1. What do I get for my entry fee?
First of all, you get to come to Birmingham, Alabama!!!! You will receive some kind of really cool race bag with goodies inside of it (like a water bottle and gloves, for example) and a long sleeved race weekend t-shirt. When you finish the race you will get a Mercedes “hood ornament” medal and a technical finishers shirt (long sleeved for the full and short sleeved for the half) and we will have fruit and water and PowerAde waiting for you. Just a few short steps away from the finish line is our Post Race Party with all the Jim „n Nick's Bar-B-Q and beer you desire. We may even have some post race massages going on!
2. Is this race a Boston Qualifier?
Yes, the 2009 Mercedes Marathon is a certified course, therefore, a Boston Marathon qualifier.
3. Does the Marathon have pace groups?
Yes. Pacers will be provided for the following finishing times: 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, and 4:45.
4. Do the races have corrals?
Corrals will be posted in the starting chute. We ask you to be considerate of others and line up according to your pace.
5. How do I register for the races?
You can register one of two ways. The easiest and most accurate (and greenest) way is to go to www.active.com. You can also print off a registration form from our website. We will offer registration at the Expo on Friday and Saturday however, please note that Expo registrants will not receive a dated finishers shirt or dated medal. THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION!!!!
6. How much does the race cost?
Mercedes Marathon – through December 31, 2008 - $60
After December 31, 2008 - $70
Expo Registration - $90
Alabama Power Half Marathon – through December 31, 2008 - $55
After December 31, 2008 - $65
Expo Registration - $80
7. How do I know for sure if I am registered?
Go to our website at www.mercedesmarathon.com and click on Check Entry.
8. Will I receive a confirmation card?
No, we will send out email confirmations. It is very important that you include your email address on your registration. Also, add info@mercedesmarathon.com to your address book to ensure you receive our emails! You can also go to our website at www.mercedesmarathon.com to confirm your registration.
9. How close is the Sheraton Birmingham (host hotel) to the race activities?
The Sheraton Birmingham is located a block from the Expo, Start/Finish line and the Post Race Party. Their address is 2101 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
10. How far is the Sheraton Birmingham from the Birmingham International Airport?
It is less than 5 miles away – a short 10 minute or so drive.
11. What is the Expo?
The St. Vincent's Health Systems Health and Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup is held on Friday and Saturday the 13th and 14th of February. This is where you will come to pick up your race packet, peruse the vendors, purchase Mercedes Marathon merchandise and in general have a good time while hanging out with other runners.
12. Where are the Expo and what are the hours?
The Expo will be held at the Boutwell Auditorium (1930 8th Avenue North, Birmingham, 35203). The hours are Friday, February 13th between 12:00 Noon – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 14th between 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
13. How do I get my race packet?
Race packets will not be mailed. You must come to the Expo in order to get your race packet. You must have your race packet in order to run on Sunday morning. The race packet will have your race number and timing chip which you need to run.
14. Can I pick my race packet up on race morning, Sunday the 15th?
THERE WILL BE NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP!!! Please make sure you pick up your packet at the Expo on Friday or Saturday.
15. Can someone else pick up my packet for me?
Yes – we don't have a problem with that.
16. What is in my race packet?
Your race bib, timing device, sweat check tag and final instructions along with other goodies from vendors and businesses. You MUST have your race bib and timing device in order to run the race.
17. What happens if I lose my timing chip?
All participants will be issued timing chips that will be distributed during packet pickup. Please make sure they are securely attached to your shoe with the provided zip ties. Timing chips must be returned at the end of the race in the finish line chute. Volunteers will be available to assist you with their removal. If you fail to return your chip, a $35 replacement fee will be charged.
18. Where can we park for the races?
Try this website – www.bhamparking.com – for a map of all parking decks available in downtown Birmingham. There is some street parking around the facilities just make sure that you don't park on the course on Sunday.
19. Where does the race start and finish?
The race starts and finishes right in front of Boutwell Auditorium located at 1930 8th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
20. Can I register on race day?
No! There is no race day registration!
21. Can I switch from the Marathon to the Half Marathon or from the Half Marathon to the Marathon?
Yes. Please send an email to info@mercedesmarathon.com and let us know what changes to make to your registration. If switching from the half to the full you must pay the difference in registration fees. No changes can be made after February 5th except at the Expo on February 13th and 14th.
22. Do you take credit cards for registration at the Expo?
Yes. We take Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We will also accept checks and cash.
