When Is the Atlanta Marathon? 2025 Dates, Timing, and Local Tips

If you’re planning around the Atlanta Marathon—whether to run, cheer, or avoid road closures—the key detail most people want to know is simple: when it happens each year and what that means for your schedule in Atlanta.

Because race dates can change and my information may not reflect last-minute updates, use the guide below as a reliable general overview and always confirm the latest details directly with the event organizer before you make firm plans.

When Is the Atlanta Marathon Usually Held?

The Atlanta Marathon is typically held once a year, most often:

• On a Sunday
• In the late winter or early spring (commonly around February or March)
• Starting early in the morning, often around 7:00 a.m. or earlier for the full marathon

Event organizers may adjust the exact date, start time, or race distances from year to year, especially if there are:

• Major events in downtown Atlanta
• Construction or road projects
• Weather or safety considerations
• Scheduling conflicts with other large races

Because of those variables, think of the timeframe as a seasonal window—late winter or early spring—rather than a fixed date.

How to Confirm the Exact Date and Start Time

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting specifically for the race, you’ll want to confirm:

• Exact race date
• Start times for each event (marathon, half marathon, 5K, or other distances)
• Location of the start and finish lines
• Packet pickup and expo schedule
• Any last-minute changes due to weather or city events

Common ways Atlanta runners and visitors confirm details:

• Checking the official marathon website
• Following the event organizer’s social media accounts
• Contacting the race organizer’s office or customer support
• Asking at local running stores (for example, larger running shops in Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur often stay updated on major local races)

If you’re already in the city, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303, main line 404‑521‑6600) can also help point you toward the official race information.

Typical Race Weekend Schedule in Atlanta

While specifics change, a standard Atlanta Marathon weekend in the city often looks something like this:

Race organizers usually publish:

• A detailed schedule by distance
• Cutoff times for finishing
• Recommendations for arrival time at the start line

Plan for heavy traffic and road closures downtown and in any neighborhoods along the course for much of Sunday morning.

Where in Atlanta the Marathon Typically Takes Place

The course can vary by year, but the Atlanta Marathon is commonly associated with:

• Downtown Atlanta as the starting or finishing area
• Nearby neighborhoods that are often part of major race routes, such as:
  • Midtown
  • Old Fourth Ward
  • Inman Park
  • Areas near Georgia State University or the State Capitol

Some years, the event may use looped or multi-loop courses through central Atlanta; other years, the route may expand into surrounding neighborhoods.

For residents, that means:

• Street closures and parking restrictions on or near the course
• Changes or delays to MARTA bus routes in the affected areas
• Crowds around key downtown streets in the early morning

How the Atlanta Marathon Affects Local Traffic and Transit

If you’re not running but you live or work near the route, the timing of the Atlanta Marathon matters for your Sunday plans.

You can typically expect:

• Road closures on the course and some adjacent streets from pre-dawn through late morning
• Restricted turns or access for rideshares and personal vehicles
• Detours for surface-level MARTA bus lines

Helpful steps for Atlantans:

• Check race maps to see if your street or usual route is affected.
• Allow extra time if you need to reach downtown hospitals, churches, or workplaces on race morning.
• Consider using MARTA rail (Peachtree Center, Five Points, Civic Center, and Midtown stations are often close to typical race areas).

If you need up-to-date road impact information, you can contact:

• City of Atlanta 311 (dial 3‑1‑1 within city limits, or 404‑546‑0311) for general city services and road closure info.
• MARTA Customer Service at 404‑848‑5000 for transit impacts.

If You’re Planning to Run the Atlanta Marathon

Once you know when the Atlanta Marathon is held for the year you’re targeting, the next questions are usually about registration, training, and logistics.

Registration Timing

Registration usually opens months in advance, often:

• In the preceding year or early in the race year
• With price tiers that increase closer to race day

Because it’s a major race in a large metro area, expect:

• Early price tiers to sell out before race weekend
• Registration to close once a participant cap is reached or just before race day

Training Around Atlanta’s Weather

The date of the marathon—typically late winter or early spring—affects your training conditions:

• You’ll likely be training through Atlanta’s fall and winter, which can bring chilly mornings, rain, and occasional cold snaps.
• Race day itself is often cool to mild, which many runners find helpful for longer distances.

Popular training spots around the city include:

• Atlanta BeltLine Eastside and Westside Trails
• Piedmont Park (400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306)
• Chastain Park (140 W Wieuca Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342)
• Silver Comet Trail trailheads in Cobb County (for longer, flatter runs)

Many runners in the metro area also join local run clubs or training groups based out of Midtown, Decatur, Virginia‑Highland, and Buckhead.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta for the Marathon

If you’re traveling in specifically for the race, the date of the Atlanta Marathon will influence:

• When to arrive: Many visitors come to Atlanta at least one day before race day, sometimes two, to pick up race packets and adjust to the city.
• Where to stay:
  • Downtown Atlanta for quick access to typical start/finish areas
  • Midtown for a balance of MARTA access, restaurants, and hotels
• How long to stay after: Some runners leave the same afternoon; others stay into Monday to avoid traveling right after a marathon.

Because the race is often early in the year, think about:

• Layered clothing for chilly mornings
• Planning indoor options—like Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, or downtown museums—for any extra days in case of cool or rainy weather

If you need visitor help while in town, you can stop by or contact:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404‑521‑6600

They can provide visitor maps, hotel area guidance, and event information.

What Atlanta Residents Need to Know About the Marathon Date

Even if you’re not running, the timing of the Atlanta Marathon matters for day-to-day life in the city, especially if you:

• Live downtown or in nearby intown neighborhoods
• Plan Sunday morning activities—such as church, brunch, or events—along major streets that may be on the route
• Work weekend shifts in central Atlanta (restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and event venues)

Practical tips:

• As race day approaches, check whether your block is inside a closure zone.
• If you need to drive, plan alternate routes that avoid the course.
• Expect more foot traffic and visitors near major hotels and downtown attractions during race weekend.

Quick Atlanta Marathon Planning Checklist

Use this simple checklist once you know the specific date for the year you care about:

• 📅 Confirm the official date and start time for your race distance.
• 📍 Review the course map to see what parts of Atlanta are affected.
• 🚗 Check road closures and transit changes for race morning.
• 🎟️ Register early if you plan to run; watch for price increases.
• 🏨 Book lodging near downtown or along MARTA rail if you’re visiting.
• 🕖 Arrive early at the start area—allow time for parking, MARTA, or rideshare.
• 📞 Keep key contacts handy:
  • City of Atlanta 311: 3‑1‑1 or 404‑546‑0311
  • MARTA Customer Service: 404‑848‑5000
  • Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau: 404‑521‑6600

By keeping an eye on the late winter–early spring race window and confirming each year’s official date and schedule, you can plan your running, travel, or Sunday routine in Atlanta around the Atlanta Marathon with much less stress.