Marathon Info
Marathon Course:
The ING Georgia Marathon is a true showcase of historic Atlanta, beautiful Decatur and all of the neighborhoods in between. The staging area for the Start and Finish is in Centennial Olympic Park in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The Start corrals are on Marietta Street adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park. Participants run downtown through Georgia State University, by the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, over the Jackson Street bridge with a spectacular skyline view, and into the Martin Luther King Jr Historic District by the house where Dr. King was born. The course continues through the Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park neighborhoods, through eclectic Little 5 Points, on Freedom Parkway by The Carter Center, and through the Poncey-Highland neighborhood where the Half Marathon splits from the Marathon course. Marathon participants continue through the Candler Park neighborhood, on historic Ponce de Leon, under the MARTA tracks onto College Avenue, through the Agnes Scott College campus, by quaint Decatur Square, on the Emory University campus, through the Druid Hills neighborhood past the house featured in the movie Driving Miss Daisy, by the historic Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and rejoins the Half Marathoners on Highland Avenue. Participants pass through the Virginia-Highland neighborhood, run over the Park Dr bridge into Piedmont Park and exit on 10th Street, run through the Midtown neighborhood on 10th St and Juniper St, cross I-75/I-85 on the 5th St bridge, run through the Georgia Tech campus, and return to downtown via Marietta St to the Finish line where the party begins at Centennial Olympic Park!
The ING Georgia Marathon is a USATF certified course. (#GA08005WC)
RRCA Georgia State Marathon Championship:
For the third consecutive year, the ING Georgia Marathon has been awarded the RRCA Georgia State Marathon Championship. In addition to a prize purse and age group awards for the fastest division finishers, RRCA State Championship plaques will be awarded to the fastest Georgia Male and Female Open, Masters (40 and over), and Grandmasters (50 and over) Marathon finishers, for a total of 6 RRCA Championship awards.
RRCA Championship status communicates to athletes and the community that the race organizers have agreed to follow established guidelines and standards in the conduct of the event, including USATF-certification of the course distance, safety standards, and 5-year age groups, and have demonstrated success in conducting a high-quality event.
Course Elevation Chart:
Course Closure at 2:00 p.m.:
Both the ING Georgia Marathon and the Half Marathon races start at 7:00 a.m. All participants must be able to finish the ING Georgia Marathon by 2:00 p.m. to be recorded as an official finisher (with time and place). In order to do so, Marathon participants must maintain a minimum average pace no slower than 15:00 minutes per mile. Anyone slower than the minimum pace at the split of the Marathon and Half Marathon courses (just past Mile 7) will be directed to the Half Marathon course and will be recorded as a Half Marathon finisher (with time and place). No refunds will be given for registered Marathon participants who are directed to the Half Marathon course due to pace - no exceptions.
Cheering Zones:
Invite your family and friends to cheer you on from the designated ING Cheering Zones along the route. Spectators, be sure to “Orange Up!” and cheer your friends and loved ones. ING Cheering Zones will supply plenty of inflatable noisemakers and “Go Runners!” signs. All you do is provide the enthusiasm and noise!
The historic neighborhoods along the course will welcome you at festive Cheering Zones in the 4th annual ING Georgia Marathon Neighborhood Challenge. This friendly competition showcases Atlanta’s and Decatur’s beautiful in-town neighborhoods and provides fun and encouragement for race participants. The top 3 Neighborhood Challenge Cheering Zones, as judged by YOU, the race participants, win award grants for neighborhood fitness initiatives. You will receive an email invitation to vote online during the 2 days immediately following the race.
Winners of previous ING Georgia Marathon Neighborhood Challenge competitions have used their award grants for fitness initiatives such as a new playground, sports equipment, and childhood obesity prevention programs.
2009 Neighborhood Challenge Cheering Zones Winners:
1st Place: Poncey-Highland Neighborhood Association
2nd Place: Candler Park Neighborhood Association
3rd Place: Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association
Seeded Runners:
Runners wishing to be considered seeded in the ING Georgia Marathon must register and submit proof (copy of race results certificate or finisher's postcard) of having completed a marathon since 1/1/08 in a time faster than 3:10 (Men) or 3:45 (Women). Entry must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.
Race Packet Pick-Up:
All participants of the ING Georgia Marathon must pick up their race packet at the ING Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo Inspired by Mizuno at the Georgia Dome. While at the Expo, see the latest in health and fitness trends and enjoy the speaker's clinic. All participants must show a valid Photo ID in order to pick up their race packet. There will be no race day packet pick up and no race day registration. Click here to go directly to the ING Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo Inspired by Mizuno page for more information on Expo dates and times.
Computer Chip Timing:
The 2010 ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon will use ChronoTrack Timing Systems D-tag timing system. This lightweight, disposable timing tag, which easily fastens to a participant's shoe, allows each runner's time to start when he or she crosses the start line. The participant's finish time is calculated precisely upon crossing the finish line. Runners receive the lightweight timing tag with their race numbers and must place the tag on their shoes prior to the start of the race.
Race Day Transportation:
MARTA, Atlanta's rapid transit system, is the preferred method of transportation to the start area. The closest MARTA Station is Peachtree Center (N1). MARTA Breeze Cards can be purchased at the ING Georiga Marathon Health & Fitness Expo Inspired by Mizuno or at any MARTA rail station. For more information on MARTA, click here or visit www.itsmarta.com.
For those staying at downtown hotels, the start & finish area is within walking distance or a short ride on MARTA. If interested in more information on downtown Atlanta hotels, click here.