23. What are the event start times?
Saturday: BE5K – 8:00 a.m.
Mercedes Kids Marathon – 10:00 a.m.
Sunday: Mercedes Marathon – 7:03 a.m.
Alabama Power Mercedes Half Marathon – 7:03 a.m.
First Commercial Bank 5 Person Marathon Relay – 7:03 a.m.
24. What sports drinks and gels will be available on the course?
We will be serving lemon-lime PowerAde at every water stop on the course. Gu will be the gel of choice. Check our website later for specific PowerAde and Gu locations and flavors.
25. Is there a Pasta Dinner?
Not this year.
26. How do I get a refund if I cannot attend?
Our policy states that we do not offer refunds and your registration cannot be transferred to another runner. We will however, offer to defer your registration until next years race. Please email info@mercedesmarathon.com if you would like to defer.
27. What is NOT allowed on the course?
Baby joggers, in-line skates, bicycles, unauthorized vehicles, unregistered runners and headphones of any kind are prohibited on the course. No pets or smoking on the course PLEASE! Any participant breaking one of these rules will be removed from the course, disqualified and will not receive finisher's amenities. These rules are due to our insurance policy and board of directors and are for your safety and the safety of the thousands of other runners on the course.
28. Is there a “Sweat Check” available?
Yes, there is for the marathon, half marathon and relay only. The secured holding area for your checked items will be inside Boutwell Auditorium. To drop off and pick up your sweat check items, face the auditorium then go to the right side entrance of the building. You will see volunteers ready to help you.
29. What if I lose something at the race?
Lost and Found will be at the Boutwell Auditorium. You can check after the race or you can call Boutwell Auditorium at 205-254-2820. Items that are discarded along the race route will NOT be returned to the Lost and Found. They will be donated to local charities.
30. Why haven’t I received a confirmation email?
It's probably because your spam filter has blocked our emails. Please add info@mercedesmarathon.com to your email address book.
31. What does my registration fee go to?
Race proceeds go to the Bell Center for Early Intervention and Kid One Transport.
32. What will the weather be like on race day? What if it is raining or snowing?
No predictions from us – just averages.
Normal High: 58
Normal Low: 35
Normal Average: 47
The race will take place if it is raining. The race will only be cancelled/postponed if weather conditions pose imminent danger to our participants. In seven years this has never happened!
33. What time should I arrive on race morning?
We recommend arriving at the Boutwell Auditorium no later than 6:00 a.m. This will give you plenty of time for parking, checking your belongings in Sweat Check, stretching and taking care of personal needs.
34. Is there a time limit? Why?
The marathon time limit is 6 hours and the half marathon time limit is 4 hours. This is to ensure the safety of our runners and because the Birmingham Police will only close the roads for the course for a certain number of hours. If running the marathon make sure you stay in front of our “balloon lady” who keeps a 6 hour pace (13:44 minutes per mile). If running/walking the half you will need to keep a 18:30 minutes per mile.
35. Where will the water stations, medical aid stations and portalets be located on the course?
Please check our website at www.mercedesmarathon.com. These will all be listed on the course map.
36. Is chip time or gun time used to determine awards?
Gun time is used for the determination of cash awards. Chip time is used to determine age group awards.
37. What are the age groups for awards?
Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age divisions: 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 & over.
38. Will there be an awards ceremony?
Yes. The awards ceremony for the half marathon will take place around 11:30 a.m. at the Post Race Party. The awards ceremony for the full marathon and 5 person relay will take place around 1:30 at the Post Race Party.
39. What are the best places to watch the race?
This year's course is VERY spectator friendly as it is a double loop course for the full marathon. Some of the best places that we have found for watching are:
America's First Federal Credit Union: 1200 4th Avenue North, 35203
Civil Rights Institute: 520 16th Street North, 35203
McWane Center: 200 19th Street North, 35203
B&A Warehouse: 1531 1st Avenue South, 35233
University of Alabama, Birmingham Arena: 617 13th Street South
Western Supermarket: 2230 Highland Avenue, 35205
Java and Jams: 321 20th Street North, 35203
V. Richards: 3916 Clairmont Avenue, 35222
Caldwell Park: Highland Avenue and Niazuma
Rushton Park
Avondale Park
Marconi Park
5 Points South district (Starbucks and the Original Pancake House)
As we spend more time on this new course we will update these locations.
