For over 40 years the Rocket City Marathon, conducted by the Huntsville Track Club, has been a premiere marathon event in the South.
The Rocket City Race Weekend is more than just a series of races, it is an “event” built around the races. We work just as hard creating exciting activities to make your trip to the Rocket City fun as we do conducting flawless races. If you have run the Rocket City Marathon in the past you know what a quality event it has been. In 2022 we are expanding to a full slate of races for all ages and abilities!
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 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 later that same day (time TBD).
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 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 and Half the 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 the 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.
Join us Friday afternoon for traditional Historic Huntsville Group Runs – free for the whole family.
LESS
Rocket City Half the Marathon
Unique experience here as you start the Half Marathon at the halfway point of the actual Marathon race. We do not all start together, we started 2 hours behind the … MORE
Unique experience here as you start the Half Marathon at the halfway point of the actual Marathon race. We do not all start together, we started 2 hours behind the Marathon participants.
Was really cool to run through the NASA complex down there and to see all of the Christmas decorations set up. Very enjoyable race, set a PR here before I broke it a few months later.
Great people; scenery is okay.
I was impressed by the prayer at the beginning -- a heartfelt way to thank God for the blessing of our health and the wealth we all have to participate … MORE
I was impressed by the prayer at the beginning — a heartfelt way to thank God for the blessing of our health and the wealth we all have to participate in these races. Thank you, race director.
Kind, fun, helpful people at the expo and aid stations. But the race goes through several dreary areas to get to the rockets (and photo op).
Loved this race. Will be coming back!
Great in every way from the expo to the finish line. I loved running through the space center. The finisher jacket was the icing on the cake. I loved finishing … MORE
Great in every way from the expo to the finish line. I loved running through the space center. The finisher jacket was the icing on the cake. I loved finishing inside where family and friends were waiting. Parking the morning of the race was easy as well as getting there race morning.
Great Race
This was a great race. The Swag is awesome. The expo was OK, I would have like to see another running store but i know there is not that many … MORE
This was a great race. The Swag is awesome. The expo was OK, I would have like to see another running store but i know there is not that many in the area. I would have liked the lights to be on while running through the gardens. The Race Communication was really good. Wonder how they can top this years race next year?
That Swag!
I loved this race so much last year I came back for round 2. I love the support of the community here in Huntsville. Definitely have it on my list … MORE
I loved this race so much last year I came back for round 2. I love the support of the community here in Huntsville. Definitely have it on my list for 2020. The BEST part was the finishers gift. I’ve received so many compliments on both shirts. Best swag and medal I’ve received! That race director knows how to put on a fabulous weekend!
7th marathon on my 45th bday; PR and BQ!
Flat, fast course with plenty of aid stations offering water/gatorade and gu! Awesome crowd support. Well laid out course map allowing family to easily follow and cheer you on. So … MORE
Flat, fast course with plenty of aid stations offering water/gatorade and gu! Awesome crowd support. Well laid out course map allowing family to easily follow and cheer you on. So cool running through the Space and Rocket center. Post race pics are free and include you w/rockets in the background! Awesome astronaut “globe” medal, long sleeve shirt and another long sleeve finisher shirt. Free post race massage available. Post race food plentiful-warm soup, sandwiches, bagels and peanut butter and bananas! This race has yet to get the recognition it deserves. I’ve been looking for a fast, flat course to attempt a BQ. Didn’t think about it being in my own backyard. Highly recommend it!
What a great race!
The race is well organized. I thought I wouldn’t like the half starting after the full, but it provided a much needed group of fresh and fast runners to push … MORE
The race is well organized. I thought I wouldn’t like the half starting after the full, but it provided a much needed group of fresh and fast runners to push me at the end. The back half is a little hilly (and that’s relative on this overall flat course), but also has the best scenery, and lots of good support. I would love to do this race again.
RCM is an outstanding event!!
The course is relatively flat and scenic, especially thru the Space & Rocket Center and Botanical Gardens. As a first time 1/2 or marathon RCM is a great goal race. … MORE
The course is relatively flat and scenic, especially thru the Space & Rocket Center and Botanical Gardens. As a first time 1/2 or marathon RCM is a great goal race. Also, a Boston qualifier for the fast folks. 😊
To Infinity and Beyond!
Overall a smooth and enjoyable experience. The race provides clear communication, great swag, and one of the most unique running venues in the world. I always look forward to running … MORE
Overall a smooth and enjoyable experience. The race provides clear communication, great swag, and one of the most unique running venues in the world. I always look forward to running through history when the course goes through the Space and Rocket Center featuring an Apollo Saturn V rocket and a close up of the Space Shuttle. It is definitely a once in a lifetime race experience!
Excellent race!
VERY well organized. Route never got boring and swag was great. Medal was really cool. Only 1 knock, would be great to have access to showers after the race. MORE
VERY well organized. Route never got boring and swag was great. Medal was really cool. Only 1 knock, would be great to have access to showers after the race.
Very well organized marathon
I ran in this marathon as my 40th state in my 50 states marathon journey. This was definitely in the top ten for race organization - a marathon organized by … MORE
I ran in this marathon as my 40th state in my 50 states marathon journey. This was definitely in the top ten for race organization – a marathon organized by runners for runners. This primarily rolling course had a mix of scenic sections (through space center and residential areas) and some more industrial sections. The start was in a park outside the Von Braun Center and the finish was inside the south hall of the Von Braun Center. The aid stations were every 2 to 3 miles and had water and Gatorade Endurance. GU was also given out at many of them. The swag consisted of a technical shirt, a space themed medal, and a technical finisher’s shirt. The expo was small with less than 20 booths and only about half running related. All in all this was a very well organized midsized marathon, half marathon, and relay. It was obvious with the variety of small touches that this event was organized for runners by runners.
