Races Marathon · Hoover, USA
BHM26.2 Marathon
BHM26.2 Marathon is a rolling marathon in Hoover, USA, held each October. A single loop through Hoover neighbourhoods, starting and finishing at the Finley Center at the Hoover Met. About 380 m of climbing in total, with the biggest rises near 2 km, 25 km and 38 km. Early October in central Alabama is usually mild and dry, typically 12 to 26°C. The rises around Hoover are small but relentless — train on similar terrain and race by effort, not pace.
Page rebuilt 2026-11-14 · race facts not independently verified — confirm dates and entries on the official race site
When
October
every year
Course
rolling
Marathon
Conditions
Early October in central Alabama is usually mild and dry, typically 12 to 26°C.
Racing this course well
A single loop through Hoover neighbourhoods, starting and finishing at the Finley Center at the Hoover Met. About 380 m of climbing in total, with the biggest rises near 2 km, 25 km and 38 km.
The rises around Hoover are small but relentless — train on similar terrain and race by effort, not pace.
Getting a place
- How you get in
- Open entry: first come, first served
Official BHM26.2 Marathon site →Checked November 2026
Race day
- Start time
- 07:00
- Time limit
- 6 hours
- Also on the day
- half-marathon, 10k, 5k
The course in numbers
The steepest mile is mile 16, with a climb of about 36 m. Other rises come in miles 1.4 to 1.7 and 23.9 to 24.5.
- Layout
- Loop
- Total climb
- 380 m (1,250 ft)
- Total descent
- 380 m (1,250 ft)
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
Pick your goal for Hoover
Pace charts, weekly structure and timelines for the most common marathon goals:
We don’t hold a confirmed date for this edition, so any countdown comes from the date you enter here.
Build your training around BHM26.2 Marathon.
RunV works backwards from race day to today. Your plan adapts when life interrupts, and you approve every change. It does not adapt to this specific course — the pacing guidance above is where the course knowledge is.
Everything above stays free and complete — this is an optional next step, not a paywall.
Asked often
- When is the BHM26.2 Marathon?
- It is held each October in Hoover, USA. Check the official BHM26.2 Marathon site for the exact date and entry windows.
- Is the BHM26.2 Marathon course flat?
- A single loop through Hoover neighbourhoods, starting and finishing at the Finley Center at the Hoover Met. About 380 m of climbing in total, with the biggest rises near 2 km, 25 km and 38 km.
- How do I enter the BHM26.2 Marathon?
- Open entry: first come, first served.
- Is the BHM26.2 Marathon a Boston qualifier?
- Yes. The BHM26.2 Marathon is run on a certified course, so a time set here can be used to apply for the Boston Marathon.
- How should I train for the BHM26.2 Marathon?
- Build for the course you'll actually race at the BHM26.2 Marathon: rolling terrain, October conditions. RunV Premium builds a training plan around your goal time and race date, and lets you adapt it when life interrupts the Hoover build.
Not sure what to target? Predict your marathon time from a recent race →
More marathon races
Supplements research for this distance
Build for Hoover — around your actual life
RunV engineers your block backwards from race day in October — and adapts it when training doesn't go to script. You approve every change.
