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Mercedes-Benz Half Marathon

February 12, 2023
7:00 AM – the starting line will stay open for 10 minutes for those wanting to avoid crowds at the start. Your official time will be based on chip time, meaning your time won’t start until you cross the starting line.

Half Marathon

Event Details

Minimum 12 years old on race day, February 12, 2023. Under 18 requires a parent or legal guardian to sign participation waver.

For the half marathon your PR finishing time must be at least 1:10 for men and 1:20 for women, achieved within the last two years.

If you are not a US Citizen, you must have a Federal Tax ID Number. If you are a US Citizen, you may present a Federal Tax ID number or your US Social Security number. We do NOT accept any Elite Runners who do not have one of these.

For more information or for an Elite Runner Application please contact Kyle Putman at [email protected].

Registrations are non transferable, non refundable and cannot be deferred. Event insurance is available for purchase, but can ONLY be purchased at the time of your registration.

To switch from the full marathon to the half or vice versa email [email protected]. If switching from the half to the full you must pay the difference in registration fees, but no fees will be returned for switching from the full to the half. If you need to make changes at our Expo that will include a service fee.

Online registration through October 31: $90
Online registration November 1 – December 31, 2022: $115
Online registration January 1 – February 19, 2023: $125
Race Weekend Expo and Online Registration February 10 – 11: $140
NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION

Participant cap of 2,500 for the half-marathon.

Present a photo ID and your race number at the Expo at Boutwell Auditorium Friday, February 10 or Saturday, February 11. No race day packet pickup. Your timing device is attached to your race bib and your bib must be worn to participate.

Baby joggers/strollers, in-line skates, bicycles, unauthorized vehicles and unregistered runners are prohibited on the course. No pets or smoking on course. Any participant breaking one of these rules will be removed from the course, disqualified and will not receive the finishers’ amenities.

Bag check is available for all participants who want to leave their clothing or other non valuable items in a secure, checked area during the race. Bag check is located on the east side entrance of Boutwell Auditorium between the Auditorium and the Birmingham Museum of Art. You will see volunteers ready to help you. All items must be contained in a CLEAR PLASTIC BAG. We will provide those if you don’t have one. Bag Check will close promptly at 1:30 p.m. All items not picked up will be donated to a local homeless shelter. Please know that our volunteers and staff can not be held responsible for any valuables left in your bag.

Half Marathon – 4 hour time limit (must maintain a consistent pace of 18:30 minutes per mile)

Please note that our course is a double loop marathon course. Therefore, we have a “Split” at approximately mile 13. All half marathon participants will be directed to the left side of the street in order to lead into the correct finish line chute. The Full/Relay participants will go the right side of the street. The famous “Balloon Lady” will be on the marathon course as the “official last finisher” of the full/relay marathon and will be walking at a 6-hour pace. The Balloon Lady is not pacing the half marathon so you don’t need to be concerned with her except to say Hello.

It is very important that you understand how the course has a “Split” so the full marathon and relay marathon participants can continue on the double loop course. Beginning at approximately mile 12 the street lanes will be coned off separating the half marathon runners from the full and relay marathon runners. The course will split just past 3rd Ave N on 20th Street N so please be aware of the numerous signs and volunteers pointing you in the correct direction.  Please pay attention and be aware of which side of the street you should be on. The Full and Relay marathoners need to keep to the right side of the street to stay on the correct course to begin your double loop. The half marathoners need to be on the left side of the street headed to the finish line.

If you are in the back of the pack, please be alert of the lead marathoners coming through behind you and move to the side to let them pass.

Race bags contain a short sleeved, gender-specific technical shirt, gifts from our sponsors, and special offers from partners, local and national businesses. Finishers receive our bigger and better Mercedes-Benz ornamental medal and a custom finisher’s gift designed anew annually.

Our Post Race Party features live music, barbecue from Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, beer, Coke, Dasani, BodyArmor, and massages. Food and festivities are included in your race entry fee. IDs will be checked for alcohol.

Seven fully staffed and equipped fluid stations will be on our double loop course. BodyArmor, water, petroleum jelly and ibuprofen will be available at each stop. Clearly marked miles and digital clocks will be at the beginning of each mile. Toilets will be available at every water station. Other items and course support such as fruit, cookies, cheerleaders, live entertainment and more can be found all along the course. GU will be provided at approximate miles 4, 6.5, 10.

Emergency personnel with the city of Birmingham and Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System will be on call. Medical stations will be available at Glen Iris Elementary (about mile 5.2), Pepper Place (close to mile 12) and at the start and finish line. If you have medical concerns related to the courses or to your personal situation, please inform the race staff by writing any necessary medical information on the back of your race number and leaving an emergency contact number on your entry form. Call 911 if you or anyone along the course needs emergency assistance.

2023 PRIZE PURSE (click here)

Overall cash winners are not eligible for age division awards. CASH PRIZES are determined by GUN TIME. If you think you may be a contender for an overall cash award then we suggest you cross the start line timing pad as soon as possible. Age division awards will be determined based on Marathon Chip Time NOT Gun time.  Cash winners will be required to fill out a W-9 tax form. Once completed and verified, a check will be mailed with your prize.

Double dipping is allowed. Please contact [email protected] for Prize Purse Information.

Age group award certificates will be emailed to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age divisions: 12-14 (half-marathon only), 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over. We also have a wheelchair division for the half-marathon only.

“Unofficial” results will be preliminarily posted on the windows outside of Boutwell as soon as possible.  Inevitably, there will be some errors that need to be corrected before the results can be deemed official.  This is usually caused by someone illegally running with someone else’s bib that are in a different age group of gender.  Please don’t be that person that holds things up for everyone else.

Course Records

1:02:41

Lawrence Kipkoech, USA
Male Record
2020

1:11:21

Mary Munanu, USA
Female Record
2019

Join Us On Race Day

Prices will increase soon, so register today!

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