City Guide: Running in Atlanta, Georgia

Looking for the top places to run, local running stores, group runs, and more? Here’s your guide to running in Atlanta.

(Feature photo by iStock.com/Sean Pavone)

The Atlanta City Guide is developed in collaboration with Big Peach Running Co. Read more about the running specialty store in the Running Stores section below!

Whether you’ve just moved to Atlanta, you’re visiting friends, or you’re here on business, making time to explore is a must. The Atlanta metro area is sprawling — the sixth largest in the country — and it holds just as much history as it does new development.

Each year, the Atlanta Track Club’s Triple Peach Race Series brings in many visitors to run three competitive downtown road races. If you’re looking for a run club, you’ll find one to run with any day of the week, including plenty of options from Big Peach Running Co.’s locations across the Atlanta metro area.

When it comes to coffee shops, breweries, and eateries, options are endless. Recommendations included in this guide are close to running routes, but keep in mind that we’re only scratching the surface here. There are just so many places to try!

Bookmark this City Guide for your next trip to Atlanta.

Running in Atlanta
When Is the Best Time to Visit Atlanta?
Where to Run in Atlanta
Running Stores in Atlanta
Run Clubs in Atlanta
Destination Races in Atlanta
Where to Eat After a Run In Atlanta

Running in Atlanta

Atlanta is often described as a city within a forest due to its many trees. You can easily start your run in an urban environment and find yourself in a suburban neighborhood within a mile or two. Expect to run hills — there are only a handful of places where you can avoid them, but the hills will make you stronger!

If you’re staying in Downtown or Midtown, these are easy areas to run. From here, you can easily hit landmarks such as Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Beltline, and Centennial Olympic Park (built for the 1996 Summer Olympics). On the Atlanta Beltline, you’ll find runners and walkers at any time of the day for an immersive experience with the running community.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Atlanta?

Spring and fall are the best times of the year to run in Atlanta due to the milder weather conditions. Mornings can be cool with temps ranging from 50 to 60 degrees. Afternoon temperatures can range from 70 to 80 degrees, but with lower humidity, it feels comfortable.

You’ll still see plenty of runners training in the summer for the largest 10K in the world, the AJC Peachtree Road Race. The heat, hills, and humidity are challenging, but if you can handle it, you’ll be much stronger going into the fall race season.

Where to Run in Atlanta

Atlanta Beltline: Eastside Trail
You can connect to the Eastside Trail from Piedmont Park at the corner of 10th Street and Monroe Avenue (the trail runs south). It’s a relatively flat route frequented by runners, walkers, and bike commuters. It’s an out-and-back route, so the distance is your choice. There are several restaurants and retail shops just steps off of the trail, which you can opt to start from or run to. The entire Atlanta Beltline will be approximately 23 miles when it is completed and the various sections have been connected. Check out the Atlanta Beltline’s interactive map for more route information.

Atlanta Beltline: Westside Trail
This route is on the west side of town. The best starting location is at the Lee & White complex (1070 White Street SW), where you’ll find plenty of parking. There are two craft breweries (Wild Heaven Beer and Monday Night Brewing), a food hall, and retail shops within this campus, and it’s walking distance from the West End MARTA station. The trail sits behind the buildings — easy access to several miles in either direction. It is also relatively flat and less populated than the Eastside Trail. Check out the Atlanta Beltline’s interactive map for more route information.

Cochran Shoals Trail
On any given morning, dozens of runners and walkers get their miles in on this wide and flat dirt trail. Located north of Atlanta, along the Chattahoochee River, the out-and-back route is a perfect 5K. Plan to park in the parking lot at the north end of the trail at 152 Columns Drive, Marietta. Find the trail map here.

Peachtree Road Race Route
This is a popular run as many use it in preparation for race day. It is a point-to-point route but can easily be accessed from the Buckhead MARTA or 10th Street MARTA station depending on where you want to start. The race route starts in the affluent city of Buckhead between Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza. It heads south to Midtown on Peachtree, turns left at 10th Street, and finishes in Piedmont Park. You’ll run entirely on sidewalks, but note that Peachtree is a busy local road (and hilly!). The first half of the route is mostly downhill and starts back uphill just after mile 3. You’ll hit what is known as “Cardiac Hill” directly in front of Piedmont Hospital. The last few miles take you past the High Museum of Art and Woodruff Arts Center on your way into Midtown. Find the course map here.

