The Atlanta Track Club, organizer of the Atlanta Marathon, announced the addition of a 10 Mile (ages 14 and up), 5K (ages 8 and up) and kids' Fun Run (ages 6 and under) to the Atlanta Marathon on Sunday, October 27, 2013. The new events will replace the Atlanta Marathon relay and offer runners and walkers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to take part in the Atlanta Marathon festivities.
The Atlanta Marathon is an urban marathon that starts and finishes at Atlantic Station. The challenging course takes participants on a tour of the city going past well-known sites and neighborhoods such as Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Tech, CNN Center, Turner Field, The King Center, Grant Park, Virginia-Highlands, Piedmont Park, Buckhead and along stretches of the famous Peachtree Road. The new 10 Mile event will start at Piedmont Park and follow the last 10 miles of the Atlanta Marathon course, while both the 5K and Fun Run events will take place at Atlantic Station.
“Whether someone is looking to take their first steps to leading a healthier lifestyle or they are a veteran runner looking for their next big challenge, the Atlanta Marathon along with the new 10 Mile, 5K and Fun Run offers something fun and exciting for everyone,” said Tracey Russell, Atlanta Track Club executive director.
The Atlanta Track Club will continue its Adopt a Marathon Mile program as part of the 2013 Atlanta Marathon events. The program was created in 2011 to add support for participants along the marathon course while giving back to Atlanta’s nonprofit organizations. Selected organizations “adopt” a mile along the course, assisting with water stops and creating “cheer zones” in exchange for a donation from the Atlanta Track Club. In 2012, the Atlanta Track Club donated $132,125 to 23 local nonprofit organizations that took part in the Adopt a Marathon Mile program. Organizations are selected based on their funding needs and ability to recruit volunteers for one of the marathon miles. The Adopt a Marathon Mile application process opens April 1 through May 6. Selected nonprofit organizations will be announced in late May/early June.
Online registration for the 2013 Atlanta Marathon is now open at atlantamarathon.org. Participants who register by Sunday, March 31 will pay a registration fee of $75 for the Atlanta Marathon, $40 for the 10 Mile, $25 for the 5K and $10 for the Fun Run. Online registration for all events will remain open through Wednesday, October 23, or until they hit their capacity.