For runners and spectators who prefer to travel by car to the start area, paid parking is available around Centennial Olympic Park and neighboring parking decks and lots throughout the downtown area.
Gear Check:
A gear check area at the start/finish will be available so participants can pack additional clothes for after the race. Participants may use their own bag or the bag provided with their race packet for gear check. Gear check bags will be arranged and identified by bib number. Race bibs will have a gear check tag which should be attached to the bag to be used for gear check. Gear check will open at 6:00 a.m. race morning and will remain open until 2:30 p.m. The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Hydration Stations Challenge:
There are a total of 17 Hydration Stations providing water, Gatorade, and encouragement to participants along the course. These Hydration Stations are staffed by terrific volunteers from our sponsors, charity fundraising groups, the 4 colleges along the course, running groups, businesses, and other organizations. The Hydration Station Challenge is a friendly competition to win a $1,000 donation to the winner’s favorite cause. After the race, participants will vote for their favorite Hydration Station. The Hydration Station with the most participant votes will win the Challenge.
2010 Hydration Stations:
|
Mile |
Sponsor |
Location |
|
2 |
65 Roses / Cystic Fibrosis |
Piedmont Ave at Atlanta Civic Center |
|
4 |
Georgia State University Beta Alpha Psi |
Auburn Ave at Hogue St |
|
6 |
Leukemia Society Team In Training |
Moreland Ave at Mansfield Ave |
|
7 |
St Jude Childrens Hospital |
Freedom Parkway south of North Ave |
|
8* |
Lifeline |
Candler Park Dr beside Candler Park |
|
8** |
Emory Rehab |
N Highland Ave @ YWCA |
|
10* |
Get Fit Atlanta |
S Ponce De Leon before Ponce De Leon |
|
11* |
City of Decatur/Oakhurst |
W College Ave near East Lake MARTA |
|
12* |
Agnes Scott College |
Agnes Scott campus at Main Building |
|
13* |
City of Decatur |
Clairemont Ave before Commerce Dr |
|
15* |
Atlanta Dream |
N Decatur Rd west of Clairmont Ave |
|
17* |
Dunwoody Kids |
Lullwater Rd |
|
18* |
Christian Runners |
Oakdale Rd |
|
19* |
Open |
Springdale Rd |
|
21* |
Cafe of Life Chiropractic Center |
Amsterdam Ave |
|
9 & 22 |
Curing Kids Cancer |
Inside Piedmont Park |
|
11 & 24 |
Rally Foundation |
5th Street Bridge over I-75 / I-85 |
|
12 & 25 |
Georgia Tech |
Tech Parkway |
Mizuno Pace Team:
The ING Georgia Marathon is proud to have a unique group of enthusiastic runners leading pace groups for the following finishing times: 3:40, 4:15 and 5:00. Pace groups are designed to help participants reach the finish line while maintaining pace, staying safe and most importantly, having FUN! For more information on the Mizuno Marathon Pace Team, click here.
Finish Line:
ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon finishers will cross the finish line inside Centennial Olympic Park. Each finisher receives a commemorative medal and Heatsheet blanket at the finish line. Following the race, there will be live entertainment and an awards ceremony, honoring the top competitors.
Awards & Prizes:
Click here for a complete breakdown of the 2010 awards and prizes.
Official Race Photographer:
Action Sports International (ASI) is the official photographer and supplier of photo-related products for the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. Atlanta based ASI will be taking photographs of you all along the course, at the finish line and after you finish as you pose proudly with your medal. Keep your race number in clear view at all times so we can easily identify all your photos. Just a few days after the event, you can view and order photos online by clicking here. No other commercial photographers are sanctioned by the event. For photo locations along the course, click here. For tips on how to make the best of your race photo, click here.
Official Race Video Clip:
Action Sports International (ASI Video) is proud to launch Quikflix, downloadable finish video videos! Own the video of you crossing the finish line at ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon! Delivered quickly via email, Quikflix allows you to share your video finish with family and friends! Save and celebrate your finish for years to come with Quikflix! This limited time offer will be available shortly after the race by clicking here.
Family Reunion Area:
Finishers of the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon can reunite with friends and family at the Family Reunion Area in the finish area inside Centennial Olympic Park.
Rules & Regulations:
All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Once an entry has been received, no refunds will be given. The entry fee for the 2010 race will not transfer to the 2011 race. All entries are confirmed by email. Late registration is available at the ING Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo Inspired by Mizuno. No Race Day Registration!
If you are already registered for one race and would like to switch races, you may do so, in person at the ING Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo Inspired by Mizuno or by email info@inggeorgiamarathon.com by February 21, 2010. A $10.00 fee will be applied, along with any applicable entry fee difference. No refunds will be given if switching from the Marathon to the Half Marathon.
All ING Georgia Marathon participants must be at least 16 years of age on race day. All ING Half Marathon participants must be at least 14 years of age on race day. Be aware of your health and physical ability before attempting to train and run the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon.
The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon is conducted under the rules of the USATF and the Road Runners Club of America.
In consideration of the safety of all participants, BABY JOGGERS/STROLLERS, IN-LINE SKATES, ROLLER SKATES, SKATEBOARDS, BICYCLES, COACHES OR ANIMALS will not be allowed on the course. This will be strictly enforced.
Headphones are discouraged. Runners who wear headphones must remain aware of race officials, traffic and other runners. Any participant who fails to follow directions from race officials is suject to being removed from the race course, for their own safety and the safety of other participants.