A cement bridge path with green trees on either side — Piedmont Park (Photo by iStock.com/Nate Hovee)

Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is especially nice for viewing Atlanta’s beautiful fall foliage and experiencing the city’s rolling hills. Park on Monroe Drive NE between Kanuga Street NE and 10th Street NE (right next to the entrance for the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, across from Park Tavern). Not far up 10th Street, on your right, you can run into the park. Loop around The Meadow (about two-thirds of a mile) and follow a connector path on the west side of The Meadow to loop around Lake Clara Meer (1 mile around). You’ll get great views of the Atlanta skyline from here. Follow the trails farther north into the park, near Atlanta Botanical Garden, for additional mileage. If you want to add on from there, the Beltline runs in either direction (southeast toward Krog Street, or north toward Armour Drive).

For more running routes in Atlanta, check out the Freedom Park Trail, which connects to the Beltline’s Eastside Trail. Northwest of the city center is the extensive Silver Comet Trail.

As with any running route, take the necessary precautions for a safe run. Whenever possible, run with a buddy. Tell someone you know where you’re going and when you expect to return, bring your cell phone and an ID, and remain aware of your surroundings.

Running Stores in Atlanta

The outside of a retail store at night with a lighted sign on the building and lights on inside the store windows showing apparel and outdoors gear — Big Peach Running Co. (Photo courtesy of Big Peach Running Co.)

Big Peach Running Co.
Big Peach Running Co. has 11 locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. Each location has free group runs with most of them on Tuesday and Thursday nights. (Check out the complete list of group runs here.) All stores offer a free video gait analysis as part of the fit process, which includes a 3D foot scan to measure your feet and map your arch profile and pressure points. Expect to find all major footwear brands including Altra, Asics, Brooks, Hoka, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, On, Puma, and Saucony. Be sure to check out Big Peach’s RUNATL brand of tees — a favorite among locals and visiting runners. The shirts feature “Peachy,” the company’s character, and the greeting: “Heat, Hills, and Humidity… Welcome to Atlanta!”
Big Peach Running Co. locations:
Alpharetta: 5530 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta; 678-739-4616
Braselton: 7419 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch; 770-967-9755
Brookhaven: 705 Town Blvd, Brookhaven; 404-816-8488
Cartersville: 402 East Church Street, Cartersville; 470-888-2987
Cumming: 5485 Bethelview Road, Cumming; 678-771-8270
Dawsonville: 145 Forest Boulevard, Dawsonville; 706-203-1557
Decatur: 1565 Church Street, Decatur; 404-377-7370
Kennesaw: 1625 Ridenour Boulevard, Kennesaw; 678-903-0022
Marietta: 1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta; 770-579-0444
Midtown: 800 Peachtree Street, Atlanta; 404-602-9903
Suwanee: 320 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee; 678-869-5012

Fleet Feet Decatur
Adjacent to Dancing Goats’ Decatur location, grab a coffee and stop by the shop for your running needs. You’ll find top running shoe and apparel brands here, plus group runs on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
431 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur; 404-882-2411

Highland Runners
East of Piedmont Park in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood, the staff at Highland Runners takes runners through a full fit assessment. You’ll find lululemon apparel and running shoe brands such as Saucony, Mizuno, Topo, Skora, 361, Inov-8, Merrell, and others.
1393 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta; 404-549-3309

Phidippides
Opened in 1973 by the well-known Olympic runner and running coach Jeff Galloway, Phidippides was one of the first specialty running stores in the United States. This original running store should be on your list to visit while in town, and its location at the north corner of Piedmont Park makes it a great shop to stop by before or after a run.
1544 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta; 404-875-4268

West Stride
North of Atlanta, West Stride is your running stop after a run on the Cochran Shoals Trail. The team here is committed to sustainability: a free reusable bag with the purchase of a pair of shoes and recycling receptacles for old running shoes, socks, apparel, and nutrition wrappers! Join the West Side crew for their monthly Saturday morning group run (calendar here).
3517 Northside Parkway, Atlanta; 404-467-1010

Run Clubs in Atlanta

We aim to keep this guide updated, but things can change quickly! Before attending a run club on this list, call the associated store or check the group’s social media to confirm the date, time, and location.

