Athens turns into a runner’s playground in late January as the Classic City Marathon rolls through historic neighborhoods, campus corridors, and riverside paths. The day features three formats: the full marathon, the half marathon, and a four-person relay with ~6-mile legs—each sharing sections of the same scenic, US-style road course. Expect smooth tarmac, gentle hills, and long, runnable stretches that reward steady pacing more than raw speed. A lively start/finish hub at the Classic Center (7:30 a.m. start) anchors race-day logistics, with an expo and packet pick-up on site to keep everything simple. Whether you’re chasing a winter PB or soaking up college-town energy, this one blends charm, organization, and a satisfying course profile.
Races
The Athena Half Marathon / Classic City Half Marathon 2026 is held the same morning, 24 January 2026, on a 13.1-mile course that also starts and finishes at the Classic Center in Athens, GA, sharing sections with the full marathon as it tours downtown streets, campus and greenways for a lively, moderately hilly race run by the Classic City Marathon / Athens Road Runners organisers.
The Classic City Marathon takes place on Saturday 24 January 2026 at 7:30 a.m., starting and finishing at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, Georgia, on a USATF-certified 26.2-mile course organised by the Classic City Marathon team / Athens Road Runners, threading through historic neighbourhoods, the university area and riverside greenways with rolling Piedmont hills and roughly 250–300 m of elevation gain.
Weather based on historical averages.
FAQs
What is the Classic City Half Marathon?
How long is the Classic City Half Marathon?
Where does the Classic City Half Marathon take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Classic City Half Marathon?
How can I prepare for the Classic City Half Marathon?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Classic City Half Marathon?
The Athena Half Marathon / Classic City Half Marathon 2026 is held the same morning, 24 January 2026, on a 13.1-mile course that also starts and finishes at the Classic Center in Athens, GA, sharing sections with the full marathon as it tours downtown streets, campus and greenways for a lively, moderately hilly race run by the Classic City Marathon / Athens Road Runners organisers.
The Classic City Half Marathon is 21km long.
The Classic City Half Marathon takes place in Athens, GA, USA.
Runna classifies the Classic City Half Marathon elevation profile as Rolling.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Classic City Half Marathon?
The Athena Half Marathon / Classic City Half Marathon 2026 is held the same morning, 24 January 2026, on a 13.1-mile course that also starts and finishes at the Classic Center in Athens, GA, sharing sections with the full marathon as it tours downtown streets, campus and greenways for a lively, moderately hilly race run by the Classic City Marathon / Athens Road Runners organisers.
How long is the Classic City Half Marathon?
The Classic City Half Marathon is 21km long.
Where does the Classic City Half Marathon take place?
The Classic City Half Marathon takes place in Athens, GA, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Classic City Half Marathon?
Runna classifies the Classic City Half Marathon elevation profile as Rolling.
How can I prepare for the Classic City Half Marathon?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Classic City Half Marathon?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Classic City Marathon?
How long is the Classic City Marathon?
Where does the Classic City Marathon take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Classic City Marathon?
How can I prepare for the Classic City Marathon?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Classic City Marathon?
The Classic City Marathon takes place on Saturday 24 January 2026 at 7:30 a.m., starting and finishing at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, Georgia, on a USATF-certified 26.2-mile course organised by the Classic City Marathon team / Athens Road Runners, threading through historic neighbourhoods, the university area and riverside greenways with rolling Piedmont hills and roughly 250–300 m of elevation gain.
The Classic City Marathon is 42km long.
The Classic City Marathon takes place in Athens, GA, USA.
The Classic City Marathon elevation gain is 344 meters, which Runna classifies as a Rolling race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Classic City Marathon?
The Classic City Marathon takes place on Saturday 24 January 2026 at 7:30 a.m., starting and finishing at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, Georgia, on a USATF-certified 26.2-mile course organised by the Classic City Marathon team / Athens Road Runners, threading through historic neighbourhoods, the university area and riverside greenways with rolling Piedmont hills and roughly 250–300 m of elevation gain.
How long is the Classic City Marathon?
The Classic City Marathon is 42km long.
Where does the Classic City Marathon take place?
The Classic City Marathon takes place in Athens, GA, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the Classic City Marathon?
The Classic City Marathon elevation gain is 344 meters, which Runna classifies as a Rolling race.
How can I prepare for the Classic City Marathon?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Classic City Marathon?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
More
Sport:
Running
This event listing is for informational purposes only. Runna is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Classic City Marathon or Athens Road Runners. All event details are based on publicly available information and are provided solely to help users discover running events. Runna does not use any official logos, images, or proprietary content from this event or its organiser. Any trademarks or names mentioned are used descriptively to identify the event in a factual manner. For the most accurate and up to date information (including to register or purchase an entry to the event), please visit the Classic City Marathon website.
