McKirdy Micro Marathons - Alabama

The field size is limited to 30 runners and will be first-come first-serve for current McKirdy Trained athletes only. If there are spaces left over, we will then open them to the general public. To claim your spot for the race, please register for the wait list ASAP. 

We are utilizing the wait list to avoid charging anyone's card until we are closer to the event date and have a better handle on the current COVID-19 picture. That way no money changes hands until we're closer to the date of the race and we have high confidence in the event proceeding. This way we lower the risk of needing to process refunds.

On 01/23/21, we will select the first 30 runners off the waiting list and invite them to register. You will have 2 days to complete your registration and pay the registration fee, otherwise your spot opens up to the next person on the waiting list. Again, priority will be given to current McKirdy Trained athletes.

The start/finish is next to Muscle Shoals City Hall. The course consists of an approximately 2.5km loop at the start, then 8- 5km loops, then a turn into the finish next to city hall. The course is flat and fast with approximately 300ft of gain over the entire distance. The course will be well marked and there will be course marshals present as well on race morning.

The course is USATF certified (AL20015JE). View the full course on MapMyRun here!

Participating in any event obviously carries a certain amount of risk, but we are committed to doing everything possible to lower the risk as much as possible and keep your safety and the community's safety as the number one priority.

COVID Mitigations for this race include:

• temperature checks and COVID questionnaires at bib pickup
• starting procedures that allow for social distancing at the start, at aid stations, and out on the course
• masks are required for all participants, volunteers, and spectators
• participants are only allowed to remove their mask when they are actively exercising
• aid stations will provide sealed bottles of water only, there will be no food or open containers
• aid station tables will be separated by 6 feet, allowing multiple participants to retrieve water without violating social distancing guidelines
• the event will have signage reminding people of the mask and social distancing requirements

ALL RUNNERS MUST WEAR A MASK WHILE IN THE STARTING AREA! Failure to do so will result in disqualification. We highly recommend a Buff or something that can be easily pulled down once you're running, so you'll have it on you at the finish as well. 

Aid stations will offer bottled water ONLY and locations are TBD. We expect runners to be carrying their own nutrition (gels, chews, waffles, etc). Please do not litter on the course. There will be designated drop areas following each water station with a volunteer to assist in depositing your trash.

There will be a Friday afternoon packet pick up option at Solid Rock Running Store and Saturday morning pick up at the amphitheater close to start/finish line. Times for packet pick up are still TBD.

Parking

There will be free parking available at Muscle Shoals High School.

Bathrooms

There are restrooms available at the tennis courts at the high school, plus there will be two porta-potties located close to the start/finish.

Gear Check

There will be no gear check for the race. Anything left behind in the staging area at the start will be disposed of. Please leave all valuables in the car!

There will be no deferrals as we have no idea if we plan to hold this event in 2022 😂

Transfers are not allowed.

Refunds: we will not be processing payment information until 8 weeks prior to the event date (01/23/2021). If we need to cancel between that date and 2 weeks prior to the event, we will fully refund your registration fee minus the processing charge. If we need to cancel within 2 weeks of the event date, we will refund 75% of your registration fee minus the processing charge. We hope to avoid this situation at all costs.

Time Limit

The official time limit for the race is 5:00 (11:26/mi). We will not sweep any runners from the course, but please be aware if you are finishing in over 5 hours, you may not receive an official finish time or aid on course after the 5 hour mark. The timing company and the aid stations will begin breakdown at 12:00pm.

Awards

There will be finisher medals for all race finishers, as well as prizes for the top 3 male and female finishers (based on chip time). Finisher medals will be available at the finish; prizes will be mailed out after the race.