Chilly Willy 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Atlanta

Chilly Willy is a winter race built around a simple idea: start the year with miles. Held in Sugar Hill, Georgia, on the Sugar Hill Greenway, the event offers a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, all starting at 8:30 in the morning. The January setting is part of the appeal — race-day temperatures typically hover in the 30s and 40s, so runners layer up, lace up, and settle into a crisp, quiet morning on the greenway.

The event is organized by Five Star NTP, whose stated aim is a fun, memorable experience for runners of all ages and skill levels. The field is modest — a median of roughly 160 finishers across recent editions — which keeps the atmosphere intimate rather than overwhelming. Runners have traveled from about five states, and a small share, around 7 percent, return in later years. Overall and age-group awards are presented in five-year categories starting at 10 and under, so the podium reaches deep into the pack.

Every finisher earns a medal, and the race leans into its winter theme with themed swag, including a long-sleeve shirt. It's a low-key, community-minded way to open the season — less about spectacle, more about showing up in the cold and getting the year's first finish line behind you.