December 8, 2022
Huntsville, AL – For the first time in 46 years, the 2022 Rocket City Marathon has expanded to a two-day event and will showcase new routes. The 47th Rocket City Marathon is set to take place Sunday, December 11, in Huntsville, Alabama, with additional races taking place on Saturday, December 10.
The Rocket City Marathon is a signature event that winds through downtown Huntsville, past historic homes and sites, out to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, through Huntsville Botanical Gardens, and back for an exciting finish inside the Von Braun Center (VBC) South Hall.
“The Rocket City Marathon transitioning to a two-day event is wonderful for Huntsville and our running community,” said Mark Russell, Huntsville Sports Commission Executive Director. “In addition, it greatly increases the economic impact for the City of Huntsville and drives more people to our hospitality and tourism industries.”
This year, a 5K, 10K, and Kid’s Marathon will take place Saturday, December 10. The full marathon and two half marathons, a front half that finishes at Campus No. 805 and a back half that starts at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and finishes inside the VBC South Hall, will take place Sunday, December 11. A free event expo will also take place both Friday and Saturday at the VBC South Hall.
2022 Rocket City Marathon Schedule:
Friday, December 9
11am-8pm: Expo & Packet Pickup for Runners
Saturday, December 10
7am-6pm: Expo
7am: 10K Race (start and finish at VBC)
9am: 5K Race (start and finish at VBC)
10:30am: Kid’s Marathon (start and finish at VBC)
11am-6pm: Packet Pickup for Runners
Sunday, December 11
6am: Marathon Early Start (start and finish at VBC)
7am: Marathon Start (start and finish at VBC)
7am: Front Half Marathon Start (start at VBC and finish at Campus 805)
9am: Back Half Marathon Start (start at UAH and finish at VBC)
Last year’s race faced an unexpected turn of events as a line of tornadoes throughout the Southeast forced the cancellation of both the full and half marathons. A comic sequel this year entitled A New Timeline explains how a new villain uses a portal to reach back in time from 2022 to 2021. His time manipulation creates a superstorm in the past, explaining what happened last year, and affects the present by creating a new timeline with new races on two days. In this year’s comic, read how last year’s villain, Dr. Ossired, joins forces with last year’s hero, Dr. Norym, to help the runners once again save the world. A copy of this year’s comic book can be secured at the expo.
Runners who complete a Saturday event (5K, 10K) and Sunday event (Full, Half-Marathon) will receive a combo medal during this year’s marathon. The 5K and 10K are planned separately so runners can run three events and complete a “hat trick.” A post-race party and awards presentation will take place following the race at the VBC South Hall.
“As Huntsville continues to grow, we want our race to grow with it and become an exciting destination for runners near and far,” said Dwayne and Dana Debardelaben, Rocket City Marathon Race Directors. “Thank you to the Huntsville Sports Commission, City of Huntsville, Huntsville Police Department, and literally thousands of volunteers who have worked hard to make the 2022 full weekend event a reality. We’re looking forward to a great race weekend.”
For course maps and more information on this year’s event, visit RocketCityMarathon.run.
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The Huntsville Sports Commission is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), organization that promotes and enhances the quality of life in Huntsville by identifying, recruiting, promoting, and staging sports events and meetings. For more information, contact Brooke Izzo, Director of Marketing & Communications, 256-883-3769, brooke.izzo@huntsvilleal.gov.