USATF Half Marathon Championships Return to Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend
ATLANTA - Oct. 7, 2025 - Atlanta Track Club announced today that the USATF Half Marathon Championships will return to Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend for the second consecutive year, headlining the 20th Running of the event. Scheduled for Feb. 28-March 1, 2026, the weekend will feature the Marathon, Half marathon, 5K and Kids Marathon in downtown Atlanta, with the finish line located at The Home Depot Backyard for the third year in a row.
On Sunday, March 1, the nation's top distance runners will compete for a spot on Team USA at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships - Half Marathon in Copenhagen, Denmark. The field of professional men and women will race for a $20,000 first-place prize, respectively, for both men and women, part of a championship-only prize purse exceeding $110,000. The top three male and female finishers will earn automatic qualification to represent Team USA on the world stage. The Championship race will be integrated into the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon. More information can be found here.
"Atlanta has long been a city that celebrates running, resilience and community — and this championship event brings together the very best of all three," said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club. "We look forward to hosting America's top endurance athletes on the streets of Running City USA as we also celebrate the 20th Running of Atlanta's hometown marathon and half marathon."
Max Siegel, USATF CEO added, "From Molly Seidel's Olympic berth in 2020 to the stunning half marathon debut of Taylor Roe in 2024, Atlanta has proven to be a place where U.S. road racing stars are born. As we look to the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, we are confident this event will deliver the best team to compete on the global stage."
The 2026 event marks the 20th Running of Publix Atlanta Marathon, which began in 2007 under the name ING Georgia Marathon. The event was acquired by Atlanta Track Club in 2016. To commemorate the milestone, the Club unveiled a new logo earlier this fall and will continue celebrating in the lead-up to race weekend, including the launch of a new section of the event website dedicated to its history, milestones and fun facts.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, the racing begins with the Publix Atlanta 5K and Publix Atlanta Kids Marathon. Thanks to the continued support of Coca-Cola UNITED, the Kids Marathon will remain free for all participants. Open to children 14 and under, the event features a 3K for ages 7-14 and a 50-meter dash for ages 6 and under. All finishers will receive a commemorative adidas hat, medal and access to family-friendly activities including a Track & Field Zone, face painting and more.
"There's something special about giving kids the chance to be part of a major city marathon weekend — and we are proud to offer this at no cost to their family," said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club. "As we celebrate the 20th Running of this event, it's not just a milestone for the race, it's a milestone for the next generation of runners."
All marathon and half marathon participants will receive a long-sleeve adidas shirt and finisher's medal. 5K finishers will receive a short-sleeve adidas shirt and medal. Registration for all events is open here.
For more information on Publix Atlanta Marathon
Weekend can be found here.
Information on the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships can be found here.
Editor's Note: When first announced, Atlanta Track Club stated it will host the 2026 USATF Masters Half Marathon Championships in conjunction with the USATF Half Marathon Championships. Since its release, the decision has been made to no longer hold the Masters Half Marathon event, but Atlanta Track Club will instead host the 2026 USATF Masters 5K Championships on October 25, 2026, as part of the PNC Atlanta 5K.