Ok, one more random unrelated sorta related since we've got an SEC theme goin' on here... I'm so excited to be going to Atlanta next weekend and can't wait to meet Beth!!!<br><br>
Geaux Tigers! (Not those Auburn ones, mind you)

 

Me too! You still gotta forward me your specifics (hotel address for instance) so we can plan on where to go! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> One more week....

 

Thought registration was open and I had a link. Still not open yet for 5k. <b>Tim</b> do you have any information on when the 5k opens? You can register for the marathon and half already. Just curious.

 

<a href="http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1504492&assetId=2476ad23-f7d9-4e12-9c89-faa291946cf0" target="_blank">http://www.active.com/page/Event_Det...9-faa291946cf0</a><br><br>
See the above link to the registration for the 5K @ Mercedes weekend. It's an active.com registration. Remember, not to fall for the free trial membership to active.com or they will charge you down the road.<br><br>
If you guys don't want to do the active thing, I can probably scan the actual race entry form that I have on my desk and post it or email it to you as a PDF. Then, you can print and mail it in the old fashioned way.

 

Thank you for the update Tim. I just completed my registration for my first every run <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

Tim sent me a list of other hotel possibilities in the area. Either tonight or tomorrow I will compare rates and post them here. We probably need to start thinking about reservations. It will be here before you know it.

 

Yeah, we should get that taken care of soon. I don't know B'ham at all (just drove thru it once), so I'll leave the decision to those of you in the know. I trust you, so I'm fine with whatever you choose. I do think it'd be more fun if we all stay in the same hotel, though...

 

OH by all means we must be in the same hotel my good man. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Although as it stands right now we would only need 2 rooms. Four of us at the hotel while Flem crashes at Tim's. We MUST recruit more 30s to increase the fun! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="banana">

 

here's a few more lower cost options that are still in a good part of town...convenient too.<br><br><br><br>
La Quinta Inn<br>
Birmingham<br>
513 Cahaba Park Circle<br>
Birmingham, AL 35242<br>
Phone: (205) 995-9990<br>
Fax: (205) 995-0563<br><br><br><br><br>
Fairfield Inn Birmingham Inverness<br><br>
707 Key Drive<br>
Birmingham, Alabama 35242 USA<br>
Phone: 1-205-991-1055<br>
Fax: 1-205-991-2066<br>
Sales: 1-205-991-1055<br>
Sales fax: 1-205-991-2066<br><br><br>
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites<br>
BIRMINGHAM/MOUNTAIN BROOK<br>
156 RESOURCE CENTER PKWY.<br>
BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242 UNITED STATES<br>
Hotel Front Desk: 1-205-7766370 | Hotel Fax: 1-205-7766389

 

You guys might run scary fast if you stay at that holiday inn express

 

The hotel needs to be within walking distance to the Sunday race start. Driving/taxis etc morning of the race will not be an option (parking, etc). And if we aren't in the same hotel, it's not the end of the world. Remember that budget is also important for some people.

 

I agree that it should be within walking distance of the start. That would certainly make life much easier...

 

Well in that case I defer to Tim's judgment of which hotels are very close. Then let's pick one of those. In a way that will help us finally get moving on selecting a place to stay.

 

The 2 hotels closest to the start are the Sheraton and the Hampton Inn Downtown. Oh and the <a href="http://www.theredmont.com/" target="_blank">Redmont Hotel</a>. Sheraton is the host hotel and booked solid. Hampton Inn ditto. Redmont has mixed reviews ranging from "Charming" to "Roaches". I almost stayed at the Redmont myself last year, but the indoor Sheraton Pool won out (the kiddos loved it).

 

I spoke with Tim and he said that driving to the event will not be a problem. Thus if needs be we can stay somewhere 5-10 miles away that is safe and clean.

 

Okay, whatever. I wasn't planning on having a car, but if someone else can drive everybody around, that's fine.<br><br>
If we can't get a hotel near the start/finish, then I think we should at least make sure we get one near some nightlife so we don't have to drive to pasta dinners before the race(s) or to wherever we go Sunday night.

 

<b>boB</b> - no worries, either Chris or myself will pick you up at the airport. And, we can caravan down to the start and I'll show you guys where to park. If you pick some hotels from the ones that have been discussed, I can tell you what's around there. Basically, they are suburban hotels that are adjacent to strip shopping centers with food and stores.<br><br>
I'm sorry that Birmingham isn't more urban. Nothing is compacted into one area, and everyone drives everywhere.<br><br>
I was thinking that for dinner on Friday night we might go to Dreamland BBQ, it's famous for ribs, it's different that Memphis or KC.<br><br>
Sat night, we'll want Pasta of some sort and I have a couple of local spots picked out for that. Of course driving will be invovled for both <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
BTW, Chris is going to potentially want his car for spectating on Sunday morning. What is kinda seemed as a negative (the need to drive everywhere) can also be a positive. Meaning that it's possible to leap frog around on the course in a car and see people at a bunch of different spots. I did this with my wife back when my bro and his wife did their first marathon in Bham and we saw them 6 or 7 times, and still beat them to the finish line. It's pretty easy as long as you don't get lost. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

I'll have a car too, even though I won't necessarily know where I'm going! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> I can definitely help carpool if need be, especially if we are at the same hotel....

 

I also don't mind driving. It's a wee small escourt but 5 can fit if needed....... so with 6 of us we will need 2 cars unless we get a bit intimate in the back seat before the race. LOL <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> I will of course leave that up to you as I am driving and would not be able to share in that potential pleasure. JUST KIDDING! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

Ok now is the time for action. <b>Mr. Tim</b> will you post your two top picks of hotels for safety, reasonable price, location and a trouble free drive to the race.<br><br>
Then <b>Beth</b>, <b>Bob</b> and <b>Tiff</b> you three vote. Majority wins and then we will go forward and make our reservations this week. I will abide by whatever hotel you three choose. I'm easy and flexible- not in a Friday type way but you know what I mean <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

Ok here are your choices as given by Tim. You three vote and the majority wins and we make reservations together at that place:<br><br>
The Hampton that's in my office parking lot is walking distance to a Cracker Barrel! Doesn't get in a better than that! Agree?<br><br>
So here they are:<br><br>
1. Hampton Inn<br>
3400 Colonnade Prkwy at US 280<br>
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35243<br>
1-205-967-0002<br><b>7.14 miles</b> from city center (about 8 miles from the race)<br>
- this is the one that is located in my office parking lot<br>
- this one is walking distance to Cracker Barrel and about 5 other restaraunts<br><br><br>
2. Fairfield Inn Birmingham Inverness<br>
707 Key Drive<br>
Birmingham, Alabama 35242 USA<br>
Phone: 1-205-991-1055<br>
Fax: 1-205-991-2066<br>
Sales: 1-205-991-1055<br>
Sales fax: 1-205-991-2066<br>
-This one is located off the main drag, between my house and my office<br>
- It's about 9 - 10 miles from the race location.<br>
- There's two or three restaruants that you could walk to from this hotel. One of them is a Chick-Fil-A that's practially in the Hotel's parking lot.<br><br>
----------<br><br><br>
Ok Beth, Bob and Tiff check those out and vote away!

 

Beth, Bob and Tiff please vote. Thanks!

 

Any major difference in price? If not, I'll vote for the Hampton Inn...

 

Fairfield shows: $94 a night<br><br>
Hampton Inn shows: $99 a night

 

Hampton! Big surprise there, huh?