Mobile Marathon

21/08/2024

Have you met the official race starter(s) for the Mobile Marathon?

Willie has been at the start line of the Mobile Marathon since the beginning. In January 2001, our first race began and Willie was there to START the race and was there year after year up until a few years ago when he retired.

He passed the torch to Steven who took the job with pride and has been at the start line ever since!
When asking Steven about his roll at the Start Line he says “I love to start the race and be apart of the marathon each year”

Steven and Willie are house mates at First Light Community and have enjoyed time together and look forward to race day each year!

If you are at the Mobile Marathon in 2025 make sure to look out for Steven and give him a shout out!!

10/08/2024

If you are in need of a hotel room during the weekend of our Marathon. Here is a link for the Hampton Inn downtown Mobile with a discounted rate.
Please reach out if you have any questions!

06/08/2024

✨Runner Spotlight✨

🏃🏻JACK McDermott

Jack McDermott has been a fixture at the Mobile Marathon, completing every race from 2001-2020 and making a comeback in 2024. He’s run 263 races overall (236 marathons, 27 ultras) and has 13 top 10 finishes in Mobile, including breaking 3 hours in 2002 and holding the grandmaster’s course record from 2014-2023.
Jack loves Mobile’s downtown route, the cold weather, and the finish line camaraderie. Running keeps him motivated and healthy, and he always feels like a winner with a medal around his neck.
Let’s celebrate Jack’s incredible journey and dedication!
Above pictures is from our 2014 race!
We are looking forward to seeing Jack at the finish line in 2025!

17/07/2024

✨Runner Highlight✨

As we are preparing for the 2025 Mobile Marathon, we thought we would share and highlight stories of runners who have run the Mobile Marathon.

✨Allen Perkins✨ is our first runner to highlight!

Allen ran in the very first Mobile Marathon event (originally First Light Marathon).  Since then he has run every year in our event; completing 10 marathons and the rest half-marathons.  He missed 2021 & 2022 (because of the global pandemic — ruined all the fun), but he has rejoined us since we got the event started back!

Allen loves running Marathons for the simple fact of having running goals for himself.   He has committed to consistently participating in the Mobile Marathon because the route has always passed him by his historic home in the Oakleigh neighborhood.

The First Light Community and all of us with the Mobile Marathon are appreciative of Allen and the years he runs to support us!

06/06/2024

Happy !!
Big Cheers to all of you who are out there enjoying your love of running!! Running (and walking!) is a positive step for everyone - whether its fitness, therapeutic, fun, health, hobby, bonding, sport, or all of the above! Its just a great way to feel good, be moving, and spread joy!! Invite someone on a walk, jog, or run today --- spread the JOY!!

25/05/2024

✨ Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! And enjoy a 15% discount on us! Now through Monday at midnight.✨

✨All military - please email [email protected] for an extra-discounted code that does not expire! ✨

23/05/2024

✨✨LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS HERE!✨✨

🍎 Shout out of appreciation to all the teachers and educators of the community!
🍎 We are offering a registration discount as a small token of gratitude!
🍎 Email us for your discount code at [email protected]

21/05/2024

🚒 First Responders are welcome to 20% off registration!
🚓We are so appreciative for all first responders! Thank you for what you do everyday!
🚑Email us at [email protected] for your discount code!

18/05/2024

✨REGISTRATION 2025 OPEN NOW! ✨

Register now through Run-Sign up --------->
https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Mobile/MobileALMarathon

06/05/2024

✨MOBILE MARATHON IS BACK AGAIN!!🏃‍♀️🏃
✨Save the date for JANUARY 12, 2025!🤸

Registration set to open soon - stay tuned!
Spread the word -- and we will see you there!

13/04/2024

Celebrating the power of inclusion and triumph over adversity! Special Olympics is a place where all athletes can belong!

Mobile Marathon and First Light Community LOVED supporting Ethan in the Mobile Area Special Olympics track & field competition yesterday!! He took home medals for shotput, 100m dash, and for running anchor in the relay!

The Special Olympics has been transforming lives and breaking barriers since 1968, providing opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to highlight their incredible talents and determination on a global stage. Let's continue to support and champion this movement of acceptance, unity, and inspiration.

