Atlanta Track Club: Your Guide to Running and Walking in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or visit often, you’ve probably heard of the Atlanta Track Club. It’s one of the most active running and walking organizations in the city, and it plays a central role in Atlanta’s fitness and racing scene—from neighborhood 5Ks to major events like the Peachtree Road Race.

This guide explains what the Atlanta Track Club is, what it offers, how it works locally, and how you can get involved whether you’re a beginner walker, a casual jogger, or a serious runner.

What Is the Atlanta Track Club?

The Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit running and walking organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on:

• Organizing road races and track events
• Offering training programs for all levels
• Supporting youth running and school programs
• Building a larger running and walking community across metro Atlanta

The club is best known as the organizer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, but its calendar includes events and programs across the entire year, in neighborhoods all around the city.

Where Is the Atlanta Track Club Located?

The Atlanta Track Club is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Office locations and mailing addresses can change over time, but the organization typically operates out of a central office in the metro area and uses local parks, schools, and city streets for its events and programs.

For the most current office address, phone number, and business hours, it’s best to check the club’s official contact information directly. Many Atlanta residents handle membership, event registration, and training sign-ups online and visit event locations only on race or practice days.

What the Atlanta Track Club Does in Atlanta

1. Races and Events Around the City

The Atlanta Track Club manages a wide range of races and community events throughout the year. These typically include:

• Major citywide races
  Events that attract runners from across Atlanta and beyond, often using well-known city routes.

• Seasonal 5Ks, 10Ks, and fun runs
  Commonly held at Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park, and other popular locations in the city and surrounding suburbs.

• Track meets and youth events
  Often hosted at local high school and college tracks around metro Atlanta.

Events usually feature:

• Clearly marked courses on city streets or park paths
• Timing services for competitive runners
• Separate waves or corrals for different paces
• Accessible options for walkers and new participants

If you live near Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, Decatur, or the Perimeter area, you’ll likely find that at least a few Atlanta Track Club events are within a short drive (or MARTA trip).

2. Training Programs for Atlanta Runners and Walkers

One of the most useful services the club offers is structured training programs tailored to different race distances and levels.

Common program types include:

• Beginner and “Couch to 5K” style programs
  Great if you’re starting from scratch or returning after a long break.

• 10K and half marathon training
  Popular with Atlantans preparing for large local races or out-of-town destination races.

• Marathon and advanced training
  Designed for experienced runners looking to build performance and endurance.

These programs often feature:

• Group training sessions at Atlanta-area parks, tracks, and greenways
• Distance- and pace-based groups so you’re with people at your level
• Weekly schedules that balance mileage, rest, and cross-training
• Coaches or leaders who are familiar with Atlanta’s hills, heat, humidity, and air quality patterns

Because of local conditions—like hot, humid summers and hilly neighborhoods such as Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Buckhead—training plans in Atlanta are often adapted with:

• Early morning or evening workouts
• Water stops on group routes
• Guidance on heat safety and pacing on hills

3. Youth Programs and School Partnerships

The Atlanta Track Club is active in youth development through:

• School-based running and walking programs
• Youth track meets and cross country events
• Entry-level fun runs that coincide with larger city races

Many Atlanta families use these programs to introduce kids to:

• Physical activity in a structured, supervised environment
• Teamwork and goal-setting
• Local track and field or cross-country opportunities

Events and programs may be hosted at:

• APS (Atlanta Public Schools) tracks and fields
• Suburban school systems in surrounding counties
• Community facilities and recreation centers

4. Community and Volunteer Opportunities

The Atlanta Track Club relies heavily on volunteers, and this creates a strong sense of community among Atlanta runners and walkers.

