Birmingham/Mercedes Weekend Details - Mini-Meetup?

Timr1 · Nov 6, 2007

Howdy Folks, 
After two successfull mini-meetups this past weekend, MN and NYC, the mini-meetup concept seems to be the theme of the day. There have been perhaps a half dozen people interested in details regarding the events surrounding the Mercedes weekend, so I'm starting this thread so we can do some planning. 
Here's the outline of the weekend's events: Friday Feb 8th: 
Health & Fitness Expo open 1 - 7 PM Saturday Feb 9th: 
BE5K - 5K race 8:00am start 
BE5K - post race party (Boutwell Auditorium) starts @ 8:15am [join post race] Awards presentation @ 10:00am 
Mercedes Kids Marathon - 10:00am - 11:15 
- this event is where registered kids run the last mile of their marathon on the Mercedes course. Each child comes to the race with a log book for 25 miles completed prior to the race. (My daughter will be in this race, and I will run with her) 
8:00am - 6:00pm Health & Fitness Expo open Sunday Feb 10th: 
Mercedes Marathon start - 7:03am 
Alabama Power Mercedes Half Marathon start - 7:03am 
Mercedes Marathon Relay start - 7:03am 
- this is a 5 person relay, so shorter distances than a 4 person event. Relay distances per team member in order are: 10K - 5K - 10K - 5K - 12K 
9:00am - 2:00pm Jim n' Nick's post race party and Awards ceremony. This is a good one, free beer and bar b q! Hard to beat. BE5K Race details: 
$25 registration fee by Feb 4th. Entries postmarked by Jan 31, 2008. 
$35 at the Expo or day of race 
- I've run this 5K course before, it's used for the Race For The Cure. It's flat. 
More details at <a href="http://www.mercedesmarathon.com" target="_blank">www.mercedesmarathon.com</a> 
Here's what we have so far: BE5K 
Maples 
LSU Fan Tiff 
Me (probably) Kid's Marathon 
Timr1's DD Half Marathon 
??? Marathon 
GatorBob 
Timr1 
Flem (already registered!) 
That's all I got so far folks. I'll update the top post as we go along. Could be a nice little gathering of folks. See you there.

Maples · Nov 6, 2007

Thank you bro. I've pm'd a few of you with this info but this is my plan at this early stage: 
I am taking that Friday and Monday off and using the weekend more to see and meet all of you than for the 5k. Altough that will be my first (of perhaps many) so it will be somewhat significant for me. Tiff likes Hampton Inn's if available. I am going to research this today at work. It makes sense for us to stay (save Tim) in the same hotel. Easier to get together. I also think it's a smart cost saving idea to split a room. I think Jarod (Flem) is hoping to make it also Tim. If one of you dudes wants to split a room let me know. The only thing I don't know is when I want to leave. I'll head home Sunday night if that's what everyone else is doing. My guess is a late Sunday afternoon checkout. Either way I am totally open to any plans around the races. LOL My contribution to the weekend is a bit over a half hour- the rest is hanging out and meeting all of you. 
I hope we see Beth and Flemdawg added to this list soon. It would be neat if others will try to venture down to see us Southern folks as well. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

Timr1 · Nov 6, 2007

Hampton Inn Options: 
2021 Park Place North 
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35203 
1-205-322-2100 
0.3 miles from city center 
- this one is the closest one to the actual race site, but since it's in downtown, I would not put this one as the most desirable 
2731 US Highway 280 
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35223 
1-205-870-7822 
3.18 miles from city center 
- this is a good one, very close to downtown, located near Mtn Brook/Homewood and has a couple of restaruants adjacent to it. 
3400 Colonnade Prkwy at US 280 
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35243 
1-205-967-0002 
7.14 miles from city center 
- this one is probably the best choice for a number of reasons. First, it's located in a nice part of town and yet is still only 10 mins for the race site. 2nd, it's right in the middle of all the shopping and restaraunts, and 3rd: it's in the parking lot of my office building!!!

Maples · Nov 6, 2007

For Ms. Tiff and others: <a href="http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=BHMMBHX" target="_blank">http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/h...tyhocn=BHMMBHX</a> <a href="http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=BHMLSHX" target="_blank">http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/h...tyhocn=BHMLSHX</a> <a href="http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=BHMCOHX" target="_blank">http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hote...tyhocn=BHMCOHX</a> <img alt="" src="http://mt.google.com/mapdata?cc=us&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33439571&Point.longitude_e6=-86729973&Point.iconid=17&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33608929&Point.longitude_e6=-86807610&Point.iconid=18&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33597156&Point.longitude_e6=-86648044&Point.iconid=19&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33455176&Point.longitude_e6=-86819641&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=34163984&Point.longitude_e6=-86840302&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33478905&Point.longitude_e6=-86769405&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33446053&Point.longitude_e6=-86743676&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33374540&Point.longitude_e6=-86813480&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33454260&Point.longitude_e6=-86894600&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&Point=b&Point.latitude_e6=33490053&Point.longitude_e6=-86864369&Point.iconid=36&Point=e&w=170&h=200" style="border:0px solid;"> 
Looks like there are 3 to 4 Hampton Inn Suites in Birmingham. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> Does that sound good? Tim those are all in town, do you think it would matter which one?

