Starting from the Von Braun Center and Big Spring Park, the course immediately passes one of Huntsville’s most iconic murals - Eggbeater Jesus. From there the course winds through the medical district, Blossomwood, past Maple Hill Cemetery and Five Points before winding through Veteran's Park and the Huntsville Depot Museum.
Runners then embark on a tour of downtown Huntsville that includes the historic courthouse square and large antebellum homes before racing past Big Spark and finally turning up Clinton Avenue to reach the Front-half Marathon finish at Campus 805.
Marathoners will continue down Governor's Drive past Stovehouse before turning toward Holmes Avenue and the UAH campus where the Back-half Marathon will join the race. Both groups will then run beside rockets and the space shuttle at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and meander through the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. The course finishes inside the VBC South Hall.
The Rocket City Marathon was the 74th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 81st largest in 2023.
Last year 7.4% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 12.8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Rocket City Marathon the 233rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 131st highest percentage in 2023.
Its Course Score of 98.41 ranks it as the 284th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest course in Alabama.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Rocket City Marathon a PR Score of 98.41. This PR Score ranks it as the 226th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in Alabama.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Rocket City Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 741 feet (225m) Min Elevation: 600 feet (182m)
Packet pickup was perfect size. Around 20 or so vendors. Love how the race starts just outside of the building, and finishes inside the convention center. That made it really convenient for my wife who was cheering me on, as it was raining during most of the race so she never had to stand outside. She could walk a short distance to mile 11 and cheer me on then walk back to the building to get warm. Course is my favorite of any I've done. Really great variety of scenery to take your mind off of running. Post race food and recovery was off the charts. Even hot food was provided! I'd never seen food that good after a race. Therabody compression boots available too for a full 20 minutes! Medical staff was excellent and very caring. Simply the best organized race that was obviously put together by folks who love running and love the running community. I traveled almost 6hrs to get to this one, from Kentucky, and it was very much worth the drive.
Race Tips
From past runners the weather is a crap shoot. It's been hot, cold, perfect or rainy from what I heard. Don't be afraid of the 700ft elevation. There were several rollers but if you are used to moderate hill training, say at least one run a week of 500-1000ft elevation you'll be fine.
We had no issues parking at the von Braun center south parking for packet pickup or on the day of the race. Huge parking area available and a short walk to the elevator to get to the first floor. This made it so easy to find your way around.
LO's review of 2024 Rocket City Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
First off, this is a great and very well organized event. From packet pickup to race day, the Huntsville Track Club did a fantastic job. All the volunteers were helpful and kind. The course is very standard. The first half is in neighborhoods and the back half runs through the rocket center and botanical gardens. You do get to finish indoors which is a neat experience. And they had a great MC at the finish calling out everyone's name and hometown. It was a nice touch. Crowd support is decent with many people cheering throughout the course. And the post-race party had more food than I've ever seen at a race! I'm talking drinks, sandwiches, soup, chicken tenders, pretzels, and lots of snacks! Too bad I always lose my appetite after a race! My only real complaint is that most of the mile markers were gone (it was a very windy day and I think they were blow away).
Race Tips
I chose this race as to get a PR and well...I had fun but didn't PR! While I wouldn't say this is the most challenging course, there are aspects to consider. There are rolling hills throughout and many turns. And the most challenging hills are all from 14-26. And this year, the weather was not great with scattered rain and heavy winds.
My final verdict: If you want a fun and lowkey fall race in a cool town with many unique features: run this race! If you want to BQ/PR, I would look at other winter races in the Southeast that are a bit easier.
The location is very convenient and there are many local affordable hotels in the area. I stayed within walking distance to the start/finish line and I would highly encourage that. I had never visited Huntsville and it's such a nice city. Plenty of restaurants and local places to see before and after the race.
Anonymous's review of 2023 Rocket City Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
Pros:
-In all, the race was well organized.
-Race volunteers and/or Huntsville police were at all intersections as senteries.
-The start and finish near the Von Braum Center is convenient and easy to walk to if your hotel is in that area.
Cons:
-The course is much more challenging than it appears. Rolling hills are prevalent throughout, coupled with constant turns, which take a toll.
- I found the course exceedingly dull and lacking any soul.
-To be expected from a smaller city marathon, there is little crowd support. Most of those along the route were volunteers or police.
-This is a fine marathon if you're from Huntsville or a nearby area where overnight travel isn't a necessity. However, it's a hard sell if you're not from Huntsville. Even traveling from Birmingham, like myself, it's still hard to justify why one would choose this over a larger, more established race with a bigger expo, crowd support, and a more exciting course.
Race Tips
The course is more challenging than the elevation map visualizes. The combination of rolling hills and sharp turns will take its toll. Be ready for constant turns and rolling hills if you consider this race.
If you're coming from out of town, get a hotel near the Von Braun Center if possible. Logistically, it will make your life much easier.
M.S.'s review of 2023 Rocket City Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
The race is generally well run. They have a very, and I do mean very, detailed pre-race instruction guide. Packet pick up is pretty fast. On race day you can wait indoors for the start if it is raining. The course also finishes indoors. I never saw that before! A very neat feature. As to the course, most of it is nothing special. The one exception is towards the end when you run through the space camp and then a park with Christmas light displays. They will be unlit during the day when you run by. Still, nice to look at. The course itself is pretty hilly.
Race Tips
There are "rolling hills" through most of the course. They are nonstop. Several, involve pretty long climbs.
This was my first marathon, and I've only done a couple of hometown HMs so I don't have much to compare this to, but it was such a fun experience!
Highlights include: the convention center is right next to the start so we were able to stay warm until 5 minutes before the start, the ablility to get a cheap but comfortable hotel 10 minutes away and had zero issues parking the morning-of, stoked crowds to cheer you on throughout the course, and changing scenery to keep things interesting. Without sweating or driving, my family was also able to spot me 5 times throughout the race which was really appreciated.
Slight problems: my watch vs the mile markers. My watch (along with everyone running beside me) lapped well before the mile markers by mile 4. I figure it's a watch issue as this is a certified course but it definitely made a difference. I was personally going for a 3:30 but if I had held that pace on my watch, I would've missed my goal. My Garmin/strava says I averaged 7:51 for 26.5, and the chip time has 7:57 on 26.2mi. Fortunately I came in under 3:30, but never caught the 3:30 pacer either so they must've been going too fast as well.
I know the watches aren't perfect, but if you're going for a specific time, I might do a manual lap instead of letting the watch auto-lap to keep on pace.
4.5 Stars from 17 Reviews
