiving Day might keep the crowds down (family commitments), but having three days off before work on Monday is great.
The Atlanta Track Club is a top notch club and they do a fantastic job of organizing the race along with the larger 1/2 marathon (covers the last 1/2 of the Oly. course). If we hadn't moved so far away I would run this race every year.
The weather in 1998 was perfect!