Mercedes Marathon in Birminham Alabama

I ran the Mercedes Marathon in 2004 and it was in the upper 20's at the start, which is unusually cold for Birmingham. It is very hilly. There are several hills that are just insane. Seriously, it was the hardest marathon I've ever run (I've done 14 of them). I was sick when I ran so maybe I'm making it out to be worse than it actually is.

I've run the Mercedes Half-Marathon every year since it started, and the hills weren't THAT bad at all. I know that the US Men's Marathon Championship Course/ Olympic Trials 2004 Course is incredibly fast. It's usually about 40 degrees. The race is a lot of fun- there's a ton of crowd support and good food after the race. The finisher's medals are awesome too. I would definitely recommend it.

The half marathon misses out on most of the big hills in the full marathon. Big difference in the two races.

I ran it in 04 as well. I rather liked the course. There are some hills, at mile 7 and 18 but the rest is relatively flat.

I thought it was well organized. The southern hospitality thing was definatlely noticable. The medals were cool, almost too bling-bling if you are in to medals.

And. . .Some lucky marathon finisher wins a new BENZ! How can you beat that?

I plan to do it again some day. . .

Stanky

The race itself was a great race. My husband and I went down to watch the trials and run the marathon. It was very well organized and they do raffle off a Mercedes so I'm not complaining about any of the amenities. I'm just giving my opinion of the course itself. But if you want to go have a good time- fine- but if you're looking for a fast time it's probably not the marathon to do.

what?????? wrote:

I know that the US Men's Marathon Championship Course/ Olympic Trials 2004 Course is incredibly fast.

Didn't the OT course follow a different route from the Mercedes Marathon course (of both that year and the next)? So, what is the relevance of a different course in assessing the course of the Mercedes Marathon?

One glance at the elevation profile on the race website will confirm to any doubters that the Mercedes Marathon is NOT an "incredibly fast" course.

ever heard of google?

here's the course profile;

http://www.mercedesmarathon.com/mmprofile.htm

it's a well done event, well organized, nice amenities, etc..good support... not an easy course, but worth doing.

what?????? wrote:

The finisher's medals are awesome too. I would definitely recommend it.

AWESOME finishers' medals????????

WHY didn't anyone mention this before??

I'm THERE, baby. Got to get the awesome finisher's medal.

Only marathon I've been to where the post-race food included pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. Not bad after the half, not sure how they'd sit after a full 26.2.

There were some decent hills in the half, and it occurred to me they'd be even tougher when encountered 13 miles further on in the full marathon. Plus, the part of the marathon course the half cut off has some of the worst hills. But the race is well organized and fun.