The Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA is a boutique, community-focused running event held at the South Peachtree Creek Trail in Decatur, Georgia. Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, the event emphasizes a "stress-free" atmosphere with small, private waves starting as early as 7:30 AM EDT. Managed by The Best Races, this run is designed for all ages and paces, prioritizing personal goal achievement over competitive chip timing. A unique feature of this series is its charitable component, where the organizers donate $1 to charity for every mile logged by participants after the race.
| Category | Distance | Wave Starts | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Marathon | 21.1 km | Wave A: 7:30 AM | Optional / Self-track |
| 10K Run | 10.0 km | Wave B: 8:00 AM | Optional / Self-track |
| 5K Run | 5.0 km | Wave C: 8:30 AM | Optional / Self-track |
| Virtual Run | Flexible | Any Time | Submit via email |
Decatur is an urban suburb of Atlanta and the county seat of DeKalb County, with a population of approximately 25,000 residents. It is known for its high quality of life and independent city school district. Demographically, Decatur is approximately 66.1% White, 19.8% Black or African American, 4.9% Asian, and 4.2% Hispanic or Latino. The city is highly affluent and exceptionally well-educated, with over 75% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The median household income is roughly $128,000, which is significantly above the Georgia state average, reflecting a professional population largely employed in the healthcare, education, and legal sectors.
The local culture is defined by a strong sense of community activism and a deep appreciation for the outdoors and pedestrian-friendly spaces. The South Peachtree Creek Trail, where the race is held, is a boardwalk and paved path system that connects several parks, serving as a primary recreation corridor for the region. Residents of Decatur, often referred to as "Decaturites," value small-scale, sustainable events over massive commercial productions. This "Sunrise" run fits perfectly into the local vibe, offering a scenic, low-impact way to engage with nature while supporting global charities through the "The Best Races Journey" initiative.
The participant experience is designed to be "hassle-free." Unlike major marathons, there is no packet pickup; instead, technical shirts and medals are shipped directly to the runner's home address, with bibs provided on-site on race morning. The course features scenic views along the creek and through the woods of Mason Mill Park. By the morning of May 2nd, the trail will host small groups of runners and walkers receiving support from on-site coordinators, finishing their journey with a commemorative medal and a certificate of completion as the sun rises over the Georgia landscape.
May 02, 2026
Distance — 10km
Type — Running
07:30
$46.93
May 02, 2026
Distance — 5km
Type — Running
07:30
$41.58
May 02, 2026
Distance — 1mi
Type — Running
07:30
$35.00
May 02, 2026
Distance — 21km
Type — Running
07:30
$45.00
May 02, 2026
Distance — 5km
Type — Running
07:30
$37.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Decatur.
Learn more about the host city, Decatur.
Decatur is a city in and the county seat of DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of 24,928 in the 2020 census, the municipality is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple ZIP Codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear Decatur as the address.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
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