MiKE CosEntino

AtlantaRunningGuide

AtlantaRunningGuide

Published by PEACHTREE PUBLISHERS, LTD.1700 Chattahoochee AvenueAtlanta, Georgia 30318-2112

www.peachtree-online.com

Text © 2003 by Michael Cosentino

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Book and cover design by Loraine M. JoynerComposition by Robin ShermanPhotographs: Ren Davis, Mike Cosentino,

and MarathonFoto for the Atlanta Track Club

Manufactured in the United States of America10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition

ISBN 1-56145-205-X

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataCosentino, Mike.

Atlanta running guide / Mike Cosentino -- 1st ed.p. cm.

Includes index.ISBN 1-56145-205-X

1. Running--Georgia--Atlanta Metropolitan Area--Guidebooks. 2. Atlanta Metropolitan Area (Ga.)--Guidebooks. I. Title.GV1061.22 .C68 2003796.42'09758'231--dc21

2002153456

FOR INGE

The best miles are the ones we cover together.They are also the source of my inspiration for all of the others.

—M.C.

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PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xINTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xiiROUTE LOCATOR MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

ATLANTA WEST1 VININGS Putting You through the Paces . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 MOUNT PARAN Runnin’ on the Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 CHASTAIN PARK More Than a Walk in the Park . . . . . .114 WIEUCA ROAD Where the Running Is Easy . . . . . . . . . .145 WEST PACES FERRY ROAD A Run with a View . . . . . .176 BUCKHEAD Tracing the Battle Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207 GARDEN HILLS AND PEACHTREE HILLS

Zigzagging through the Neighborhoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 8 GRANT PARK/OAKLAND CEMETERY

Following in the Footsteps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279 WESTVIEW CEMETERY Running in Peace . . . . . . . . . .31

ATLANTA EAST10 PEACHTREE DUNWOODY Pushing Pill Hill . . . . . . . .3611 SAGAMORE HILLS More Ups and Downs . . . . . . . . . .3912 BROOKHAVEN Playing through the Course . . . . . . . . .4213 MASON MILL Magnificent Miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4514 EMORY/DRUID HILLS Climbing Clifton . . . . . . . . . . .4815 DREW VALLEY High Grades without Studying . . . . . . .51 16 ANSLEY PARK AND MORNINGSIDE

Going for the Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5417 VIRGINIA-HIGHLANDHigh Times in the Highlands . . .5718 THE FREEDOM PARKWAY TRAIL

Five Little Miles Near Little Five Points . . . . . . . . . . . . .6019 PONCE DE LEON CORRIDOR

The Long and Winding Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T SAT L A N T A R U N N I N G G U I D E

20 PEACHTREE ROAD Exploring the Big Peach . . . . . . . . .6721 PIEDMONT PARK/MIDTOWN Where the Action Is . . . .7322 DOWNTOWN ATLANTA The Heart of the City . . . . . . 77

AROUND ATLANTA23 THE SILVER COMET TRAIL Runnin’ the Rails . . . . . . . .8524 MARIETTA A Run That’s Right on Track . . . . . . . . . . . . .9025 EAST COBB Shootin’ the ’Hooch on Foot . . . . . . . . . . . . .9326 ROSWELL A Run through the Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9627 ALPHARETTA Blazing a Path Along Big Creek . . . . . . 10028 SANDY SPRINGS Heading Up the Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . .10329 LILBURN A Run Back in Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10630 STONE MOUNTAIN Runnin’ around the Rock . . . . . . .10931 AVONDALE ESTATES A Quick and Quiet Quest . . . . . .11232 DECATUR Where the Running is Greater . . . . . . . . . . . .11533 NORTH FAYETTE The Runner’s Place for Open Space .11934 PEACHTREE CITY Pedestrian Paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

THE TRAILBLAZERS35 SWEETWATER CREEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12836 RED TOP MOUNTAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13237 KENNESAW MOUNTAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13538 CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

NATIONAL RECREATION AREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13939 MURPHEY CANDLER PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166 40 REYNOLDS NATURE PRESERVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16941 COCHRAN MILL NATURE CENTER AND PARK . . . . . 172

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HOLIDAY TRADITIONS 42 PEACHTREE ROAD RACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178 43 US 10K CLASSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182 44 ATLANTA MARATHON & HALF MARATHON . . . . .185

APPENDIX APPENDIX A Alphabetical Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191APPENDIX B Distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192APPENDIX C Hill Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194APPENDIX D Routes by Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195APPENDIX E Author’s Top Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197APPENDIX F Running Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199APPENDIX G Pace Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Textile mill ruins

along Sweetwater Creek

in Sweetwater Creek

State Park.

