Join the Starting Line.
RACE DAY
Saturday, January 25, 2025
START TIMES
7:30 AM: Full Marathon and Relay
7:15 AM: Athena Half Marathon
Course Information
The 26.2 mile Classic City Marathon course and Athena Half Marathon course start in historic downtown Athens. While the two courses split early on, the marathoners rejoin the half marathoners at several points. The course runs through our downtown streets, vibrant communities, and greenways, with bands and cheer zones. In the final third of the races, you will be greeted by our energetic Greek Life (sorority and fraternity historic homes) as run down Milledge Avenue. The race finishes downtown at the Athens Classic Center, where you will be welcomed warmly.
Starting Line: All races start in downtown Athens (Start line address will be posted soon)
Finish Line: The finish line is at the corner of Dougherty and Foundry Street, behind the Classic Center.
Gear Check and Restrooms will be available at the Classic Center (a short walk from the Starting Line) and PortaJohns at the Start area.
USATF CERTIFIED COURSES
Both the marathon and half marathon courses are certified by the USATF, which means you can use your race time to qualify for other races… Yup, you can BQ in the Classic City!
Marathon Certification ID: #GA23071WC
Half-Marathon Certification ID: #GA23072WC
Marathon Course
Half Marathon Course
Timing Services
Professional chip timing services will be provided, with timing mats at the start line, finish line, and relay exchange points. Classic Race Services is the official provider of the on-course timing system.
Race Support.
Whether it is your first race or you have a few marathons on your Strava, we know that what is on the course can shape your race experience. The Classic City Marathon is where southern hospitality meets long-distance.
On-Course Nutrition
A Note from Co-Director, Emily Noble: As a doctor in Nutritional Sciences, I know how important nutrition is during exercise. Having the proper fuel on hand can make or break your race. We are searching for the right brand to partner with for race day nutrition. Stay tuned!
Hydration
Water stops and electrolyte drinks will be available every 2-3 miles along the course. Our volunteers will undergo a rigorous training program where they will practice multiple hand-off approaches. On race day, you can help them help you by pointing to the cup that you are going to try to grab! We know nothing is worse than needing water and a shower instead.
Post-Race
After the race, relax in a fun indoor space with cool vibes and awesome tunes. Our post-race activities will occur in the Classic Center, steps away from the finish line. Post-race fuel will, of course, be provided.
Aid and Emergency Services
Piedmont medical will be on the course providing first aid and emergency services under the direction of our medical director.
🛡️ What should I look for?
Looking at the course information and wondering, “What does this all mean?” Well - there are a few things to consider when registering for a race. Here’s a short checklist of things to consider:
What does the course look like?
Who is providing timing services?
What kind of support is there?
What does the course look like? It is an “out-and-back” (you’ll head out and then turn around to finish at the start) or it is “point-to-point” (you’ll start at one place and end at another)? Marathons can be set up in many ways. Races that Start and End at the Same Place make planning your post-race regrouping easy because you’ll know where your things are. Races that end in a different location will have the added logistics of moving your gear to the finish line. However, once you check your gear off before the race, you will have done your part. Another thing to consider on a course is the elevation. There are legendarily fast, flat races all across the United States. There are also major races with challenging hills (Hello, Boston!). When looking at elevation, the most important thing is to consider how you will train for an increase in elevation.
Is the course certified? A certified race course is a course that is measured twice by an official, trained expert and the distance confirmed to be accurate. One thing to note is that to run the correct distance you will have to run the tangents (shortest possible way to run on a given road). If you don’t run the tangents, your GPS tracking may indicate that you actually ran further than a marathon/half marathon.
What kind of support is there? Support on the course is critical to distance running. When you are running for 2+ hours, you are going to need assistance, whether that is in the form of water, nutrition, or bathroom breaks. Look to see how many aid/rest stops there are, plus how many porta-potties line the course. If you have a cheer squad joining you, then you’ll also want them to take a look at how easy it is to get to different spots to cheer you on.
Support the Classic City Runners.
Not running the Classic City Marathon this year? We hope you’ll join us in cheering on runners during their big day! Crowd support is an incredible motivator for runners - you can make a difference in a PR! We’ve got a whole guide dedicated to our spectators so that you can navigate the race like a pro. So, get your signs ready and get out there!