Half the
Marathon(s)
December 10, 202
RCM has two (2) half-marathons - one for the front that starts with the marathoners, and one for the back that finishes with the marathoners. Each has its own advantages, so read carefully before deciding which half to choose. Keep in mind that registrations for the back half will be limited to 800 runners.
Front Half the Marathon
This race starts with the marathoners at 7am in front of the VBC and finishes at Campus 805. Shuttles will be running from Campus 805 back to the marathon finish in the South Hall until 12pm (noon). Unfortunately, the Front Half is now full, so no more registrations will be accepted. The time limit for this race is 3 hour (4 hours with an early start). The Front Half is USATF certified (AL22054JE).
Back Half the Marathon
This race begins on the campus of the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) and merges with the full marathon to run through the US Space & Rocket Center and Botanical Gardens before returning to the same exciting finish line inside the VBC South Hall. There is a net elevation drop, but there are also a couple of short, but challenging hills. This race is limited to 800 runners.
Shuttles will be running from the VBC at 6:30am to the start at UAH. To ease congestion with the marathon, we will implement a series of wave starts from 8:30am to 9am based on estimated finish time you provide when you register. All runners, regardless of their wave start time, will be limited to 4 hours. The Back Half is USATF certified (AL22055JE).
Important Information for Both Half-Marathons
Front Half Marathon will start at 7am. Runners must finish by 10am. (3 hour time limit)
Front Half Marathoners have the option of an early start at 6am for a 4 hour time limit. More information here.
Front Half Marathon will finish at Campus 805.
Back Half Marathon will start from 8:30am - 9am. Runners must finish by 12:30pm - 1pm. (4 hour time limit)
Back Half Marathon will finish with the marathoners inside the South Hall of the VBC. This offers the unique opportunity for friends to finish the race together with one running the marathon and the other running the back half.
There are no mile markers for the back half, only marathon mile markers. If any split times are called, they will be for the marathon.
You will be asked to leave the course if you fall behind the sweepers for the marathon. They should be maintaining approximately a 13:44 pace (for the marathon distance … if they catch you, this is the pace they will maintain).
Awards
Complete USATF rules may be found here. NOTE: Headphone wearers will not be eligible for prize money.
Awards may be collected at the awards table in the South Hall. There will be no awards ceremony.
Prizes and awards will not be mailed.
NOTE: We do not combine awards for both half-marathons. They are considered entirely separate races. The top 3 overall (m/f) in the Front Half will receive prize money, and the top 3 overall (m/f) in the Back Half will receive prize money. Age group awards are separate as well.
Overall Male and Female
Age Group Awards
1st - $500
2nd - $250
3rd - $100
Overall prize money winners will receive Rocket City Half-Marathon awards but are not eligible for Age Division Awards. The Top 3 Male and Female finishers in the following age groups will receive Rocket City Half-Marathon awards:
0 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75 & up