Pair of premier races on tap for downtown in November

Two of Birmingham’s premier road races will take place in November. 

Local runners can mark their calendars for the Nov. 4 Vulcan Run 10K and the Nov. 19 Magic City Half Marathon. Both races offer prize purses that annually attract top-notch competition.

This will be the 43rd edition of the Vulcan Run, which starts at 8 a.m. near Linn Park. The USA Track and Field-certified course winds through downtown, Highland Park and Five Points South before concluding next to the start line. 

The first 200 runners across the line will receive a top finisher T-shirt. Kirubel Erassa of Atlanta won last year’s race in 29 minutes, 31 seconds. Joan Aiyabei of Lansing, Michigan, was the top female finisher in 34:15. 

A post-race celebration featuring food, beverages and adult refreshments will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in the Boutwell Auditorium. 

Registration costs $50 and can be completed online at runsignup.com until Oct. 31. Packet pickup will be held the Thursday and Friday prior to the race at the Trak Shak in downtown Homewood. Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 6:30 a.m. in the Boutwell Auditorium. 

For more information or to register, go to runsignup.com and search the event name. 

The Magic City Half Marathon, which also includes 5K and 1-mile races, is entering its seventh year. The half marathon will begin at 8 a.m., the 5K at 8:15 a.m. and the 1-mile run at 8:45 a.m. All races traverse USATF-certified courses that start next to Regions Field and finish inside the stadium near home plate. 

Half marathon runners will follow a course that passes through Avondale, Central City and College Hills, among other areas. Legion Field, Rickwood Field and Railroad Park are positioned along the route. 

Nicholas Too of Arlington, Texas, won last year’s half marathon in 1:08:07. Erica Speegle of Birmingham was the top female finisher in 1:15:28. 

Post-race awards ceremonies for the 5K and half marathon will take place after the conclusion of each event. 

Until Oct. 31, half marathon registration costs $90 and 5K registration costs $40. The price for both races will increase by $5 starting Nov. 1. Walk-up registration will be available at Regions Field the day before the race and from 6 to 7:30 a.m. on race day. Registration for the 1 mile is $15 in advance and $20 on site.  

To register or for more information, visit magiccityrun.com.