Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

Atlanta Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Atlanta Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.1

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 130 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

L. L. from Clarksville, TN (10/30/2011) "Great organization, really hilly" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Atlanta Track Club did a fantastic job with the organization of this race..lots of volunteers, police presence (to control traffic) and a water station every mile and a half. Run is mostly shaded which is great and beautiful scenery. It is a REALLY hilly course, so if you are looking for a challenge this is definately the race for you.
H. S. from Alpharetta, GA (10/30/2011) "Grade A event" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was disappointed in the move from Thanksgiving, but I have to admit this is a much better event. The organization was fantastic. The course, while extremely hilly, showcases Atlanta. There are tons of spectators cheering hard all along the course. The medal, shirt, and free glass were all fantastic. While I wouldn't go here for a PR, I definitely will be running this one again and again. Kudos. It is the best larger marathon in Georgia.
P. C. from Atlanta, GA (1/11/2010) "Great local marathon; still the best in Georgia" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I subsequently ran it a second time and volunteered at it once. I will run it again in 2010. The Atlanta Track Club is a top-notch organization that understands runners' needs and how to set up a race. 'Nuff said. Make no mistake: this is a difficult course, but not unreasonably so. It's hilly from the beginning - long hills, steep hills, even an occasional downhill. Life has hills. No complaints from me. There are not many fans out for this smallish race on Thanksgiving Day, but the volunteers and the fans who are out are wonderful. Besides, I'm not running for the people lining the streets. Easily a 4/5 and recommended.
Tresa Casaletto from Medford, MA (12/1/2009) "They Say NO Support After 5 Hours - And Mean It" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The organizers of this race really, really want to get their volunteers home for the holiday. At the half, the water stop was shut down before 2:25. I had to run the rest of the race on the sidewalks, and I was handed a map at about 20. I really do appreciate that volunteer for sticking around a little longer. Even the mile markers were gone. You just came up to piles of empty water cups where the water stops had been. I even got dusted by the street cleaner. The course has mild hills throughout it; I was struggling with a chest cold but I had come too far to quit. A lot of the course is in the downtown area and is not very interesting. Thank goodness the medals were still there at the end. And thank you to all of the volunteers.
W. H. from Atlanta, Georgia (12/1/2009) "Well Organized, Small Event" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 First marathon for me, chosen because I live in Atlanta. Great volunteer support. Weather was ideal. Miles 10 through 17 were a little boring. Rolling course with some challenging hills, particularly the last 10K.
R. P. from Dunwoody, GA (11/30/2009) "A fun Thanksgiving race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a fun little Thanksgiving Day race with a lot going for it. I signed up for it at the last minute and am glad that I did. Here are the pros and cons as I saw them. Pros: 1). Late sign-up: I was able to sign up at the expo two days before the race. 2). Easy access/parking at the start. The marathon begins and ends at Turner Field. I was able to park right next to the starting line and drive right out when I finished. 3). Great volunteers: There were plenty of police and volunteers along the course watching out for the runners. They seemed to understand that they were the only fans and offered plenty of encouragement. 4). The half marathon start: The half marathon starts 30 minutes earlier at the opposite end of what is mostly an out-and-back course. That eliminated congestion issues with the marathon, an issue I've at had other races. 5). Overall organization: This race has been run by the ATC for a long time, and it shows. All of the details were covered. Cons: 1). The course is open to traffic. Only one lane of the road is coned off for runners, so I got a lungful of car exhaust a couple of times. 2). The finish area: Since the event is primarily a half marathon, the finish area was winding down when the marathon runners were coming in. Don't look for any post-race festivities. 3). The food: The post-race food was a bit weak - some peanut butter crackers, candy and bananas.
B. S. from Stone Mountain, GA (11/29/2009) "Tough course and the traditional, ugly shirt!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon event (12 days after finishing another marathon). I just love this race! This was my 6th year running the half, and I can vouch that the shirt has been ugly every year. Upgraded in 2008 from a heavy, turkey-brown, cotton long-sleeve to a technical shirt that I can actually wear to run... nice improvement! Still ugly, but I wear it with pride. Runners all over town recognize the shirt; it's a great conversation starter! Beware the 5-hour time limit for the full marathon. This year, I was curious and decided to scope out the marathon course. After finishing my event and eating breakfast, I walked down Peachtree Road (about mile 18) and found myself waiting at a stoplight with one of the marathon runners. The cones had already been taken up, and I thought the runner was just about on pace to finish in 5 hours. No support for this runner, who was within minutes of the cutoff time. Having improved my marathon time on a lesser course, I hope to be ready to run the Atlanta Marathon next year.
H. S. from Tucker, GA (11/28/2009) "Well organized marathon, nothing special" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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!
Tim Gregory from Alcoa, TN (11/27/2009) "Tough but rewarding" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.
C. W. from Georgia (11/27/2009) "Serious Hills!" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use