The Atlanta Marathon is a worthwhile, well-run race but it's not a once-in-a-lifetime experience like some other big city races. The good:

Hassle-free: no traffic getting there, parking just footsteps away.

Favorable weather: October in ATL is almost always great for running.

Efficiently run: well-managed staging area. Water stops evenly spaced with well trained volunteers.

Pretty residential neighborhoods: mainly in the second half of the race.

But there are a few negatives:

Dead spots: It's the nature of Atlanta: to get from point A to point B you often have to go through boring if not desolate areas.

Finish line: It's between a parking garage and an empty field. Why not end it at a more interesting public location such as the Atlantic Station arch (just two blocks away)?

Misplaced clocks: A few of them seemed out of place, esp. the 6 mile clock. It may have been at the 10K point.

As everyone else notes, it's a very hilly course but that's not necessarily a con, some marathoners actually like a little adversity.

Lots of hills!! I ran the Publix Georgia Marathon in March, and expected the Atlanta Marathon course to be similar. It was not. The Georgia Marathon course goes through many small neighborhoods and has many rolling up hills and downhills. The Atlanta Marathon goes on the main roads and it felt like there were no downhills to recover from the uphills. The uphill at mile 25 is brutal!! With all that said, the ATC did a good job putting on a low-key marathon. Plenty of water, port-o-potties and volunteers. The cheering sections were nice. The prize money for this race was an easy grab for anyone who can clock a decent marathon time. I would run it again.

Being local to Atlanta, this was my first marathon. It's a challenging course, but I'm not in it for easy. ATC did a great job organizing. Spectators, though sometimes sparse, were enthusiastic, many in costume. Cool weather that warmed up nicely towards the end. Liked the downhill finish. Good way to see much of the different locals of Atlanta.

We ran this race as a double with Greenville Spinx Marathon. I was very negative about the high late entry fee and also the fact there was no bib pick up on race day so had to drive 300 miles extra on Friday just to get our bibs. I was still very negative on race morning saying to my wife this double was a huge mistake. It all changed during our run. Perfect weather, great aid stations, friendly volunteers and even the police were so positive. What a wonderful route and tour of the City. We both hate hills but had a great run. Nice long clock for us slow people too. Great job RD and all your volunteers. We don't usually write up reviews of marathons but this one caused us to have a 180 degree turn in our views and are we glad we added it to our race weekend. We have run almost 500 marathons/ultras between us and this is a well organized event. Loved the medal and pint glass. Thanks for a nice nice run.

This was my first marathon - I finally did it. I enjoyed everything...mostly the finish. I wish that I had joined a pace group, maybe that would help me with my overall time goal of 4 hours. The weather was super. The police and volunteers were very plentiful and controlled traffic very well. The crowds were thin but lively. The hills were the usual brutal Atlanta area hills....not my favorite part of the event. The expo was pretty dismal even compared to other 1/2 marathons. More signs would be helpful at the race packet pickup so to know where to go at Atlantic Station. I loved the medal, shirt and glass. I wanted to hug the nice volunteer that presented me the medal. Overall, I thought it was a great event. I recommend and already planning next year too.

This was my first time running the Atlanta Marathon, and I got my Marathon PR by running the second half more than a minute faster than the first half. It was a new course that was full of rolling hills. The organization with the police was great. The crowds that were out on this 40 degree morning were amazing, with kids giving you high-fives. The music that was played was really great as well, especially Michael Jackson's 'Beat It.' I would advise against saying the phrase 'this is the last hill'!

A well organized marathon on a great circular course. I would recommend it to anyone. I particularly liked the posters put up by children. Yes a few hills and Posibly one flat bit does every race have to be a pb or do you want a challenge

This was my 9th marathon, and the toughest one. I was a bit disappointed with the Expo, especially coming from my last marathon in Houston. Only a few tents in a fenced in area outside. The hills were brutal, so if you plan to do this one, you better train with hills, many of them or you won't be ready.

Very well organized with an excellent website, hundreds of smiling volunteers, spectators & Atlanta Police over a challenging and scenic course highlighting urban and residential areas, perfect weather. Can't wait to do it again!

I can't say enough about how well Atlanta Track Club ran this marathon; the aid station and spectator support was outstanding. Even the police officers directing traffic were in on the fun. Spectators were sparse in areas, but well-spaced enough to be there when I needed a lift. Lots of cheering and high-fives from the spectators.

It's a tough course and not to be taken lightly. The last half is tougher than the first. Look for significant hills at Miles 18, 21, and 23.

If your goals are reasonable for a tough course, I think you'll be very pleased.