Registration/Race Packets
1.  What is the registration deadline?

• Printed applications should be postmarked no later than Friday, October 31, 2008.

• Register in person at the Atlanta Track Club by 5:00PM, Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

• Register online until midnight on Sunday, November 23, 2008.

• Late entries will be accepted in person at packet pick-up on Tuesday ONLY, November 25, 11AM-8PM. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 8PM, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25.

*Online registration only.

All paper applications MUST be postmarked by 10/31

2. Does the race fill up before the deadline?
There is no cap on the number of entrants in the marathon; however, there is a cap of 14,000 for the half marathon.

3. Is it possible to get a refund if I cannot participate?
We're sorry, we are unable to offer refunds. As stated on the application and instructions, race fees are not refundable, nor are they transferable from year to year. Once you are signed up, race fees are used for race expenses and cannot be returned.

4. My training is going well/not so well. Is it possible to change races?
Switching races is permitted at the race expo until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. No switching of races will be permitted after that time. Running a race other than the one for which you are registered will result in disqualification.

5. How do I get my runner’s packet?
Runners can pick up their race numbers and packets at the race expo at the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead, located at 3315 Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Runners may pick up a race number and packet for another runner. A photocopy of some form of I.D. for the absent runner and/or a note granting permission for the race number and packet to be picked up must be presented.

Directions to Race Expo:

From I-85 North, take Exit #87, GA 400/Buckhead. Follow 400 North to Exit #2, Lenox Road. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Lenox Road. Proceed to the second traffic light and turn left onto Piedmont Road. Proceed to the second traffic light and turn left onto Peachtree Road. The hotel will be on the right.

6. Is there race day registration/packet pickup/race switching?
No.

7. Is prize money offered?
There is no prize money offered for either the marathon or half marathon.

8. How can I get an invitation to compete as an elite athlete?
There is no invited or elite athlete field and travel expenses are not paid for any competitor. We are unable to issue letters of invitation to international athletes.

Start/Finish
1. How do I get to the starting line?
Full Marathon:

The course starts and ends on Hank Aaron Drive just north of Turner Field in the south part of Atlanta. The start can be reached by taking I-75/85 to the Fulton St. exit (#246). There is ample parking at the stadium, but please be aware that roads around the stadium begin to close at 7 a.m. You can also take the MARTA Rapid Rail system to the Georgia State station (E1 on the East/West line) and walk 15-20 minutes south to the starting area. MARTA fare is $2.25; Breeze Cards are available for sale at the stations and at the Race Expo. Trains will run every 20 minutes; be sure to allow enough time.

Half Marathon:

The course starts on Peachtree Industrial Blvd just south of the Clairmont Road intersection. There is ample parking at the Doraville and Brookhaven MARTA Rapid Rail stations. To get to the Doraville station, take I-285 to Buford Highway. Follow Buford Highway south to Central Avenue and turn right. The station is at the intersection of Central Avenue and New Peachtree Road. Once at the station, take the train one stop south to Chamblee. Trains will begin leaving from this station at approximately 5:32 a.m.; fare is $2.25. To get to the Brookhaven station, take I-85 to the North Druid Hills exit (#89) and follow North Druid Hills Road north to Peachtree Road; the station is at the intersection of Peachtree and North Druid Hills. Once there, take the train one stop north to Chamblee. The first northbound train to depart from Brookhaven leaves at approximately 5:46 a.m. Trains will run every 15-20 minutes; be sure to allow enough time.

Once you arrive at the Chamblee MARTA station, it is a five minute walk west to the start area.

Half Marathon Starting Corrals:

You will be assigned a colored bib number that corresponds to one of the 5 corrals at the start of the half marathon. Look for the sign at the entrance to the corral that corresponds to your color and bib number range. You must be visibly wearing your bib number to enter your corral. If you are planning to run with another registered runner in a different corral, you are permitted to start in the slower person’s corral. You may NOT move up into a faster corral. Runners should plan on being in their starting corrals 15-20 minutes prior to the start.

Half Marathon Wave Start:

To ensure a smooth start and help reduce congestion on the course for the half marathon, the race will begin with a wave start. Runners in the first three corrals will start the race in the first wave at 7:00 a.m. For runners in the fourth and fifth corrals, the second wave of the race will start at 7:08 a.m. All runners will need to be in their corrals prior to 7:00 a.m.

2. What about my baggage?
Full marathon:

Write your race number on the tag provided in your packet and attach it securely to your bag where it’s easily visible. We suggest that you use a sturdy zippered bag or the bag given to you at the race expo—no plastic grocery bags. Please do not leave valuable or irreplaceable items in your bag. The Atlanta Track Club is not responsible for lost or missing bags. Prior to the start, you may drop off and retrieve your bags in the Baggage Area located at the start/finish of the race in the Lexus Lot of Turner Field.

Half marathon:

Write your race number on the tag provided in your packet and attach it securely to your bag where it’s easily visible. We suggest that you use a sturdy, zippered bag or the bag given to you at the race expo—no plastic grocery bags. Please don’t leave valuable or irreplaceable items in your bag. The Atlanta Track Club is not responsible for lost or missing bags. Before the race starts, take your bag to the baggage trucks located in the International Farmer’s Market parking lot. Bags should be dropped off at the truck with signage that corresponds to your race number and bib color. Turn your bag in by 6:45 a.m. You’ll retrieve your bag in the half marathon baggage area located at the finish of the race in the Gold Lot of Turner Field.Baggage checked at the start area of the half marathon may be claimed in the baggage tent at the finish area in the Gold Lot adjacent to Turner Field.

