For over 45 years the Rocket City Marathon, conducted by the Huntsville Track Club, has been a premiere marathon event in the South. Kicking off the weekend is the Health and Fitness Expo and Packet Pick Up which opens at 11am on Friday, running through Saturday evening at 8pm. At …
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For over 45 years the Rocket City Marathon, conducted by the Huntsville Track Club, has been a premiere marathon event in the South.
Kicking off the weekend is the Health and Fitness Expo and Packet Pick Up which opens at 11am on Friday, running through Saturday evening at 8pm. At 7am on Saturday is the flat, fast and also walker-friendly 10K. It starts in front of the Von Braun Center on Monroe Street, and gives the participants a tiny taste of what Huntsville has to offer in Old Town, finishing at the exciting indoor finish line RCM has been known for the last several years. Two hours later, the walker-friendly 5K (AKA the “Mural Run) will start. It winds past most of the wonderful “building art” that graces our downtown, finishing at the same finish line. The Kids Marathon will be held the same day at 10:30.
Sunday morning the Front Half Marathon and Full Marathon will start from Monroe Street in front of the Von Braun Arena at 7am (with the exception of the early starters who require 6-7 hours for the Full Marathon or 3-4 hours for the FRONT Half Marathon, who will have started their races at 6am). The course takes runners through Downtown, Old Town, the Medical District, Blossomwood, past Maple Hill Cemetary, through the old Train Depot, by the Veteran’s Memorial and past Campus 805, where the Front Half will have a fun finish party!
The Full Marathoners will continue their quest and be joined at the University of Alabama at Huntsville Campus with the Back Half Marathon runners (the Back Half starts at 9am at UAH). The back half of the course takes runners over to the US Space and Rocket Center, through the Botanical Gardens, past Gold Sprint Coffee and Lowe Mill, back to the VBC to the indoor finish line where runners will enjoy delicious post-race food and complimentary post-race stretching provided by Therapy South.
Maybe you’d rather gather a friend (or a few of them) and run a Marathon RELAY! Teams will NOT compete based on finish times, but will have the option to compete in the Corporate Cup.
All registered participants will receive a registration shirt, an epic medal, post-race food, and professional photographs. Marathoners and Half the Marathoners will also receive a finisher gift. First-time Marathoners will receive a First Timer gift. Runners who register for any two races will receive a special “Challenge” gift. If you register for three events (AKA “the Hat Trick”) you will receive a coveted RCM hat. Each child who runs the one mile RCKM will receive a registration shirt and epic medal. Kids who opt to complete 26.2 miles (running their final mile at the Kids Marathon) will receive a special 26.2 pin.
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I recommend it!
There's a lot to like about this race, which I will likely run again. I think they do a great job producing the race, which benefits from the Von Braun … MORE
There’s a lot to like about this race, which I will likely run again. I think they do a great job producing the race, which benefits from the Von Braun convention center where racers can gather/prepare indoors prior to the race and eat afterwards. The weather was a little dicey in 2024 with a little more wind, rain, and cold than I wanted. It would have been perfect 24 hours earlier or later, so I think the mid December time frame is good. Also, it is nice to see all the downtown Christmas trees (community competition). The medals are cool and everyone likes running through the space center. The hills are rolling and relatively mild.
Great People, Fun Course
Running through the US Space and Rocket Center provides unique photo opportunities for those of us who are not worried about a PR or BQ time. The crowd & community … MORE
Running through the US Space and Rocket Center provides unique photo opportunities for those of us who are not worried about a PR or BQ time.
The crowd & community supports are fantastic. Post-race food supplies were great in 2023 and even better in 2024!
Great first marathon
This was a really fun race with unique scenery. Challenging, but very doable. Very well put together. Where else can you run under a real rocket? MORE
This was a really fun race with unique scenery. Challenging, but very doable. Very well put together. Where else can you run under a real rocket?
My PR 2 years in a row!
Plenty of fueling stations. Tons of crowd support! Such positivity from other runners. I was able to PR this awesome race weekend 2 years in a row!! Can’t wait to … MORE
Plenty of fueling stations. Tons of crowd support! Such positivity from other runners. I was able to PR this awesome race weekend 2 years in a row!! Can’t wait to see what I do next year!
Fun theme in rainy morning
This race seems to attract bad weather. Good part is both start and finish are indoors. Rain meant less photographer, but I was still glad to get the one at … MORE
This race seems to attract bad weather. Good part is both start and finish are indoors. Rain meant less photographer, but I was still glad to get the one at the rocket city center. I felt miserable to run in rain for the first time, but it pushed me to the third award in my age category! I enjoyed participating a race in a small town.
Awesome Scenery
This course has some awesome scenery and well staffed aid stations. All of the volunteers I came in contact with were very cheerful and helpful. I drove 7 hours to … MORE
This course has some awesome scenery and well staffed aid stations. All of the volunteers I came in contact with were very cheerful and helpful. I drove 7 hours to run this race. It was everything I had hoped for from the huge medal to the finisher towel to post race food and massage. The organizers of this race have outdone themselves. I’ll definitely run this again.