Atlanta Run Club
When: Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 1-5 miles
Starting Point: Nike at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Avenue, Atlanta

Back Men Run Atlanta
When: Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: Varies
Starting Point: Hop City at 1000 White Street, Atlanta

Big Peach Alpharetta
When: Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: 5530 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta

Big Peach Brookhaven
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: 705 Town Boulevard, Brookhaven

Big Peach Decatur
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 3-5 miles
Starting Point: 1565 Church Street, Decatur

Big Peach Marietta
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: 1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta

Big Peach Midtown
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: 800 Peachtree Street, Atlanta

Big Peach Suwanee
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: 320 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee

Highland Runners
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. (first and third Tuesday of the month)
Distance: 3 and 5+ miles
Starting Point: 1393 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta

Fleet Feet Decatur Run Club
When: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m.
Distance: Varies
Starting Point: 431 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur (except the third Wednesday of the month which meets at a brewery — check here for details)

Front Runners Atlanta
When: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: Cunard Memorial Playground at John Howell Park, 797 Virginia Avenue NE, Atlanta (except for the last Wednesday of the month, which meets at a brewery — check the calendar)

West Midtown Run Club
When: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: Varies
Starting Point: lululemon at 1168 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta

Atlanta Track Club’s Beltline Run Club
When: Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. (run starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Distance: 2-4 miles
Starting Point: Various starting points along the Beltline Trail (check the schedule)

Cooldown Running
When: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Distance: 1-4 miles
Starting Point: Various; check Instagram for updates

Big Peach Cumming Run Club
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m.
Distance: 3-5 miles
Starting Point: 5485 Bethelview Road, Cumming

Atlanta Run Club
When: Saturdays at 8 a.m.
Distance: 1-5 miles
Starting Point: Piedmont Park at 10th and Monroe

Front Runners Atlanta
When: Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Distance: 3-6 miles
Starting Point: Various; check the calendar

Atlanta Run Club
When: Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Distance: 1-4 miles
Starting Point: Peoples Town Coffee Bar at 55 Milton Avenue, Atlanta

Destination Races in Atlanta

Red Top Rumble: February | Red Top Mountain State Park | 11.5 Miles
Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend: March | Atlanta | Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K
Cruel Jewel 50/100: May | Blue Ridge | 104 Miles, 56 Miles
AJC Peachtree Road Race: July | Atlanta | 10K
AREA 13.1 & Extraterrestrial 5K/10K: August | Roswell | Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Big Peach Sizzler 5K & 10K: September | Atlanta | 10K, 5K
PNC Atlanta 10 Miler & 5K: October | Atlanta | 10 Miles, 5K
Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon: November | Atlanta | Half Marathon, 5K
Pine Mountain Trail Run: December | Pine Mountain | 40 Miles, 19 Miles

Where to Eat After a Run In Atlanta

Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market — Adjacent to the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, Ponce City Market is host to events throughout the year and home to a variety of shops and the Central Food Hall. Among casual post-run places to grab a bite to eat include a burger bar, pancake and breakfast cafe, a New York-style pizza place, a coffee shop, and a healthy salad and bowl spot.
675 Ponce De Leon Avenue, Atlanta; 404-900-7900

Dancing Goats Coffee — A popular place to stop for a post-run coffee. The Ponce City Market location is just west of the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, near the Historic Fourth Ward Park. The Midtown location is next to the Midtown/10th Street MARTA station.
Buckhead: 3167 Peachtree Road, Atlanta; 404-343-2064
Decatur: 419 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur; 404-687-1100
Midtown: 33 Peachtree Place NE, Atlanta; 404-600-6547
Ponce City Market: 650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta; 404-874-0370