Preface

T he idea for this book came to me as I was prepar-

ing for a friend and fellow runner to visit me in At-

lanta. Planning to introduce him to running routes here,

I realized there were too many wonderful places to run

during a short visit. Since I knew this dilemma would arise

again, I thought a guide to all of the great running places

might be useful, both for me and for others.

When I began, I saw this book as an extension to my favorite hobby. Ultimately it proved to be the marriage of two of my interests—runningand writing. The book provided the necessary extra motivation as Itrained for the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race. And writingabout something I enjoyed was an ideal substitute for time I would havespent consuming ice cream or cold beer.

Then it happened. An evolution occurred. My project began to take on alife of its own. All of a sudden, I was getting up earlier than ever to re-runroutes before work. During the early morning and even ing hours of busi-ness trips, I was editing text instead of reading the newspaper or catchinga few winks. On a cruise to South and Central America, I took my laptopout by the pool and studied maps of Atlanta. As with previous projects,

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P R E F A C EAT L A N T A R U N N I N G G U I D E

I refused to neglect my family andfriends or my real job. Outside ofthose parameters, however, all betswere off.

It took more than 1500 miles on foot(and goodness knows how many morein the car and on my bike) before I finalized the 300 or more miles cov-ered in this book. Believe me, notevery mile you can run is a qualitymile—visually or physically. Manymore routes were considered thanwere included.

This book is by no means a completelisting of great runs in our city. Manypeople feel that the best runs are thosewhere they discover something new ontheir own, an idea I fully understand.This guide is intended to turn you—whether you are a visitor, or new orlongtime resident—on to places youmay not have previously considered.

One of the benefits of running is thatyou can do it anywhere. I hope youwill keep this guide near your shoes orin your car. If you do, you can in-crease your miles and your familiaritywith our urban playground, often referred to as “Hot-Lanta,” “The BigPeach,” or “Capital of the South,”and appropriately regarded as a runner’s mecca. Enjoy!

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The Peachtree Road Race ends in

Piedmont Park.

Introduction

T his book was written for all runners in Atlanta,

whether the newest participants or the most seasoned of

harriers. Of course, not every suggestion is for everyone. That

is why this guide tells you what lies ahead. You can choose

what suits you, your time, your needs, and your mood.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDEThe table of contents categorizes all of the runs by their location within oroutside of the city of Atlanta, with the exception of the last two sections thatdescribe trail running options and Atlanta’s most popular races. While eachroute is different, they are all organized in the same manner, making it easy to match a route to your current skills and mindset. Further classification isavailable in the appendix.

Each entry contains the followinginformation:

DISTANCEGiven in miles and kilometers.

HILL FACTORAtlanta is a city of hills, fromrolling to steep. We’ve employedthe following grading system:

NON-EXISTENT:

stretches flat as the local trackMILD:

requires a carpenter’s level todetect

MODERATE:

proves variety is the spice of lifeSIGNIFICANT:

needs oxygen supplementsEXTREME:

attracts those more stable physically than mentally

GETTING THEREDirections to the recom-

mended starting point or trailhead.

PARKINGSelf-explanatory locations,

usually at a church, shopping cen-ter, school, or other free space.

TRANSPORTATIONPublic rail and bus transporta-

tion to the route, if available.

OVERVIEWAn explanation of why the

entry made the Atlanta RunningGuide. A brief history of the area,interesting facts, or a glimpse as towhy the conditions are ideal forrunners.

THE COURSEThe recommended running

route, terrain, surface, and specificdirections. Popular landmarks andnotable obstacles are also included.

HIGHLIGHTSKey visual, safety, and educa-

tional information and potentialtraining benefits.

KEEP IN MINDInformation to help you deter-

mine if this run is for you, as wellas hints for starting or finishing the run.

NEARBY NOTABLESPre- or post-run sites for

hydra tion, food, rest-room visits, orrituals. Also offers ideas for placesto meet your family or friends or toparticipate in area activities.

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H O W T O U S E T H I S G U I D EAT L A N T A R U N N I N G G U I D E

GENERAL INFORMATIONAt the time of publication, no com-prehensive local running book wasavailable. There are, however, nu-merous publications and websitesthat address other running consid-erations, including training, diet,running clubs, races, apparel, andfootwear suggestions. Although Irecommend that you seek furtherinformation as needed, a few rele-vant topics are addressed here tohelp ensure that you get the mostout of this guide.

