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TrailFree
Atlanta Trail Runners
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Trail Runners is a metro-wide trail running community that organizes several weekly group runs at trails in and around Atlanta for a range of paces. Runs depart from coffee shops and other locations including Perc Coffee Grant Park and East Lake, and East Pole in Virginia-Highland.
About This Club
Atlanta Trail Runners is a metro-wide group that gets people out onto Atlanta-area trails several times a week, meeting up at coffee shops before heading out. They describe themselves as welcoming to a range of paces, including beginners, and joining costs nothing. If you have been curious about trail running but not sure how to get started, this is a low-stakes way in.
Who It Suits
This works well for anyone who wants to explore Atlanta-area trails without going it alone, especially if you are new to off-road running and want company at a manageable distance. If you are looking for a road-only club or prefer evening runs, this one probably is not your match.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Runs cover around 4 miles on trails and mixed pavement-and-trail terrain, including some rugged sections, so expect uneven footing and plan your shoes accordingly. The group runs from multiple locations, including Perc Coffee in Grant Park, Perc Coffee in East Lake, and East Pole in Virginia-Highland, so you can usually find a start point close to you.
Friday mornings are confirmed at 6:15 a.m., and they run several times a week beyond that, so check their page for the full weekly schedule.
Distance4 miles
TerrainTrails, Mixed pavement and trails, Rugged terrain
Your First Run
Pick the location closest to you, show up a few minutes before 6:15 a.m., and look for other people in running gear outside the coffee shop. You do not need to register or pay anything ahead of time.
They say they welcome a range of paces, so if you are newer to trails or slower on technical ground, that is normal and expected here. Arriving alone is not unusual at a club this size, and having a coffee shop as the meeting point gives you somewhere to warm up and settle in before and after.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Atlanta
90 upcoming races in Atlanta. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Mon, Jul 13, 2026BrazilNation #Run 5K Atlanta, GAFrom $57Details Sun, Aug 2, 2026Magnolia Run & Walk for Epilepsy ATLANTA, GAFrom $30Details Sat, Aug 8, 2026Run for East Lake 5K & Fun Run Atlanta, GAFrom $40Details
See all Atlanta races
Common Questions About Atlanta Trail Runners
Do I need to sign up or pay before my first run?
No. It is free to join and there is no registration. Just show up at whichever coffee shop location works for you before the 6:15 a.m. start.
I have only ever run on roads. Will I be completely out of my depth?
They specifically include beginner trail runners among the people they cater to, so you will not be the only one learning the terrain. That said, some of the routes include rugged sections, so wear trail shoes if you have them and expect looser, uneven ground.
Which location should I go to?
There are three meeting spots: Perc Coffee at 519 Memorial Dr SE in Grant Park, Perc Coffee at 2380 Hosea L Williams Dr NE in East Lake, and East Pole at 676 North Highland Ave NE in Virginia-Highland. Pick whichever is most convenient. Different runs may go from different spots, so check their schedule to confirm which location is running on a given day.
They run several times a week, but I only see Friday confirmed. When are the other runs?
Friday at 6:15 a.m. is what is confirmed here. For the rest of the weekly schedule, check their own page or social media before you plan your week around it.
Will I slow the group down if I am not a fast trail runner?
They describe their runs as covering a range of paces, which is exactly what you want to hear if you are worried about that. Four miles on mixed and rugged terrain is not a pace showdown, it is a trail run.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated July 2026.