Bridge Street Town Centre Half Marathon
Huntsville, AL
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Bridge Street Town Centre Half Marathon starts at the beautiful Bridge Street Town Center in Huntsville AL and runs through Cummings Research Park, the nations 2nd largest research park in the US. There will be a Chip Timing start and several pacing groups available. The post race party will … MORE
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As usual, great race
This race is really well done. Parking is easy, the start / finish is a nice area, plenty of toilets along the route, although they need to bring in more … MORE
This race is really well done. Parking is easy, the start / finish is a nice area, plenty of toilets along the route, although they need to bring in more to the start line as there is always a long line and this year it delayed the start of the race. The post-race food used to be better, or more varied. I’m not sure why but they have less tents with food than they had a few years ago. It’s slowly getting less… but it’s still decent post-race food. Pizza, cookies, oranges, apples, bananas, soda, water, gatorade, and more. I think I’ve run this race maybe six times now and I’ll be back.
It’s worth driving an hour or two to get here for this run, but probably not more than that. It’s a nice local race, but not a bucket list race unless your bucket list focuses only on Huntsville.
Flat course
Course was mainly flat. Did have one or two small inclines but nothing major. My first half and I am signed up to run again this year. This is not … MORE
Course was mainly flat. Did have one or two small inclines but nothing major. My first half and I am signed up to run again this year. This is not the race for you if swag is important. The race was set up nicely but definitely needed more restrooms or porta potties. Post race meal was the best part. I did have an issue with my timing chip but that happens sometimes I guess.
Good reason to visit Hunstville
I was signed up for the Huntsville marathon that was cancelled due to weather in December, I signed up for this as a redemption and it was worth another visit … MORE
I was signed up for the Huntsville marathon that was cancelled due to weather in December, I signed up for this as a redemption and it was worth another visit to Huntsville. Fun city with a lot of good coffee and beer. The course was pretty flat, the last few miles are kind of weird running through a park and neighborhood. The first 10 miles you are on open roads and can really settle into a pace, but once you break into town more there are more turns (and more people cheering!). 2022 had abnormally cool temps.
Best race course ever!
One of the top 3 race courses out of the 45 half marathons I have done nationally. Pretty perfect. Beautiful route, mainly flat, but a few gentle inclines so that … MORE
One of the top 3 race courses out of the 45 half marathons I have done nationally. Pretty perfect. Beautiful route, mainly flat, but a few gentle inclines so that you get some nice downhill. Really good organization. Good hydration stops, fun pre and post race vibe. Great post race food. The only snag was at packet pickup on Saturday – it was in a small room with two entries. It was confusing to runners where the line was. They need to mark which table had which last name alphabet for packet pickup. Other than than, awesome race and I will do it again!
Too bad I couldn’t finish
Went head first into a pot hole, sustaining a fractured nose and concussion. But it gave me a different view of the race and how well prepared they were for … MORE
Went head first into a pot hole, sustaining a fractured nose and concussion. But it gave me a different view of the race and how well prepared they were for accidents. Was treated quickly and professionally. Kudos to the race directors!
Great race, good course, great post-race
2022 is my fourth time running this race and I love almost everything about this race. Parking is easy, the course is pretty flat, aid stations have Powerade, water, and … MORE
2022 is my fourth time running this race and I love almost everything about this race. Parking is easy, the course is pretty flat, aid stations have Powerade, water, and gel, LOTS of port-a-poddies, packet pickup is easy, and the post-race food is better than at any race I’ve ever been in, and I’ve done 60+ races, and 30+ half marathons. The 2022 post-race party was not as solid as in the three prior years I’ve run though, and I’m not sure why. But even at its reduced vender attendance it was still better than anything else I’ve been to. Maybe add a local brewery with a free pint (with a good non-alcoholic beer option?) as well?
The course is mostly flat but with a few small’ish hills. Nothing to really slow you down. I’m not a fast runner, and was averaging 8:30 a mile in the first 10 miles, including the two miles that had the small’ish hills. Nothing to be worried about. For context, I placed 225 out of 874, so not anywhere close to the front.
This race production is above average. The swag is average… a shirt and a finisher’s medal. No complaints at all, but it’s the standard fair (I’d like to see running gloves, running socks, a race belt, maybe a beanie, or a pint glass?). I’ve got so many shirts that my wife sent them off to the quilt maker to have a quilt made of them, and others went to the Goodwill. Runners need gear other than shirts. But again, no complaints, it’s a pretty average swag bag.
