Half Marathon races near Kennesaw

The Race offers a half marathon and a 5K, with virtual options available for both distances, accommodating runners and walkers participating remotely. It takes place in early October and has been organized annually since 2018. The event's planning centers on culture, community, wellness, local economic impact, and pride. The course details provided focus on the choice between the half marathon and the 5K. Race weekend also features an expo and a Community Impact Service Day, where volunteers and partners contribute to local neighborhood projects. The event's theme, ROOTED, emphasizes community, culture, and purpose, aligning with its stated mission: created for the culture and powered by the community.

Spooky Sprint Greater Atlanta is an annual Halloween-themed running event with a 5K, 10K, half marathon, 1-mile option, and a kids’ dash. It is built for families as much as regular runners, with youth pricing for the 5K and 10K and an untimed dash for children 10 and under. The race offers chip timing, live results, awards, free participant photos, and treats at the finish line. Registrants in the main distances receive a custom bib, designer shirt, and finisher medal, while kids’ dash entrants get a mini bib, youth shirt, and their own medal; children can also run the dash for free without the swag. A virtual option lets people run anywhere and still receive the race gear.

The Boston Mini-Marathon & Festival begins at 118 E Jefferson Street in downtown Boston, Georgia, leading runners from the town center onto paved country roads. The event includes a half marathon, a timed 5K race, and a 5K walk, suitable for those seeking a certified time or a shorter community run in the October air. The course features rolling terrain with a final uphill section near the finish. Aid stations are located every 2.5 miles, with porta-potties at miles 2, 5, 7, and 11. Post-race, participants receive recovery refreshments before the event transitions into a downtown festival offering food, drinks, and a Southern atmosphere.

The Halloween Trick or Trot Run is an annual Halloween race held in Decatur, Georgia, near Atlanta. Participants can select from a 1-mile fun run, 5K, 10K, or half marathon, accommodating families, casual runners, and those seeking a longer fall race. The race embraces the holiday theme rather than functioning as a typical road race. All finishers receive complimentary Halloween candy. The core concept is straightforward: go outdoors, invite a friend, establish a personal objective, and incorporate the miles into the Halloween festivities.

The Silver Comet Half & Full Marathon takes place entirely on the Silver Comet Trail in Mableton, Georgia, located just outside Atlanta, on the final Saturday of October. The primary races are USATF-certified out-and-back courses, and a 10K is also included in the race series. The marathon is eligible as a Boston Qualifier, and the level, paved trail offers both new runners and those seeking personal bests a straightforward, quick path free from city traffic. The course crosses extended sections of paved path through forested areas in Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs. It utilizes the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County, which is part of a former rail corridor beginning just inside the perimeter highway and extending west toward Alabama. Typically, over 1,500 runners participate, and the trail also attracts cyclists, families, and casual users on days other than the race. Silver Comet Races organizes the events; the organization was established by Dana Greene, and funds raised from the race benefit community initiatives and school running clubs.

The Alpharetta Women’s Half Marathon & 5K begins and ends at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia. Held in November, it offers participants a USATF-certified half marathon or a 5K, with HOKA as the presenting sponsor. The course is based around Avalon, returning runners to the mixed-use district where the event is headquartered. Participants who register in advance will receive a race shirt, finisher medal, goodie bag, food and drinks, and admission to the post-race gathering.

The Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon is a trail race starting at AMC Theatres in Kennesaw, near Atlanta. Runners may select the 5K, 10K, or half marathon. Veterans may enter without charge by showing a government-issued veteran ID. The course follows local trails instead of city streets, focusing on off-road running with multiple distance choices. All finishers get a custom award, participants receive race shirts, and prizes are awarded to overall winners and age-group runners in five-year categories.

Turkey Trails - Greater Atlanta is a Thanksgiving-themed race event in the Atlanta area featuring a 5K, 10K, half marathon, 1-mile race, and kid's dash. The main races are chip-timed with live results, and awards will be presented. Participants receive free photos, finish-line treats, and race swag; shirts are guaranteed only for those who register before the posted cutoff. The event is designed for families and regular runners alike. The 5K and 10K include youth pricing for children 12 and under, and the kid's dash is an untimed run for children 10 and under. The 1-mile race is also untimed, offering a low-pressure option. Paid entries include bibs, shirts, and medals. Children can participate in the kid's dash for free if they opt out of swag. A virtual option allows participants to run remotely and still receive race items.

The Early Bird Turkey Trot takes place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in Kennesaw and Marietta, offering in-person 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon races. The same distances are available virtually, allowing participation remotely. This event is part of the Five Star NTP race series and serves as an early iteration of the organizer’s Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, providing an opportunity to run before the holiday. The race originated from a Five Star NTP custom of offering a complimentary 5K entry to returning runners: those who completed any of the organizer’s races between early December and mid-November qualify for one in-person Turkey Trot 5K entry. Participants not qualifying can still register for a modest fee. Shirts, hoodies, and finisher medals are available as optional purchases, not included automatically. The event relies on local charity and volunteer assistance, with a charity partner receiving donations and volunteers earning free future races for their morning's work.

The Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day race series begins at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, offering runners a Thanksgiving morning selection of four distances: a 13.1-mile half marathon, a 5K, a mile, and short kids' dashes. The half marathon is for participants aged 14 and older, the 5K for ages 8 and older, the mile for ages 6 and older, and the Dash is for children 6 and under. The schedule is arranged for an early holiday morning, with the half marathon starting first, followed by the 5K, mile, and separate Dash starts for the youngest children. The Atlanta Track Club organizes the event as an Atlanta tradition and combines it with a food drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, requesting runners bring donations to number pickup to help provide meals for 2,500 local families. Half marathon and 5K finishers will get a long-sleeved adidas performance shirt and medal, while mile and Dash participants receive a medal and beanie.

The Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning running event in Johns Creek, Georgia, offering 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon distances. It is a run-only event, and each distance includes a virtual option for those participating remotely. The series maintains an accessible entry price, with a slightly increased fee for race-day registration. Participants can purchase shirts, hoodies, and finisher medals individually rather than as part of a bundled package. A unique tradition offers free in-person Turkey Trot entry to runners who completed a Five Star race during the preceding year, a gesture of appreciation for consistent participation. All participants can compete for overall and age-group awards.

Run Santa Run Atlanta is a Christmas-themed race in Atlanta, Georgia, offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. Participants can select a short holiday run or a 13.1-mile course, making the event suitable for families, casual runners, and those seeking a winter race challenge. The race embraces its Santa theme with Christmas music along the route, seasonal race shirts for participants, and finisher medals. At the finish line, attendees can collect treats like candy canes and gingerbread cookies, with a live Santa available for photos post-race.