February 2023 will mark the GRAND FINALE of the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of Events in Birmingham, which has become Alabama’s premier running event. Increases in event production costs and a decline in financial and other resource support have directed us to make this decision on behalf of our event and …
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February 2023 will mark the GRAND FINALE of the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of Events in Birmingham, which has become Alabama’s premier running event. Increases in event production costs and a decline in financial and other resource support have directed us to make this decision on behalf of our event and mission.
Birmingham’s Premier Running Weekend…. the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend has made its mark as one of the most hospitable and enjoyable marathons in the country. Athletes of all ages and running abilities are welcome to participate in one of our many weekend activities and events. Run or walk one of our well organized Sunday races including the Mercedes Marathon, half marathon, 5 person marathon relay or our 5K event on Saturday. Our double loop marathon course is fast and friendly offering an up close and personal view of downtown Birmingham and its surrounding attractions. After you cross the finish line on Sunday, celebrate your running achievements at our festive post race party that has been acclaimed by Runner’s World Magazine as one of the best in the country. Come Run Birmingham!!
There is a 6 hour time limit on the marathon, which means a participant must maintain a consistent pace of approximately 13:44 minutes per mile. The famous “Balloon Lady” will be on the course as the “official last finisher” of the full marathon and will be walking at a 6-hour pace. Any full marathoner or relay team who is behind her when the course splits just before mile 13 (20th Street and 5th Avenue North) will be directed onto the half marathon course and will receive a half marathon medal and finish line amenity; and relay teams will be disqualified. Staying in front of our “Balloon Lady” is extremely important to ensure the safety of all our participants. If you are behind her at about mile 20 in Five Points South, our security/police officers must remove you from the course due to the course closing. The Birmingham Police are adamant about this rule with no exceptions. Half Marathon participants have a 4-hour time limit. The Half Marathon finish line will close exactly at 11:03 a.m.
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Awesome race
Will miss this one. This was the last of its kind... was great fun. The overall climate and the race production was fantastic. Highly recommend the course. MORE
Will miss this one. This was the last of its kind… was great fun. The overall climate and the race production was fantastic. Highly recommend the course.
Run for the medals
Course was hilly and 2 loop for the Marathon. Packet pick up was crowded but manageable. Enjoy the history of the city and museum. Running though the city was a … MORE
Course was hilly and 2 loop for the Marathon.
Packet pick up was crowded but manageable.
Enjoy the history of the city and museum. Running though the city was a both good and bad.
The end
Well, it was the last time this race will be run. It was a good race, but probably could have used some improvements. The expo and bib pickup were at … MORE
Well, it was the last time this race will be run.
It was a good race, but probably could have used some improvements.
The expo and bib pickup were at the convention center. I happened to go on Saturday and there were a lot of other things going on at the time. The cost of all the parking around the area was expensive due to other events. I was able to find a spot about half a mile away that was free. There were a few vendors there and bib pickup was quick and easy.
The shirt was a long-sleeved cotton shirt that I might wear, but not for running.
Race morning was nice and early. I’m not sure about parking because I stayed close enough to jog to the start. There were no pace groups or corrals. It’s not a problem if people would start where they should. When you line up in the front and are running 9-10 minute miles, you are in the wrong place. It’s frustrating and creates a lot more problems for those of us that position ourselves appropriately.
The course was a nice tour of the city. There were some rolling hills early, but some nice flat areas to pick up the pace later in the race.
The medal was really nice. I like the Mercedes emblem on the front. There was not a lot of food at the end, but they gave out towels and socks. The rain stopped a little before the start. Other than a little wind, the conditions were favorable for running.
I didn’t attend the after party, so I don’t have any comments. It was overall a decent race. It’s unfortunate that it will be discontinued.
Amazing Swag
This is the final race they're hosting, the swag was amazing, expo and after party were also great. Race day was chilly, Birmingham was a little hilly-but it was pretty … MORE
This is the final race they’re hosting, the swag was amazing, expo and after party were also great. Race day was chilly, Birmingham was a little hilly-but it was pretty cool running through the historic district. I wish this wasn’t the last race.
Solid swag.
This was the race finale. Sad, because it is a great race. Course is excellent. Love the Birmingham murals. Medal. Finishing Towel and after party all rock. MORE
This was the race finale. Sad, because it is a great race. Course is excellent. Love the Birmingham murals. Medal. Finishing Towel and after party all rock.
BQ or Bust in B-Ham
I chose this race to check off Alabama from my marathon map. After I ran it in 2022 the race organizers announced it would not be revived for the future. … MORE
I chose this race to check off Alabama from my marathon map. After I ran it in 2022 the race organizers announced it would not be revived for the future. Anyhow, my experience at it was great. Having the race be a two-looper enabled me to get a feel for how the hills would come into play later in the race. Getting a BQ time was tough but I made it with a few seconds to spare. It started and finished at a large city park in the heart of downtown which made it nice for spectators to have something to do between seeing their runner go by. The finish swag was nice (a hefty glow-in-the-dark medal and a duffel bag) when I did it. Overall I’m sad that the race is no more but it gave me great memories to take away from Birmingham–all the way to Boston–from when I ran the marathon there.
