BHM26.2 is Alabama’s only fully charitable race series, benefitting Magic Moments. Comprised of a full marathon, 5-person marathon relay, half marathon, 10K, 5K and kid’s fun run, BHM26.2’s Race Series brings exciting courses to the Birmingham Metro area! With over 2,000 runners, this event is one of Alabama’s most highly attended …
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BHM26.2 is Alabama’s only fully charitable race series, benefitting Magic Moments. Comprised of a full marathon, 5-person marathon relay, half marathon, 10K, 5K and kid’s fun run, BHM26.2’s Race Series brings exciting courses to the Birmingham Metro area! With over 2,000 runners, this event is one of Alabama’s most highly attended races with a family-friendly After Party for participants and anyone supporting the cause!
The specialized Marathon course is a beautiful but challenging 13.1 looped run through the city and neighborhoods of Hoover with a mix of rolling hills, flat terrain, and a beautiful waterfront. This course will have frequent water stations, cheer stations, and medical stations to ensure you are safe and have an incredible race day experience!
The Marathon Relay is RETURNING and is intended for a fun team building activity to tackle our marathon course with your team! The leg options are set to be 5 miles, 5 miles, 3.1 miles, 6.9 miles, and 6.2 miles. Teams may opt for less than 5 runners if the team member chooses to run consecutive legs. All members of the relay team will receive their medals together as their team crosses the official BHM26.2 finish line!
The popular Half Marathon, which sold out last year, is back and better than ever. This year’s course takes you through scenic views, winding through the city and neighborhood streets and along a beautiful waterfront. With improved logistics, enhanced support, and a festive race-day atmosphere, we’re making sure your experience is unforgettable. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-timer, this is a race you won’t want to miss.
The 10K and 5K races are perfect for runners of all levels looking for a challenge or a fun fitness goal. Both courses offer a great mix of flat stretches, rolling hills, and scenic views, ideal for those looking for a good challenge and fun race environment. These will have a vibrant crowd support, water stations, a medical station, and a finish line celebration you won’t forget. Whether you’re racing for time or just for fun, these events are designed to inspire you every step of the way!
The Kid’s Fun Run is geared towards children and patients who wish to be a part of our race weekend. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. This event is a stroller friendly event and is around ¼ mile!
There will also be an After Party for everyone to enjoy right after you cross the Finish Line on Sunday! Join at The Finley Center, right inside by the Finish Line, for a post race meal, live music, drinks, a kids zone, and more!
The best part? ALL proceeds benefit Magic Moments, the only wish-granting organization devoted exclusively to children in Alabama with chronic life-threatening or acute life-altering conditions. Lace up your shoes and join us this October as we run for the children who are chasing a cure.
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Horrible Race
Bib pick up was drive through on a narrow two way street. Good idea but the street and alleyway wasn’t meant for this. Race morning, easy parking at slots furnace … MORE
Bib pick up was drive through on a narrow two way street. Good idea but the street and alleyway wasn’t meant for this. Race morning, easy parking at slots furnace which was a few feet away from race start. Course was very hilly, no Portia potty on the course, at mile 1.34 they started to open the streets and asked for runners/ walkers to get on the sidewalk. Worst race I’ll ever run, I do not recommend this race. The medal was nice but the shirt is cotton.
I would never have run this race.....
Start line parking was impossible to reach. We ended up parking at a warehouse. Start line was under a bridge. Did not play star spangled banner at the start. No … MORE
Start line parking was impossible to reach. We ended up parking at a warehouse. Start line was under a bridge.
Did not play star spangled banner at the start.
No medical people on course.
No porta potties on course
Train tracks at finish line were a serious problem as 2 trains stopped on the tracks and we could not get back to our cars.
Course did not go in downtown only on campus of UAB. The out along the highway featured homeless people sleeping on the side of the road.
No local people came out to support the race course (Only water stops).
No beer at the finish for the runners only some wine spritzer
my overall race expeirence
This was an awsome race, incluiding an amazing medal, and a amazing race course, i even set a new personal best time at this race. The community support was amazing MORE
This was an awsome race, incluiding an amazing medal, and a amazing race course, i even set a new personal best time at this race. The community support was amazing
Why are there so many hills?
This race is top notch. Communication is excellent and the after party can't be beat! Only down side is that there are so many hills! I think we ran up … MORE
This race is top notch. Communication is excellent and the after party can’t be beat! Only down side is that there are so many hills! I think we ran up a hill to run up another hill. Plenty of on course support and the tour of Birmingham meant there was always something to see.
Postponed due to weather
This race was scheduled for April 14, but due to bad weather, it was postponed 2 weeks later. I wasn't planning to go due to work conflicts, but my schedule … MORE
This race was scheduled for April 14, but due to bad weather, it was postponed 2 weeks later. I wasn’t planning to go due to work conflicts, but my schedule changed last minute. The race did not offer a deferment or refund. All they offered for those who weren’t able to come 2 weeks later was a 25% code. :/ Luckily I was able to go, but those who weren’t were out of luck.
COURSE: the course began at Railroad park, a nice revitalized area in downtown Bhm. Some areas of BHM are pretty sketchy. Not much you can do about that. The course included Greensprings Hwy, Valley road and then went into some of the nicer downtown areas. There are some pretty long steady hills as well as steep ups & downs. Not really a PR course.
Bottom Line: Nice smaller marathon in a big city. Lots of good restaurants and things to do. Not the prettiest city by far, but a good choice for Alabama if you’re doing 50 states. I would do it again simply because it’s an easy 2hr drive for me. However, they aren’t currently offering day of packet pickup (they did offer it when the race was postponed, but not originally), so that’s a bit of a deal-breaker for people like me who drive in.