Create a relay team…

Go the Distance, Together.

Make the marathon a team effort.

Want to experience the beautiful, buzzing energy of the Classic City Marathon without committing to the whole 13.1 or 26.2?  Have a group of fun-loving friends, family members, or coworkers that you would be honored to call “teammates”? FANTASTIC! You can participate in race day by running the Classic City Marathon Relay!  

Like a marathon, a marathon relay is an event that covers 26.2 miles of distance along one set course. But instead of one person running the entire distance, each runner on your 2-, 3- or 4-person team will only run a portion of the marathon (roughly ¼ of the distance, or 6.5 miles, if you are a team of four).

How It Works

The course is divided into four sections. After each of the first three sections, there is an Exchange Zone. Each relay team will be given one special race belt that holds the team’s race bib and timing chip. The team’s first runner runs the first section (or the first two or three sections!) and then passes the belt to the next team member at an Exchange Zone. Each runner will be able to see their individual split time(s), and everyone who participates gets a medal, a t-shirt, and bragging rights — but the only time that matters for awards is the total team time!

Create your team first and sign up as a team. You’ll need a team name, and you’ll definitely want to dress up on race day so onlookers know you belong together!

Types of Relay Teams

  1. Marathon Relay Team:  Any group of two, three, or four people can be a Marathon Relay Team. 

  2. Greek Life Marathon Relay Team:  Are you part of a Greek Life organization?  Get 4 people together, dress up in your best Greek outfit, and come run a Marathon with us!

  3. Fitness Center Marathon Relay Team:  Calling all gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, kickboxing arenas, flying trapeze troops, pickleball clubs, pilates pals, masters swimmers, cross fitters, and orange theorists! This relay is a chance for you and your training buddies to put your fitness to the test and compete on behalf of your gym against other fitness enthusiasts from other gyms! The fitness center with the fastest team and the one with the most number of teams entered will each win a special award.

GETTING FROM “START” TO “START”

We suggest that relay teams use our provided shuttles. If your team wants to use the shuttle, you must register for a spot. If your team does not register for the shuttle, you must coordinate your own way to each starting point and your own way back to the finish line.

Shuttle Pick-Up Details

Pick up time for Exchange Zone 1 is 7:15 a.m. This shuttle is for runners who will start the SECOND of the four sections of the race. Pick-up will be across from Creature Comforts on Hancock by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.

Pick up time for Exchange Zone 2 is 7:50 a.m. This shuttle is for runners who will start the THIRD of the four sections of the race. This shuttle will pick you up at the statue of Athena in front of the Classic Center on Thomas Street.

Pick up time for Exchange Zone 3 is 8:25. This shuttle is for runners who will start the FOURTH of the four sections of the race. This shuttle will pick you up at the statue of Athena in front of the Classic Center on Thomas Street.

After you finish running your part of the relay, if your team registered for the shuttle, volunteers will help you find the return shuttle. Return shuttles will bring you to the Athena statue in front of the Classic Center.

The shuttle is first-come, first-served, and the sign-up cut-off date is January 15th. There is a maximum capacity of 30 teams. When you register for the shuttle, you will sign up by team name, not by individual runner.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We encourage teams to sign up for the available shuttles. In addition to the shuttle, there is parking available at each of the relay exchange points.

  • Each segment of the marathon relay is ~6.5 miles. If you are a team of four, you will each run ~6.5 miles. If your team is smaller, one of the three people, or both of the two people, will run more than one segment. How to divide the segments is up to you. Exchanges must be made at Exchange Zones.

  • Relay runners are running the marathon course. There are water stops, port-a-potties, medical assistance, entertainment, and crowd support!

  • Watch for the complete Relay Guide that will be made available to runners by January 1. We know it’s complicated, but it’s worth it!