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FAQ |
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1. How do I register?
You can either register online at www.active.com or visit our website at www.marquettemarathon.com/registration.html, print out and mail a registration form to Ringside Fitness Marquette Marathon, 181 W Bluff Street - Marquette, MI 49855.
2. What events do you offer?
There is a marathon and half marathon on Saturday, September 1. On Friday, August 31 there will be a kid’s race at 7:00 pm at the downtown Marquette Commons, near the packet pick up.
3. Is this a Boston Marathon qualifier?
Yes, the course is certified by U.S. Track and Field.
4. Are headphones permitted?
Yes, but please keep the volume at a reasonable volume for your own safety and out of courtesy for fellow participants. You should still be able to hear participants and volunteers in proximity to you.
5. Are strollers or pets allowed?
Sorry, for the safety of your fellow runners, strollers and pets are not allowed.
6. What is the temperature in Marquette at that time of year?
The average high is 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low is 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Is the race chip-timed, what kind of start is it, will splits be provided, when do I pick up my chip, and do I need to return it?
Whew, that's a lot of questions!
Yes, the race is chip-timed with ankle bracelet chips.
It will be a chip-timed start. In other words, your time will begin when you cross the starting line, not when the gun goes off.
No splits will be provided.
Please pick up your ankle bracelet chip on the morning the race, beginning at 6:00am and drop it off at the finish line. The marathon is fined $75 for unreturned chips and unfortunately, we would have to pass that expense on to you. Please return your chip!
8. Where do I get my race packet?
All event participants can pick up their packets on Friday, August 31st from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. at the downtown Marquette Commons at 112 S. Third Street west of the intersection of Third Street and Main Street.
9. Where do I park the day of the race?
Please click the here for maps of parking locations.
The marathon and half marathon both start at Presque Isle. The marathon starts at 7:30 AM, the half marathon starts at 8:00 AM. We anticipate all the parking lots at Presque Isle being filled up by 7:00 AM. The Presque Isle parking lots are approximately ¼ mile from the start line.
IMPORTANT! - We anticipate anyone parking after 7:00 AM using the free parking and complimentary busing from the Northern Michigan University parking lot at the northwest corner of Fair Avenue and Pine Street (shown on website and in runner’s packet), approximately a 5 minute drive from the start. Friends, family and spectators are welcome to use the free busing, however priority will be given to runners during the critical loading hours between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM
10. What is the route for the half and full marathon?
The half and full marathon share the same course. The half marathon is one lap, the full marathon is two laps. Both events have the same start line and finish line.
11. What’s the course like?
In a word, AWESOME! The course starts out at Presque Isle Park on the shores of Lake Superior. The majority of the course is on a bike path winding through woods, skirting the downtown, and passing by the Saturday morning farmers market. Best of all, half the race is along miles and miles of flat, fast, and gorgeous Lake Superior shoreline. There is one uphill at mile 12 and 25. It is an 1800 foot stretch that climbs 80 feet in the shade of an old growth stand of hemlocks. After “topping out”, you are rewarded with a fairly gradual downhill followed by a flat fast quarter mile stretch to the finish.
12. What is the sport drink?
We will be offering Gatorade, in addition to water, at all aid stations.
13. Will there be energy gel on the course?
Yes. Energy gel will be available at approximate miles 5, 9.1, 13.1, 18.1, and 22.2.
14. How many runners do you expect?
For the 2011 event, we had 436 full and half marathon finishers, nearly double the field of the inaugural 2010 event. We expect the number of entrants to continue to grow this year.
15. How far apart are the aid stations?
Aid stations are located approximately every 1.0 to 1.5 miles.
16. Are there bathrooms on the course?
Yes. There will be bathrooms available (typically porta-potties, but some permanent) at every aid station along the course, or approximately every 1.5 miles.
