Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
100% of race proceeds go to charity. The course runs through nice parts of Birmingham which is a nice city. The venue for the start, finish, and after party is very nice.
Prepare for monster hills and heat. There are two BIG hills. The second at mile 16.5 is huge. The rest of the course rolls. By the end of the second hill I was wiped out. The heat didn't help.
There aren't many runners in the marathon. Most of the runners are on marathon relay teams. I got lonely at times.
The Hilton Garden Inn is very close to the start and finish. The hotel gave a me a 1:00pm check out which meant I had plenty of time to race and then go back and shower.