Mercedes-Benz Half Marathon
Birmingham, Alabama
Sunday, February 13, 2011

The temperature ranged from 28 to 45 degrees with sunny skies and almost no wind as I race walked the Mercedes-Benz Half Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, February 13, 2011. The race is very well organized with approximately 7000 participants in the half marathon, full marathon, and relays. Water/Powerade stations were located every mile and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers who were able to keep up with the needs of the participants. The course was somewhat hilly with no challenging hills, which was a change from 2006 when I did the marathon and the course was hilly with several challenging parts. No traffic was allowed on the course and plenty of police controlled each and every intersection. I enjoyed myself despite the cold. I now have done a marathon in all 50 states plus DC and a half marathon in 40 states plus DC.