Conquering Georgia: My Publix Atlanta Marathon Journey

Brian Johnson (MM8807, HF7287, DA707) — Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend, March 1-2, 2025. State 28 (Georgia). Marathon distance or longer race #53.

This was my second trip to Atlanta. The last time I was here (not counting flying through) was March 1, 2020, two weeks before the world shut down.

When I ran then, I was tired after having driven for six hours from Jackson, Mississippi, and competing in Mississippi Blue the day before.

My end result for that race: I was swept and was only able to complete the half marathon.

Almost five years later, I decided to try again.

I almost had more fun with the nine-hour trip from Columbus, Ohio, to Atlanta.

I did my first-ever trip to Buc-ee’s. If you have never gone, I would highly encourage it.

I got to Atlanta with about 30 minutes to go in the Friday afternoon packet pickup.

Saturday was a chance to explore the city.

Atlanta is home to a lot of historical sites and famous graves.

Seeing the Swan House (President Snow’s house in The Hunger Games) was very cool.

Also seen were the Carter Presidential Library, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and many famous graves, as well as the Margaret Mitchell House (Gone with the Wind author).

My cousin Pam was a really good tour guide.

The Publix Atlanta Marathon

On race morning, I had to be up really early. I was staying 15 miles out from the starting area. After a quick drive and a long walk, I got to the Marathon Maniacs tent.

Atlanta Ambassador Barbara Blackford was a great host. I also got the opportunity to meet quite a few other Marathon Maniacs.

Race morning was really cold and windy. While Saturday was almost 70 degrees, Sunday (race day) was 32 and windy (20 MPH).

Very rarely do I run with my windbreaker on for an entire race. This day was one of them.

The marathon started next to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. I got a chance to meet Marathon Maniac Lawrence Allie in the starting corrals. We talked for a few minutes while we waited for the race to start.

The Atlanta Marathon is just hilly. If you haven’t trained for hills, you will regret that choice.

The trip around the city is pretty. The course is not quite a two-lap course. I was pleased at the chance to take “The Walking Dead” photo (Walking Dead Season 1).

I stayed on pace for the first 13 miles, doing a very consistent run/walk. My goal was not to get swept. But I would get a different adventure later, being in the “back of the pack.”

I was happy to get through the first loop and get to the second part of the course. Watching the finish line activities from the pedestrian bridge was a quick treat.

My cold got the better of me in the second half.

And the wind sucked!

The second half of the course brought us up near the venue where the Olympic torch was in the 1996 Olympics.

The most rewarding and odd parts about the marathon happened after mile 21. As we emerged from Grant Park, the few of us at the back of the pack were given directions for the final segment of the course.

We were informed that they would be removing the cones, and we would eventually have to move to the sidewalk for the last part of the race.

Somewhere around mile 22, I met Wanru, who was from Georgia. She had received the same set of instructions. We ended up teaming up for the last few miles, going through downtown and back out to the stadium to reach the finish line.

It was after we completed the race that she revealed this was her first marathon ever. She had never even completed a half marathon before that day.

I was happy to have been able to help her complete her first marathon on an extremely hilly course.

In the last three miles, my knee really started to hurt. I knew that it was because the trail shoes that I was wearing were on their last legs.

The hurt became worse later. When I got back to my hotel, walking was a chore.

A few hours of sleep and some wings later, I felt better. But walking was still a chore.

The next morning, for the trip home, I could move a lot better.

I then did the nine-hour trip home with two more stops at Buc-ee’s along the way.

Atlanta was a lot of fun. I’m glad I finished the race and was able to finally count Georgia as a completed state as I try to finish my first round of 50 states.

Now, if the weather had been warmer on race day…