For over 40 years the Rocket City Marathon has been a premiere marathon event in the South. The Rocket City Marathon is conducted by the Huntsville Track Club and scores double points on the Running Journal Grand Prix Championship Circuit.
The Rocket City Marathon is more than just a race. It is an “event” built around the race. We work just as hard creating exciting activities to make your trip to the Rocket City fun as we do conducting a flawless race. If you have run the Rocket City Marathon in the past you know what a quality event this is. If you haven’t then this is the year to add our event to your schedule.
If you aren’t ready to run the full marathon, join us for Half the Marathon, sponsored by David Hall of Southern Marketing Associates. We are excited to announce for runners to have the opportunity to run the back half of the marathon course. At 9am registered participants will merge onto the marathon course to run out to the Space and Rocket Center and Botanical Gardens with the marathoners before returning to the same exciting finish line inside the VBC. There will be very limited entries available starting September 1st at NOON!
Join us the Friday afternoon before the race for traditional Historic Huntsville Group Runs – free for the whole family. And be sure to purchase tickets to Friday night’s Pre-Race Dinner held at the Huntsville Museum of Art. There are food options for all types of diets; it’s not just a “carb dinner” anymore. These and the other Friday activities are provided to encourage you to run your best.
While you are running the race, there are activities the whole family can enjoy. For starters, there’s a Kids Marathon that starts at 7:45am. Kids will log 25.2 miles leading up to race day and then have a grand finish in the VBC, collecting a medal for their hard work! There are spirit stations all along the course as well as a spectator map and guide that will help visitors navigate the course without actually driving in the path of runners. For the more fair-weathered fans, there will be activities planned inside the VBC with live coverage of the race on screens throughout the arena.
After the race is over, while runners are enjoying the post race food, families can enjoy concessions and cafe food at the Bud Light Cafe. Be sure to stay for the awards ceremonies to be eligible for some excellent door prizes! Then spend a night out on the town, taking advantage of all Huntsville has to offer!
LESS
Raining in Rocket City
The Rocket City Marathon was my 25th total marathon, and Alabama was my 16th different state. I ran the old course which wasn't remarkable as it mostly darted through neighborhoods … MORE
The Rocket City Marathon was my 25th total marathon, and Alabama was my 16th different state. I ran the old course which wasn’t remarkable as it mostly darted through neighborhoods and along highways. In fact, next year they are using a completely new course that actually goes by some of the attractions. And, this year it rained a lot before the race and on and off during the race. Plus, I was coming down with a cold so it turned out that my accomplishment would be simply to add another state.
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!
Great race in not so great conditions!
This race ran very smoothly. From start to finish I always had a good idea where I needed to be or turn. There were great mile markers with people calling … MORE
This race ran very smoothly. From start to finish I always had a good idea where I needed to be or turn. There were great mile markers with people calling out times and A very generous amount of water stops. At each rest stop with aid tents or restrooms there was always information for how far the next one was. I really enjoyed the availability of the indoors before the start and after the finish. Food and massages were also available which was great. And the med aids at the finish were great.
Best Communication Ever
No major hills, easy course that takes you under the Space Shuttle and beside the Saturn V. Weather can be unpredictable, but the race is VERY well organized. Best communication … MORE
No major hills, easy course that takes you under the Space Shuttle and beside the Saturn V. Weather can be unpredictable, but the race is VERY well organized. Best communication of any race of any distance.
Flat, easy course.
Always we’ll put together. Brooks long sleeve tech shirt (actually good for running). Finishes INSIDE arena which is nice for December. Tons of aid stations. Run under the frickin space … MORE
Always we’ll put together. Brooks long sleeve tech shirt (actually good for running). Finishes INSIDE arena which is nice for December. Tons of aid stations. Run under the frickin space shuttle. Only bad is weather unpredictable and mildly boring first 13.
One of my BEST races...even in the rain!
This is a GREAT course for a first time marathoner or someone trying to qualify for Boston! I loved the way the course wound through downtown Huntsville and out and … MORE
This is a GREAT course for a first time marathoner or someone trying to qualify for Boston! I loved the way the course wound through downtown Huntsville and out and back from the Space and Rocket Center. The aid stations were very stocked with helpful volunteers and the course was very well marked. I definitely plan on coming back!
Well-run event makes best of cold rain
Nice expo and pre-race pasta dinner with impressive guest speaker. Indoor pre-race staging area/bag drop, indoor finish and post-race events. Plentiful real bathrooms pre- and post-race (it's a 6,000 seat … MORE
Nice expo and pre-race pasta dinner with impressive guest speaker.
