How do I enter the First Light Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners via RunSignUp. Entry fees are tiered, so signing up earlier costs less. Registration opens in late April and closes when the race reaches capacity.

Is the First Light Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston Marathon entry. The flat loop profile gives you a fair shot at hitting your standard.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is 7 hours, giving a wide range of runners a comfortable window to finish.

What is the course like?

The course is a loop starting and finishing near Mardi Gras Park in downtown Mobile. It has zero net elevation change, so the terrain itself is not a factor. Pacing evenly is the main strategic consideration.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

Expect a cold start in the low 40s that can warm into the low 60s as the morning goes on. Wearing a throwaway layer at the start and dressing for a warmer back half is the smart move.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the First Light Marathon course is USATF certified, meaning your finish time is valid for qualifying purposes, including Boston.

Where does the race start and finish?

The race starts and finishes near Mardi Gras Park in downtown Mobile. Staying in downtown Mobile or nearby Midtown puts you within easy reach of the start area.

Sun, Jan 10 · 2027Mobile, ALSince 2002

First Light Marathon

First Light Marathon kicks off the new year in downtown Mobile with a flat, USATF-certified loop course that gives you every reasonable shot at a strong time. It is a low-key, well-organized race that rewards patient running.

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FIRST LIGHT · US

First Light

SUN, JAN 10

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 2002

First Light is a January race in downtown Mobile, and it does exactly what you want a January race to do. The loop starts near Mardi Gras Park, keeps things straightforward, and puts you back at the finish without any point-to-point scramble. The course is flat and certified, so if your legs are there the course won't take anything away from you. The one thing to manage is the temperature swing. It can start genuinely cold and warm up by the time you hit the back half. Dress in throwaway layers and don't go out in your finishing gear.

This is a PR-friendly course for runners who come in trained and patient. The flat profile rewards even pacing, so treat the first half as setup, not a cushion to burn. Registration is open and fills by capacity, so if you are targeting this one, get in early once the window opens in spring. It is a low-key, well-run race that does not need a lot of fanfare. If you want to start the year with a real effort, this is a solid way to do it.

Field size

—

BQ rate

—

Boston qualifier

Time limit

7:00

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:45:39

Tony Daguanno

2018

Women

3:14:16

Samantha Gardner

2018

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

—

Lowest point

—

Course shape

Loop

Start and finish in one place

First Light runs a loop course starting and finishing near Mardi Gras Park in downtown Mobile. With zero net elevation change and USATF certification, the course is set up for honest time trials. The loop format means no point-to-point logistics, but also no net downhill to borrow time from. Expect mostly flat pavement through downtown streets. The main pacing risk here is a January morning that starts cold and may warm into the back half, so resist banking time early. The course record suggests fast conditions are possible, but this is a race you run evenly, not a course that gifts you a PR.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

40°F

High

63°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

January in Mobile means a cold start, often in the low 40s, that can climb into the low 60s by midday. At the gun you will want throwaway layers. The back half can feel warmer than you expect, especially if you went out hard. It is not a punishing weather window, but it is not a flat cool day from start to finish either. Plan your gear for both ends of that range and you will be fine.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration via RunSignUp with tiered entry fees based on registration date. Registration closes when the race reaches capacity.

Register on RunSignup

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Chase the Sunrise 🌅 | First Light Marathon 2027

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