Date Announced for Tuscaloosa Half Marathon

The 2nd Annual Tuscaloosa Half Marathon (THM) is officially open for registration and a new website has been launched. The 2014 half marathon (13.1 miles) will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014, kicking off at 8 a.m. at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The course represents the 2014 theme and will be an exciting change from the inaugural race.

The course will “celebrate the past, present and future of Tuscaloosa” by winding through revitalized downtown districts, historic neighborhoods, the University of Alabama campus and the scenic Riverwalk. It will be a USA Track & Field certified course and is rated as easy to medium.

“The 2014 race will be a great opportunity to highlight the continued progression of our revitalized downtown community. Also, as an avid runner and a participant of the inaugural Tuscaloosa Half Marathon, I was highly impressed with the organization of the race and look forward to it becoming a staple event in our community,”stated Mayor Walt Maddox.

A one-mile Fun Run, presented by The Radiology Clinic, in addition to the Tuscaloosa Children’s Half Marathon (TCHM) will also be featured. Beginning in November, Wagner’s RunWalk will administer a training program for the half marathon. Participants will meet for group runs and will receive education and techniques for completing a half marathon comfortably. The price for the program, which includes THM registration, willbe $95 and $75 for college students.

The Tuscaloosa Half Marathon was the third largest half marathon in the state of Alabama for 2013. The inaugural half marathon raised $60,000 for local charities ReadBAMARead and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tuscaloosa. The race had 1,016 registered participants representing 28 states. The capacity for the 2014 racewill be 1,500 participants. ReadBAMARead and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tuscaloosa will again serve as the local benefitting charities. Early bird registration is available through Oct. 31, 2013, for $65. More info and to register online visit www.tuscaloosahalfmarathon.com. Individuals are encouraged to follow THM social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest) and may email tuscaloosahalfmarathon@gmail.com with general race questions. A presenting sponsor announcement is coming soon.