Back

Rocket City Marathon

Event Info Results News & Press Releases Reviews

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

Event information

Rocket City Marathon

Dec 14, 2002

4.5

Organizer`s website

Where

Huntsville, AL, United States

Start time

08:00

Distances

Marathon

Sub-events

26.2

Marathon

December 14, 2002 Saturday

Distance: Marathon·Start time: 08:00

MarathonPoint to pointRun/Walk

Race Results

Top 3

1. Dennis Simonaitis 02:22:02

2. Byrne Decker 02:22:48

3. Louis-Phili Garnier 02:27:03

Top 3 Women

1. Ramilia Burangulova 02:41:44

2. Wendy Hall 02:50:39

3. Laura Murphy 02:53:57

Top 3 Men

1. Dennis Simonaitis 02:22:02

2. Byrne Decker 02:22:48

3. Louis-Phili Garnier 02:27:03

SEE ALL RESULTS

Race Details

Contact Race Organizer

Are you the Race Director for this event?

Do you need to update the information? Please let us know

Training Plan

Free 20 week Basic Marathon Training Plan

A detailed plan created by our Head Coach designed for help you prepare for your first marathon.

Download now

Marathons Near Huntsville, AL

Jun

The Birmingham Marathon

Birmingham, AL

Sep

Boston or Bust Marathon

Huntsville, AL

Oct

BHM26.2

Hoover, AL

Oct

Wade Mountain Marathon

Huntsville, AL

View all marathons in AL

Reviews

4.5

Based on 3 Reviews from other runners - tap or click to see all!

By: David Zajic

Posted: December 11, 2023

Another Great Race

The course was changed from the last time I ran this race and I really enjoyed the new route. This was the first year I've run the race with it having 2 half marathons simultaneous with the full. The result was many more participants and spectators on the course so more fun for me. There are a few major hills but nothing too hard. I highly recommend this new course.

4.7

By: Todd Y.

Posted: December 13, 2022

Fantastically well organized

Very good small to medium sized race (just over 900 finishers in 2022). Some rolling hills, about 750 feet of elevation gain according to my watch. First 16ish miles is a little boring through some neighborhoods, space and rocket center was nice and botanical gardens weren't too bad. Most roads were still at least partially open to traffic, but fortunately vehicles seemed aware/tolerant of runners' presence. Course support was good, aid stations averaging between 2 and 3 miles apart probably. Great signage alerting you to aid station coming up and mileage to the next porta-pottie. Post race food was pretty good (pizza, pbj, fruit, chocolate milk, salted potatoes and some other stuff I forget). A little wet this year so I was concerned about inside finish on smooth concrete venue hall floor, but they had thought to put grippy tape down the finish chute which was very nice. All in all a great race to check Alabama off your list if you're a 50 stater, great enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and communication from the race directors.

4.3

By: BigDaddyEric W.

Posted: December 13, 2022

Little details make the race unique

Expo: Not huge, but well organized. Good deals on old merch. Unique Details: I could purchase a spectator medal for my curbcrew. Also, race packet was in comic-book form that connected to the cool medal (it lights up!) Course: Some nice neighborhoods. It was cool to run around the space center with the rockets. Pacer was dead-even at the half and ran really consistently. Not a lot of spectators on the course, but the few were encouraging. It was easy for my curbcrew to navigate. Nice early start for those who needed it.

4.3

Write a review

Training Tips

The 4-Week Taper Blueprint: How to Reduce Mileage Before Race Day Without Losing Your Edge You’ve logged the miles, endured the long runs, and pushed through more early mornings than you’d care to count. Now, with race day approaching,...

Jun 8, 2026

The Hidden Injury You’re Ignoring: Why IT Band Syndrome Derails Marathoners and How to Stop It You’ve logged the miles, built your base, and finally feel like a real marathoner — until a sharp, burning sensation flares up on the outside of your knee, and...

Jun 1, 2026

Fueling the Long Run: A Race-Tested Nutrition Plan for Miles 1–26.2 Running a marathon is a 26.2-mile test of endurance, determination, and — often underestimated — nutrition strategy. No matter how well your legs are trained,...

May 25, 2026

See all training articles

Related News

A headstrong performance in Huntsville

Dennis Simonaitis of Draper, UT, ended a two-man duel to win Saturday's Huntsville Times Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL, in 2:22:02. He pulled away from Byrne Decker in the final two miles for the victory. While a personal best, it did not meet his goal of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic trials.

General News Huntsville Times

Dec 15, 2002

Russian double-dips as Rocket City Marathon winner

Ramilia Burangulova of Russia was never threatened as she won the women's field of the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL, on Saturday in 2:41:44. Burangulova trains in Florida. Wendy Hall, 33, of Avondale Estates, GA, was second by nine minutes.

General News Huntsville Times

Dec 15, 2002

Marathon No. 800 rolls by for Frank in the Rocket City Race.

71-year old Norm Frank finished Hunstville, Alabama's Rocket City Marathon in 5:39 this weekend, adding the 800th race to the list completed in his lifetime. Frank has been running marathons since 1967, and is now number three in the world for his age group.

General News Democrat and Chronicle

Dec 16, 2002

A Headstrong Performance in Rocket City Marathon

Utah's Dennis Simonaitis took victory in this weekend's White Rock City Marathon in 2:22:2. The finish in Alabama's race was tight, with Simonaitis gaining a quick, 46 second lead over among others, the second place Byrne Decker.

General News The Huntsville Times

Dec 16, 2002

Marathon Guide

Calendars

US/Canada International Marathons Race Search World Marathon Majors

Results

Recent Results Biggest / Best Boston Qualifier

News

Articles Newsletter Press Releases

Training

Coach Joe's Advice Calculators

Race Directors

Race Directors Home Press Releases