I would first like to thank the volunteers that came out for the day and helped make the event possible.

My advice to anyone wanting to run this race: Stay at home and enjoy your holiday.

My complaints focus on the organization of this event. Words cannot describe how awfully put together this race is. The organizers give little information as to who to get to the race start; the instructions to take MARTA are ridiculous and should be ignored. I ended up running at least 28 miles b/c the suggestion to take MARTA resulted in having to run over a mile to the start and then walk that same distance after the race. Additionally, the directions to take MARTA resulted in me being late to the start, despite assurances that MARTA was quick and efficient to use (I arrived at MARTA an hour and a half before the race started).

Since I got to the start late, the timing mats had been turned off, so I actually had an extra 2 and half minutes added to my time. The course itself was fine; I knew going in it would be hilly. It would have been nice if there had been water stops more frequently and if the mile markers had been better marked.

Finally, the post-race refreshments were a joke - a candy bar and some PowerAde do not justify the price for entry. How hard is it to get some bagels?

A challenging course, but the infomation on the website makes sure that you come in prepared. I was shocked at the number of volunteers and police that the ATC was able to gather to work the event. They were very friendly! I felt like the event was a good value for the money. There was not a huge crowd at any point, but the volunteers and pockets of spectators gave encouragement. Many have stated the transportation problems at the end, but the website helps you anticipate this so you can arrange rides, etc. Everyone involved with this event is helpful. Not many Olympic courses are places to set PRs, but finishing under the rings is a big high!

Great course for 1/2 marathon. However, all of the posted times are incorrect! The times posted were measured from when the starting gun sounded as opposed to from when the runners stepped on the starting mat. The starting chips apparently did not register when the runners stepped on the starting mat. This was true for the 10 or so runners I came with...so probably true for all. Very poor management! Also, volunteers were consistently shouting at about mile 8, "All downhill from here." The last five miles are uphill. Those comments were very counterproductive. Poor management of the volunteers!

This was my 29th marathon, and Georgia my 14th state in my quest to run the 50 states.

This is an okay marathon. Weather was nearly ideal, with temps in the low 50's, but it was windy.

The course is hilly. The mostly uphill miles 20-25 with a stiff headwind were difficult. Otherwise a nice course for a city marathon.

Organization is okay. Prior to the race, there were plenty of pre-race porta-potties, and the warm tent was a nice touch. Nice long-sleeve race shirt. I agree with previous comments that the post-race food was lame, and that a shuttle back to the subway is really needed (it's at least a mile walk). A few more water stops are also necessary.

Big thanks to the volunteers who gave up their Thanksgiving morning to assist with the race.

The best perk of all was being able to go to the newly opened Georgia Aquarium that afternoon. Highly recommended (buy your tickets online in advance).

Comments for the half-marathon:

The weather was perfect for this year's race. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out on Thanksgiving morning. Overall, I had a great time. The hills were pretty ugly (just like the shirts), but I guess that is what makes this race special.

Thank you for a great race.... See you next year.

Just finished my first marathon, the Atlanta Marathon. Despite living and training in Atlanta, I was not really prepared for the hills and what they can take out of you. Made a major mistake: Was not drinking enough in the early stages and almost paid for it at mile 17, when I started getting dizzy (dehydration was setting in). I walked to the next water station and replenished my self but it cost me in regards to time (and my running). Though I finished in just over 4 hours, it was well off my half-marathon pace (I have done 4 of those).

There were pockets of supporters along the race route, but nothing like some of the other half-marathons I had run. (It is Thanksgiving Day, after all.) The goody bag at the finish consisted of a Coke, cookies, crackers and candy. Luckily I knew what to expect because of earlier comments I read so my wife had a couple of energy bars and energy drinks waiting for me at the finish.

The local newspaper article about the race focused more on the half-marathon, which had over 7,000 runners. The full marathon had only 700 runners. Also this year for the first time half-marathon finishers got a medal as well. Atlanta Track Club, how about something special for the full marathon runners?? Maybe some extra goodies at the finish?

Anyway, will be there next year and will hopefully do better. Now it's on to the Disney half and full (I'm going Goofy).

I had a great time running this race and recommend it to others. I only ran the 1/2 marathon race and found it to be very enjoyable. The elevation chart made the race look more difficult than it actually was. The weather was amazing with a starting temp of about 42 and a finishing temp of 52-55 degrees. Crowds were light but expected for a 7am start on a Thanksgiving. Hope to see you next Thanksgiving!

As an Atlanta resident who runs Peachtree Road race and the half marathon, I found the half this year to be superb! There were ample water/powerade stations although the powerade was diluted. This race offers a magnificent tour of Atlanta.
When the weather cooperates, which it did this year, it makes for a wonderful experience. The food at the end was lame(animal crackers and cheese and crackers) and coke products or water. There was no fruit available or energy bars. I like the fact that the long-sleeved t-shirt is given to you before the race as I use it on race day. The hills are challenging, but not discouraging for the novice runner. Watch out for that last hill!

I entered Atlanta with great expectations - the Olympics, Thanksgiving, etc. I left Atlanta feeling I had been "taken." No entertainment, food at the end was a baggie with crackers and a candy bar, there were no shuttle buses to get back to the start or even to the nearest metro stop, the host hotel was then yet another 3/4 mile from the exit metro stop; hell I may as well done the full marathon by the time I got back to my hotel from the half. The medal for the half was a joke. It was the size of a quarter! You got my money once and you won't get it again.

Ambience: Before the Olympics, the race enjoyed a lot of success as a run for local running heroes. Friends, spouses and familes do this together. There is no prize money.

The Olympics seem to have altered that expectation for what the ATC should deliver, but opinions vary.

I have to say, I prefer it as a low-key holiday event. I would not change the date or the scope of the goodies.

Course: The early climbing is easy, because you are fresh. What you do not realize is that you will need your legs again later, after the course has leveled off. Start slowly, then back off. : )