Training Builds Community.

Get ready for your best race ever! The Classic City Marathon Association and the Athens Road Runners club are here to help.

First-Time Marathoners

Yes! Now is the perfect time to start working toward a January marathon. What an amazing goal! Give yourself many months to build up your mileage safely.

STEP TWO:

Read this super informative post by our very own Medical Director, Dr. Joe Colasurdo! He tells it like it is, people…. a marathon is a serious goal. You’ll be sooooo proud of yourself when you finish the Classic City Marathon!

Take the First Step: Register for Your First Marathon!

  • If you have never run a full marathon before, get a $10 discount for the 2026 Classic City Marathon if you register during June 2025! Use code FIRSTMARATHON when you register. Then follow us here and on Instagram for training info and support!

  • First-time marathoners, you also have the chance during June 2025 to win a fabulous First-Time Marathoner’s Starter Kit, which includes getting your registration cost reimbursed and expert advice about injury prevention as you start your marathon journey!

    • First, register during June 2025 for the 2026 Classic City Marathon. Use the code FIRSTMARATHON for $10 off!

    • Then tag us in two different social media posts. Share about your goal of running your first full marathon. (If you don’t do social media, share with two real people in person!)

    • By June 30, 2025, email “I’m going to run my first marathon!” to anne@classiccitymarathon.com. Tell us where your two posts are, or tell us about your goals as a new marathoner. (We just want to know that you are for real.)

    • We will put you in a drawing for a fabulous First-Time Marathoner’s Starter Kit prize! The one lucky winner of the drawing will receive free registration; a free consultation with a foot and ankle specialist for runners, Dr. Joe Colasurdo; and a water bottle, lots of GU, and other fun stuff!

(Details: “Free registration” means that your registration cost, not including the cost of the optional event insurance, will be reimbursed. “Free consultation with a foot and ankle specialist” means one free 15-minute consultation, on Zoom or in person, with the Classic City Marathon Association’s Medical Director, Dr. Joe Colasurdo, who offers expert guidance on injury prevention and running-related foot care at 26 Foot & Ankle in Watkinsville, GA. “A water bottle, lots of GU, and other fun stuff” means one water bottle we picked, some GU brand nutritional supplements for runners we picked and in the flavors we anticipate providing during the race, and other stuff that we think is fun!)

Questions? Email us!

Saturday Training Runs in Athens for Everyone

The Athens Road Runners club will provide free organized long runs in Athens every Saturday during the weeks leading up to race day, for all registered runners preparing for the half marathon or the full marathon.

Beginning in approximately October 2025, all registered runners will receive an email from our Training Team every week with details about the Saturday runs.

Watch here for more information about your training community!

Training Plan Options for Half Marathon and Marathon

No matter where you are training, you can prepare for race day by following a schedule designed for the Classic City Marathon or Half Marathon by the Athens Road Runners’ very own Coach Al Jeffers. The long run is scheduled for Saturday in all four plans, to coincide with the Athens Road Runners Saturday runs.

2025 Training Plans remain linked below. Watch for our 2026 plans soon!

  • Novice Half Marathon Training Plan. Perfect for a first-time half marathoner aiming to finish the distance. Two rest days every week.

  • Intermediate Half Marathon Training Plan. Includes some race-pace tempo workouts and a bit more distance. Try the intermediate plan if you have finished a half marathon before and want to be improving your time.

  • 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.

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 lululemon Classic City Marathon training plans in 2023. 

“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.

There’s Always a Waiver!

Saturday long 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 Saturday long 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.