The only real con of the run was they started the half at the midpoint of the marathon two hours after the marathon started. This meant those of us who did not complete the first half of our marathons in two hours were forced to run around the slower half marathon runners/walkers – some who were running or walking three or four abreast.
This run was very well organized!
The very best part of this run is how manageable it all is. Easy packet pick up, easy parking and easy getting to the start line. I did not love … MORE
The very best part of this run is how manageable it all is. Easy packet pick up, easy parking and easy getting to the start line. I did not love the post-race food , but I am picky so I wound hold that against them. I would definitely do this run again.
Well organized, good course, great race!
This is a very well organized race with a great course. It was relatively flat and I love the fact that there are 2 separate loops without repeat. I also … MORE
This is a very well organized race with a great course. It was relatively flat and I love the fact that there are 2 separate loops without repeat. I also enjoyed that the half marathoners ran the 2nd half with us rather than the first and then finishing while we have another half to go. The race and finisher (free!!) shirt were both fantastic. It is also great that the pictures were free and easy to download! I know the course changed slightly this year due to construction and I hope the loop around the park is taken out in the future. It was a little defeating to be so close to the finish line and have to loop the park. I would recommend this race to beginners and veteran marathoners!
Awesome experience for a first-timer!
Extremely well planned! A ton of information leading up to race day - always important but especially for a first-timer. Plentiful aid stations. Loads of spectators and cheer squads. Awesome … MORE
Extremely well planned! A ton of information leading up to race day – always important but especially for a first-timer. Plentiful aid stations. Loads of spectators and cheer squads. Awesome route through historic district, botanical gardens, and the Rocket!! Really great swag and a unique medal.
Love this race!
I’ve done my fair share of half marathons. This was one of my favorites. The water spots were perfectly placed and the Gu’s available were amazing at at perfect spots … MORE
I’ve done my fair share of half marathons. This was one of my favorites. The water spots were perfectly placed and the Gu’s available were amazing at at perfect spots on the race. Also the people volunteering for the water spots were amazing and pumped me up!! Next year I might do the full.. I loved how the full marathoners joined the halfers at mile 13. This would be great to keep you going at the hardest spot of the full. Overall I loved this race and everything about it. I will be doing it every year!
Rock Solid overall Marathon experience.
Huntsville, Alabama, aka the "Rocket City" is a really cool place to visit. The NASA Space & Rocket museum itself is worth spending a day. Besides that, the course is … MORE
Huntsville, Alabama, aka the “Rocket City” is a really cool place to visit. The NASA Space & Rocket museum itself is worth spending a day. Besides that, the course is fast and temps are perfect for marathoning in mid December. Very well organized throughout. Can’t think of one area they really could’ve improved on. Usually, great SWAG. For 2019 we received a surprise 1/4 zip Marathon running jacket! Highly recommended if you’re looking to check Alabama off your State list!
Yes there are rockets
Good course, great support. Good swag going and coming. Race hotel was connected to finish. Enjoyed the live music, will be back next year. Packet pickup was good we missed … MORE
Good course, great support. Good swag going and coming. Race hotel was connected to finish. Enjoyed the live music, will be back next year. Packet pickup was good we missed the expo maybe next time. Plenty of Christmas trees and things to see around the staring line. Yes bring your phone for pics.
Good easy run
Not a highly challenging run. Lots of aid stations with water and Gatorade at each one, GU was given 4-5 times. Not a lot of scenery until about halfway through … MORE
Not a highly challenging run. Lots of aid stations with water and Gatorade at each one, GU was given 4-5 times. Not a lot of scenery until about halfway through the marathon. The space center and gardens are cool, everything before and after is suburban.
Only complaint is at the halfway point of the marathon I guess they open the floodgates for the half marathon. I was baffled when I turned the corner and there were suddenly several hundred people around and in front of me. Pretty distracting, but It didn’t bother me that much.
Great Race
This course is very runnable- slightly rolling - no major hills. Running past a Saturn 5 Rocket and Space Shuttle is very inspiring to say the least(Murca!). Course support was … MORE
This course is very runnable- slightly rolling – no major hills. Running past a Saturn 5 Rocket and Space Shuttle is very inspiring to say the least(Murca!). Course support was adequate, however, you should bring your own jells to be safe. The best part of the finish area was the hot chicken soup! It was very settling on the stomach after gulping down 5 packs of gu🤢. If you’re not from the area, plan to stay at least a couple of nights. Huntsville has a very vibrant down town area full of southern charm and hospitality.
Race for a pr
Nice race. Good size field but not too small. Very good communication from the race directors leading up to the event. Plain and simple bib pickup/small expo Friday night. Easy … MORE
Nice race. Good size field but not too small. Very good communication from the race directors leading up to the event. Plain and simple bib pickup/small expo Friday night. Easy parking and nice to be able to wait indoors right up to race time. Good aid stations with water, Gatorade and Gu. Post race Massage was nice with no wait. Enjoyed being able to hang out in the arena post race. Overall a race to recommend and go after that PR!