GETTING STARTEDYou’ve already heard this before:Before starting any new exerciseprogram, consult your physician. It just makes sense that you’ll enjoythe benefits of running more if youare sure it’s conducive to your phys-ical well-being.

After you get the green light fromyour doctor, you can increase yourenjoyment of running by getting theright shoes for you. There is moreto choosing the right shoes thanjust getting the same size as yourBirkenstocks. You should also con-sider factors such as your footshape, running mechanics, weeklymileage, and requirements for sta-bility. The first time or two, you

may wish to visit a running spe-cialty store or a podiatrist to get anexpert opinion on the right shoes.

VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS TO ATLANTAMany visitors and new residents see runners everywhere in Atlanta.Almost 25 percent of the popula-tion consider themselves to be run-ners or joggers. In addition to thequantity of runners, Atlanta is alsorecognized for its quality of run-ning. Longtime running residentswere proud, but hardly surprised,to learn that in 2002, Runner’sWorld magazine named Atlanta oneof the “10 Best Cities To Be a Run-ner.” Atlanta was the largest city toearn this distinction.

Many factors contribute to enjoy-able running in Atlanta; some become increasingly evident thelonger you run. Other factors bearmentioning before you start out.

This is the Sunbelt. We haveplenty of sunny days that are warmor hot. Perspiration accelerates theeffects of sun on your skin, so besure to wear sunscreen. It mightalso be worth investing in a pair ofsunglasses designed for runners.

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You’ll appreciate not squinting theentire way or having to wipe thesweat out of your eyes. Most importantly, remember that manydays are very humid—and not justthe sunny ones. The humidity canbe more than 80 or 90 percent inthe summer, so be sure to keep wellhydrated. Finally, choose the timeof the day to run based on yourheat tolerance.

This is the South. In addition tothe weather, people enjoy two otherthings about Atlanta: friendly peo-ple and the lush, green environ-ment. As a runner in Atlanta, youcan contribute to both traditions.Unless you are sucking wind terri-bly, offer a smile and greeting tothose you pass. And when you takeconsumables with you on the run,please discard all refuse—waterbottles, energy bar wrappers, gelcontainers—in trash receptacles. Asthe posted signs say, “Help keepAtlanta peachy clean!”

This is Appalachia. Actually, Atlanta is a bit southeast of Appa -lachia, but its topography is simi-larly diverse. There are rewards andchallenges to running here. If yourun the hills of Atlanta consistentlyand regularly, your body will learn

to process oxygen more efficiently.The muscles in your calves andthighs will develop more quicklyand noticeably. When planning arun, be sure to consider not only thedistance, but also the hill factor. Anddon’t count on running the samepace per mile on the streets as youdo at the local track. If you are likemany longtime Atlanta runners, youwill eventually come to appreciate—rather than be intimidated by—theuneven layout.

TRAIL RUNNINGTrail running is an increasinglypopular discipline within the sportof running, as demonstrated by thedevelopment of specific footwearand courses. Atlanta is not like theWest when it comes to off-roadrunning; there are not as many options available. But trail runnersare not out of luck. Atlanta is aheadof most cities of its size in the avail-ability and convenience of spaciousand scenic trails. The Trailblazerssection of this guide offers a widerange of options to get you startedor keep you interested in this alter-native. Keep the following in mindwhen running trails.

Trail Etiquette. As you come uponothers, remember that they are prob-

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ably moving more slowly than you.They may be out for a walk or ahike, more interested in the sur-roundings than you are, or with children or canine companions. Theyhave the right-of-way. A friendlysmile or polite “excuse me” is all you’ll need to encouragemost to step aside and let you by.You may need to use the side of thetrail to get around a select few.

Mountain Bikers. You, as a trailrunner, have the right-of-way. Thisdoesn’t do you much good, however,if you’re lying on your back under-neath a bike tire. Mountain bikesare not allowed on many trails inthis guide. Use caution and commonsense on those that are multiuse.

Sightseeing. The opportunity tosee great natural beauty is one ofthe biggest benefits of trail running.Much can be absorbed whetheryou’re on a leisurely stroll or click-ing off six-minute miles. But if youare interested in looking moreclosely—really scrutinizing the environment—trail running is notthe way to do it. Most injuries dur-ing trail running are the result of therunner taking his eyes off of the trail. If you spot somethingirresistible, take a breather.