Common volunteer roles include:

• Working water stations during races
• Helping with check-in and bib distribution
• Assisting with finish line logistics
• Supporting course marshaling and participant directions

Volunteering is a practical option if:

• You’re not ready to race but want to be involved
• You have friends or family racing and want to support them
• You’re interested in learning how large-scale events work

Many Atlantans also join as members, which often includes benefits like:

• Early or guaranteed entry to select races
• Access to certain training programs or discounts
• Member-only events or communications

How Membership Works for Atlantans

While details can change, membership in the Atlanta Track Club typically involves:

• Annual dues (individual, family, or sometimes student options)
• A set of included benefits (which may involve event entry, discounts, or access to member programs)

For residents of metro Atlanta, membership can be appealing if you:

• Run or walk multiple local races per year
• Want to meet people with similar fitness goals
• Appreciate organized group training rather than going it alone

If you live farther from the city center—such as in Marietta, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, or College Park—it’s still common to join, but you may want to check where most training runs and events you’re interested in are held to see if the locations fit your schedule.

Where Atlanta Track Club Activities Typically Take Place

Activities are spread across Atlanta and the metro area. Common types of locations include:

Event locations and routes are confirmed for each specific race or program, so it’s best to review details carefully before you go—especially for road races that affect traffic or require specific parking or MARTA plans.

Getting Started with the Atlanta Track Club

If you’re in Atlanta and curious about joining or participating, here’s a simple path:

1. Decide What You Want

Ask yourself:

• Are you mainly interested in races, training, youth programs, or volunteering?
• Do you prefer short distances (5K/10K) or longer efforts (half marathon/marathon)?
• Are you looking for social connections, performance improvement, or just structured motivation?

2. Look at the Event and Program Calendar

Most Atlanta Track Club participants:

• Pick a target race (for example, a 5K in the spring or a 10K in early summer)
• Choose a training program that leads into that race
• Use the same group or program to maintain consistency over multiple seasons

This is especially helpful in Atlanta where:

• Weather shifts drastically between seasons
• Travel times can vary significantly based on traffic and time of day

3. Plan for Atlanta Conditions

To make the most of any club involvement, keep local realities in mind:

• Heat & Humidity: Summer mornings can be hot even at sunrise. Hydration and light clothing matter.
• Hills: Many popular neighborhoods and race routes include rolling hills. Training programs often incorporate hill work to prepare you.
• Traffic & Transit: For early-morning races, plan extra time for parking or using MARTA where available.

How the Atlanta Track Club Fits into Atlanta’s Running Scene

The Atlanta Track Club is a central organizer and connector in the local running ecosystem. It interacts with:

• City of Atlanta and surrounding municipalities for road permits and safety planning
• Local law enforcement and public works for street closures and route support
• Schools and youth organizations for student programming
• Area running stores and community groups that host complementary runs and events

For runners and walkers in Atlanta, this means:

• A predictable calendar of well-organized events
• A consistent set of training opportunities
• A recognizable community identity, whether you live in-town or in neighboring suburbs

Who the Atlanta Track Club Is Best For

The Atlanta Track Club can be a good fit if you:

• Live in or near Atlanta and want local races and group runs
• Are new to the city and looking for a built-in fitness community
• Have a specific race goal and want a structured training plan
• Prefer organized, well-managed events over informal meetups
• Want your kids to have access to youth running opportunities

You might explore other options—or supplement club participation with additional groups—if:

• You prefer very small, informal running groups with no structure
• Your schedule makes it difficult to attend most group sessions (for example, frequent overnight shifts or long commutes)
• You’re primarily focused on trail running far from the city, which may have fewer organized options through the club

Practical Next Steps for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

If you’re in Atlanta and interested in the Atlanta Track Club, a realistic sequence might be:

1. Identify a local race you’d like to try in the next 3–6 months.
2. Check if there’s an associated training program, especially if it’s your first time at that distance.
3. Join a beginner-friendly event first if you’re uncertain—many 5Ks and community runs are very welcoming to walkers.
4. Consider membership if you find yourself returning to multiple events or programs.
5. Explore youth options if you have children who might enjoy organized running or track.

By understanding how the Atlanta Track Club operates locally—its events, training, community focus, and how it adapts to Atlanta’s unique geography and climate—you can decide how it fits into your own running or walking journey in the city.