Magic City Marathon has been canceled, an economic blow to the city

This week, organizers for the Magic City Marathon announced they are canceling the scheduled 26.2 mile November 18th race, which is seen by some in the running community as a crushing loss for future races in the city of Birmingham.

The Magic City half marathon and 5K race will still take place in mid-November, but this year’s event will be the last according to race organizers.

No marathons in Birmingham in 2024

The loss of the Magic City Marathon and the Mercedes-Benz Marathon for 2024—as well as the smaller races that go along with these community events—are devastating, not only to the running community but also economically for Birmingham.

As of today there are no marathons scheduled in the city of Birmingham for 2024 and beyond. 

In an interview with Bham Now, Jennifer Andress—a former President of the Birmingham Track Club and organizer of Girls on the Run 5K—said problems organizing events in Birmingham have been bubbling up for years.

“It’s been more and more difficult to get a race course approved by the city of Birmingham and to have adequate police coverage for these events. The cost has just gone up astronomically, and I think that’s how we lost Mercedes and that’s what led the BHM race to move out to Hoover—and now Magic City to declare its last year. It’s a shame because they’re really such fine events that bring so much to the city.”

Economic hit to the city

Andress also described how the city of Birmingham loses economically when they lose signature marathon races. 

For example, runners from all over the country travel to marathons, and in many cases bring friends and family to support them. Even locally, participants stay in nearby hotels overnight to prepare for the race and then take part in the festivities.

Beyond marathons, she noted how there were numerous races and fundraisers conducted alongside the signature 26.2 mile race. 

At Mercedes you had thousands of kids and their families spend the morning in downtown Birmingham to participate in the “Kids Marathon” (the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Marathon has been moved to Hoover). Moreover, you had relay teams of “Bell Runners” running a portion of the Mercedes Marathon, raising funds for the Bell Center.

“It really was an accessible event for everybody. Anybody could get involved and celebrate,” Andress added.

What’s next?

For the first time in two decades, Birmingham will not have a marathon scheduled beginning in 2024. Will other communities step up and organize one? Is the city of Birmingham permanently out of the marathon—or even half marathon—business? 

For the thousands of runners and their supporters, let’s hope we can bring back marathons to the Magic City.

Have you ever participated in the Magic City or Mercedes Marathons or races? Tell us your favorite memory by tagging us on social media at @bhamnow