Atlanta 10 Miler Poised for Growth

Atlanta Track Club today announced its commitment to growing the Atlanta 10 Miler and 5K at Atlantic Station. The 2014 events are scheduled for October 26. The organization will suspend the Atlanta Marathon which was scheduled for the same day. 

The decision to focus on growth of the Atlanta 10 Miler instead of the continuation of the Atlanta Marathon was made after a comprehensive review of the marathon by the organization’s staff and Board of Directors. The review was prompted by the disproportionate amount of the Club’s resources dedicated to the event compared to the number of event participants. The Atlanta Marathon annually serves just under 1,000 finishers each year.

“Atlanta Track Club’s mission is to create an active and healthy Atlanta through running and walking. In its current form, the Atlanta Marathon required a significant allocation of our resources and we felt the 10 Miler in October would serve our membership and the at-large running community in a way that is more in line with our mission and commitment to make Atlanta a healthier city,” said Rich Kenah, Atlanta Track Club’s executive director.

Both the Atlanta 10 Miler and 5K were introduced in 2013, when the Atlanta 10 Miler attracted more participants in its inaugural year than the Atlanta Marathon. This year the Atlanta 10 Miler will feature an exciting new course that starts and finishes inside Atlantic Station.

“Atlanta Track Club is not abandoning the marathoner or the marathon distance. We will continue to offer programs for those interested in training for this popular distance,” said Kenah. “Driving participation in our events and delivering a world-class experience will be our focus as well. When we see an opportunity to offer the Atlanta Marathon in a way that it can be celebrated by the entire running community, we will consider bringing it back.”

Participants who had registered for the 2014 Atlanta Marathon will be contacted directly with options to choose from as alternatives to the marathon. Both the opportunity to complete a marathon this fall and a full refund for the Atlanta Marathon will be among the options offered.

Atlanta Track Club remains committed to giving back to the community through which it runs. A program similar to the Adopt a Marathon Mile program will be offered in conjunction with the 2014 Atlanta 10 Miler. Non-profit health and fitness organizations can apply to adopt a mile along the Atlanta 10 Miler course, providing cheer zones and course entertainment in exchange for a donation from Atlanta Track Club.

For more information on the 2014 Atlanta 10 Miler and 5K, as well as the Adopt a Mile program, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

About Atlanta Track Club

Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 19,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, and the Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K (atlantahalfmarathon.org), Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.