2026 In-Training for Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - REGISTRATION OPENS FRIDAY, JULY 31

Thanksgiving Day. The most popular running day of the year. For Atlanta, that means it's time for the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon! Whether you want to run a personal best, finish the Triple Peach Race Series strong, or you're celebrating an annual tradition with family and friends, Atlanta Track Club's In-Training for Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon program will help you prepare. The 12-week program combines structured long workouts with additional midweek workouts to help you reach your goals either with the support of a community or without having to leave your neighborhood.

The 2026 In-Training for Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon training program includes:

In-Training Certified Coaches to guide you while keeping you accountable
Online learning opportunities on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., led by Atlanta's running and walking subject-matter experts, followed by Q&A
Small group workouts throughout the city during the week, and larger long workouts on Saturdays
Customized training levels to meet your current fitness, experience, and goals
Individualized workouts to prepare you for the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon
Daily text/email reminders of workouts powered by Final Surge
Online digital community space to connect with fellow athletes, coaches, and Run Leads
Two Saturday field trips to run through different parts of Running City USA
Premium race day experience and post-race celebration
In-Training shirt

This training program is intended for participants aiming to complete the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon within the course limit of 3.5 hours or approximately 16 min/mile. We recommend that training participants be able to maintain 16 min/mile for at least 3-5 miles at the start of training. First-time half-marathoners and advanced runners are welcome!

Note: This training program does not include entry into the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon. Nor does it include entry into the PNC Atlanta 10 Miler, which is optional on October 25.

Training Program Policies

Distances

Half Marathon

Cost

$175.00

July 31

Registration opens

September 6

Orientation - online at 3:00 p.m.

September 7

Training begins

September 9

In-person, midweek workouts begin

September 12

In-person, Saturday long runs begin

September 21

Registration closes

October 24

No in-person practice

October 25

Optional field trip, PNC Atlanta 10 Miler

November 14

Field trip - Course Preview, Summerhill

November 26

RACE DAY!

LOCATIONS

Saturday Location

Atlanta Track Club, 201 Armour Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 - 7:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday location may rotate throughout the city to provide a variety of settings for long runs

Wednesday Locations: Athletes select a location during registration.

EARLY MORNING

Azalea Park, 203 Azalea Drive, Roswell, GA 30075 - 6:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Cheney Stadium with Coach Bob, 741 Connally Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 - 6:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

LATE AFTERNOON

Agnes Scott College Track, South McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Peachtree Middle School Track, 4664 North Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30338 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Piedmont Park with Coach Bob, Dockside (just inside 12th Street gate), Atlanta, GA 30309 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Locations subject to change based on demand and participation.

Benefits

Science-based 12-week training program created and updated by Atlanta Track Club coaching staff
Online training log to provide daily workout reminders, record your workouts, and track your progress
Weekly In-Training newsletter
Weekly online education sessions created and presented by industry experts on a variety of topics including apparel, foot and ankle care, footwear, recovery, running form, sports hydration and electrolytes, sports nutrition, sports psychology, strength training and more
Access to a private online community where athletes can celebrate teammates, like and comment on fellow athletes' posts, organize group runs, and interact with coaches
Atlanta Track Club In-Training Certified Coaches and Run Leads to guide and check your progress
In-Training Office Hours. In-Training Office Hours give athletes the opportunity to schedule 15-20 minute 1:1 meetings with Coach Bob to review and discuss their training.

Participant Athletes

The program is open to all runners and walkers including run-walk-run athletes and beginners.

Level I: beginner runners and walkers 9:00-18:00 minutes per mile including run-walk-run focused on completing the race
Level II: intermediate runners and walkers 7:00-14:00 minutes per mile including run-walk-run currently completing 15 or fewer miles per week
Level III: experienced runners and walkers 7:00-14:00 minutes per mile including run-walk-run currently completing 16-30 miles per week
Level IV: advanced runners 5:00-10:00 minutes per mile pace currently completing 31+ miles per week and at least one speed work session or tempo run per week

Orientation

We will kickoff the program with a 60-minute online orientation in which Coach Bob will provide an overview of the program, explain Final Surge and its benefits, and answer your training questions.

Sunday, September 6 at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. Zoom information is included in the WELCOME email that is sent the week before training begins.

Coaches

Bob Wells, Manager & Coach - In-Training, Atlanta Track Club
In-Training Certified Coaches and Run Leads

Tuesday Night Education Session Topics*

adidas performance running shoe overview and guidance
Anatomy for runners
Foot and ankle care
Fueling for endurance events
Heart health for endurance athletes
In-Training workouts explained
Mindset and self-talk
Nutrition and hydration
Prehab/rehab, injury prevention
Recovery
Running form and strength training
Sports hydration and electrolytes

* Partial list of past topics, subject to change.

Guests & Speakers*

adidas Running Specialists
Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, ACSM-CPT
Bob Wells, Manager & Coach - In-Training, Atlanta Track Club
Dr. Elizabeth Karr, PT, DPT, OCS, Precision Performance & Physical Therapy
Eric Heintz, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Track Club
In-Training Certified Coaches and Run Leads
Dr. Kacy Seynders, PT, DPT, OCS, Precision Performance & Physical Therapy
Kelsey Pontius, RD, LDN, CSSD, U.S. 2020 & 2024 Marathon Olympic Trials Qualifier
Tommy Nohilly, Head Coach, Atlanta Track Club Elite Team

* Partial list of past guests and speakers, subject to change.

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Technology

What is Final Surge?

Final Surge is the coaching and training platform In-Training uses to deliver workouts to athletes, communicate with athletes, and check their progress. Final Surge is available as both a web-based desktop application and mobile app.

Is there a cost associated with using Final Surge?

No. Final Surge is free for athletes.

I am not technologically savvy. Will I be trained on how to use all of the digital tools in the program?

Yes! Orientation, online videos, downloadable documents, and more will take you through the process step-by-step to maximize your experience.

Do I have to type my workouts into Final Surge?

No, the platform will sync with your watch to allow for a seamless experience.

Customization and Coaching

What do you mean by customized or individualized coaching?

The program offers a variety of training levels based on mileage, experience, and goals. The program also provides the tools to customize your paces for easy runs and walks in addition to harder workouts such as tempo runs and speedwork. Participants have the ability to move training days based on their work and life schedules. While a certified coach will look after your training and keep you accountable, it is not a one-on-one coaching program with unlimited access to the coach.

Are there opportunities for interactions with coaches?

Yes! Athletes have multiple opportunities to interact with Coach Bob, In-Training Certified Coaches, and Run Leads. Opportunities include in-person workouts on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and In-Training Office Hours provide athletes with the opportunity to schedule 15-20 minute 1:1 meetings with Coach Bob to review and discuss their training.

Will I be able to schedule weekly one-on-one calls with my coach?

Yes! In-Training Office Hours provides both in-person and remote/virtual athletes with the opportunity to schedule 15-20 minute 1:1 meetings with Coach Bob to review and discuss their training.

Group Training

Are group interval/speedwork sessions included with this program?

Yes! The in-person program features group workouts at various locations throughout the city.

Are supported, group long runs sponsored by Atlanta Track Club included with this program?

Yes! The in-person program features supported long runs and workouts.

General

Once I sign up for In-Training how long does it take before I receive my plan?

Your training plan is added to your Final Surge workout calendar a few days before your first day of training.

How do I determine my paces for workouts, training runs or walks?

There is a two step process. First, In-Training utilizes an Indicator Run or recent race result to determine your current fitness. An Indicator Run is a race effort that acts as a starting point for the program. In-Training then uses a proprietary pace calculator to derive your training paces in order to maximize your benefits from the program.

Where should I run?

Runner and walkers have individual likes and dislikes for training locations. While Atlanta Track Club can recommend popular locations throughout the metro Atlanta area, it is important to find safe routes near your neighborhood to maintain consistent training. Shaded streets with sidewalks and few intersections are best or dedicated paths devoted to pedestrian traffic. Using tools such as RunGo, MapMyRun, and gmap-pedometer can be useful in determining good routes. We also encourage talking with Run Leads and other participants for local recommendations.

I did not reach the prescribed mileage for a day or week. Should I adjust my paces or workouts?

You do not. Most of your workouts are for a specific amount of time and the mileage is an estimate. If you are over or under by a small amount it is okay. Consistency of effort and training are more important. Some days, specifically your longer workouts, the total mileage is the priority. These are typically your Saturday workouts.

2026 In-Training for Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - REGISTRATION OPENS FRIDAY, JULY 31

Program Schedule