If you’ve never been through the Cotton State, this is your chance. Alabama is home to some of the nations top civil rights and science museums. Make a trip out of it and come run in one of the best marathons in Alabama.
If you’re looking for more than just marathon races, check out the Alabama race page on Running.net.
Rocket City Marathon – Huntsville
The Rocket City Marathon is a fast and flat race so if you are looking to set a new Personal Record you may want to give this one a go! It’s also a Boston Qualifier. The event coordinators for this race work hard to create an entire event around the marathon. One of the headline events year after year is the “carbo supper” the night before the race to ensure that they have the fuel they will need for the race the next morning. Learn more here!
The Course
The Rocket City Marathon features gently rolling hills and will take the runner past many historic antebellum homes in historic areas of Five Points, Old Town, and Dallas Mill Village. The course will also take the runner through the Huntsville Botanical Gardens and under the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The finish line is a celebration will live bands, food, and indoor activities.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“This is a mostly flat race through residential Huntsville with a great stretch of running on the US Space and Rocket Center grounds and through botanical gardens. Some of the neighborhoods we ran through are a bit run down with quite an impressive police presence. The start, finish and expo are in the Von Braun Center (with ample restrooms, no long lines for port-a-potties!). It was warm in 2015, but the ability to stay inside until just prior to the run can be useful in case of rain or cold weather. Nice expo, easy packet pick-up, but no race day pick-up. There are some very loud cheering teams, more than expected for a race this size. A decent number of aid stations, although with temperatures in the 70s I had hoped for a few additional ones. An indoor finish, a nice technical shirt (Nike), great medal, ample post-race food (loved the giant PBJ sandwich) and free pictures made the race one that I can recommend” – .E.B., Marathonguide.com
“This is a really well organized mid-sized race in a wonderful gem of city. Huntsville is not very well known outside rocket scientist circles, and that is why it is such a well kept secret. In addition to the race, you can visit SPACE CAMP and rocket museums, take bus tours that include visiting the International Space Station payload operations center. Now the race itself is extremely well organized, fun, and incredibly enjoyable. It was unseasonably warm and humid in 2015, but thankfully it was overcast. The organizers and the people of Huntsville ensured awesome race support with ample hydration and nutrition – including several kilt-clad lads offering cold beer late in the race. Heavenly. Awesome expo, great race, and superb location – this is a perfect Alabama race for anyone in the area, those looking for a destination race, or for 50 staters/maniacs!!” – K.B., Marathonguide.com
Shoals Marathon – Muscle Shoals
This is a very small marathon. In 2016, it only featured 56 participants.This is charity race which benefits Shoals Sav-A-Life, which is a Christian foundation determined to help women with unplanned pregnancies prepare to be mothers or to take the steps necessary to place their child up for adoption. Find out more here.
The Course
This course has recently been revised to make the roadway portions of the race one single loop instead of multiple smaller loops. In addition, the finish for this marathon is now downhill where it was previously an “uphill battle” right at the end. The Shoals Marathon largely takes place on Robert Trent golf course with an additional 13 miles taking place on nearby paved roadways.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“I was one of 56 marathon runners in this very nicely run marathon. There were about 150 Half Marathoners. I found running a (Robert Trent Jones) golf course very unusual and kind of cool. That was the first half. The second half was in the lakeside community surrounding the golf course. Very pretty and quite challenging and hilly. The golf course had many hills as well. The logistics and bling/shirt side of the race, for a race this small were pretty solid. Only suggestions I would make is to add a couple porta potties at the start and along the course. There were no porta potties on the last 13 miles.” – Jeff Newcorn, Marathonguide.com
“Thanks for a great event! It was thankfully cooler than we had anticipated, so we were happy about that. Beautiful course with friendly volunteers and great amenities for what is a small (but hopefully growing) event. It sure was a tough one tho. I am wiped after that 26.2 mile “round of golf”! My only suggestion would be a bit more direction around the clubhouse for when you make up there for the last time and need to head around back.” – Crystal Nipp, Facebook.com
Montgomery Marathon
The Montgomery Marathon is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Baptist Health. This marathon is a Boston Qualifier and features a southern style brunch and some smooth jazz at the finish line. As an added bonus, it feature a $5,000 purse. Get registered here.
The Course
This races starts out as a climb–literally. The first two miles are uphill so don’t burn all your fuel at the beginning of the race. You’ll run past the Oakwood Cemetery where country music legend Hank Williams Sr. is buried, huge oak trees in Oak Park (Montgomery’s oldest park), and through the Old Cloverdale neighborhood. The Alabama State Marching Hornets will be playing on the runners around mile marker five. The last mile of the course includes a slight climb before dropping off so you can the sprint to the finish.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“The organization for this race is the best I have experienced. The packet pickup and small expo are held inside the beautiful Riverwalk Stadium, where the Montgomery Biscuits play minor league baseball. The course is a little hilly, particularly in the first 2 miles, but otherwise just some slightly meandering streets after that. The finish line is in the ballpark. You run in from center field and cross the line on the playing field.” – S.K., Marathonguide.com
“The course was very good, although it did get a little boring when it looped around the Maxwell Air Force Base Property. Also, I was able to keep up with my pacer until about mile 21 (it was just the two of us at this point); then he just left the marathon. I lost some time in the last few miles, as I found it harder to keep time without a pacer. I really like the part at the end where the mayor of Montgomery congratulated all finishers and presented them with their medal. Not a big marathon, but overall enjoyable and well organized.” – R.S., Marathonguide.com
Mercedes-Benz Marathon – Birmingham
The Mercedes-Benz Marathon is ranked very highly for organization, course route, and fans. In addition, it has received praise for the fantastic food at the post race party which in the past has featured Jim ‘n’ Nicks BBQ with pork and turkey sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, beer, coke, and plenty of water! Find out more here.
The Course
This course features a double loop with a good amount of hills so you will know just what to expect after your first lap. Unfortunately, these hills are going to seem A LOT more challenging the second time around so brace yourself for the climbs! The Mercedes-Benz Marathon will take the runners through some memorable sections of Birmingham. Water and aid stations are set up about every mile and a half so you won’t be waiting too long for relief.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“The best city marathon I have run. The expo had vendors but not so many as to be overwhelming. The shirt was in the bag with your number so you didn’t stand in multiple lines. The roads were in good condition, with excellent traffic control by the local police (some of whom were awesome at motivating the runners). Excellent swag! Gloves, shirt, car seat covers, and a lovely MB medal. I’m glad I picked this event for my Alabama marathon. As a slow marathoner I really appreciated that there was still water, powerade, and fruit left at the finish when I got there.” – V.B., Marathonguide.com
“As others have said after this year’s race, this is a surprisingly interesting and well organised marathon. The balance of downtown streets, residential neighbourhoods and commercial sites is just right, as is the mix of flat roads and undulating hills. The tech shirt is nice enough to wear (one often can’t say that) and the colourful cap was also good, and I was pleased not to receive yet another white cap. The organization was flawless. The beer and sandwich afterwards were just right. Above all, I loved the cold weather.” – J.T., Marathonguide.com