10/04/2024

Running undoubtedly proves a way of bringing together unlikely people in the most unexpected, but positive, relationships. The friendship of Will Wright and Sicily Hardy proves just that.
At age 9 and a mere size 3 kids shoe, Sicily started running her way through long miles and countless soles to grow into the size 9.5 women’s shoe that she wears today, 13 years later. She remembers her new running partner, 73 year old Will Wright, taking her to Run-n-Tri to buy her first pair of shoes after proving she was serious about the sport.
The PE teacher at school realized something different in Sicily when the collection of “toe tokens” for laps completed could no longer fit on her shoes because there were too many to count. Knowing the hobbies of Deacon Will at her church, Sicily’s mother cornered him and asked if he could mentor her young daughter. Will’s previous running partner retired due to illness, and Will was settled as a solo runner. Although slightly hesitant, Will decided to take Sicily on a training run through Spring Hill College. After a good 3 mile run, Will was surprised to see that she had made it. What he didn’t know, was that Sicily was not about to disappoint such an impressive runner. This moment sparked their friendship as running partners.
In running the Spirit Run 5k together as Sicily’s first race, she surprised them both by placing 1st place female in her age division. Even with her big accomplishment, 9yo Sicily knew she had much to learn from Will, for example: pacing. The pair continued signing up for race after race. When greeting each other at the finish lines, they rarely corrected onlookers when they congratulated the “grandpa and granddaughter” pair. Each post-race during Sicily’s childhood included enjoying the biggest McDonald’s breakfast meal with conversations to cover both lessons in running and in life. Sicily had found the running mentor she was looking for, and Will had found a running partner in the least expected way.
Fast-forward 13 years, the mentoring and friendship of Will supported Sicily in getting to the finish line for her first 2 marathons; both the Mobile Marathon in 2020 and again in 2024. Will continued to run in races into his mid-80s, completing at least 14 Mobile Marathons, running marathons in all 50 states plus international marathons, all totaling over 120 in 40 years. A beautiful pinnacle point in their relationship is knowing while running together in 2020, Will celebrated his last marathon at age 82, while Sicily was able to celebrate her first ever marathon at age 18.
It is easy to count the pairs of shoes, the races, the miles, but the spaces in-between often hold the real reasons that runners run. There were always going to be days one or both of them did not want to run, but they continued to show up. It could be anything from academic stress, late work nights, injury or illness, but the unlikely pair proved they were in it for each other. In Sicily’s words, “Even into his 80s, Will’s discipline to show up was inspirational because it wasn’t just for running, it was also because of the commitment we had to each other."

10/04/2024

Running undoubtedly proves a way of bringing together unlikely people in the most unexpected, but positive, relationships. The friendship of Will Wright and Sicily Hardy proves just that.
At age 9 and a mere size 3 kids shoe, Sicily started running her way through long miles and countless soles to grow into the size 9.5 women’s shoe that she wears today, 13 years later. She remembers her new running partner, 73 year old Will Wright, taking her to Run-n-Tri to buy her first pair of shoes after proving she was serious about the sport.
The PE teacher at school realized something different in Sicily when the collection of “toe tokens” for laps completed could no longer fit on her shoes because there were too many to count. Knowing the hobbies of Deacon Will at her church, Sicily’s mother cornered him and asked if he could mentor her young daughter. Will’s previous running partner retired due to illness, and Will was settled as a solo runner. Although slightly hesitant, Will decided to take Sicily on a training run through Spring Hill College. After a good 3 mile run, Will was surprised to see that she had made it. What he didn’t know, was that Sicily was not about to disappoint such an impressive runner. This moment sparked their friendship as running partners.
In running the Spirit Run 5k together as Sicily’s first race, she surprised them both by placing 1st place female in her age division. Even with her big accomplishment, 9yo Sicily knew she had much to learn from Will, for example: pacing. The pair continued signing up for race after race. When greeting each other at the finish lines, they rarely corrected onlookers when they congratulated the “grandpa and granddaughter” pair. Each post-race during Sicily’s childhood included enjoying the biggest McDonald’s breakfast meal with conversations to cover both lessons in running and in life. Sicily had found the running mentor she was looking for, and Will had found a running partner in the least expected way.
Fast-forward 13 years, the mentoring and friendship of Will supported Sicily in getting to the finish line for her first 2 marathons; both the Mobile Marathon in 2020 and again in 2024. Will continued to run in races into his mid-80s, completing at least 14 Mobile Marathons, running marathons in all 50 states plus international marathons, all totaling over 120 in 40 years. A beautiful pinnacle point in their relationship is knowing while running together in 2020, Will celebrated his last marathon at age 82, while Sicily was able to celebrate her first ever marathon at age 18.
It is easy to count the pairs of shoes, the races, the miles, but the spaces in-between often hold the real reasons that runners run. There were always going to be days one or both of them did not want to run, but they continued to show up. It could be anything from academic stress, late work nights, injury or illness, but the unlikely pair proved they were in it for each other. In Sicily’s words, “Even into his 80s, Will’s discipline to show up was inspirational because it wasn’t just for running, it was also because of the commitment we had to each other”.