Amazing After Party
Overall the race was rather good. Parking logistics weren’t horrible, the race was well run, lots of other participants and friendly volunteers. The most memorable aspect was the after party. … MORE
Overall the race was rather good. Parking logistics weren’t horrible, the race was well run, lots of other participants and friendly volunteers. The most memorable aspect was the after party. It’s set up more like at an expo but there is a lot of places to sit and beverages galore
My race experience
The medal is super cool, and it glows in the dark, every year the medal gets better and better. All of the race directors are vary well prepared, which makes … MORE
The medal is super cool, and it glows in the dark, every year the medal gets better and better. All of the race directors are vary well prepared, which makes the race run very smoothly. The one thing that could be having parking be closer to the start of the race
Not bad, 2 looper
The good Great volunteers, well stocked aid stations, good course traffic, packet pickup, host hotel, start, finish and the swag. It was really great to have our hotel right at … MORE
The good
Great volunteers, well stocked aid stations, good course traffic, packet pickup, host hotel, start, finish and the swag. It was really great to have our hotel right at the start and finish area.
The bad
Two loop course and feels like catered to half. marathon runners.
Definitely a hilly course and you will hit them all twice. There are also some long straight aways. One in particular which is around mile 24 of the full and there is nothing to see but broken glass on the rail road tracks. The volunteers at 24 are the best on the course and have beer.
Great race
Great course if you’re training for hills. There are a lot and long, however there is the downhill. Course was all on road. Went through some interesting neighborhoods. Nice medal … MORE
Great course if you’re training for hills. There are a lot and long, however there is the downhill. Course was all on road. Went through some interesting neighborhoods. Nice medal and you got a cool bag. Good food after.
Nicely done city race!
You won't be disappointed by this choice! Expo was nice and it was fun to do the 5K the day before! It was a superhero theme...and yes we got capes/masks! … MORE
You won’t be disappointed by this choice! Expo was nice and it was fun to do the 5K the day before! It was a superhero theme…and yes we got capes/masks! Who doesn’t need a cape and mask? My kids loved it! Marathon was an okay course, nothing too exciting but nice rolling hills to keep it fun! Logistics are super easy and we stayed 2 blocks from start/finish area. Restaurants were terrific too and lots of choices! Overall a great experience!
Well Organized event - will return
I thoroughly enjoyed this event. Birmingham is very hilly. The course was not to impressive - very industrial. The course was exclusively in the downtown area. (BHM26.2 goes further out … MORE
I thoroughly enjoyed this event. Birmingham is very hilly.
The course was not to impressive – very industrial. The course was exclusively in the downtown area. (BHM26.2 goes further out to include nice neighborhoods.)
Nice swag and medal.
MY ONLY COMPLAINT: No race day packet pickup. There’s no reason for a race this small to have no day of PP offered. I live 2 hours away. More people within driving distance would run these events if race day pickup was offered.
Would recommend!
Lots of strong community support along the race. Great water stations with GUs and body armor. Portajohns available at most miles. The first 4.5 miles were up hill to lead … MORE
Lots of strong community support along the race. Great water stations with GUs and body armor. Portajohns available at most miles. The first 4.5 miles were up hill to lead to a beautiful view of the city. Course goes through suburbs, city, and industrial zone along the train tracks. Lots to look at. You get a shirt, medal, socks, lunch and entry to a decent expo. Well organized
Mercedes 2020
Great race! The first half was super hilly but the second half was pretty flat. I ran with Jacks Pack and had the best time! Definitely will run this race … MORE
Great race!
The first half was super hilly but the second half was pretty flat. I ran with Jacks Pack and had the best time! Definitely will run this race again
I love that they gave stickers in the swag bag
Very Hilly Race
This was a very hilly race but great scenery and volunteers. Their were plenty of water stops throughout the course, food , poweraid and BodyArmour drinks. Great crowd support and … MORE
This was a very hilly race but great scenery and volunteers. Their were plenty of water stops throughout the course, food , poweraid and BodyArmour drinks. Great crowd support and plenty of restroom Portal P. Running into the finish line was flat so that made it a super great race.
Great Flat Course
There was 1 water station , super volunteer support and great crowd support. At race end there were plenty of Body Armour drinks, bananas and oranges to eat along with … MORE
There was 1 water station , super volunteer support and great crowd support. At race end there were plenty of Body Armour drinks, bananas and oranges to eat along with water. The run ends in a large park, super Awesome
Mercedes Benz 5k
Packet pickup was great, very well organized. Expo was nice, great vendors so if you left anything at home ie: run shoes, hat, gloves not to worry, you can get … MORE
Packet pickup was great, very well organized. Expo was nice, great vendors so if you left anything at home ie: run shoes, hat, gloves not to worry, you can get what you need at the expo. Great race, weather was cold at the start but got better towards the end. Route was a lollipop. Security was great, volunteers were great.
Well run and nice course!
Very well run from start to finish and I really enjoyed the course through the city. There were real bathrooms at the start!! Able to walk from my hotel to … MORE
Very well run from start to finish and I really enjoyed the course through the city. There were real bathrooms at the start!! Able to walk from my hotel to the start. Crowd was great and aid stations were too!
Overall solid race.
To be honest, there is nothing special about this race. It is super flat and the weather is typically great at this time, but there is nothing in my mind … MORE
To be honest, there is nothing special about this race. It is super flat and the weather is typically great at this time, but there is nothing in my mind that stands out about it. That being said, I would run it over and over again. It is just a solid race that is easy to run and fun to prepare for and celebrate after. Birmingham is a really cool city and it proves to be a great little racecation. I recommend this race to really anyone. It is just a good race.
Wet!!!!
It was a great race. The bling was nothing short of awesome and the race was well organized and planned. The double loop made it difficult. Race was very hilly … MORE
It was a great race. The bling was nothing short of awesome and the race was well organized and planned. The double loop made it difficult. Race was very hilly and on the day I ran it rained. Overall good race and a good time.