I live in the west where mountain running requires you to understand tangents so you aren't running farther than necessary. This race was dead on every mile marker UNTIL mile … MORE
I live in the west where mountain running requires you to understand tangents so you aren’t running farther than necessary. This race was dead on every mile marker UNTIL mile 8 when suddenly, everyone’s GPS was reading 8.3 or more. Same thing at 9, 10, 11, 12 and then then finish 13.47 for me. Seriously, WTH? Packet pick up was easy to get to and navigate. You got a nice water bottle and shirt, there was supposed to be a beach towel but they had supply chain issues. I stayed at the Renaissance downtown because of it’s location, only a couple of blocks from the start/finish. DO NOT waste your money on this. Hella expensive, super noisy (aka NO sleep at all because of people in the halls all night, trains blowing their whistles, car alarms, totally ridiculous). Important note if you run for time, this is a gun time start, chip finish. This sucks because people don’t know how to self seed and you end up stuck behind people from the minute the gun goes off. There were a fair number of water stops and lots of course marshalls to keep you safe. It’s run on the roads of Montgomery which hare variable in terms of quality which means lots of potential for a twisted ankle. It’s March in the south so the weather can be touch and go but it was fabulous this year, crisp, cool and without terrible humidity. You finish in the outfield of the baseball stadium. The medal was ok, the post race food was over the top good–biscuits, grits, real eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and two beers (??). The food really was nice. What wasn’t nice was finishing a race just before 9 and them not doing AG awards until 10:45. The awards were final but OMG. First off, no one stays that long unless you win and secondly, most hotels require check out before you could possibly get your award, get back and shower, and not all hotels will do late check out. Overall, did it because i was here for another reason and always looking for new states on my second quest but not sure I can recommend
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13.1 doesn't always mean 13.1
I live in the west where mountain running requires you to understand tangents so you aren't running farther than necessary. This race was dead on every mile marker UNTIL mile … MORE
I live in the west where mountain running requires you to understand tangents so you aren’t running farther than necessary. This race was dead on every mile marker UNTIL mile 8 when suddenly, everyone’s GPS was reading 8.3 or more. Same thing at 9, 10, 11, 12 and then then finish 13.47 for me. Seriously, WTH? Packet pick up was easy to get to and navigate. You got a nice water bottle and shirt, there was supposed to be a beach towel but they had supply chain issues. I stayed at the Renaissance downtown because of it’s location, only a couple of blocks from the start/finish. DO NOT waste your money on this. Hella expensive, super noisy (aka NO sleep at all because of people in the halls all night, trains blowing their whistles, car alarms, totally ridiculous). Important note if you run for time, this is a gun time start, chip finish. This sucks because people don’t know how to self seed and you end up stuck behind people from the minute the gun goes off. There were a fair number of water stops and lots of course marshalls to keep you safe. It’s run on the roads of Montgomery which hare variable in terms of quality which means lots of potential for a twisted ankle. It’s March in the south so the weather can be touch and go but it was fabulous this year, crisp, cool and without terrible humidity. You finish in the outfield of the baseball stadium. The medal was ok, the post race food was over the top good–biscuits, grits, real eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and two beers (??). The food really was nice. What wasn’t nice was finishing a race just before 9 and them not doing AG awards until 10:45. The awards were final but OMG. First off, no one stays that long unless you win and secondly, most hotels require check out before you could possibly get your award, get back and shower, and not all hotels will do late check out. Overall, did it because i was here for another reason and always looking for new states on my second quest but not sure I can recommend
Great local run
not a bad run around the capital. Swag is great. support is good. finishing at the stadium is cool. after party is fun. weather can always be iffy in south … MORE
not a bad run around the capital. Swag is great. support is good. finishing at the stadium is cool. after party is fun. weather can always be iffy in south Alabama.
Well organized event.
I ran this race 10 years ago for my first half marathon. (back then it was called the Hyundai Half and it was in October). This year was branded as … MORE
I ran this race 10 years ago for my first half marathon. (back then it was called the Hyundai Half and it was in October). This year was branded as their 10th anniversary. ((I’ve been trying to locate results from the first year, but no one seems to know either who was in charge then or who would have the results.))
This year, I ran as a pacer for Beast pacing.
I drove over the morning of and parked in the stadium garage. For a race this size, there should be race day packet pickup. Luckily, some of the other pacers were able to pick up bibs for those who drove in the morning of.
The course was well marked and members of the Air Force were spread along the course directing traffic and marshalling. Aid stations were well stocked and spread out evenly.
The race finished inside the baseball park on the outfield. There was plenty of food, drinks and aid in the park.
BOTTOM LINE: Well organized event. Not to big. I would definitely do it again.
Challenging course
Most of the race seemed uphill. Nice small local half marathon. The race was in residential areas and downtown. Nice ending in the Riverfront Stadium. MORE
Most of the race seemed uphill. Nice small local half marathon. The race was in residential areas and downtown. Nice ending in the Riverfront Stadium.