04/04/2024

Today we got news of the loss of a major player of the running community here in Mobile. Will Wright has been an inspiration, motivator, dear friend, and supporter to all the races, runs, groups, and individual runners around town. Will's running record is impressive. He ran marathons in all 50 states, many international marathons, plus countless 5k and 10k runs. He inspired so many to believe they too could reach their personal goals and then some.

We feel honored to celebrate our friendship with Will. He was a great supporter of the Mobile Marathon. He ran our marathon 14 times up until the age of 82, and then still continued to run in our event's other races. He was always positive, grateful, and kind with his words and his big smile. The Mobile Marathon and the First Light Community will forever appreciate the Light he shared with us and the other runners in Mobile. He will be missed.

24/01/2024

Official race results are now up on the website!🌟🏅Follow this link to check out your official time: http://www.mobilemarathon.org/results/results24/results.asp

21/01/2024

One week since race day, and we’re still thinking about those gorgeous awards! All canvases and medallions were made by First Light Community of Mobile👏🏼🤩 Check out their page for some behind the scenes pictures!

20/01/2024

Heartfelt appreciation to the City of Mobile and City of Mobile: Parks & Recreation for their incredible support in making the Mobile Marathon a success! Their partnership has been vital in creating a memorable and enjoyable event for the community. Thank you!

20/01/2024

A huge thank you to Mobile Police Department, Mobile Fire-Rescue, CNH Construction, Aimee H Walsh, and University of South Alabama medical students for ensuring a safe and smooth race day experience!

20/01/2024

Our marathon wouldn’t be complete without the finish line! This was made possible because of the following people: Little Red Hen Productions, Big Bad Breakfast - Mobile, Cammie's Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe, The Excelsior Band, Melissa Robertson, and students from Alabama School of Math and Science (Official), St. Paul’s Episcopal School, McGill–Toolen Catholic High School, and University of South Alabama AED.

20/01/2024

More photos from race day thanks to Mobile Sports Authority🤩

19/01/2024

We want YOU to take our post-race survey! Follow the link and give us your feedback on how we can make the Mobile Marathon the best it can be:
http://tinyurl.com/Mobilemarathonsurvey

Photo by: Chris Strayhorn

18/01/2024

Mobile Marathon 2024 may be over, but we still need to give a BIG thank you to all of the groups that helped our water stops run smoothly! Thanks to the Boy Scouts, Bay Area Runners, USA Chi Omega (pictured), USA Women’s Basketball Team, USA Honors College, Trinity Episcopal Church (pictured), McGill-Toolen students, Gulf Coast Hash House Harriers (pictured), and all of the other individuals who gave their support!

15/01/2024

Photos by StreetSafari Photo are ready! Head over to the link below!

Photos from Mobile Marathon presented by Infirmary Health are now online at https://www.streetsafariphoto.com/mobile-marathon-2024-0/

First Light Community

14/01/2024

The course is quiet, the cheers have faded, and the finish line awaits another year. Thank you to all of the participants and supporters who made this day phenomenal! See you next year🌟

14/01/2024

14/01/2024

14/01/2024

See you soon!

Good luck to all the runners participating in the Mobile Marathon presented by Infirmary Health today!

13/01/2024

Running or volunteering at the Mobile Marathon tomorrow? We want to see your pictures! Use the hashtag and tag us in your posts/stories from Packet Pickup and Race Day to be featured on our page🤩

12/01/2024

Race day excitement is building up! 🏅 Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes as we craft the medallions and awards for THIS SUNDAY. Who's ready to conquer the miles and take home these stunning treasures? 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️
Fun Fact: All awards and medallions are made by the First Light Community!!

12/01/2024

2 days to go!