Small town race, great swag
Great Alabama race. A few thoughts/highlights: - Highly recommend staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Downtown Huntsville; the hotel is located about 300ft from the starting line, so … MORE
Great Alabama race. A few thoughts/highlights:
– Highly recommend staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Downtown Huntsville; the hotel is located about 300ft from the starting line, so you can wait for the start in the lobby and have easy access to rest rooms. Also an easy 5 min walk to the expo and finish line.
– Excellent swag with this race. The shirt is long sleeve and comfortable. The marathon medal is HUGE and actually made of metal which is nice.
– Course is a bit dull at times, but has a few notable highlights such as the mile or so that is spent running through space camp.
– Excellent post race food. They had tomato basil soup, fried chicken, grilled cheese, grilled peanut butter/honey sandwiches, all sorts of bars, fruits, etc. One of the best spreads I’ve seen after a race.
– Finish line is indoors, so even if the weather is cold/rainy, friends and family can be dry while they watch and you can spend a little time at the finish line yourself to enjoy the food (see above).
Overall, this is a great race for those looking to bang out an Alabama race. Easy to navigate city with great hotel options and a well run race.
Great production!
This race had great communication before the race. There is plenty to do in Huntsville... very surprised. The restaurants that I ate at were all good. The race course (back … MORE
This race had great communication before the race. There is plenty to do in Huntsville… very surprised. The restaurants that I ate at were all good.
The race course (back half) started at the college, there was one hill at mile 2ish the rest of the course was rolling inclines. We ran through the Space and Rocket center and the Botanical garden. At mile 8 if you had anyone do a video shout-out it was on the big screen… that was really nice!! The rest of the course was through residential area to the Von Braun center, which was nice running inside. Great after party… oh yeah it rained for a good half an hour during the race.
That hill on Mile 20
This was a very well organized event. Considering it is a very difficult course with rolling hills and many turns, I was able to get a PR for my 26.2 … MORE
This was a very well organized event. Considering it is a very difficult course with rolling hills and many turns, I was able to get a PR for my 26.2 distance. The food was great at the finish line and the medal was BIG. It is raining season, so be ready for that. Overall, I do recommend this race.
Great Course Variation
The CONs: This was a great race, but I expected more for the expo. I also did not like the fact that we had to pay $15 for parking the … MORE
The CONs:
This was a great race, but I expected more for the expo. I also did not like the fact that we had to pay $15 for parking the day of the race to catch the bus that was not disclosed in the race packet. Also, it was confusing if we parked at the start line if the bus would take us back to our vehicles after finishing at the VBC. Nobody knew the correct information and it was not properly communicated across the volunteers. There was a lack of race support on the course, but I am going to chalk that up to the fact that it was raining, maybe. Hopefully, in good weather there is more crowd support.
The PROs:
I really like the swag of the quality medal and towel. The post-race food was definitely enough to warm you up. Also, before the start of the race, all of the runners congregated at the UAH campus in the student food court and we were able to stay warm and use real restrooms. That was definitely a plus of not having to use port-a-johns.
First marathon, a sweet experience
This was my first full marathon as a new runner. Im a middle aged person who's just into running about a year before the race. The race was well organized … MORE
This was my first full marathon as a new runner. Im a middle aged person who’s just into running about a year before the race. The race was well organized and despite the weather being bad that day, everything went according to plan. The best part of the race in my opinion is at mile 21 there’s a big screen where your loved ones could leave you a message, and when I saw my son’s video message, it gave me a boost to finish even though I was feeling a lot of nonpleasant things in my legs already. This was my first and definitely wont be my last as I will probably run this race year after year after year until I cant run anymore.
Fantastic and fun first timer
Loved so much about the race! A few parts were blah/ running through botanical garden! I also wish at the finish line our names could have been called out MORE
Loved so much about the race! A few parts were blah/ running through botanical garden! I also wish at the finish line our names could have been called out
Great December Race
I've done Rocket City the last 3 years (2022-2024) and also plan on doing 2025. I'm from Chicago and was looking for a December race in the "south" where it's … MORE
I’ve done Rocket City the last 3 years (2022-2024) and also plan on doing 2025. I’m from Chicago and was looking for a December race in the “south” where it’s a little more comfortable conditions that time of year.
Great things about Rocket City:
– Everyone is very friendly and supportive.
– Expo and packet pickup are a breeze. Expanded selection of event branded merchandise in 2024 was nice (got a great running jacket)
– Course is moderately challenging – some hills, but nothing crazy. Plenty of long straights.
– Post race is indoors (finish is right inside) which is nice since it rained in 2024. Post race fuel is above average for races I’ve been too.
– Announcers at start are top-notch and hilarious.
Only issues I’ve had (which aren’t really the organizers fault) are issues with traffic/cars not respecting runners as much. Some road sections may have you close to car traffic.
Otherwise, great race and highly recommended.
