I thoroughly enjoyed the Rocket City Marathon. I think the best part was it's just that...a marathon. There isn't a half or 10k at the same time which seems kind of rare. My understanding is the course changed a few years ago so I can't compare, but this one was nice. The start/finish at the Von Braun Center was awesome. It was about 24 degrees race morning and having a place to stay warm was a great perk! Plus indoor bathrooms, always a benefit. The finish line is actually inside the arena which lets friends and family have a great (warm) place to watch their loved ones cross the line. The rest of the course wasn't bad. You run through some very pretty neighborhoods and also some pretty typical city/suburban scenery. The highlight is the space and rocket center followed by the botanical gardens which is scenic and also near the end, so it's something to look forward to. There are some rolling hills but I thought elevation-wise it was a nice course.

There weren't a ton of people on the route, but that may have been partly due to the cold temps. There were a few bands and spirit teams, volunteers at 13 aid stations, and of course traffic control. All of those folks were great and supportive, standing out in the cold for us.

Post-race they actually printed out finisher certificates on the spot which I haven't seen before but appreciated! The medal was great, a 40th anniversary celebration of the race. The shirt was short-sleeved tech and not bad. They had lots of finisher food, chocolate milk, bagels (with things to spread on them!), grapes, and several other items. The concession area was also open for friends and family (or if you craved jalapeño poppers yourself!).

Overall I thought it was great race. Huntsville is a nice town with several hotel and restaurant options, including some within easy walking distance of the start/finish (no rental car needed!). It was well organized and supported, and all of that showed during the race. It's a great option for Alabama!

PS - free race photos!!