Would I do this race again? Absolutely. I’ve run it four times now and it’s a two hour drive from where I live. I love this race. With that said, it’s not a race that should be on your bucket list and I wouldn’t be doing this race if I lived in Kansas, or Michigan, or any further than a couple of hours. But it’s a super well-done local race.
Great course, but better post-race food.
This is a great race. One of my favorites. The course is beautiful, the organization is great, the parking is easy, the post-race food and festival are the best I've … MORE
This is a great race. One of my favorites. The course is beautiful, the organization is great, the parking is easy, the post-race food and festival are the best I’ve seen in 50+ races, and there is just so much good about this race and almost nothing bad.
For starters, this is a medium size race that is growing larger each year, it seems. But because it takes over an outlet mall (is it an outlet mall? Not sure, but it feels like one), races have all the large parking lots to park in, so easy parking is always nice. Although it is in a shopping area the race begins before things open and this Bridge Street Town Centre does NOT feel like your typical outlet mall area. It is very quaint, with cobblestone streets and waterways and cute bridges and park benches. It’s quite nice, actually. And the post-race festival takes place in this area. This post-race festival is second to none. All you can eat food, drink, I mean… this is venders coming out, offering up their food, for free. And, on top of that, you have the standard packaged snacks as well. For the post-race alone this race is worth running.
But even if the race didn’t have a good post-race, the course alone makes the race worth running. It’s a great course, one of my favorite. You start in the shopping area but pretty quickly you are out in the countryside, running along hills and hollows, past old churches and farms. Quite a scenic route. There are some hills but I’d probably not call this a particularly hilly course. It’s a quick’ish course but probably not PR quick. You’ll definitely enjoy it though.
Highly recommend this race. Don’t put it on your life’s bucket list or anything, but it’s worth traveling a few hours to run. Easy parking, great course, great post-race… this is in my top 3 favorite races. I really can’t think of anything that would make this a better race… except perhaps transport the post-race party and easy parking to one of the National Park races, or to a flat beach race.
Great race for beginner halfers
This is a great, relatively flat course with the exception of a few small inclines. Start is in front of Bridge Street Shopping Centre with a loop around the perimeter … MORE
This is a great, relatively flat course with the exception of a few small inclines. Start is in front of Bridge Street Shopping Centre with a loop around the perimeter and your off through a lovely residential area, where some are out to cheer you on. HPD is out in full force at every cross section. Aides stations fully stocked with Gu, Stinger brand, I believe, water, gator and powerade…which is nice because I train with powerade and a lot of races only have Gatorade (That is just a personal preference). I do wish there was one more aide station towards the end. I break my half’s in quarters so mentally, I prepare for a fourth aide station to help with that final push… But again, this is me and in no way should take away from the wonder stations this race has! The finish is in the middle of the centre and full of spectators! Finisher’s food has many selections and good sizes for a quick refuel after 13+ miles. The surrounding, smaller restaurants are open at the finish of the race which is really convenient. I would recommend this race for all levels of runners! Great for starting out and to get a PR!
Not bucket list, but still must do race!
This is a great race. One of my favorites. The course is beautiful, the organization is great, the parking is easy, the post-race food and festival are the best I've … MORE
This is a great race. One of my favorites. The course is beautiful, the organization is great, the parking is easy, the post-race food and festival are the best I’ve seen in 50+ races, and there is just so much good about this race and almost nothing bad.
For starters, this is a medium size race that is growing larger each year, it seems. But because it takes over an outlet mall (is it an outlet mall? Not sure, but it feels like one), races have all the large parking lots to park in, so easy parking is always nice. Although it is in a shopping area the race begins before things open and this Bridge Street Town Centre does NOT feel like your typical outlet mall area. It is very quaint, with cobblestone streets and waterways and cute bridges and park benches. It’s quite nice, actually. And the post-race festival takes place in this area. This post-race festival is second to none. All you can eat food, drink, I mean… this is venders coming out, offering up their food, for free. And, on top of that, you have the standard packaged snacks as well. For the post-race alone this race is worth running.
But even if the race didn’t have a good post-race, the course alone makes the race worth running. It’s a great course, one of my favorite. You start in the shopping area but pretty quickly you are out in the countryside, running along hills and hollows, past old churches and farms. Quite a scenic route. There are some hills but I’d probably not call this a particularly hilly course. It’s a quick’ish course but probably not PR quick. You’ll definitely enjoy it though.
Highly recommend this race. Don’t put it on your life’s bucket list or anything, but it’s worth traveling a few hours to run. Easy parking, great course, great post-race… this is in my top 3 favorite races. I really can’t think of anything that would make this a better race… except perhaps transport the post-race party and easy parking to one of the National Park races, or to a flat beach race.