Love the Rocket City Marathon
It’s a first class event. The course is great, and the organizers do a wonderful job arranging the event. Where else do you get to run underneath a Saturn V? … MORE
It’s a first class event. The course is great, and the organizers do a wonderful job arranging the event. Where else do you get to run underneath a Saturn V?
First timer
I enjoyed my first time racing the Rocket City Marathon. The course had just the right level of difficulty to run a solid time. This is a good race for … MORE
I enjoyed my first time racing the Rocket City Marathon. The course had just the right level of difficulty to run a solid time. This is a good race for someone looking to eventually run a big city marathon. Thank you to the race
organizers and all the volunteers who supported the runners.
Running is the only hard part
The location, packet pick up, expo, race day parking, and streamlined experience of this race are what make it a must do. The only thing you will have to worry … MORE
The location, packet pick up, expo, race day parking, and streamlined experience of this race are what make it a must do. The only thing you will have to worry about race weekend is running the race. The crew that puts this race on ease all the other worries you might have. You can park literally 100ft from the race start in a large parking garage. The course is expertly marked where it is darn near impossible to miss a turn. The after party had everything you’d want from chicken noodle soup dispensers, to massages, and it was even inside so weather isn’t an issue! The course does feature about 800ft of elevation, but it is fairly well distributed over the course of the race that it isn’t an issue. I highly encourage everyone to run this race soon before word gets out on this hidden gem.
What a weekend!!
You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather- Outkast… The race was everything I wanted it to be. Fantastic organization, never felt “lost”, and loved the … MORE
You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather- Outkast…
The race was everything I wanted it to be. Fantastic organization, never felt “lost”, and loved the support out on the course…
I will be back year after year and I’m 5hrs away.
Just do it!
My favorite race
I love this race and its directors. Everything goes smooth in this race and the spectator support is amazing. The directors are so accommodating! It’s fun and I want to … MORE
I love this race and its directors. Everything goes smooth in this race and the spectator support is amazing. The directors are so accommodating! It’s fun and I want to do it every year. I do wish the expo was a tad bigger with more vendors. I love the shirts.
My 1st Rocket City But Not My Last!!
I drove over 5 hours to run in the cold, cold rain in higher elevation than I'm accustomed to as a first-timer to both Huntsville and the Rocket City Back … MORE
I drove over 5 hours to run in the cold, cold rain in higher elevation than I’m accustomed to as a first-timer to both Huntsville and the Rocket City Back Half Marathon and was already planning for next year’s event before I finished my bowl of hot chicken soup at the finish line party!!
My hotel was right next to the Von Braun Center so I got to watch the Marathon and Front Half Runners take off before enjoying a leisurely breakfast and wandering over to load the bus to take us over to our starting line since we had a lovely 9:00am start time for the Back Half. We got to hang out inside with indoor plumbing until the race began. Even wet and gloomy, the course was fabulous – not flat but not too hilly and zero opportunities to get lost! There was ample police presence to keep us safe as well as so many incredible volunteers and spectators out there cheering us on and keeping us hydrated inside as well as the clouds were hydrating us outside. Getting to run through the space center was extra cool as someone who had never been there before so I had to take a minute and stop to grab a selfie or two. The “shout-out board” was a unique touch I’ve never seen at another event too.
The finish line was indoors and led straight into the after-party. There were more volunteers wrapping runners in space blankets while handing out the stunning and HUGE finisher medals but I have to admit that nothing topped the AMAZING “Finisher” towels we were given at the end!! Not only did they help us get dry but they made for the best finisher photos with the RCM backdrops.
There were so many great food and drink options at the after-party including the above-mentioned chicken soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, chocolate milk, pretzels, snacks and even grilled PB&J. The food line moved quickly so there was almost no wait even with hundreds of people pouring in looking for nourishment. There were physical therapy rehab stations and goodies all around. The store swag options were plentiful and wonderful. The long-sleeve race tee included with our race fee is just perfect too!!
I was not as trained as I should have been and I am not a fan of cold temps or squishy shoes so I just went into it with a goal of finishing vs finishing with a certain time. This allowed me to focus on enjoying the journey instead of worrying about my pace so while my time wasn’t anything to brag about, this was one of the most fun races I’ve attended over my 10 years of running. Next year I hope to arrive sooner, stay longer and maybe even pull off a Hat Trick. I will definitely be recommending this race to everyone that will listen too!!
Beautiful course with rockets!
It rained a good bit on race day but it was still an enjoyable race! The course varied from starting on a college campus, through neighborhoods, the streets of Huntsville, … MORE
It rained a good bit on race day but it was still an enjoyable race! The course varied from starting on a college campus, through neighborhoods, the streets of Huntsville, the Botanical Gardens, and finishing inside the expo. The post race food was top notch with 2 kinds of soup and chicken tenders just to name a few things. The medals, long sleeve t-shirts, and race swag were high quality. I’m coming back next year to run the marathon. I did the hat trick challenge as well and enjoyed that as well! I love, love, love my hat!!