Your guide to the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend and its 26.2 miles of fun

Sponsored

The biggest road race in Alabama is coming up February 14-16, 2020. It’s sure to be a blast. We have all the details on Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend—check it out! 

1) The race is back at Railroad Park

The Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend organizers are thrilled to be back at Railroad Park again this year (and we are too!). Did you know this is the 19th year of the race? And it keeps getting bigger and better. It’s known as the premier running event in Alabama, after all. 

2) Spectators are welcome

The marathon course is spectator-friendly. Not only is spectator support helpful for runners (especially in those final miles), but it’s also a fun way to get out in the community and cheer on our neighbors.

3) It’s a great way to give back

Proceeds from the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend benefit the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, a nonprofit that aids children with special needs. 

However, if there’s a special charity in your life that you’d like to raise money for, you can do that too! The marathon organizers make it easy to give back. Here’s how.

4) There’s a variety of events—not just a marathon

The Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend will be full of fun events beyond the marathon itself. See below for details.

UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and Clinics Race Expo and Packet Pickup

Running a marathon is the perfect excuse to #treatyourself to some new gear. More than 40 vendors are participating in this year’s UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and Clinics Race Expo and Packet Pickup. 

This event is of course also the time to grab your race packet for the weekend. If you’re on the fence about participating, know that you can also register then and there for any of the events (except the Kids Marathon—more on that later). 

Times: Friday from 12:00 PM–7:00 PM, Saturday 8:30 AM–6:00 PM

Location: Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, 35203

Regions Superhero 5K

The Regions Superhero 5K is the weekend’s kickoff event. This family-friendly race is a crowd-pleaser every year. You can sign up online through the marathon weekend website, at the Race Expo on Friday or on the day of the race by going to the pavilion at Railroad Park. Just don’t forget your superhero garb. 

Time: Saturday, February 15 at 8:00AM

The Bell Center EIP Children’s Run

This race is extra special. Children from the Bell Center will conquer the last 50 feet of the marathon. You don’t want to miss it. 

Time: Saturday, February 15 at 10:00AM

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes-Benz Marathon

This one’s for the kids! More than 4,000 elementary students have been logging miles since school started last August for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes-Benz Marathon. They’ll have the first 25.2 miles completed by the marathon weekend, but in this race they get to run the last mile at Railroad Park on Saturday. What an accomplishment!

Since this event started in August, registration is now closed. You can still come out and support the kiddos, though!

Time: Saturday, February 15 at 11:00AM

Mercedes-Benz Marathon Relay

Of course there’s a marathon and half marathon race during the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend. But if you have no desire to run that far, you’re in luck—you can enlist four friends and sign up for the Marathon Relay! It’s a great way to get involved and experience the fun of the weekend even if marathons aren’t your thing.

Relay distance and FAQs can be found on the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend website. 

Time: Sunday, February 16 at 7:03AM

Jim N’ Nick’s BBQ Post-Race Block Party

The fun doesn’t stop when the race is over. Stick around for the Jim N’ Nick’s BBQ Post-Race Block Party and the Awards Ceremony.

Are you signed up for the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend events? Let us know at @BhamNow! 

Sponsored by: