Huntsville, Alabama — A cold-weather Rocket City run through Huntsville, aerospace history, a giant rocket, and a year-end reunion with friends.
Preface｜A southern state that I have never been to
The states surrounding Kentucky have basically run pretty much the same in recent years.
Doing the math, within a five-hour drive, the only places that I haven’t really visited yet are Alabama and Mississippi.
The problem is also very real.
The marathons in these two southern states are indeed too niche for horse racing enthusiasts. Suitable races are hard to come by and the time is always wrong.
In early September, Jackie and Scott invited us to run the Rocket City Marathon in Alabama.
It just so happened that it was also their first wedding anniversary.
The race is the second weekend in December.
I just came back from China at the end of November. I looked at my schedule and it was right after my business trip to Houston.
So, the long-lost southern state,
It also became the 28th stop on my Run50.
In a familiar rhythm, I once again return to the American marathon,
Still looking forward to it.
The 28th State · Alabama｜Black background and aerospace industry
Alabama has always had a low presence in the United States.
When mentioning it, many people's first reaction is still "a southern state". It is hot, slow and conservative, and its name is also ranked in the second half of the travel list all year round.
But the real background of this state is not monolithic.
This is a state with a high proportion of black people. About a quarter of the state's population is black, ranking among the top five in the United States.
From the days of cotton planting to the civil rights movement, Alabama has always played an important role in American history.
Geographically, Alabama is also more complex than imagined.
There are hills and plains in the north, farmland and small cities in the middle, and you will slowly reach the Gulf of Mexico as you go south. In the same state, the climate, rhythm and urban temperament can vary in several ways.
At the city level, this difference is even more obvious.
Birmingham, a former center of the steel industry and an important city in the civil rights movement, has a strong sense of history;
Montgomery, the state capital, has strong political and historical significance, but the overall pace is slow;
Mobile, close to the bay and more like a traditional southern port city;
And what I’m coming to this time is Huntsville.
Huntsville has a nickname, Rocket City.
The aerospace industry has supported this city. There are many engineers, the city is clean, and the overall temperament is more scientific and engineering.
I'm looking forward to this Run50 28th state run in such a city that's a bit smart but doesn't like to show off.
Chapter 1｜Huntsville·First experience of Rocket City
It only takes more than five hours to drive from Louisville to Huntsville, which is a very short trip for us.
Set off early on Saturday morning and arrive at noon. Because we crossed a time zone, I still made an hour in vain on my account.
The drive south from Kentucky passes through fields, woods and low-density towns with not many cars. In the Great Plains of the United States in December, the sun is warm but not harsh, making it especially suitable for long-distance driving.
When I arrived in Huntsville, my first stop was straight to the Marathon Expo.
The Expo is located near the Von Braun Center. It’s not a big event, but it’s a smooth process.
Step outside the Expo and you’ll find Big Spring Park, the core of downtown Huntsville.
The city first developed around a natural spring here, with the river running through the city's central axis and flanked by trails, lawns and community spaces.
There is a fountain in the middle of the river, and the water mist will create a rainbow in the sun.
There are also many goldfish in the river, red and orange, swimming slowly in the water, which is very relaxing to watch.
Christmas decorations have begun to be put up in the parks in December, and the holiday flavor comes out early.
Coming out of downtown, we headed straight to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
This is the most famous place in Huntsville and the fundamental reason why this city can be called the "Rocket City".
To put it simply:
Much of the key work for the United States to send people to the moon was done here.
It is next to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, which was responsible for rocket and engine systems.
Including the Saturn V rocket (Saturn V), the core of the Apollo program, was designed and tested here.
One of the most ruthless exhibits in the museum is the Apollo 16 Command Module.
It was the command module used by the Apollo 16 mission to return from the moon to the earth.
This is true.
Those ablation marks on the outer shell are not old, they are left behind when it passes through the atmosphere.
There is also a space shuttle in the museum called Space Shuttle Pathfinder.
It is a demonstrator intended for testing process, transport and ground systems.
What surprised me a little was the engine exhibition area.
There is actually a BE-3 engine inside, which is Blue Origin’s hydrogen-oxygen engine.
These days, NASA really doesn’t have the final say in aerospace.
From Apollo, to the space shuttle, and now to commercial aerospace,
This museum directly places several generations of American aerospace routes on a timeline.
We went back to the hotel before it was completely dark and bought some food on the way.
The car drove past the big rocket again. It stood so high and looked particularly bright at night.
I suddenly became a little distracted.
I don’t know if I will ever have the opportunity to actually participate in a high-tech gadget of this level in this life.
Chapter 2｜Starting below zero · Northeast Big Flower Jacket is online
It was really cold on the day of the game.
The overall temperature in the United States will be cooling down this weekend. I knew it well, so I prepared a large Northeastern flower jacket and an old sweater in advance, planning to throw them away after starting the race.
Siqi ran the half marathon and started later, so she dropped me off at the starting point near the Von Braun Center. As soon as the car door opened, the cold wind hit my face directly. I woke up on the spot and retreated back into the car. I put on a pair of tight pants that were similar to long johns and added gloves before I dared to get out of the car again.
The area at the starting point is all about "warmth protection": hats, masks, and gloves are all available, and everyone is shaking slightly in place due to the cold. After the national anthem ended, the marathon started on time at 7 o'clock.
The first few miles were spent running in the community, it was just dawn and the streets were quiet. Some people were wearing garbage bags, and some were wearing full Santa Claus outfits. American horse racing has always been casual. This sense of relaxation was in strong contrast to the state I had just returned from China.
I originally planned to throw away my clothes early, but the cold wind blew all the way. I didn't take off my big flower coat until I reached 10 miles.
Chapter 3｜The coldest section · Running into the wind towards the big rocket
The blue sweater shirt appears.
In fact, it’s not that I deliberately show off my style, it’s just that it’s too cold, so I have to wear something thicker.
A long section of this route is in residential areas, with small houses and small yards, and is very quiet.
Everyone ran quite loosely, neither chasing nor reeling.
Over the past few years, I have become more and more Buddhist.
What was playing in the headphones was "The Right Bank of the Ergun River" written by Chi Zijian.
I happened to hear this sentence:
> The winter sunshine, no matter how gorgeous and bright it is, gives people a very cold feeling.
>
Especially suitable for the occasion.
That's what it was like in Alabama today, the sun was nice, but it wasn't warm at all.
A few cosplay volunteers occasionally pop up at the supply point.
There are princesses, witches, and some characters that I can’t tell what they are.
It took me more than two hours to reach about mile 14, and I entered an industrial area along the railway line.
Close to West Huntsville, you can see freight railroad tracks and old locomotives.
This is also the old foundation for Huntsville's previous industrial and military development.
After passing through this area, we circled back to some residential areas, and then started running towards the space center.
The goal is clear, U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
This part is really uncomfortable.
The wind was extremely strong, blowing head on.
Around 9 a.m., I felt colder than when I first started running. I heard it was about minus ten degrees.
As a Northeasterner who has been living outside for a long time, I am still a little uncomfortable with it.
There were not many supply points, and as my body slowly cooled down, I simply switched to running and walking mode.
As a result, it got colder and colder as we walked, so we had to start running again quickly.
Finally, at around mile 19, we entered the space center.
Things are suddenly different here.
There are supply points, there are photographers, there are voices.
I replenished some energy here and breathed a sigh of relief.
This section of the space center is a return route. After turning around, it happens to be smooth.
The sun was beating down on me, the wind was not so strong anymore, and I felt like I was back.
Coming out of the space center, near the Huntsville Botanical Garden, I saw Siqi.
She seemed to be in good condition and well-dressed.
By this time the body has warmed up.
I took off my blue sweater and prepared my final look.
Arsenal’s marine colorway is now available.
I have been looking for this jersey for a long time and finally found it.
It must be taken out and shown.
Chapter 4｜Indoor finishing line·Gathering of good friends from Lucun
During the last 6 miles, the sun was shining right on my face, making me feel much warmer than I expected.
This section of the route passes through the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
You can already see a lot of Christmas decorations on the edge of the park. If the lights are turned on at night, it should be more atmospheric.
After 22 miles, the route slowly closes toward the city center.
This is basically downtown Huntsville.
There were not many people on the streets, but there were police at the intersections maintaining order.
They stood on the roadside all the time in such a cold weather, very grateful.
You can also see homeless tents on the roadside.
In sub-zero weather, sleeping on the street is really hard to think about.
Soon, the route returned to familiar territory.
Christmas decorations, the waterway, and that piece of downtown green space: Big Spring Park.
At this time, I knew that the end was really not far away.
Unexpectedly, the final crossing was actually indoors.
I ran right into the Von Braun Center and was instantly out of the wind.
No more running against the cold wind, the whole person is warmed up.
The medal at the end is very Rocket City.
In the center is a big rocket with a very three-dimensional shape and a retro color scheme.
26.2 is engraved on the bottom, which is square and neat, very scientific.
There is food in the finishing area.
Chicken, soup, and something warm.
While I was running, I was still thinking, it would be great if I could have a roast chicken.
I didn’t go far before I was recognized by Jackie and Scott.
They had finished the half marathon long ago, so they rushed over and gave me a big hug.
We just visited their big house last week.
Cycling, running, these two are everywhere, and we really like their personalities.
Later we waited for Siqi and took a group photo together.
Scott also told me that his daughter works at NASA.
I also went to school in this city before.
That kind of pride can't even be hidden.
After running this marathon, it was really cold.
But this Rocket City has brought back the sense of relaxation that comes with American marathons.
Postscript｜Running through 2025
The afternoon after the game, Siqi and I drove back to Louisville.
I stopped in Nashville on the way and went to Whole Foods for a buffet.
When we returned to Kentucky, it was already night.
Outside the car window are the lights of the highway, one by one retreating.
My body is a little tired, but my mind is at peace.
The 2025 Run50 ends in Alabama.
This is my first year officially starting work,
It was also a year of continuing to run while adapting to the rhythm.
This year, I traveled to many states:
Louisiana, Virginia, North Dakota, Kansas, Vermont, and Alabama.
From Louisiana in the southern United States to the violent racing circuits of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
Then to grassland, gravel, country and Rocket City.
In the meantime, I returned to China.
Running in Xiangyang, Guilin, and Hong Kong,
Reconnect with the familiar language, streets, and running mates.
That kind of intimacy is difficult to measure with grades.
This year, I also wore running shoes into a new country for the first time.
Mexico, and Italy next.
Looking back, running has become more than just completing a checklist for me.
It's more of a record.
Record the city, record the time, and also record your own status at different stages.
Hope that in 2026,
Can still be on the road.
Travel to a few more states with Siqi,
Or, learn more about the world.
- End -
Words, photos, and layout by Arsenan