More than once I have vowed never to run the Atlanta Half Marathon again. Problems have cropped up frequently before or after the race in my twenty-year history with the event, to my great annoyance. This year the Atlanta Track Club changed the route of the race to meander through the city rather than the previous one-way shot down Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road and Industrial Boulevard as it is collectively known along that stretch. The new course did cross over the famed Peachtree Street. And honestly, pray tell, how could it be a run in Atlanta otherwise?
Beginning at Turner Field runners made a pass of all of the following: The Capitol Building, Georgia State University, Five Points MARTA Station, Centennial Olympic Park, West Atlanta, Georgia Tech, Atlantic Station, Midtown, Piedmont Park (we entered from 14th Street--ah…the memories of my very first Peachtree Road Race), downtown hotel district, Sweet Auburn Ave, Martin Luther King Center, Cabbage Town, Oakland Cemetery, Underground Atlanta, Downtown business district, Atlanta City Hall and back through the Olympic Rings to the finish line. Now, tell the truth y’all, ain’t that Atlanta?
Hard core Atlantans may bemoan that we missed the Carter Center, the Varsity, Virginia Highlands and Five Points (the alternative scene). It would have been nice to hit those highlights as well, but there’s only so much ground you can cover in 13.1 miles .
As for the course, it had a few rolling hills, but nothing severe. This Thanksgiving morning served up great running weather. Some probably found it a bit humid; I fancied it perfect. Even though I enjoyed the stroll through the historic, scenic and important areas of my hometown, upon its completion I once again proclaimed to Shannan that I’m finished with the Half Marathon. Only time will tell.
I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
Tom
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