Maples · Nov 6, 2007

LOL Tim we are on the same page bro. You posted that while I posted mine. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

gatorbob · Nov 6, 2007

I'm still thinking about this one. I live about 1000 miles away, but what the hell. I've got frequent flier miles and dreams of doing the 50 state thing. And if a bunch of 30s are involved (and i can share a hotel room with someone, even further reducing the cost), I'm interested. 
I don't think I've ever been to Alabama for anything other than a football game before (other than just driving thru). This could be fun. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

Maples · Nov 6, 2007

yeaaaaaaa team Bob <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/headbang.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headbang">

Timr1 · Nov 6, 2007

Cool, I can make my boBcam debut!

maccabeth · Nov 6, 2007

i might be in for the HM. I would want to share a room (Tiff???? I don't snore. too much! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> ) It will depend on finances/timing, etc......... I'm keeping it in mind, though. I love Hampton Inn. That is the best hotel (at my budget. I'm sure the Ritz would be great!)

Maples · Nov 6, 2007

The Southern group grows <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/hello2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hello1"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_cheers.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="cheers"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/hello2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hello1"> 
Now to use the force and draw Flem into the mix.

maccabeth · Nov 6, 2007

I said *might*!!

LSU_Fan_Tiff · Nov 6, 2007

My aunt might be coming down with me but she also might be staying with my cousin.(He's in college there) I'm up for sharing a room with ya. I was thinking I'll go ahead and book my room sometime soon since prices are usually better the further out you book. 
Hey! I'll send ya a pm too incase ya don't see this soon, but I was wondering about meeting up with ya for dinner on Friday night the 30th when I'm in Atlanta or Sat. morning for breakfast. That would prob. be the best times for me. It's gonna be unpredictable what mood I'll be in after the game! I booked a Hampton Inn of course can't remember which one right now.. they should start giving me a discount or something for all this advertising I'm givin' them! 
So looking forward to this race. I thought it would be my first 5K but I'm considering a suggestion to do one in Dec in Baton Rouge as a "get my feet wet" kinda thing if the knee is happy. So we'll see...

LSU_Fan_Tiff · Nov 6, 2007

Hey you northerners, we don't bite in the south, we're pretty friendly! You should come run and hang out with us. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

coacht · Nov 6, 2007

Precisely why I'm NOT coming. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

LSU_Fan_Tiff · Nov 6, 2007

Well hey, exceptions can be made! We do like to show our southern hospitality, so whatever it takes. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Cool">

gatorbob · Nov 6, 2007

Wow, there's some real interest in this! I woulnd't've guessed that a random state like Alabama would draw this many 30s. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
It's weird that the 5k is a day before the marathon. I might have considered just flying in on Saturday morning if I were going to run a marathon on Sunday. But I wouldn't want to miss some of you folks running, so I guess I'd better fly in Friday night, eh? Tim, you're crazy enough to try to run BOTH the 5k and full marathon? Hmmm...

Maples · Nov 6, 2007

I think Tim is running the 5k to give me personal coaching. Heck as slow as my pace is he might could run it backwards and be looking at me and yelling at me like a football coach. LOL 
"COME ON SON, IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO??!"

Timr1 · Nov 6, 2007

Yeah sure, why not? I did 3 miles east the afternoon before the MCM. And that was a full on PR attack. So an easy 5K the morning before we go fo the marathon should be just what the Dr. ordered. 
And, I'll get to be in the race with Mapes and Tiff and whomever else, and I"ll be warmed up for my mile with my daughter for her Mercedes kids finish. You should do the 5K too, then we can boBcam them from inside the race.

Timr1 · Nov 6, 2007

Don't worry, we'll talk Jarod into coming down here too.

gatorbob · Nov 6, 2007

Hmm. Well, I suppose it's typical to run a few east miles the day before a marathon. But a 5k race is not what I would normally call "east". I guess it really depends on what Maples' and Tiff's pace would be...

Birmingham/Mercedes Weekend Details - Mini-Meetup?

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