Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon: What to Know Before You Run

The Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon has become a holiday tradition for many locals and visitors who want to earn their turkey with a morning run. If you’ll be in Atlanta, Georgia for Thanksgiving, this race is one of the biggest ways the city kicks off the day—right alongside parades, family gatherings, and football.

Below is a practical guide to how the race works in Atlanta, what to expect on the course, and how to plan your morning around it.

Overview: How the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon Works

The Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon is typically organized by Atlanta Track Club, the city’s major running organization. It usually takes place on Thanksgiving morning, alongside shorter distance events like a 5K, one-mile fun run, or kids’ races. Exact offerings can vary by year.

You can expect:

• Early morning start (often around sunrise)
• A 13.1-mile course through central Atlanta streets
• Road closures that affect driving and parking downtown or near the course
• A finish-line area with post-race snacks and a festive atmosphere

For the most current details (course map, registration, start time), runners usually check directly with Atlanta Track Club in the months and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

Atlanta Track Club – General Contact

• Address: 201 Armour Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• Phone: (404) 231-9064

When and Where the Race Happens

Typical Timing

The race is held on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on a Thursday in late November. The half marathon start is generally:

• Early morning, often in the 7:00 a.m. range
• With supporting events starting slightly earlier or later

Because daylight and temperatures can vary year to year, start times may shift slightly. Registration usually opens several weeks to a few months before the holiday.

Location and General Course Area

The start and finish areas are usually located in or near central Atlanta, often involving:

• Downtown or Midtown corridors
• Major city streets with lane or full-road closures
• Nearby parking decks and MARTA stations

The course frequently includes:

• Rolling hills typical of intown Atlanta
• Stretches through city neighborhoods or near popular landmarks
• Long straightaways where runners can settle into a rhythm

Course design can change from year to year based on construction, permits, and logistics, so current maps are important if you need to plan driving routes or spectator spots.

How to Register and Who Can Participate

Registration Basics

Most years, participants register:

• Online in advance through Atlanta Track Club
• With tiered pricing (earlier registration usually costs less)
• With limited race-day or last-minute options, if available at all

Runners typically receive:

• A bib number (often with a timing chip)
• Event information (wave start, corral assignment, instructions)
• A race shirt as part of entry, while supplies last

Because this is a popular Thanksgiving tradition in Atlanta, spots in some distances can fill up, especially the half marathon and 5K.

Who It’s For

The Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon usually welcomes:

• Serious runners using it as a race or training benchmark
• Recreational runners and walkers who want a festive challenge
• Visiting runners who plan holidays around destination races

There is typically:

• A minimum age for the half marathon (often teens and up)
• No strict speed requirement, but a time limit is common so that roads can reopen on schedule

If you’re concerned about pace or cut-off times, it’s best to confirm current policies directly with the organizer before registering.

Race Morning Logistics for Atlantans and Visitors

Thanksgiving morning in Atlanta can be bustling around the race area. Planning ahead makes the experience smoother—whether you’re running or supporting someone who is.

Getting to the Start

MARTA (recommended for many runners and spectators):

• Using MARTA helps avoid traffic and parking challenges near the course.
• Look for stations closest to the designated start and finish areas (often Peachtree Center, Midtown, or Civic Center, depending on the course that year).

MARTA Headquarters (for route and schedule information):

• Address: 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• Customer Information Center: (404) 848-5000

Driving and Parking:

If you prefer to drive:

• Expect road closures along and around the course.
• Many runners park in downtown or Midtown parking decks and walk to the start.
• Allow extra time for traffic detours and street shutdowns.

Many participants aim to arrive at least 45–60 minutes before their start time to account for lines at restrooms, bag check (if offered), and corrals.

What to Bring on Race Day

Common race-morning essentials include:

• Bib and safety pins (or bib belt)
• Weather-appropriate layers (Atlanta mornings in late November can be chilly, but often warm up quickly)
• A clear gear bag if race organizers offer bag check
• Simple pre-race snack and water
• Any personal items you consistently use during long runs (e.g., nutrition gels, belt, hat, gloves)

Many runners also bring a throwaway top (like an old sweatshirt) to stay warm in the starting area, then discard it where permitted before the race begins (some events collect these for donation, but rules vary by year).

What to Expect on the Course in Atlanta

Weather and Terrain

Weather:
Atlanta’s Thanksgiving weather is often:

• Cool in the early morning
• Mild to crisp by midmorning
• Occasionally wet or windy

Temperatures vary, but runners often dress in layers they can adjust as they warm up.

