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Mercedes-Benz 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.

Marathon

February 13, 2022
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.

The Mercedes-Benz Marathon is a certified course and a Boston Marathon qualifier. All qualifying results are sent directly to the Boston Marathon.

Event Details

Minimum 16 years old on race day, February 12,  2023. Under 18 requires a parent or legal guardian to sign participation waver.

For the full marathon your PR finishing time must be at least 2:35 for men and 3:05 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, 2022: $100
Online registration November 1 – December 31, 2022: $120
Online registration January 1 – February 9, 2022: $130
Race Weekend Expo and Online Registration February 10-11: $140

NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION

Participant cap of 700 for the 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.

Full Marathon – 6 hour time limit (must maintain a consisent pace of approximately 13:44 minutes per mile)

The famous “Balloon Lady” will be on the course as the official last finisher of the full marathon and will be walking at a 6-hour pace. Any full marathoner or relay team who is behind her when the course splits will be directed onto the half marathon course and will receive a half marathon medal and finish line amenity;  relay teams will be disqualified. Please familiarize yourself with the The Split at 20th Street N and Park Place (mile 13). This is the location on the course where the course splits from the half marathoners so you can continue onto the second loop. Staying in front of our “Balloon Lady” is extremely important to ensure the safety of all our participants.  The course will close to runners and start opening to traffic as she passes through key points on the 2nd loop. If you are behind her after mile 13 our security/police officers must remove you from the course due to the course closing. The Birmingham Police are adamant about this rule with no exceptions.

Pacers will be provided for the following finishing times: 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, and 4:45 and 5:00. You are encouraged to line up according to your pace to help flow of traffic. Email to [email protected] for more information about pacing.

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 definitive split will be just past 3rd Ave N on 20th St N where half-marathoners will move to the left side of the street and marathoners and Relay Team Member # 2 will stay on the right side of the street and turn right onto Park Place to begin their second loop.  Marathoners and Relay Team Member #5 will stay on the right side of 20th Street on the 2nd loop but be directed to turn left onto Park Place to head to the finish line after completing their second loop. Please pay attention and be aware of which side of the street you should be on.  The half marathoners need to be on the left side of the street headed to the finish line.

Race bags contain a short sleeved, gender-specific technical shirt, gifts from our sponsors, and special offers from partners, local and national businesses. Marathon finishers receive our classic Mercedes-Benz ornamental medal and two (you deserve 2 for 2 loops) custom finisher’s gifts designed anew annually.

Our Post Race Party will feature 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.

Fifteen 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, 12, 17, 19.5, and 25.

Emergency personnel with the city of Birmingham and Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System will be on call.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 & 18.3), Pepper Place (close to mile 12 & 24) 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: 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and over.

“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

2:18:12

Eliud Ngetich, USA
Male Record
2019

2:35:33

Gisela Olalde, Mexico
Female Record
2014

Join Us On Race Day

Prices will increase soon, so register today!

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