USA Track & Field awarded the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials to the city of Atlanta.
The race was held on February 29, 2020, with the top three male and female finishers meeting the Olympic A standard representing the United States at the summer Olympics in Tokyo, and fourth-place runners named alternates.
The Atlanta Track Club — the second-largest running organization in the country — served as the local organizing committee. Its winning bid drew on the city's legacy as the 1996 Olympic host, a vibrant local running community, moderate February temperatures, and numerous perks for athletes. Austin, Chattanooga, and Orlando also bid to host.
The Atlanta course featured three seven-mile loops and a fourth five-mile loop, with an elevation profile organizers compared to hilly Central Park — and spots where spectators could see competitors pass six times without moving. The plan focused on walkability, with the start/finish line just 100 meters from the host hotel.
The Track Club also committed to paying travel and accommodation expenses for all qualifiers — both "A" and "B" standard athletes — a change from past trials, to give every qualifier an equal shot at making the team.
The Atlanta Marathon, half marathon, and 5K were held the day after the trials.
