Race weekend finally has arrived, with the Rocket City Marathon on Sunday shaping up to be an interesting race.
December’s weather always is an unknown here. Two years ago, an overnight storm system turned ugly just a couple of hours before the RCM start. Streets were flooded to the point that Huntsville police had to be pulled to other duties, for safety. The marathon and half-marathons were canceled at the last minute. Terrible deal but Mother Nature won that year.
This year, we’re going to have some clouds, maybe some rain, wet streets and possible Goldilocks weather. Not too cold, not too hot. Maybe not just right, but close enough. Saturday’s events will be fun, and the Von Braun Center South Hall will be jumping.
Don’t Stop Believin’
Who will win the 48th Rocket City Marathon on Sunday? No one knows for sure, of course. Huntsville Track Club officials don’t seed runners or cater to the coddle-me elite runners. But it’ll be good to keep an eye on some longtime favorites likely to be in the mix.
Josh Whitehead of Madison won in 2022, 2013, was second in 2023 and has various other top 15 finishes over the years. He’s been on a tear this year, training consistently in the leadup to the RCM. Chris Lemon of Dayton, Ohio, won 10 years ago, was second in 2022 behind Whitehead, and can’t be counted out. Brandon York of Madison, Daniel Sillivant of Huntsville and Peter Toland of Owens Cross Roads are among others to keep an eye on.
Emma Hardman of Huntsville definitely will be one to watch on the women’s side. She was 26th in the 2023 but has performed well this year in area races. She was the third-place women’s finisher in the 2023 marathon. Hardman also smashed state records this year in the Monte Sano 15K and UAH Spring 8K, and was the No. 2 female finisher in the Cotton Row 10K. Others to watch (if they’re registered) include Maura Lemon of Dayton, Ohio, Purity Munene of Columbia, S.C., (the 2022 RCM runner-up) and Melissa Miller of Huntsville, winner of the Huntsville Half-Marathon last month.
We’ll update with any additions (or subtractions) as necessary.
What’s My Age Again?
Runners ages 18-49 comprise the bulk of the fields for the marathon, half marathons, 10k and 5k this weekend.
Runners in the 30-39 group are at about 1,080, the most of any age range. Ages 40-49, with about 955 runners, and 18-29, with about 903 runners, are the top three groups.
We’re saying “about” for the totals because the fields have increased in the last week. Thanks to late interest, four of five races are sold out. A few spots remain in the marathon. It may sell out, as well, as race officials late Thursday night were watching the numbers closely.
About 125 runners are ages 18-under, while more than 150 are 65 or older. The fourth-biggest group is age 50-64, with about 775 runners.
The race weekend generates an economic impact of more than $1 million to the area, according to the Huntsville Sports Commission. It is the presenting sponsor of the weekend races.
Short Skirt, Long Jacket
WAFF-TV 48 meterologist Jeff Desnoyers says you won’t need a long jacket for Saturday, but Sunday might be a different story. His weekend forecast includes clouds and rain on Sunday:
Saturday, expect plenty of clouds, but a mainly dry day. Rain will hold off until early evening and overnight. Temps Saturday in the mid to upper 50s, breezy at times. Rain likely Saturday night, low 50s. Sunday, lingering showers, especially during the morning. High temps in the mid-50s. Sunday night, a few showers, otherwise just cloudy and mild. Low to mid 50s.
Here We Are Now, Entertain Us
Runners along the courses will find cheering spectators and maybe a bumpin’ first aid station or two. This year, Red Bull will be on hand with its uber-cool pickup-vanawagon with music and more.
Additionally, the popular DJs Fitz Koehler and Rudy Novotny return to get things rocking at the start-finish lines for the races. If you’re not already pumped to get going, they will bring some high energy to get things rolling. Novotny lives in Carlsbad, Calif., and “bossy fitness pro” Koehler lives in Gainesville, Fla. They’re fun to listen to and will give you a woot-woot when you cross the finish line.
Food trucks will be on hand at the VBC, as well.
Sleepin’ With My Clothes On
Will you be so tired Sunday or Monday that you’re sleeping with your clothes on, wondering how the car got parked in the front yard?
Doubful. But self-care should be on your agenda after a chilly-rainy marathon or half-marathon. Whether it’s a day of rest and hydrating at home, a pedicure, full massage or more, it’s important to take care of yourself. Nutrition, sleep, hydration and self-care are vital for recovery.
Swift Recovery will be set up at the RCM Fleet Feet Expo at the VBC this weekend with free TheraBody demos and deals on other services. They can offer info on booking some recovery services, such as a cryogenic session or cold plunge.
The Fleet Feet Expo also will have sales and major brands exhibiting including Nike, Topo, Diadora, Adidas, Asics, Hoka, ON, Mizuno, Oofos, Nathan, Two Mile Tees, CEP, Garmin, Shokz and others. Runners picking up bibs can find other exhibitors and sponsors with goodies and info.
I Like My Oatmeal Lumpy
Runners finishing the Front Half-Marathon at Campus 805 can celebrate with some feastie boys serving at Hops N Guac, among other noshing options.
Front half runners get to peel off and finish at Campus 805, while the marathoners keep toodling along. While the FHM crew is enjoying tacos, brews and other snackies, the marathoners will pick up the Back Half-Marathon runners. They start at the UAH campus. They and the marathoners will saunter along through the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (how cool!), the Huntsville Botanical Garden all dolled up for the holidays, and then finish at the VBC.
No worries, marathoners and BHMers, you’ll have a load of food goodies at the VBC including recovery drinks, hot bevs, Heineken 0.0, grilled cheese sammies and more.
Standing Here, You’re Miles Away
Defending Rocket City Marathon champs David Too of Tallahassee, Fla., and Maura Lemon of Dayton, Ohio, weren’t registered by Thursday night, according to race officials.
That means we’ll likely have new champons unless they popped in on Friday. Here are previous champs dating to 2013:
2023: David Too, Maura Lemon
2022: Josh Whitehead, Madison; Mary Alex Gary, Knoxville
2021: Canceled due to severe weather on race day
2020: Canceled due to Covid
2019: Spencer Fields, Kingston, Ga.; Joy Miller, Lexington, S.C.
2018: Brandon York, Madison, Alana Scarano, Huntsville
2017: Mike Deren, Louisville; Shawanna White, Columbia, S.C.
2016: Evan Gaynor, Perrysburg, Ohio; Erica Speegle, Birmingham
2015: William Martin, Nashville; Jeanette Faber, Pegram, Tenn.
2014: Chris Lemon, Dayton, Ohio; Erin Toothman, Plainfield, Ind.
2013: Josh Whitehead, Madison; Justyne Mudy, Huntsville
Po-Po Shut Us Down
Road closures from the city are outlined here so you don’t get trapped coming to pick up a packet or anything else downtown this weekend.
Don’t Stop, Make It Pop
Runners in all races other than the Front Half-Marathon will finish inside the Von Braun Center South Hall, as in years past.
The courses wind through the Big Spring Park tinsel trail beside the front of the South Hall steps to the back. The park and tinsel trail are gussied up for the holidays, which is cool. By the time you hit the VBC property, you’re ready to be done. When you turn the corner at the South Hall, you’re almost there.
This year, runners will find a new finish line setup, though. Once you run up the little incline — yes, an incline at the finish! — and into the VBC, you’ll go straight to the finish line instead of veering right. It was modified this year for an easier flow, among other things, and looks pretty cool.
From there, runners can access the PR Gong (bang it hard, y’all), photo area with your medal, the medical care area, post-race food and drop bag area.