Terrain:
Atlanta is known for its rolling hills, and the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon is no exception. You can expect:

• Repeated ups and downs rather than flat stretches
• A few longer inclines that can feel challenging after mile 8–10
• Short descents where you can recover if you pace carefully

Runners who live in Atlanta often train on streets like Peachtree Street, Piedmont Avenue, or in hilly neighborhoods to mimic race conditions.

Course Support

While specifics can change by year, races of this type in Atlanta typically provide:

• Multiple water stations spaced several miles apart
• Electrolyte drinks at some stations
• Medical support along the course and at the finish
• Volunteers guiding runners and ensuring safety at turns and intersections

Spectators are often encouraged to line safe, designated areas to cheer. In some neighborhoods, residents come out with signs, cowbells, or music, giving the race a holiday parade feel.

Traffic, Road Closures, and Impact on Your Holiday Plans

Whether you’re running or not, the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon can affect your morning routine, especially if you live or stay near the route.

Road Closures to Expect

Common patterns around events like this include:

• Lane or full-street closures along the course
• Restricted turns at major intersections
• Temporary closures near the start and finish areas

Closures typically start early (often before sunrise) and then reopen in sections as the last runners pass and clean-up is completed.

If you need to drive:

• Plan alternative routes if you usually commute through Downtown, Midtown, or nearby intown neighborhoods.
• Expect some delays if you’re heading to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or crossing the core of the city during race hours.

For citywide road and traffic details, Atlanta residents often refer to:

• City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT)

  • Address: 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: (404) 330-6165

• Atlanta Police Department – Non-Emergency

  • For general traffic questions on race day: (404) 614-6544

These offices generally can’t provide race-specific instructions, but they manage or coordinate road closures and can sometimes direct callers to the most current citywide impact information.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta for Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon can be a great way to experience the city if you’re in town for the holiday.

Choosing a Place to Stay

Runners often choose lodging:

• Within walking distance of the start/finish area (in or near Downtown or Midtown)
• Near a MARTA rail station for easier transit on race morning
• With early breakfast options or in-room kitchenettes for pre-race meals

Staying close to the race area helps avoid early-morning traffic and makes it easier to get back for a shower before holiday gatherings.

Making It Part of a Holiday Trip

Many visitors combine the race with:

• Thanksgiving dinners in the homes of family and friends in Atlanta
• Visits to attractions like Piedmont Park, Atlanta BeltLine, or Centennial Olympic Park on other days of the trip
• Viewing local holiday light displays or seasonal events later in the weekend

Because the race takes place early, you can typically finish, regroup, and still fully participate in mid-day and evening Thanksgiving activities.

Training and Preparation in Atlanta

Where Locals Often Train

Atlanta offers a number of popular spots for half marathon training:

• Atlanta BeltLine Eastside and Westside Trails – Paved multi-use paths with moderate hills and easy access to coffee and food afterward.
• Piedmont Park – Looped paths and rolling terrain close to Midtown.
• Chastain Park – A loop around the park with consistent hills.
• Neighborhood routes in Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park, and Buckhead for hill work and variety.

Many local runners also participate in group runs organized by Atlanta-based running clubs and specialty running shops. Group runs are common in the evenings or weekends and provide route guidance and support on city streets.

Adjusting for Atlanta’s Climate

When training for a Thanksgiving race in Atlanta:

• Early fall can still be warm and humid, so many runners schedule morning or evening runs.
• As race day approaches, temperatures usually drop, so many runners test cool-weather layers on a few long runs.
• Hydration and pacing plans are often adjusted to match the hilly terrain of city routes similar to the race course.

Spectating and Making It a Holiday Tradition

Even if you’re not running, the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon can feel a bit like a moving holiday parade.

Best Ways to Watch

Spectators often:

• Stand along safe, designated sidewalks on the course
• Bring signs, noisemakers, or music to cheer runners
• Choose a spot near a MARTA station so they can arrive and leave easily

Some families combine their spectating with a short walk or run of their own, joining in one of the shorter distance events if offered that year.

Planning the Rest of Your Day

Because the event is early:

• Many Atlantans run or watch the race, then head home in time to start Thanksgiving cooking.
• Visitors often schedule late morning or afternoon meals to give runners time to recover.
• If you’re hosting and someone in your group is running, it can be helpful to build in extra time for showers, rest, and travel around road closures.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon at a Glance

How to Get the Most Current Information

Because details like course layout, start times, parking, and supporting events can change from year to year, runners and spectators typically:

• Check the official event listing from Atlanta Track Club
• Review final participant emails or race guides during race week
• Monitor traffic and transit updates through local media, ATLDOT, and MARTA

If you live in Atlanta, the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon can become a yearly ritual. If you’re visiting, it offers a unique way to see the city’s neighborhoods and skyline before you settle in for the rest of your holiday plans.