Run the Classic City.
Welcome
to the Third Annual Classic City Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay, Presented by Piedmont Athens Regional!
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 7:30 a.m.
Start and Finish at the Classic Center: 300 North Thomas Street, Athens
Expo and Packet Pick-Up at the Classic Center: Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24
Thank you to our newest sponsors!
With distances from the marathon (26.2 miles) to the half marathon (13.1 miles) to approximately 6 miles (one leg of a four-person marathon relay), we have options for everyone! Read more about our three races and then plan to Run the Classic City with us in January!
Marathon: $125
Half-Marathon: $95
Relay Team (2-4 persons, paid in full by first team member to register): $240
Prices increase November 1, 2025.
Why choose the Classic City?
Why choose the Classic City?
We are the Athens Road Runners and the Classic City Marathon Association. We are local runners and experienced race professionals, and we are committed to the work and the joy of creating the best possible race weekend for our runners, our spectators, and our community.
We work with local schools, students, artists, and musicians to create our medals, posters, and race-day entertainment! We are excited to showcase the Athens creative community.
We value sustainability for our races, for our communities, and for our planet. Our races are Zero Waste events!
The weather — plus an indoor Post-Race Celebrations area! As a January race in the southern United States, we often have absolutely perfect running temperatures. But just in case the weather does not cooperate, we use a huge warm, dry, indoor convention-center space for our Expo, pre-race indoor restrooms, and post-race celebrations and relaxation! It’s the perfect combination.
Real, handmade, compostable greenery “laurel” wreaths for every individual marathon finisher — and a PR gong available to everyone who ran their first, fastest, or farthest! (You know you want to.)
Why choose the Classic City?
Why choose the Classic City?
“Great medal, good post race food, well organized.”
“I loved all the volunteers! They were extremely helpful and encouraging.”
“Group runs and routes during the training!”
“I have ran a lot of half-marathons, and this was the best one by far. This event was very organized, had a variety of running scenery, and was just overall excellent.”
“I just love the community! The whole day was so enjoyable and memorable. I can't wait for next year!”
2025 Race Photos by Emily Cameron, Mark Babcock, Jessica Gratigny, and Mase Pearson
Are you looking for something else?
Use the navigation options at the top of the page to find many more details about our races.
Try our detailed Participant Guide, Relay Guide, and Spectator Guide. Read our long-form narrative description of the courses.
Try our Instagram account or our Facebook page.
Or email us!