ORGANIZED RUNNINGAND RACING EVENTSThe vigor of Atlanta’s running scenecan be attributed to numerous fac-tors, including a wide variety of or-ganized events. In fact, there aremore running events every year inAtlanta than in any other city in theUnited States. Exact dates andcourse layouts can change fromyear to year, so check regularly up-dated sources for the best informa-tion. The Atlanta Track Club web-site (www.atlantatrackclub.org) andthe free local publications, AtlantaSports & Fitness and Georgia Ath-lete magazines, are some of the bestplaces to check.

The three most famous events—all held on major holidays—are thePeachtree Road Race, the U.S. 10K Classic, and the AtlantaMarathon & Half Marathon. Anyrunner that completes all of themhas had a good year indeed. TheHoliday Traditions section providesthe race dates, course descriptions,and other pertinent informationneeded to get you started with yourpreparations.

I N T R O D U C T I O NAT L A N T A R U N N I N G G U I D E

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Route numbersrefer to chapters

S/F Common Start/Finish

S F Separate Start/Finish

Suggested Directional

Bi-Directional

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L E G E N D F O R R O U T E M A P S

Swan House at the Atlanta History Center.

(West Paces Ferry Route)

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VININGS Putting You through the Paces

MOUNT PARAN Runnin’ on the Ridge

CHASTAIN PARK More Than a Walk in the Park

WIEUCA ROAD Where the Running is Easy

WEST PACES FERRY ROAD A Run with a View

BUCKHEAD Tracing the Battle Lines

GARDEN HILLS AND PEACHTREE HILLS

Zigzagging through the Neighborhoods

GRANT PARK/OAKLAND CEMETERY

Following in the Footsteps

WESTVIEW CEMETERY Running in Peace

1VININGSPutting You through the Paces

DISTANCE6.0 miles, 9.6 kilometers (loop)

HILL FACTORSignificant

GETTING THEREApproximately 9.0 miles north -

west of downtown. Take I-285 toPaces Ferry Road (exit 18) and go eastto Cumberland Parkway.

PARKINGPlenty of parking is available in

the Paces Ferry Shopping Center atthe intersection of Cumberland Park-way and Paces Ferry Road. Park ing isalso available along some of the sidestreets off Woodland Brook Drive.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONThe area is served by the #70

Cobb County Transit (CCT) bus,which departs from the Hamilton E.Holmes MARTA Station.

OVERVIEW“Putting Yourself Through the

Paces” is an apt title for this route, asyou pass or use streets called PacesFerry, Paces Mill, Paces Place, andPaces Walk. All are named after anearly settler who built the area’s firstmill. And you’ll literally feel the paces,as some of the climbs on this courseare not for children. Nonetheless, thebeauty of the residential portionmakes this a run not to be missed forsomeone willing to—yes, you guessedit—get put through the paces.

The intersection of Paces Ferry Roadand Cumberland Parkway is at thecenter of one of metro Atlanta’s mostrapidly expanding areas. Fortunately,the growth has not eroded the endear-ing characteristics of Vinings, nor has itdiscouraged the significant foot trafficthe area has always enjoyed. Althoughthe amount of activity in the area canbe overwhelming at first, this locationis actually a great place to run.

THE COURSEMAIN ROUTE: The route begins at

the intersection of Cumberland Park-way and Paces Ferry Road. Head easton Paces Ferry away from I-285. Crossthe old railroad tracks and pass PacesStation, home to charming boutiquesand restaurants. At the second traffic

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signal, approximately 0.5 mile fromthe railroad tracks, Paces FerryRoad makes an abrupt right turn. If you see signs indicating you arenow on Paces Mill Road, you havegone too far. Run downhill on PacesFerry Road for almost another 1.0mile, past many lovely houses. Turnright on Woodland Brook Drive atthe traffic signal.

Follow Woodland Brook for about2.0 miles and cross another set ofrailroad tracks. The road deadends atLog Cabin Drive; turn right and crossto the other side of the street to con-tinue running on the sidewalk. Thesidewalk ends 0.5 miles later atNorth Church Road. Turn left onNorth Church Road and go less than100 yards to Eberhart Street, an un-used road twenty yards south of andparallel to Log Cabin Drive. Eberhartends all too soon, and Log CabinDrive fills with automobile traffic. Atthis point, carefully use the side of theroad to run the curves around severalapartment complexes.

As you make your way north andback toward the starting point, the road changes name during the nextfew blocks to Beech Haven Trailand eventually becomes Cumber-land Parkway at Gilmore Road.

