Saturday, September 12, 2020 • Atlanta, GA • Course Map
Note: The 2020 race has been cancelled.
You’ll get to take run through some of Atlanta’s most scenic and historic intown neighborhoods, and run up and down a few challenging hills, at the Craft Classic Half Marathon, which promises a craft beer waiting for you at the finish line courtesy of Monday Night Brewing.
The race begins in Grant Park, the historic green space in the heart of the city that’s also its oldest park, its construction having been completed in the late 1890s. Today it’s the home of Zoo Atlanta and the 131-acre park that surrounds it, and is also perhaps best known for the beautiful Victorian architecture homes that surround it, many of which were built in the early decades of the 20th century.
From there — starting next to the Grant Park Pool — you’ll head out on Georgia Avenue and then head up to Decatur Street, passing by the Georgia State Capitol building along the way. Then, as Decatur turns into Dekalb Avenue, the course heads north into the funky, artsy Little Five Points neighborhood.
Here, you’ll make your way along neighborhood streets that zig and zag before turning onto North Highland Avenue, one of this area’s best-known streets (and is the second half of what gives “Virginia-Highland” its name). There’s a brief stretch along John Wesley Dobbs before you turn onto Freedom Parkway, which is wide and flanked by the Freedom Park Trail, and also features some of the race’s biggest hills.
Along this stretch, you’ll pass by the Carter Center and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, and then turn back onto North Highland Avenue, which will take you north to the heart of the Virginia-Highland neighborhood. This is one of the city’s best-loved spots for restaurants and just hanging out, and you’ll spend a couple miles on the roads through here, taking in its beautiful homes and city streets.
Next, the race takes its turn on the Eastside Beltline Trail, part of a new addition to Atlanta’s trail system that, when complete, will stretch all the way around the city. There’s long, gradual uphill along the Beltline portion of the race route, and once you hit the mile 11 marker, it’s mostly easing downhill after that.
You’re not done yet, however — you’ll run along the outskirts of Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery, founded back in 1850 and home to more than 70,000 “residents,” including many from the Civil War. After passing around the cemetery grounds, you’ll make your way south back to Grant Park and the race finish line.
Race Weather & Climate
Located just a short drive from the foothills of the Appalachians in north Georgia, Atlanta typically sees warm and occasionally quite hot weather at the start of September, which brings temperatures that average between the middle 60s and the low 80s and plentiful rainfall, averaging just over 4 inches for the month.
On race day (Sept. 12), the average low is 67ºF and the average high is 84ºF.
Past Results
- 2019 Craft Classic Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Craft Classic Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Craft Classic Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Craft Classic Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Craft Classic Atlanta Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 7:30 AM – half marathon
- 8:30 AM – 5K
Fees
- $50 – $100 for the half marathon
- $25 – $50 for the 5K
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2020 running of Atlanta’s Craft Classic Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
Ever run in the Craft Classic Atlanta Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, as well as anything you learned about the race that you think other runners/walkers should know.
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