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.
LESS
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.
A Birmingham Tradition
If you want to run a race that covers the swath of downtown Birmingham, look no further! Not a big fan of the double loop, but enjoyed it nonetheless! MORE
If you want to run a race that covers the swath of downtown Birmingham, look no further! Not a big fan of the double loop, but enjoyed it nonetheless!
Steps?!
Did not like this one. They put steps leading down at mile 20! I heard they changed the course since then though. I had leg cramps last 6 miles due … MORE
Did not like this one. They put steps leading down at mile 20! I heard they changed the course since then though. I had leg cramps last 6 miles due to those steps.
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.
Fine race, nothing to write home about
Picked this race because it worked well into my schedule to mark off another state. It was fine, but as the title says, nothing to write home about. Pros: -Nice … MORE
Picked this race because it worked well into my schedule to mark off another state. It was fine, but as the title says, nothing to write home about.
Pros:
-Nice medal; I liked the shirt (though my partner did not)
-Water stops well spaced, stocked, and staffed
-Good post race food (Though crowded!)
-Friendly volunteers
-Not a ton of spectators, but where the spectators were to be found, they were very supportive
Cons:
-No corrals (and poor self seeding)
-Warm and hilly for this flat lander who hadn’t run without tights and a lot of layers for a few months
-Boring scenery, boring town (But the Vulcan is kind of cool to stop by on your way out of town)
Bottom Line: I really have no strong feelings about this race either way. Good for 50 state folks, not a race I’d go out of my way to run again.
Checking off another state
I picked this race to check Alabama oh my 50 states quest. I really didn't enjoy the race, but that could be because it was more difficult than I expected. … MORE
I picked this race to check Alabama oh my 50 states quest. I really didn’t enjoy the race, but that could be because it was more difficult than I expected. Even though I didn’t enjoy it, it might be a good option for someone else.
The morning of the race was fairly warm, about 60 degrees. There were no corrals at the start, which made it very difficult to navigate. It was so crowded, I was nervous I wouldn’t make it into the line-up before the start of the race. They did have timed flags on the side of the start chute, but it was difficult to stand near my estimated time.
The first couple of miles of the race was nothing special. It was a mix of flat portions and hills. By mile 6 I hit a very large uphill portion of the race. It felt like hills went on for the next couple of miles. By mile 9 there was a brief downhill. I made sure I ran as fast as I could down that portion. The last portion of the race had a long finish chute.
Overall, I am happy that it is over and am glad I can check Alabama off the list.
Decent race, boring city
Once again, I was drawn to this race by their medals. Every year they offer the classic Mercedes logo / hood ornament to runners for finishing, and I couldn't help … MORE
Once again, I was drawn to this race by their medals. Every year they offer the classic Mercedes logo / hood ornament to runners for finishing, and I couldn’t help but want my own. However, if you travel for this event, please be aware that Birmingham doesn’t offer much in terms of entertainment. The course, for that matter, takes a while to leave the city. Once it does, you will find yourself with a welcome change of scenery, but it takes a climb to do so. You’re rewarded with a speedy downhill back into the city, where the post-race party is stocked with food. I’d only recommend this race if a.) you want to hit up all 50 states, b.) you live in Birmingham. It should also be noted that the marathon is a two-looped course, which I do not like.
Birmingham - Just Say No
This was just a horrible weekend for us. Check the Birmingham calendar before signing up for this race. They not only had the race, but had a Comi-con, and cheerleading … MORE
This was just a horrible weekend for us. Check the Birmingham calendar before signing up for this race. They not only had the race, but had a Comi-con, and cheerleading competition, with all of us having to stay in the same hotel. The race was not that scenic either. But I needed it for my 50 stater. It was also 30 degrees at the start.