3. How do I get back to my hotel/car?
Runners are responsible for their own transportation back to their hotel or car. If you did not park at the finish area or have no one to pick you up, the nearest MARTA Rapid Rail station is the Georgia State station, a 15-20 minute walk to the north of Turner Field. MARTA Breeze Cards will be available for sale while supplies last at the race expo and at MARTA stations.

On The Course
1. Where are the aid stations?
Aid stations are located approximately every 2.5 miles along the course. Aid stations will be supplied with water, POWERade, Vaseline, porta-potties, and first aid. Jelly Belly® Sport Beans® will be distributed along the marathon course around mile 7.5 and mile 20. They will also be distributed near mile 7 on the half marathon course..

2. What is the course time limit?
The marathon is intended for runners who plan to complete the race in less than five hours. The race is held on a holiday and the volunteers, police, and other support personnel cannot be asked to remain longer.

3. I’m not sure I can run the race within the time limit. Can I start early?
Starting early is not permitted. Any runner starting early does so at an extreme risk. The race begins while it is still dark outside and there are no police officers or course monitors on the course until the official start of the race. Despite the holiday, Atlanta traffic can be dangerous.

To ensure accurate and fair results, anyone starting early be will be disqualified and his/her time will be deleted from the official results.

4. Is the course closed to traffic?
No. Runner’s lanes will be separated from traffic lanes by cones—please stay inside the cones at all times. Volunteers and police officers will monitor the course.

5. Are splits called?
Full Marathon: Clocks will be at the 5, 10, 13.1, 15, 20, and 25 mile marks.
Signs will designate each mile for both races.

6. What if I need to quit partway through the race?
The course passes a number of MARTA Rapid Rail stations. Volunteer monitors along the course can direct runners to the closest station and to medical assistance if necessary.

7. Is there anything not permitted on the course?
For your safety and that of others, we do not allow the following items on the course: any wheeled conveyance including baby strollers, inline skates, skateboards, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or headphones or mp3 players.

Weather
1. What will the weather be like?
The average temperature range for Atlanta for the fourth week of November is a low of about forty degrees with a high of about sixty degrees. Sunrise is at approximately 7:15 a.m. Rain is always a possibility in the Atlanta area. Be sure to check www.weather.com during the week leading up to the event to get the latest forecast.

Results
1. How is the race timed?
The Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon will be using the new ChronoTrack “D” Race Timing Tag at this year’s race. This light-weight, disposable timing device replaces the ChampionChip previously used. The “D” tag comes attached to your race number and will need to be removed and attached to your running shoe. Further instructions are provided in the registration area of the expo or online at www.atlantatrackclub.org. As you cross the electronic mats at the start and finish lines, the timing tag emits a unique signal that allows the system to identify you and calculate your finish time. While official results and awards are based on the time elapsed from the official start, your net time is determined by recording your travel time between the start and finish mats. To be included in the official results, the timing tag must be attached to your shoe—do not carry it or put it in a pocket. If you’re not running or don’t wish to be timed, simply discard the “D” Race Timing Tag. There is no need
to return it.

2. How can I find out my results from the race?
Finisher certificates with official and net times will be available online at www.atlantatrackclub.org approximately 1 - 2 weeks after the race. Certificates can be printed out as a keepsake.

Unofficial results will be published on the Atlanta Track Club website within a few days of the race.

3. Why do the official results show me running slower than the time I recorded on my watch?
Official results list the official, or “gun” time of each participant. This is the time elapsed from the actual moment of the start of the entire race until an individual runner crosses the finish line. Personal, or “net” time is the time elapsed between that individual crossing the start and finish lines. For example, if it takes you one minute to cross the start line and you run the race in 45 minutes, your official time is 46 minutes and your personal time is 45 minutes.

The rules governing international road racing, including The Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon, require that gun time be used to determine race placement, official timing, and all awards. This preserves the “first runner, first place” concept of racing and prevents the results becoming a record of individual time trials.

When you download your race certificate, both times will be listed. You may use your net time for future Peachtree seeding, and possibly for other races as well (check the literature for the race you are applying for). You may also use it to brag to your friends.

After the Race
1. Is there a post race party and awards ceremony?
Since the race is held on a holiday there is no post-race party or awards ceremony. Awards for the overall and masters winners are presented on race day, and awards to the top three in each age division will be available Thanksgiving morning in the awards tent.

Water, POWERade and food is provided to runners at the finish area.

Awards & T-Shirts
1. Is prize money awarded?
There is no prize money for either the marathon or half marathon.

All participants receive a long sleeve T-shirt at packet pick-up.

For each race, awards will be given on race day to the overall male and female finishers and to the first masters male and female finishers; awards to the top three in each age division will be available Thanksgiving morning in the awards tent. All finishers in the half marathon and marathon will be awarded finishers medals.

Spectators
1. Can my friends and family watch the race?
There are vantage points at several spots along the route, but the best place to watch the race is at the intersection of Peachtree and Piedmont. This location marks the five-mile point of the half marathon and the eight and eighteen mile points of the full marathon.  Spectators are welcome to head to Turner Field after seeing their special runner go by; however, they are reminded not to drive to Turner Field using Peachtree.  A good alternative is to take MARTA Rapid Rail from the Buckhead station, located a few blocks north of the Peachtree/Piedmont intersection. Take the train south to Five Points station and transfer to the East/West line. Go one stop east to the Georgia State station, which is a 15-20 minute walk heading south to the finish area.

Expo
1. Is there a race Expo? Where is it located?
The Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon Race Expo is at the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead, 3315 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30326. Expo hours are Tuesday, November 25 and Wednesday, November 26 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Certification
1. Is the full marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes. The USATF certification number for the course is #GA06024WC.