Got to Birmingham on Friday and Sat AM woke up to literally freezing weather outside. Naturally i was unprepared for the cold, so i shuffled over to the expo, picked up my stuff (very easy) and went to find something to eat. The expo was typical, not great, not terrible, just there.

Within walking distance of the expo i cd not find a breakfast place at all, so i went back to the hotel and pretty much spent the entire day doing nothing.

The next day got up for the race and it was still very, very cold (i wd guess around 30-35 F).

Got with the 3:30 marathon pace team and off we went.

This is a double loop course and quite honestly i can't say that it was stunning. Like most races you run through some nice places, some not so nice places and some boring, boring places.

The crowd support was intermittent, but nice, and the aid stations were on point - plenty of aid and porta johns, so no issues at all.

Second look was more lonely as the half runners were gone, but i was happily motoring on.

I have read that many people called this race hilly....i am not so sure. There were inclines and declines, but in my way of thinking it was not so bad at all.

Anyway finished well and happy and as soon as i was done the cold really hit me to the point i thought i was going hypothermic.

Grabbed my medal, a nice tote bag with a finisher towel and car seat cover and went to my hotel to warm up and shower.

When i felt up to it went to the post race party and had meal there as part of the festivities and enjoyed the music for a bit.

Honestly, it was a very well organized race, the swag was top notch (although i was a bit disappointed in the shirt as it was so thin), the race was well routed, aided and manned, the party was nice and it was all in all a very enjoyable experience.

If you are into smaller marathons in the Spring, this one is certainly worth the effort.

Overall i give it an A-.

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