I have run races around the world and this was one of my favorites. Course was varied, organization was top-notch, expo/post-race party was fun, and the hills really are not bad at all. There's a steep downhill around mile 10/23 that really propelled me to the end. Weather was really cold in 2012, but the auditorium next to the starting line allowed us to stay warm until the last minute. I can't say enough good things about this race.

30th state marathon and this one by far was the worst for hills. The elevation map no where nears gives a good representation of them. Still well done Marathon great amount of liquids and gu, but no BBQ for later runners. Would still recommended it.

BTW, the Full/Half Split was clearly marked, many times. Race support (great volunteers, aid stations) was fantastic; 22 aid stations with Gu and Bananas. Great post-race party; beer, pulled pork sandwiches, chips, etc. And indoors! The host hotel is 2 blocks from Expo/Start/Finish. If you want a scenic race with great crowd support, this is not the race for you. If you just want a well-run, well-supported race, this is it.

A little about Birmingham and the course - I had never been here before but I found the city to be as I expected - a normal mid-sized urban area with lots of friendly and helpful people. The event takes place in the downtown areas and around UAB. Like the majority of marathons, the event does go through some industrial and a few areas which need some updating. But some of it goes through some very nice older areas which have been refurbished nicely. I liked the double-looped course for a nice change - it was a bit hilly - probably a bit hillier than the average race.

I was able to park my car with 3 blocks of the start-finish (I love marathons where the start-finish are together) but I arrived at 5:45am for a 7:03am start.

We got a nice tech long sleeve shirt and a nice finishers medal. Didn't really hang around for the food afterward so I can really comment - but it seemed like it was well stocked when I finished a 4:09 marathon (my PR by 8 minutes).

I thought the weather was perfect - 30 to start; 40 to finish - light winds and sunny - it was GREAT to be able to wait inside the auditorium to stay warm before race!

The separation of the half and full marathon course was VERY clear - there were at least 5 different signs - anyone who missed it clearly wasn't paying attention.

The mile markers were very clear and I think each one had a timer - amazing.

There were LOTS of volunteers manning the aid stations and it seemed like a station every mile! They handed out Gu packets at least 3 times during the race. The volunteers were great! By the way during the race, I was offered the following: trail mix, gu, bananas, oranges, donuts, pickle juice, beer, water, powerade, gummy bears, peppermint candy, etc. Excellent!

The expo was efficient and fast.

The specators were as expected for a marathon of this size.

Overall, great job Birmingham!!

The marathon was great...improved from the 2000. Post race party was out of site. Only complaint is myself and two others were not directed properly for our second loop...so we actually ran through the finish after only running 13.1 miles. Had to back track 2 miles to finish the full marathon. Lady at finish line said it has happened before.

I was impressed with the race. Great organization, good expo for a small race, good pre-race staging, plenty of water and GU stops, and great post-race party. The double loop course was not to my liking, but that is a personal issue. The course was more rolling than I anticipated, but not that difficult. The crowds were small, but I expected that. The post-race party was great. Unlimited beer, good music and great conversations with fellow runners. The one-sandwich limit after running 26 miles was a bit disappointing. It's a fun, February race that you won't be disappointed in. Great value for the smaller-than-average entry fee. Impressive medal. Well done, Birmingham; well done, Mercedes.

This was my fifth marathon and definitely my favorite. Really liked the "double loop" course as it helped me know what to expect during the second half. Although you essentially finish at the same place that you start, it feels like you are running downhill quite a bit on the back end of the course (must be gentle incline at the front end). The 2011 medal was awesome... a huge Mercedes emblem. Sponsor hotel (Sheraton) was reasonably priced and a very short walk to start/finish line. Weather was absolutely perfect, helping me achieve a PR. Would have liked to have bagel or some type of complex carbohydrate at the finish line (fruit and drink selection was good). Not crowded, but enough participants to make it interesting. I highly recommend this marathon.

Great marathon! The two-loop course is fun - you know what you will see the next lap. Organizers did a great job separating the half marathoners from the full on lap 2 (the Air Force Marathon in Dayton can learn from this one after their debacle in 2010). Course had some hills but they were mild. This was marathon #46 for me and I set a PR by over 3 minutes (breaking my old PR set back in 1992 - so this can be a fast course). The weather was PERFECT - in the 30's at the start and 50's at the end; also, there were plenty of aid stations. Starting line and finish line were well organized. Sheraton Hotel is a great location and had a nice pasta buffet the night before the race. BBQ served after the race was excellent.

I had the same experience O. W. from Dallas had. I should have won an age group award and the awards were never given. I contacted the race organizers about this and they told me they did announce age group winners and I must have missed the announcement. They also offered to mail my award for a "ransom." Very disappointing. Sad, really; this soured what was otherwise a wonderful race. I won't be back.

Really, I can't imagine what anyone could possibly find to complain about with this marathon, unless they were personally having a bad day or something! I've run 20 marathons all over the U.S... from very small, grassroots-type things to the mega Rock-n-Roll events. I would honestly have to say that Birmingham is among my top 2 or 3 favorites now.

Nothing is left to guesswork. There are plenty of extremely friendly and helpful volunteers to help you. Loads of nearby parking in the morning. There's an on-time and organized start. Happy, cheering crowds along the way. And well-stocked and frequent aid stations.

The road conditions were fine. I'm not sure what others are talking about. The double-loop may not be for everyone, but I thought it was cool. Yes, there are some rolling hills, but overall this course is not hard. It can definitely be a PR course.

The after party blew away anything else I've ever seen. It makes the Rock-n-Roll series after-parties look like a sad joke. BBQ lunch, live (really good) band, all the beer you want, huge screen with race highlights and award winners' names rolling by, and (this topped it all) dozens of young women in hoop skirts serving all of the chocolate cake you could eat.

I never care that much about swag, but this race rocked: excellent, gender-specific, tech shirts; tech hats; gloves; and of course, the massive medals.

I'll make this race a regular. Way to go, Birmingham!!!!