Tuscaloosa Half Marathon & 5k

Get up early and support local charities at the 11th annual Tuscaloosa Half Marathon, happening in March as winter gives way to spring in central Alabama. The half marathon begins and finishes at the Government Plaza. The first three miles of the course take runners west toward the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, then back east down Jack Warner Parkway and a gentle incline before encountering the biggest hills on the course and turning right onto Helen Keller Boulevard. After continuing on Helen Keller Boulevard for about a mile, the course turns right onto the University of Alabama campus. A steep decline down 7th Street while turning left to Queen City Avenue around mile 12 gives runners the last-minute momentum to push toward the finish line, back at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The 2017 after-party featured Jim & Nick’s BBQ, beer (for runners over 21), post-race massages, and a kids’ area with inflatables. There’s something for everyone to do at the after-party, from little ones to adulthood. With a time limit of four hours, walkers are welcome in this race, as long as they can maintain an 18-minute mile pace.