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Birmingham/Mercedes Weekend Details - Mini-Meetup?

4K views 192 replies 9 participants last post by  Maples 
#1 ·
Howdy Folks,<br><br>
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.<br><br>
Here's the outline of the weekend's events:<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Friday Feb 8th:</span></b><br>
Health & Fitness Expo open 1 - 7 PM<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Saturday Feb 9th:</span></b><br>
BE5K - 5K race 8:00am start<br><br>
BE5K - post race party (Boutwell Auditorium) starts @ 8:15am [join post race] Awards presentation @ 10:00am<br><br>
Mercedes Kids Marathon - 10:00am - 11:15<br>
- 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)<br><br>
8:00am - 6:00pm Health & Fitness Expo open<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Sunday Feb 10th:</span></b><br><br>
Mercedes Marathon start - 7:03am<br><br>
Alabama Power Mercedes Half Marathon start - 7:03am<br><br>
Mercedes Marathon Relay start - 7:03am<br>
- 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<br><br>
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.<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">BE5K Race details</span></b>:<br>
$25 registration fee by Feb 4th. Entries postmarked by Jan 31, 2008.<br>
$35 at the Expo or day of race<br>
- I've run this 5K course before, it's used for the Race For The Cure. It's flat.<br><br>
More details at <a href="http://www.mercedesmarathon.com" target="_blank">www.mercedesmarathon.com</a><br><br>
Here's what we have so far:<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">BE5K</span></b><br>
Maples<br>
LSU Fan Tiff<br>
Me (probably)<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Kid's Marathon</span></b><br>
Timr1's DD<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Half Marathon</span></b><br>
???<br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Marathon</span></b><br>
GatorBob<br>
Timr1<br>
Flem (already registered!)<br><br>
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.
 
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#2 ·
Thank you bro. I've pm'd a few of you with this info but this is my plan at this early stage:<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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">
 
#3 ·
Hampton Inn Options:<br><br>
2021 Park Place North<br>
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35203<br>
1-205-322-2100<br>
0.3 miles from city center<br>
- 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<br><br>
2731 US Highway 280<br>
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35223<br>
1-205-870-7822<br>
3.18 miles from city center<br>
- this is a good one, very close to downtown, located near Mtn Brook/Homewood and has a couple of restaruants adjacent to it.<br><br>
3400 Colonnade Prkwy at US 280<br>
Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 35243<br>
1-205-967-0002<br>
7.14 miles from city center<br>
- 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!!!
 
#4 ·
For Ms. Tiff and others:<br><br><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><br><br><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><br><br><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><br><br><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;"><br><br>
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?
 
#6 ·
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.<br><br>
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">
 
#9 ·
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!)
 
#10 ·
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"><br><br>
Now to use the force and draw <b>Flem</b> into the mix.
 
#12 ·
<br>
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.<br><br>
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!<br><br>
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...
 
#16 ·
Wow, there's some real interest in this! I woulnd't've guessed that a <b>random</b> 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"><br><br>
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?<br><br><b>Tim</b>, you're crazy enough to try to run BOTH the 5k and full marathon? Hmmm...
 
#18 ·
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.<br><br>
And, I'll get to be in the race with <b>Mapes</b> and <b>Tiff</b> 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 <b>boBcam</b> them from inside the race.
 
#22 ·
Sounds like a lot of fun ( as are any opportunity to hang with any 30s ) but I dont think Ill be able to make this one <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad10.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="sad10"><br><br>
Not that I dont want to add Alabama to the growing list of states ive run a half marathon in ( Philly, PA will be my 3rd state ), the finances are going to be a bit tighter next year due to the possiblity of a strike at work.<br><br>
So you all have fun, take lots of pics and drink one for me will ya <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">
 
#23 ·
bump - update:<br><br><b>Flem</b> signed up today for the full marathon<br><b>GatorboB</b> is about to sign up, if he's drunk enough! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">
 
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