Indoor pre-race staging area/bag drop, indoor finish and post-race events.
Plentiful real bathrooms pre- and post-race (it’s a 6,000 seat sports arena).
Nice medal, first time marathoner gift (individual certificate) and finisher gift (beanie hat).
Great crowd support along race course despite unfortunate weather (chilly weather around 40F with steady light rain all day and occasional wind gusts).
Several musicians out on the course at strategic spots.
New half-marathon started 2 hours after full, so wasn’t a factor at all for faster runners as far as course congestion or confusion.
Good Pace Teams for a nice range of times from 3 hours on up, including all BQ Qualifying times. Ran their promised paces and advised newbie marathoners like me when to take nutrition and hydration, when to expect hills, etc.
Fun town, friendly people, well-run event
Race Directors thought of everything and were prepared despite the non-ideal weather conditions. They put on a great event. I would happily return.
Excellent Coursed and race
Race is perfect for both rookie and veteran marathoners seeking a nice, fast course. The experience of the staff is evident in producing a well managed event. Traffic and crowd … MORE
Race is perfect for both rookie and veteran marathoners seeking a nice, fast course. The experience of the staff is evident in producing a well managed event. Traffic and crowd control is excellent with fully staffed aid stations. Great race providing the runner an opportunity to race against others from all over the US without the crowd and traffic you have with some of the larger events.
Well run race, loved it!
I did this race to get Alabama. The pre-race communication was excellent, race director is super responsive. The race itself is well organized. One of the easiest logistics ever. You … MORE
I did this race to get Alabama. The pre-race communication was excellent, race director is super responsive.
The race itself is well organized. One of the easiest logistics ever. You can park right by the start/finish line, and then spend time inside till the start, which was great, because it was raining. It’s fairly flat, not super flat but not too taxing either. First half is residential, but second half takes you through the rocket park and the gorgeous botanical gardens, which are very cool. Finish is inside, which again was great, since the cold rain. Post race is also well done, there is hot soup, and massage with NO line!
It definitely could be a PR race, if the weather cooperates. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Loved the course and the support.
The race was well organized and the support tram was awsome. Liked the finish indoor and enjoyed the food and care after the race.Aleady signed up for 2019. MORE
The race was well organized and the support tram was awsome. Liked the finish indoor and enjoyed the food and care after the race.Aleady signed up for 2019.
Will Definitely Do This One Again!
This was my second marathon ever, but my first RCM. The start is right in front of the Von Braun Center (VBC), and the finish is inside the VBC arena. … MORE
This was my second marathon ever, but my first RCM. The start is right in front of the Von Braun Center (VBC), and the finish is inside the VBC arena. This was really great especially considering the rainy, cold weather we had this year. If you are traveling to this race, get a room at the Embassy Suites that is attached to the VBC by a heated/cooled catwalk. I didn’t have to get out in the rain and cold until it was time to start the race, which was awesome.
This is definitely a PR-friendly course! The course has rolling hills, but none that are particularly steep. It does feel like there are more hills in the second half of the course, but the scenery in the late part of the course made up for it – you run right by the US Space and Rocket Center and through the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, where the Christmas lights were lit up for us on race day. Lots of the route goes through residential areas, which can be a little quiet, but I enjoyed it.
In 2018, RCM introduced a 13.1 option (Half The Marathon), which started at 9:00am, 2 hours after the marathon start. The half runners ran the back half of the course with the marathoners. It was nice to have all of the additional runners late in the course for the extra energy.
The medal design this year was cool, and at the finish they had a gong set up that you could hit if you PR’ed that day, which was pretty fun! Hot soup at the end was also a welcome sight (in addition to the usual bananas, oranges, chocolate milk, water, etc.). All in all, this is a really well-supported event, and you will not be disappointed if you choose to run this one!
Spectator support is amazing!
I have run this race 3 times. There are plenty Porto potties, aid stations, medical tents spaced pretty evenly throughout the race. I never needed anything that wasnt there. You … MORE
I have run this race 3 times. There are plenty Porto potties, aid stations, medical tents spaced pretty evenly throughout the race. I never needed anything that wasnt there. You get to tour the city and run through the Space and Rocket center! The spectator support is better than any other race I have run. People come out of their homes in the neighborhoods and cheer you on. Some even have their own aid stations! The food post race is plentiful with many choices. Finishers always get something in addition to a medal. You pass the starting and ending point at the halfway mark so if you had a family member who wanted to wait there and is unable to meet you on the course they could simply step outside and cheer u on at the halfway point. They could also give u a dry jacket or shoes if it’s raining at the halfway point.
