Early Start for Marathoners
Early Start Option - Sunday, Dec. 14th at 6:00 AM - YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE EARLY START
Sign up for the EARLY START if you are participating in the marathon and expecting to finish between 6 and 7 hours
The Rocket City Marathon has a 6-hour time limit, but an early 6:00 am start allows participants up to 7 hours to finish. Any runner crossing the finish line before 1:00 PM will have their time officially recorded. After this time, the finish line will close, and no additional results will be published.
To ensure safety and fairness, early starters must maintain at least a 16:02 min/mile pace and reach the halfway point (Campus 805) by 10:00 AM. Runners falling behind this pace will not be allowed to continue and will be offered a return ride to the Von Braun Center (VBC). The 6:00 AM early start is available only to runners who satisfy the following requirements:
!!! EARLY START is ONLY for RUNNERS who will RUN SLOWER THAN 6 HOURS (13:44/mile pace) !!!
Early Start Rules & Requirements
- Mandatory Lighting: All early starters must bring their own light source (e.g., headlamp, light vest, or clip-on light) for visibility.
- Early Start Bib Required: Participants must REGISTER for the early start and be issued a race bib for the early start at packet pick up
- Pacing Restrictions: Early starters must stay behind the 6-hour pacers until the halfway point (13.1 miles). There will not be police, volunteers, course markings, and aid stations in place ahead of the 6 hour pacer. Those who pass the pacers before the 13.1 mile marker will be disqualified and asked to leave the course.
- Course Courtesy: Early starters should stay to the side of the route to avoid impeding faster runners and also avoid running more than **two abreast**.