The Flying Biscuit Cafe — A great place to fuel up after a long run, the Midtown location is adjacent to Piedmont Park and breakfast is served all day. Try the breakfast biscuit sandwich, chorizo hash, breakfast tacos, or stuffed French toast. Grits bowls, chicken and waffles, and several versions of eggs benedict are also on the menu. Items are noted when gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
Midtown: 1001 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta; 404-874-8887
Buckhead, Howell Mill Village: 857 Collier Road NW, Atlanta; 404-816-3152
Buckhead, Terminus Building: 3280 Peachtree Road, Atlanta; 404-477-0013
Candler Park: 1530 DeKalb Avenue, Atlanta; 404-687-8888
Additional locations in Atlanta, Marietta, and other cities in Georgia.

Inman Perk Coffee — Located in one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods, stop in for a coffee and a bagel sandwich or pastry after your run along the Beltline’s Eastside Trail.
240 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta

Several pizzas on baking trays on a red table with one person a the table holding a pint of beer — Monday Night Brewing (Photo courtesy of Monday Night Brewing)

Monday Night Brewing/The Garage — You’ll find this location of Monday Night Brewing in Atlanta’s historic West End. After your run along the Beltline’s Westside Trail, try one of 20 beers on tap including small-batch, seasonal, and barrel-aged pours. Cocktails are also available. If you’re hungry, choose from a lineup of artisanal pizzas.
933 Lee Street SW, Atlanta; 404-400-5068

New Realm Brewing Co. — Located along the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, enjoy the evening weather from the rooftop and choose from a beer list that includes pilsners, IPAs, German beers — even a seltzer and a cider. A full food menu features sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and shareables.
550 Somerset Terrace NE, Atlanta

The outside of a coffee shop called PERC with blue, yellow, and pink paint colors on the building — PERC Coffee (Photo courtesy of PERC Coffee)

PERC Coffee — This well-known Georgia coffee shop was founded in Savannah and has since expanded to include several Atlanta metro-area locations. In addition to smooth drip roasts, cold brew, and lattes, you’ll find food options such as PERC’s famous breakfast crunch wrap cooked with hashbrowns, a granola bowl, and more.
Virginia Highland: 1046 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta
East Lake: 2380 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE, Atlanta
Grant Park: 519 Memorial Drive, Atlanta

Sean’s Harvest Market — Adjacent to both Piedmont Park and the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, this market is the perfect midday spot when you could go for either breakfast or lunch. Beverages include fruit and protein smoothies, coffee, teas, and lemonades. Breakfast and bakery items are available all day and include a farmer’s market panini, potato hash breakfast bowl, and fruit biscuits. For lunch, choose from sandwiches, burritos, salads, and hot dogs.
500 Amsterdam Avenue NE, Atlanta; 404-565-6698

Victory Sandwich Bar — The Inman Park location is right along the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, the perfect spot for a midday sandwich. Try the Tea Bird with chicken, ghost pepper cheese, and sweet tea mayo. Or opt for something milder such as the Okie Dokie with brie, confit tomato, artichoke, and basil pesto.
Inman Park: 913 Bernina Avenue NE, Atlanta; 404-963-1742
Decatur: 340 Church Street, Decatur; 404-377-9300

A brewery's patio with picnic tables with yellow umbrellas, trees in the background and strings of lights overhead — Wild Heaven Beer (Photo courtesy of Wild Heaven Beer)

Wild Heaven Beer — The large selection of craft beers at Wild Heaven’s taprooms includes an IPA, pilsner, Mexican lager, Belgian saison, and a non-alcoholic IPA. The West End location, along the Beltline’s Westside Trail, has a large dog-friendly patio, a menu of Mexican dishes, and wine and ciders. At the Avondale location, you’ll find small plates and sandwiches. And at the Toco Hills location, pair your beer with barbecue from Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q.
West End: 1010 White Street SW, Atlanta; 404-254-2232 
Avondale: 135B Maple Street, Decatur; 404-997-8589
Toco Hills: 2935-B North Druid Hills Road, Atlanta; 404-941-7559

More travel plans? Check out our other City Guides.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ATLANTA

Destination Races in Atlanta