Best Marathons in Georgia: 9 Epic Race Destinations

From Atlanta to Fort Oglethorpe to Jekyll Island to Albany to Mableton, and more.

The best marathons in Georgia offer runners an extraordinary range of endurance racing experiences across urban, historical, and coastal terrains.

From the bustling streets of Atlanta to the historic Chickamauga Battlefield, these long-distance running events showcase the Peach State’s remarkable geographical and cultural diversity.

Looking for a different state? Select one below:

What are the Best Marathons in Georgia?

Here are the best marathons in Georgia:

Atlanta Marathon

Atlanta | Mar 2, 2025

Course Type: Rolling Hills

Elevation Gain: 1370 feet (417m)

Participants: 1,578 Finishers

Price: $104.50-$165

Established in 1963, the Atlanta Marathon traces a challenging 26.2-mile route through the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. Runners navigate past significant landmarks including the gold-domed Georgia State Capitol, the expansive 185-acre Piedmont Park, and the historic Oakland Cemetery, which dates back to 1850. The course winds through Midtown’s urban corridor, offering stunning views of Atlanta’s modern skyline and providing urban marathon training challenges. Typically held in December, runners experience temperatures ranging between 40-55 degrees, creating ideal long-distance running conditions.

Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon

Fort Oglethorpe | Nov 9, 2024

Course Type: Rolling Hills

Elevation Gain: 907 feet (276m)

Participants: 282 Finishers

Price: $120

Set within the 5,300-acre Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, this marathon follows historically significant battleground paths where critical Civil War conflicts occurred on September 19-20, 1863. Runners traverse routes past key monuments like the commanding Wilder Brigade Monument and cross areas where Confederate and Union troops once engaged in fierce combat. The course includes sections of LaFayette Road and park trails, offering runners a unique combination of historical marathon training and athletic challenge.

Jekyll Island Marathon

Jekyll Island | Jan 19, 2025

Course Type: Very Flat

Elevation Gain: 245 feet (74m)

Participants: 251 Finishers

Price: $115

The Jekyll Island Marathon provides a coastal running experience along the island’s pristine maritime landscapes. Runners pass through maritime forests, cross salt marshes, and run alongside beaches with panoramic Atlantic Ocean views. The course winds near the National Historic Landmark District, which includes the Jekyll Island Club Historic District established in 1886. The flat, 26.2-mile route offers runners a picturesque marathon experience with minimal elevation changes, making it an attractive destination for endurance racing enthusiasts.

Combos Marathon

Albany | Mar 1, 2025

Course Type: Mostly Flat

Elevation Gain: 555 feet (169m)

Participants: 256 Finishers

Price: $8.50-$110.50

Located in rural Georgia, the Combos Marathon is one of the top Boston Qualifying marathons in the country. If you fancy yourself as a speedy runner, they award $12,000 in prize money to marathon finishers, including $3,000 for the first male and female finishers. It’s a flat, spectator-friendly course, with a 7-hour time limit.  

Silver Comet Marathon

Mableton | Oct 26, 2024

Course Type: Rolling Hills

Elevation Gain: 124 Finishers

Participants: 773 feet (235m)

Price: $110

Following the 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail, a converted railroad track, this marathon provides a linear running path through northwest Georgia’s suburban landscapes. Runners pass through communities like Smyrna, Powder Springs, and Dallas, experiencing a consistently paved surface that crosses multiple bridges and winds through local parks. The trail, named after a famous passenger train, offers a unique urban running experience with minimal terrain variations.

Museum of Aviation Marathon

Warner Robins | Jan 18, 2025

Course Type: Mostly Flat

Elevation Gain:

Participants: 71 Finishers

Price: $117.60-$137.60

Hosted at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, this marathon provides a distinctive running environment surrounded by aerospace history. Runners pass historic aircraft displays, potentially viewing vintage military planes like the B-17 Flying Fortress and F-15 Eagle. The course circles military infrastructure, offering marathon participants a race that combines athletic challenge with technological and historical exploration.

Every Woman’s Marathon

Savannah | Nov 16, 2024

Course Type: Mostly Flat

Elevation Gain: 304 feet (92m)

Participants: $150.90

Price:

Designed to empower female runners, this marathon creates a supportive environment emphasizing women’s athletic achievements. The event focuses on community building, personal growth, and celebrating women’s running accomplishments across various skill levels. They host a wellness fair and expo the day before the marathon, and great finisher medals.

Flowerfest Marathon

Pine Mountain | Mar 8, 2025

Course Type: Rolling Hills

Elevation Gain:

Participants: 47 Finishers

Price: $80-$90

The Flowerfest Marathon offers runners an extraordinary endurance racing experience within the 2,500-acre Callaway Resort & Gardens, featuring two challenging loops through meticulously landscaped terrain. Participants navigate a scenic 26.2-mile course passing iconic landmarks including the Day Butterfly Center, Callaway Discovery Center, Sibley Horticultural Center, Ida Cason Memorial Chapel, Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, and Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden. Runners encounter gentle rolling hills and winding bike paths that become increasingly challenging during the second loop, providing a comprehensive test of marathon training and long-distance running skills through one of Georgia’s most beautiful botanical landscapes.

Heroes of America Marathon

Columbus | Mar 22, 2025

Course Type: Rolling Hills

Elevation Gain:

Participants: 134 Finishers

Price: $70–$95 for military participants, $122.90-$138.80 for civilians

The Heroes of America Marathon offers a compelling 26.2-mile endurance racing experience celebrating first responders and military heroes. Starting at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave near Woodruff Park, the marathon course winds through diverse landscapes including downtown Columbus, the scenic Riverwalk, the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge, and a significant loop inside Fort Benning. Runners navigate a relatively flat course with minor inclines, experiencing a challenging yet accessible route that exits Fort Benning at mile 17 and returns to the starting point.

Marathon Training Resources in Georgia

Running Clubs

• Atlanta Track Club: Comprehensive marathon training programs
• Savannah Striders Running Club: Group training and community support
• North Georgia Runners: Specialized trail and mountain marathon preparation

Training Facilities

• Georgia Tech’s advanced human performance centers
• University of Georgia’s sports medicine training facilities
• Extensive running trails in Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta metropolitan parks

Conclusion

Georgia’s marathon landscape is a testament to the state’s incredible diversity – a runner’s playground that transforms 26.2 miles from a distance to an adventure. From the urban rhythms of Atlanta to the hallowed grounds of Chickamauga, these marathons are journeys through the soul of the Peach State.

Whether you’re chasing a personal record, seeking historical inspiration, or simply wanting to test your limits against Georgia’s varied terrains, these marathons promise offer memories that will stick with you for a lifetime.

So lace up, runners – Georgia is calling, and the road ahead is as unpredictable and exciting as the state itself!

Row Brown

Row Brown is the founder of Refresh Row. He is a keen marathon runner, his favorite being the London Marathon. He’s now set himself the mission of Running the Entire Length of Spain, which is scheduled for late 2024.