I had not planned to race in May, but I couldn't resist signing up for this one when I heard about it via Twitter. I love Memphis, TN and I was glad to have an opportunity for a visit as well as a run.

Memphis is approximately a four-hour drive from my home, so my sister and I just planned to make a long Memorial Day holiday weekend with the half marathon as the centerpiece. There are numerous hotels to choose from; just be prepared for rate fluctuations due to all other events occurring during Memphis in May. I chose one about 20 minutes from downtown in the Shady Grove area, just to be near shopping malls, etc.

Packet pickup was a breeze, held at the renowned Peabody Hotel. I loved the area set aside for photos, even though it was a little dark in the room. Swag consisted of a soft T-shirt, a Nike bag with the race name on front, sunscreen, a cozy for drinks with the race name, etc. (My sister's bag didn't have the cozy, but she didn't realize it until we arrived back at our hotel.). Overall, the contents were pretty good. Not many vendors, but we did pick up a nice water bottle from the Academy Sports reps.

There was ample time for pick up, from 11 a.m. Friday until 9 p.m. One note about public parking lots downtown: make sure you leave the receipt visible on your dash so the attendant will know that you paid.😊

Race day was warm and extremely humid, so the 11 water stops and ice towels on the course were much appreciated! This is a scenic course, taking us from Tom Lee Park, B. B. King's Boulevard, Mud Island, Riverside Drive, etc. I wanted to stop and take more photos than I actually did; I will do better next time😊. I loved the time spent by the Mississippi River and even the challenge of the largest hill at mile 10. Some people actually stopped for selfies here at the Pyramid😊.

Volunteers were wonderful at each stop. Police handled impatient drivers on the course well, giving priority to the safety of all runners. Also, there were ample bathrooms at the start/finish area as well as on the course.

The finish area had a lots of food, but I normally cannot eat much right after, so I passed on the refreshments. (There are several restaurants in this City, so I knew I had great options afterwards.).

The finisher medal is without a doubt one of the best in my collection😃! It was definitely worth the trip. I loved everything about this race and I hope my sister and I have the opportunity to run it again next year. We had an absolutely fabulous time in Memphis, TN!

Note: All race participants also received free admission to the 901Fest concert later that evening; a nice touch!🙌

This was my first time running the Bridge Street Town Center Half Marathon; I REALLY enjoyed it! I had to miss it last year due to an unforeseen family illness; I was grateful for the opportunity to run this year.

Packet pickup was fairly simple, but there was really not much of an expo on Friday at the local Fleet Feet store. I did appreciate the digital bib number check, especially for an event only in its third year. I drove about 15 minutes from my hotel to get to packet pickup. Huntsville is pretty easy to navigate around in so this was not really an issue. I could have waited and picked it up on site the morning of the race, but I prefer to sleep longer on race day.

The staging area is great; the start and finish lines are located in an area with great shopping, good hotel options and several restaurants. I stayed at a hotel within walking distance, but decided to drive to the starting area to save time. There is ample parking in the Center and plenty of police for security.

Huntsville is known for its Rocket attractions and the Space Camp; however, you see none of that on the race route. I did not mind this; the course is well-designed within the Research Park area, with moderate elevation (some rolling hills; primarily flat). We ran through lovely neighborhoods and office parks; there was very little traffic on this Sunday morning so traffic control was flawless. I expected to PR on this course and would have, had I not slipped and fell at mile nine; I blame my loss of concentration as well as a damp sidewalk :-). I still enjoyed my run and was thankful for my fellow runners who made sure I was okay!

The aid stations were exceptional; a special shout out to the Panera Pounders! They were outstanding with their 70's attire, exuberant attitudes and awesome music. I wanted to stop to dance, but I needed to keep it moving.

The medal for this race could be for a full marathon; it is great! It also doubles as a wine bottle opener. The tech shirt is in one of my favorite colors (green) with a nice design of the Bridge Street Town Centre logo.

The post-race expo was nice, with good music and a nice breakfast muffin, served at a local brewery. I don't drink beer, but I heard others say that it did not disappoint.

Overall, this is a great half marathon, one that I will likely run again. They usually limit participants to 1,000; however, I believe 1,100 may have run this year. Sign up when the event opens up for 2017 and come run Hunstville!

I ran the Montgomery Half Marathon in 2015; I enjoyed it so much that I signed up to run the full marathon in 2016 as soon as registration opened. The Montgomery Marathon was my second full marathon; I was ready for an opportunity to try it again.

The location for me is excellent. It is a short drive (less than 90 minutes) from where I live. I love staying downtown; the hotel I chose gave me a short walk to the start line.

I'd been training in the cold for months, so I was a little anxious about the rise in temperature and the possibility of a thunderstorm. (My main concern was that the storm would arrive and we would not be permitted to finish; thank God that didn't happen.) Thankfully, I knew what to expect for the first half of the course and that allowed me to settle down.

The aid stations are superior during the first half of the race; the people are genuinely glad to have you there and assist in anyway that they can. A special shout out to the River City Church at Mile 4; I love their enthusiasm and the oranges.

Montgomery has a special place in my heart, since my mother attended grad school there (ASU) and I grew up near Selma. The historical sites on the route are not to be missed; running down Dexter Avenue after mile 11 is simply awesome.

I was so glad to make the left turn at the split and head to Maxwell Air Force Base; I just felt so fortunate to be able to experience it :-)! Loved the hospitality of the guards at the entrance; clapping and cheering as we entered. There were also some families on base, sitting in chairs in front of their homes and providing encouragement. Unfortunately, there were no other spectators other than the designated course guides and aid station personnel. I understand that there are probably security issues to prevent others from being on the base. Hopefully, more volunteers can be added in the future. More volunteers are certainly needed on the River Road/trail area; there are signs for wild animals, specifically, alligators. Having someone in this area to help spot these creatures would be helpful.

One reviewer (Samantha Andrews) has accurately pointed out that there are no timing mats for this marathon. This is certainly needed given the vastness of the course, especially on the Air Force Base. I hope that the organizers will be able to add this feature for future races, to add integrity to the event and to also allow runners to note their paces at the standard intervals (i.e., 5k, 10k, half, 25k, etc.).

Overall, I REALLY enjoyed my second full marathon! I improved my time by 21 minutes, despite the heat and humidity. Also, I was able to enjoy it with my twin sister, my usual running partner. I hope the event continues to grow. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a marathon with an attractive, small town appeal, this is the one for you. Run Montgomery! :-)