Proceeding north on CumberlandParkway, amid the areas obviouslytargeted for development, you encounter two killer hills. Turn righton Paces Ferry Road at the secondapex, near the Paces Ferry ShoppingCenter, and head for home—but notbefore conquering another formida-ble ascent.

HIGHLIGHTSMost of Paces Ferry Road is

shaded by beautiful trees. Althoughmany of the neighborhood roadsare dead ends or cul-de-sacs, theyare worth exploring.

KEEP IN MINDEven though sidewalks are

available and most drivers in thearea are courteous, you should beextra attentive when near the inter-section of Paces Ferry Road andCumberland Parkway.

NEARBY NOTABLESThe Station at Vinings, near

the first railroad crossing, offersplenty to delight local runners, including thin-crust pizza at theNew York Pizza Exchange and Chinese cuisine at Uncle Wong’sand Orient Express.

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AT L A N TA W E S TAT L A N T A R U N N I N G G U I D E

2MOUNT PARAN Runnin’ on the Ridge

DISTANCE11.0 miles, 17.6 kilometers (out and back)

HILL FACTORSignificant

GETTING THEREApproximately 9.0 miles

northwest of downtown.

To reach the northern startingpoint, take I-285 to Roswell Road(exit 25), and go south to MountParan Road.

To reach the southern startingpoint, take I-75 to Mount ParanRoad (exit 256) and go south toPaces Ferry Road.

PARKINGParking is available on many

of the side streets along MountParan and in the lots of severalchurches along the road.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONThe area is served by the

Sandy Springs (#5) MARTA bus,

which departs from the LindberghCenter and Dunwoody Stations.

OVERVIEWIf you are tired of climbing

Atlanta’s hills, reaching the apexonly to begin the descent, this maybe your kind of run. Mount ParanRoad follows Mount Paran Ridgefrom Roswell Road to Paces FerryRoad; the ridge was a significantstronghold for Confederate forcesduring the Civil War. This routegets you to the top quickly, thenkeeps you there. No matter howappealing the concept of “start ontop, stay on top” may be, do notassume that this means the road isflat. The ridge offers consistent,gently rolling terrain with grandhouses and estates below.

THE COURSEMAIN ROUTE: While you can

start this route at either end, I sug-gest you begin at the intersection ofRoswell Road and run southweston Mount Paran Road; this willallow you to become somewhat familiar with the road before youencounter any significant traffic(unless you run during rush hours).The first mile is lined with very impressive houses. In mile 2.0, theroad rolls a bit more and you pass

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some more recent residential devel-opment and neighborhood churches,as well as the Mount Paran CountryStore, which despite its busy subur-ban location is exactly what itsounds like. Cross under I-75 after4.5 miles and go to the end ofMount Paran Road at Paces FerryRoad, exactly 1.0 mile later.

ALTERNATE: You can gain anotherpleasant 2.5 miles each way withsignificantly less traffic and signifi-cantly greater elevation by crossingPaces Ferry Road and continuing onRidgewood (Mount Paran changesname to Ridgewood) to MooresMill Road, then returning to thestarting point.

HIGHLIGHTSDespite the lack of provision

for pedestrians in the original roaddesign, Mount Paran Road is rela-tively safe. The winding nature ofthe road and the presence of manycyclists and pedestrians keep mostdrivers attentive. The side of theroad has ample room to run (or bailout if necessary). A brief glimpse ofthe Buckhead skyline reminds you ofthe course’s elevation. Many of thehouses on this route are spectacular.

KEEP IN MINDThe course is frustratingly nar-

row in many areas and devoid ofsidewalks or pedestrian/cyclist lanesalmost the entire way. During theweek, especially during the rushhours, traffic can quickly becomebumper-to-bumper. Therefore, I rec-ommend that you incorporate thisrun into your midday or weekendplans, so you won’t have to dealwith commuter traffic. The sidewalkunder the I-75 entrance ramp can bevery muddy; drivers are also muchless attentive in this particular loca-tion. The steep hill near the inter-section of Mount Paran and PacesFerry Roads is a relatively brief ex-ception to the gently rolling terrain.

NEARBY NOTABLESThe Mount Paran Country

Store is a perfect place to buy a coldbeverage or a snack. For more sig-nificant post-run sustenance, try anyof the eateries in the Fountain Oaksor Chastain Square shopping cen-ters, 0.5 mile and 1.0 mile, respec-tively, south of the intersection ofMount Paran and Roswell Roads.

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AT L A N TA W E S TAT L A N T A R U N N I N G G U I D E