Notes about the 47th Rocket City Marathon and other events scheduled this weekend at the Von Braun Center:
Toys 4 Tots will accept donations of new, unused toys, books and games during the RCM Expo this weekend to distribute to children.
Visitors to the expo — whether a runner, family member, volunteer or other — are encouraged to bring at least one new toy, game or book to donate. Donations will be accepted by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve members manning the booth. They will be easy to find, too, decked out in their sharp dress uniforms.
The non-profit Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created in 1991 to better facilitate the program. Since then, more than 652 million toys have been distributed to more than 291 million children. In 2022, the program gave a record 24.4 million toys, books and games to 9.9 million children. More than 50,000 volunteers helped achieve this.
Bring a new toy, game or book to the RCM expo to donate on Friday between 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday between 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Rocket City Marathon Expo
Runners and visitors will have a slew of exhibitors to check out at the RCM Expo in the VBC South Hall on Friday and Saturday. The exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers have been working long hours to get the weekend set up.
More than a dozen event sponsors will be on hand in some way, along with others. Need some shoes, apparel or that thing you forgot? Or something for Cousin Randy for the holidays? Fleet Feet has a big booth with sale items. Maybe you want to find out about a muscle situation from a specialist, or want to buy some RCM swag. You’ll find it at the expo.
The Huntsville Sports Commission returns as the primary sponsor.
Certified Race Courses
All courses in the RCM weekend are certified through the USATF and recognized by the RRCA. The marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
The certifications:
Marathon – AL22053JE
Front Half – AL22054JE
Back Half – AL22055JE
10K – AL22050JE
5K – AL22049JE
The RCM site has other FAQs and answers about the marathon and race weekend.
Weather Forecast (Ewww)
Saturday may be nippy and breezy for the 10K, 5K and Kids Marathon (mile), but Sunday may well be a “Suck it up, buttercup” kind of morning.
Mother Nature doesn’t care and things could change, of course. But the forecast from WAFF-TV 48 doesn’t look great for a perfect Sunday stroll on the city’s streets.
The forecast as of midday Wednesday afternoon called for clouds building on Saturday with rain in the afternoon and evening and temperatures in the 60s. Overnight, though, gusts to 30 mph from the southwest — shifting to northwest by morning — will likely bring rain of 1-2 inches or more. Temperatures likely will be in the low 50s.
Guess what, buttercups? Lace up, wear a jacket and cap if you’re of the mind to do so, and hit the streets.