Great race for a fast time.
This race is extremely well organized. Communication is quick. Only downside to the race is that aside from the section in the Space and Rocket Center it is a pretty … MORE
This race is extremely well organized. Communication is quick. Only downside to the race is that aside from the section in the Space and Rocket Center it is a pretty boring course. For the speedy runners they probably don’t notice but for the back of the pack runners like myself, I needed some distractions. Music via headphones would have been nice. The race is relatively small so again, the back of the pack runners get very spread out meaning it has a lonely feeling to it. Grab a buddy and stay together on this course. Course support was excellent and finishers area is top notch
Great race & incredible volunteers!
LOVED everything about this race (minus weather). The volunteers and support crew were fantastic. It made me want to volunteer at a race. The scenery was fascinating! Loved this race … MORE
LOVED everything about this race (minus weather). The volunteers and support crew were fantastic. It made me want to volunteer at a race. The scenery was fascinating! Loved this race so much (it’s FLAT!). I will absolutely recommend it to my running friends & community!
Rocket City Rocks!
This was my 3rd marathon but my first time running Rocket City. Dana and Dewayne, the race directors, did an awesome job organizing this race. The course was a bit … MORE
This was my 3rd marathon but my first time running Rocket City. Dana and Dewayne, the race directors, did an awesome job organizing this race. The course was a bit challenging at times, but not too difficult. The scenery was great, the volunteers were amazing, the swag had swagger and the bling was blingy! If you want to be a part of an awesome race in Alabama, this is it!
Do it!
This was one of the best organized and well run races I've done. Lots of clear communication, and not a detail left overlooked. I Would definitely recommend! MORE
This was one of the best organized and well run races I’ve done. Lots of clear communication, and not a detail left overlooked. I Would definitely recommend!
First Official Half
This was a fun race! The atmosphere was amazing! The first half was beautiful and full of supporters and cheers. Aide station were wonderful and friendly. The back half had … MORE
This was a fun race! The atmosphere was amazing! The first half was beautiful and full of supporters and cheers. Aide station were wonderful and friendly. The back half had a lot more turns through residential areas and the spectaculars were few…I would have liked to see more, just because you need it then the most! Overall it was an incredible race and I’m looking forward to take on the full next year!
Nice course in a cold shower
The race was excellent overall, only slightly dampened by the cold rain that fell for the entire course. Starting and finishing at the Von Braun Center was a great bonus, … MORE
The race was excellent overall, only slightly dampened by the cold rain that fell for the entire course. Starting and finishing at the Von Braun Center was a great bonus, as it provided an excellent shelter from the elements pre-start and at the finish. Pre-race packet pick-up was uneventful and well organized. The local running companies did a good job supporting the small expo.
The start was not corralled, but runners did not do a bad job stratifying and I did not end up behind a lot of traffic at the start. The pace groups did a great job locating in areas that made sense.
The course was exceptionally well marked and there were volunteers all over. There were a few areas where the course was open, but traffic was respectful and not a factor. The only problem I encountered was the rain ponding on the roads, in construction areas, and in potholes. Nothing the race could do about that.
Aid stations were well run. Paper cups! For some reason, the last two races I did had plastic cups and I was so happy to see paper… Gatorade and water was plentiful as were the volunteers. They also had GU available at many of the stations as well.
The finish area was in the hockey rink at the Von Braun Center, and spectators were able to view the end. It was a great location. The finish area was well run, but the corralling through the post race food and water was a bit of a disappointment. Liquid was at the front (cold chocolate milk was great!) and food at the end down a long hallway. The selection was fine, but once you past the bottled water area at the start, there was no additional water. The only was to get to it would have been to wade back through the crowded hallway. Not a really big problem, but an observation.
Overall, a very well run race all around.
Awesome race, amazing pacer!!
Beautiful race, wonderful aid stations, plenty of bathrooms I never saw a line for any of them. Through the wind, rain and cold it was still one of my favorite … MORE
Beautiful race, wonderful aid stations, plenty of bathrooms I never saw a line for any of them. Through the wind, rain and cold it was still one of my favorite races. I can’t wait to do it again in better weather conditions!!
Best race directors ever!
Space and rocket center and botanical gardens are the best parts of the route. The rest is in neighborhoods. For the first timer the helpfulness of staff was super appreciated! MORE
Space and rocket center and botanical gardens are the best parts of the route. The rest is in neighborhoods. For the first timer the helpfulness of staff was super appreciated!