Chasing Greatness / Weekend Routes

Atlanta BeltLine

aka "The BeltGrind" — 22-Mile Urban Loop on Former Rail Corridors

Piedmont Park Start/Finish Loop
22 mi Distance
~500 ft Elevation Gain
Atlanta, GA Location
Weekend Route Type
FKT on Record
2:45:38 — Alec Blenis (2016)
The BeltGrind has a verified FKT on record. Alec Blenis completed the Atlanta BeltLine Loop on July 10, 2016 in 2 hours 45 minutes 38 seconds (supported, male). Logged on Fastest Known Time. The route has evolved since — more trail is open, more categories are waiting. Think you can beat it?
Eastside → Southside → Westside → Northside

Route Map

Open Categories

The Records

Running
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22 MILES AROUND THE BELTLINE LOOP — START AND FINISH AT PIEDMONT PARK
FKT — Alec Blenis
2:45:38
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Record: 2h 45m 38s — Alec Blenis, July 10, 2016 (Supported, Male)

Verified: Fastest Known Time · RunTheATL Course Map

Competitive Range: 3:00—4:00 (9:00—11:00/mile pace)

The BeltGrind's urban setting and pedestrian density make sub-7:00/mile challenging, but the trail is well-maintained and mostly flat with minimal elevation change. The route has expanded since Blenis's 2016 effort — more trail, more obstacles, more opportunity.

Bicycle
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22 MILES AROUND THE BELTLINE LOOP — HUMAN-POWERED TWO-WHEEL BICYCLE
Open Category
OPEN
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Status: No record set — GPS verification required

Theoretical Elite Time: 1:00—1:30 (15—22 mph average)

The multi-use trail accommodates bicycle traffic year-round, but with periodic pedestrian bottlenecks on the Eastside. A strong cyclist pushing the limits could potentially dip below 1:00 with morning/off-peak timing and minimal backtracking for obstacles.

Penny-Farthing
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22 MILES ON A HIGH-WHEEL BICYCLE — BECAUSE ENDURANCE KNOWS NO FASHION
Open Category
OPEN
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Status: No record set — GPS verification required

Theoretical Time Range: 2:30—3:30 (estimated for high-wheel bicycle)

The Reality Check: Yes, we are serious. The Atlanta BeltLine includes cobblestone sections, brick pathways, and railroad-bed transitions—each a test of high-wheel mastery. Your balance, core strength, and sense of humor will all be tested. The large wheel rolls smoothly on the rail-converted sections, but expect significant technical challenge on the older neighborhood connectors.

"The cobblestones alone..." — Chasing Greatness

Electric Scooter
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22 MILES ON AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER — BATTERY-POWERED, STANDING RIDE
Open Category
OPEN
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Status: No record set — GPS verification required

Theoretical Time Range: 1:00—1:45 (depending on scooter specs and terrain)

Key Constraint: Must be a standing electric scooter (no seated e-bikes). Range is the real challenge — most consumer e-scooters max out at 25-40 miles on a charge, leaving little margin for the full 22-mile BeltGrind. High-performance scooters with dual motors could push 30+ mph on the smooth rail-converted sections.

Surface transitions, pedestrian density, and battery management across 22 miles make this a genuine endurance challenge. The cobblestone and brick sections will drain battery faster than expected.

Rollerblade / Inline Skate
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22 MILES ON INLINE SKATES — HUMAN-POWERED FOOT PROPULSION
Open Category
OPEN
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Status: No record set — GPS verification required

Theoretical Time Range: 1:30—2:30 (15—18 mph average)

Trail Compatibility: The smooth rail-converted sections of the Eastside and Westside trails are excellent for inline skating. Southside street crossings and older brick pathways present technical challenges; route planning and early morning timing are critical to minimizing friction transitions.

Experienced marathon inline skaters (50+ mile events) could push below 1:45. The key is momentum and minimal stop time at trail segment transitions.

What Makes This Hard

Challenges

Pedestrian Density
The Eastside Trail alone sees 1.5M+ annual visitors. Weekends are crowded; expect bottlenecks on the Krog Street and Inman Park sections. Early morning (before 8AM) or weekday attempts are strongly recommended.
15-20 Street Crossings
The trail intersects with vehicular traffic at regular intervals. Stop lights and pedestrian signals add unpredictable delays. Verify current signal timing before your attempt.
Incomplete Sections
Southside Trail construction is ongoing through 2026. Some segments require street routing or walking. Verify trail status week-of before your attempt.
Atlanta Heat & Humidity
Summer temperatures exceed 90F with high humidity. Pace yourself in May-September. March-May and Sept-Nov offer ideal conditions.
Elevation Variance
While overall elevation gain is ~500 ft, the trail includes several steep creek-bed descents and climbs. Uneven surface and bridge transitions add technical challenge.
Surface Variety
Pavement, asphalt, brick, cobblestone, and unpaved sections. Different sections demand different pacing and technique, especially for bicycles, scooters, and skates.
Tips & Timing

Strategy

Best Attempt Windows
Time of Day: Target 6:00—8:00 AM on weekdays to avoid peak pedestrian traffic and heat.

Season: March—May or September—November offer the best conditions. Avoid June—August due to heat and humidity.

Day of Week: Tuesday—Thursday are typically less crowded than weekends.
Key Checkpoints for GPS Verification
Record GPS timestamps at: (1) Piedmont Park start, (2) Krog Street Tunnel (major landmark), (3) Grant Park (southern point), (4) West End neighborhood, (5) Bankhead Station area (northern section), (6) Return to Piedmont Park. These checkpoints help verify you completed the full loop.
Route Variations
The standard loop is clockwise from Piedmont Park. Counter-clockwise is equally valid. Some runners prefer breaking the route into 11-mile segments via the Northside connector, but the full 22-mile BeltGrind loop is the standard challenge.
Hydration & Support
Water fountains and restroom facilities exist at major parks (Piedmont, Grant, Westview, etc.), but expect 2—4 mile stretches between them. Carry hydration or pre-position a support person at mid-route.
Open Question

Speculation

The BeltGrind
Who Breaks Blenis's 2:45? →
Alec Blenis set the bar in 2016 at 2:45:38 — but more trail is open now. Can someone push sub-2:30? And the cycling, penny-farthing, electric scooter, and inline skate categories are still wide open. The BeltGrind is waiting.