With the completion of the Nashville Country Music Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon this weekend, there is now a new addition to the 2014 Medal Rack.
From Left to Right
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
Walt Disney World Goofy Race and a Half Challenge
Walt Disney Marathon
Mercedes Benz Half Marathon, Birmingham, AL
Country Music Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, Nashville, TN
This weekend, with the running of the Mercedes Benz Half Marathon in Birmingham, AL, I have updated my 50 By 50 Challenge. This now completes my 5th state in trying to complete a half marathon in all 50 states before I turn 50. This was my 12th half marathon I have now completed. I will now take a couple of months off from races to prepare for the next, which will be hilly. Since we have no hills other than the bridge here, I will be running it a lot!
Up Next, the Nashville Country Music Rock n Roll Half Marathon on April 26th.
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Half Marathon State # 05 Half Marathon #12 |
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This past Sunday, February 16, 2014, I ran in the Mercedes Benz Half Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama. This was another race (State #5) toward my 50 by 50 Challenge to complete a half marathon in all 50 states before I turn 50. It took us about 6:30 hours to drive the trip. We arrived in Birmingham on Saturday, the day before the race. It was really cold there, a little colder than the weather forecasts had predicted.
We went to our hotel (Sheraton Birmingham) first to check in. It was located just a few blocks from the expo/packet pick-up. The area around the hotel was a madhouse, and we did not know why. There couldn’t be this many runners and family in the area. Later we would find out why, and I will explain later in the post. WARNING: I get on my soapbox! Well, they wouldn’t let us check in early, so we walked on over to the race expo. The race expo was at the Boutwell Auditorium. It was a small expo, but they did at least have a few vendors, but I did not need anything, so we did not stay very long.
After the expo, we walked back to the hotel. It was still too early to check in, so we ate at one of the restaurants (Casey’s Sports Bar) in the hotel. It wasn’t too bad. Because the hotel was crowded, we just sat at the bar. After lunch, we just wanted to get out of the area because it was so crowded, so we traveled over to a small town called Homewood. It was a neat little area, with several stores and restaurants. We found a cupcake store, Dreamcakes Bakery, which was really awesome. If you know me well, you know I do not pass up on a cupcake store.
After spending some time in Homewood, we went back to the hotel, checked in, and had dinner at the hotel’s Atrium Cafe. We met an awesome couple, Bob and Amy, who are in the 50 States Marathon Club. Yes, they are trying to complete a marathon in all 50 states, and this was to be their 20th state. Amazed! The hotel reminded me of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Well State #5 is upon us. This weekend I will run the Mercedes Benz Half Marathon in Birmingham, AL. I received my race bib information today. I received bib number: 2158.
Reminder for Runner Tracking:
If you would like to track me during the race on Sunday, click on this link: http://rtrt.me/merc14
For information on more tracking options with social media click on Runner Tracking
Race Day Instructions
Although our weather is quite nasty today and tomorrow here in Birmingham, the weekend looks fabulous! So pack your shorts and get ready to run Mercedes! To keep up with the latest Birmingham weather with Fox 6 WBRC Weather – click here.
In just under two weeks I will be taking on my next half marathon in Birmingham, Alabama at the Mercedes Benz Half Marathon. This will be my fifth (5th) state in my 50 By 50 Challenge. Yesterday they released the race shirts and medals. Here is the shirt and medal for the half marathon.
Here is the course map & elevation chart.
Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
St. Vincent’s Health Systems Health and Fitness Expo & Packet Pickup –Boutwell Auditorium
Expo is free to public. Everyone is welcome!
Race Packet Pick Up for The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon, Regions Superhero 5K, Marathon, Half Marathon & Marathon Relay.
Kids Packets will be located in The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Expo booth on the Expo floor. Registration for The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon closes annually on November 15.
All other race packets will be available on the Boutwell Auditorium stage area.
If registering for a race at the Expo, the Expo Registrations fees are Marathon – $115, Half Marathon – $105 and Marathon Relay – $225
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
8:00 am – 6:00 pm St. Vincent’s Health Systems Health and Fitness Expo & Packet Pickup-Boutwell Auditorium
Expo is free to public. Everyone is welcome!
Race Packet Pick Up for Marathon, Half Marathon & Marathon Relay.
If registering for a race at the Expo, the Expo Registrations fees are Marathon – $115, Half Marathon – $105 and Marathon Relay – $225
6:30 am – 7:30 am
Regions Superhero 5K Race Day Packet Pick up and registration. Race Day Registration fee is $40 (The race has grown so much, we encourage you to do this before race morning.)
8:00 am – 9:00am
Regions Superhero 5K – Linn Park
There is a 1 hour time limit to complete the Regions Superhero 5K.
10:00 am
The Bell Center EIP Children’s Run – Linn Park
11:00 am – 12:00pm
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon – Linn Park
5th graders will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by each descending grade in 10 minute increments.
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Carbs for A Cause Pasta Dinner – click here for me information.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Don’t forget to bring your race bib. Your bib contains your timing device. You must wear your bib to officially be on the course!
6:00 am – 6:45 am
Bag check is available for all participants who want to leave their clothing or other items in a secure, checked area during the race. Bag check is located on the side entrance of Boutwell Auditorium between the Auditorium and the Birmingham Museum of Art. Bag Check will close promptly at 2 p.m. All items not picked up will be left with Boutwell Auditorium’s Lost and Found.
6:15 am
Worship Service led by South Highland Presbyterian Church. Held on the stage in Boutwell Auditorium, seats limited. From Boutwell’s lobby, follow the left corridor to the stage. No one is allowed on the Auditorium floor before 8 am.
7:03 am
Mercedes Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay begin in front of Boutwell Auditorium by Linn Park. The Half Marathon has a four hour time limit. The Marathon has a six hour time limit. All Sunday events benefit the children at The Bell Center For Early Intervention Programs.
JIM ‘N NICK’S Bar-B-Q Bar-B-Q Post Race Party & Awards Ceremony – Boutwell Auditorium
Family and friends may purchase a $7 Bar-B-Q meal ticket. Quantities are limited so buy them early during the Expo at The Bell Center Expo booth! Live entertainment begins at 9:00 a.m.
Awards Ceremony
*Half Marathon Awards ceremony will take place between 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
*Marathon Awards ceremony will take place between 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. The 3N3 Alabama Marathon Challenge Medals will be available during this time for pick up on the stage.
PLEASE NOTE: Awards will not be mailed to winners so please plan to stay for the ceremony
Personal Training on Your Terms
My Path, His Call, Our Adventure
MLB.com's Carrie Muskat has been covering Major League Baseball since 1981 and is the author of "Banks to Sandberg to Grace: Five Decades of Love and Frustration with the Cubs." You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. Here, she blogs about the Cubs.
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