Training Builds Community.
Free Relay Training Program Starts December 2!
If you can walk or run 3 miles in early December, you can be part of the Classic City Marathon Relay in January! Our free training program will help.
Free relay training runs every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 p.m. and every Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
Relay training runs meet in the Piedmont Medical Services Building parking lot (officially 245 Talmadge Dr., but look for the signs on King Ave. near Hill St.).
Runs will start at 2.0 - 2.5 miles in December and work up to 6.5 miles by race day, to prepare you to run any one leg of the marathon relay. We will also share tips about managing the details of a relay, such as how to get to and from your different starting points and passing the special relay bib and belt!
The complete 8-week relay training schedule will be linked here soon!
To join the free Relay Training group runs, you must register for Relay Training and agree to the liability waiver for the training.
After you have registered for the Relay Training, you will receive an email from our Training Team every week with details and information about that week’s runs.
Registering for the Relay Training is separate from registering for the January race! Be sure to do both!
Free Group Long Training Runs in Athens
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.
Join the Athens Road Runners and the Classic City Marathon Association’s Training Team for free long training runs every Saturday in Athens until race day!
Weekly long runs for marathoners and half marathoners meet at 8:00 a.m. every Saturday in the Bottleworks parking lot near the corner of Meigs St. and North Newton St. in Athens, behind Hendershot’s. You will probably need to park on the surrounding streets and walk/run to the meeting place.
We will provide suggested routes for the mileages shown on the marathon and half marathon training plans linked below. The routes are designed to let you practice parts of the race course. We will also provide water stops as your mileage increases, but we still suggest that you plan to carry water/fuel (or have a plan for which mini-market you will pop into).
Novice Marathon Training Plan. Ideally suited to the first-time marathoner. You can do this! Steady increases in mileage, with plenty of rest and recovery, will prepare you to finish the Classic City Marathon with a smile!
Intermediate Marathon Training Plan. For the experienced distance runner who is targeting a specific finish time or trying to improve on a previous marathon. Includes race-pace tempo workouts, more mileage overall, and three 20-mile runs.
Novice Half Marathon Training Plan. Perfect for a first-time half marathoner aiming to finish the 13.1 distance. Run four days each week, increasing steadily toward your amazing race day!
Intermediate Half Marathon Training Plan. Includes some race-pace tempo workouts and a bit more distance each week. Try the intermediate plan if you have finished a half marathon before and want to be improving your time
All you need to do to attend the group runs is show up, you are more than welcome! (There will be a waiver to sign, if you are not a member of the Athens Road Runners; see the bottom of this page.)
All registered runners will receive an email with specific training information and details about the long run every week, so definitely go ahead and register for your race if you have not registered yet.
Free Training Plans for Everyone
We know how important good training is — so we are giving it away, for free, to everyone!
The Athens Road Runners’ very own Coach Al designed our beginner-friendly and intermediate/advanced training schedules especially for the Classic City Marathon and for the Classic City Half Marathon. Our Association Director Emily Noble and our Course Designer James Barlament created the Relay Training Program. Download your plan, consider investing in some new shoes, and head on out, no matter where you are!
Novice Marathon Training Plan. Ideally suited to the first-time marathoner. You can do this! Steady increases in mileage, with plenty of rest and recovery, will prepare you to finish the Classic City Marathon with a smile!
Intermediate Marathon Training Plan. For the experienced distance runner who is targeting a specific finish time or trying to improve on a previous marathon. Includes race-pace tempo workouts, more mileage overall, and three 20-mile runs.
Novice Half Marathon Training Plan. Perfect for a first-time half marathoner aiming to finish the 13.1 distance. Run four days each week, increasing steadily toward your amazing race day!
Intermediate Half Marathon Training Plan. Includes some race-pace tempo workouts and a bit more distance each week. Try the intermediate plan if you have finished a half marathon before and want to be improving your time.
Relay Training Plan (coming soon!). Work your way up from 2 miles to 6.5 miles, just in time for the Classic City Marathon Relay! Two easy runs and one long run every week — perfect if you are tackling distance running for the first time (or if you need to be smart about not over-training this winter).
ALSO: Read this super informative post by our very own Medical Co-Director, Dr. Joe Colasurdo, about the importance of smart, steady training! He tells it like it is, people…. A marathon, a half marathon, or 6 whole miles is a serious goal. You will be sooooo proud of yourself when you finish strong!
Meet Coach Al
Al Jeffers is a USATF-certified and RRCA-certified running coach. He has worked with the Athens Road Runners racing teams and other Athens Road Runners members since 2013. He was proud to design the first Classic City Marathon training plans in 2023, and he has continued to support all Classic City runners every year!
“I have coached endurance athletes of all abilities and experience levels, from beginners to Olympics participants, for over 40 years. I strongly encourage runners to choose a training plan and to join a group for the long runs. Running long miles with others gives you a chance to make new friends, help someone else with their running journey, and take in some encouragement from the group when you are in need of support. Never doubt your potential.” – Coach Al
Coach Al is also available for private coaching or consultation with individual runners.
Waivers and Disclaimers
Saturday long runs and the relay training group runs are organized by the Athens Road Runners. If you are not a member, you will be asked to sign a liability waiver at your first group run. The training plans and other ideas presented above are intended solely as suggestions that individuals might choose to consider. All runners must make their own decisions about their abilities and limitations; must understand the known dangers of running, including weather, traffic, terrain, health emergencies, and other hazards of running alone or with a group; and must accept the responsibility for all consequences of their decision to run. Please consult with your own medical or other advisors before you run.