17. Where are some good places for spectators to hang out?
The race starts and finishes at Presque Isle Park, where there’s something for everyone including a playground, nature center, swimming beach, paths through old growth forest, and a scenic road open to runners and pedestrians (closed to cars on race day). There is also an ice cream store and all race participants will get two-for-one discount coupons in their goodie bag.
There are lots of good places along the course to hang out that are close enough to see your racer go by. Check out the race map and check out the Saturday morning farmers market at The Commons on Third Street between Washington Street and Spring Street. If you have children, Mattson Park, McCarty’s Cove, and Picnic Rock parks all have playgrounds. Due to dangerous currents, we recommend you do not swim at Picnic Rocks (located at Lakeshore Boulevard and Fair Avenue).
If you just want to hang out, check out the downtown shops and restaurants on Washington Street, Front Street, and Third Street.
18. Is Lake Superior safe to swim in?
Usually. The lake is one of the cleanest in the world, the beaches are beautiful, and the water is warm (even by non-Yooper standards!). Be aware though, there can be large waves and dangerous currents and people have drowned. Two swimmers drowned at the beach by the course finish in 2010 while swimming in large waves. One swimmer drowned in 2010 at Picnic Rocks (located at Lakeshore Boulevard and Fair Avenue) due to strong currents. The City prohibits swimming at Picnic Rocks. The only beach that has lifeguards is McCarty's Cove located off Michigan Street.
Know your abilities, use common sense, watch your children, and enjoy the lake!
19. Is there a place to keep my gear and extra clothes during the race?
Yes, there will be a gear check tent at the start and finish line area. Please be sure your bib number is clearly written on your gear bag. You must show your bib number to claim your items. Remember to bring a towel for that post-race swim!
20. How long will the course be open?
The finish line will be open until 2:00 PM, providing marathoners 6.5 hours to finish the race. This accommodates a nearly 15 minute per mile pace. Aid stations will be kept open to accommodate a 15 minute per mile pace. Full marathon participants slower than 15 minutes per mile and doing the second lap of the course will have access to rest rooms and drinking fountains, but should otherwise prepare to be self-sufficient.
Road crossings will be manned by police and crossing attendants until noon at which time the crossings will revert back to “rules of the road”. Because the majority of road crossings occur before mile 20, marathon runners basically have 4.5 hours to run 20 miles with road crossing attendants. This will accommodate about a 6 hour marathoner at a pace of 13.5 minutes per mile.
21. Do I get a shirt? Yes.
All half and full marathon registrants get a short sleeve technical running shirt in men’s and women’s styles.
22. What do I receive when I finish?
Each half and full marathon finisher will receive a beautiful medal at the finish line. The top three age division winners, female and male, half and full, will also receive a Lake Superior stone necklaces. These will be awarded at the after party along with other awards.
23. Will there be post-race massages?
Yes, we will once again provide complimentary massage therapists. Please note the therapists do not charge the marathon organizers or the runners, but they do like tips :).
24. What are the award age groups and when are awards being given out?
There will be 10 year male and female age groups. 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, etc. up to 60-69, then 70+. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group and top three overall men and women.
Awards will be given out at the Saturday night awards banquet and party downtown. More on that right below…
25. Where’s the post-race celebration?
After you’ve finished the race and soaked those sore muscles in the lake, there will be live music at the pavilion at the start/finish line. Food and drink will include fruit, locally-made bagels, chips, pretzels, energy drink, pop and plenty of water. We will start grilling burgers and hot dogs at 11:00am.
That night from 7:00 - 11:00pm everyone will have a chance to let loose downtown where we will be hosting a post-race party at the Waterfront Restaurant overlooking the lake at the Lower Harbor with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, soft drinks, and a cash bar.
Also, all race participants wishing to attend Saturday night's Blues Fest www.marquetteareabluessociety.com at the lower harbor’s Mattson Park will have a discounted admission ticket provided in their goodie bag.
26. When is the last day to register?
The last day to register on-line is August 29. Ringside Fitness, located at 181 W Bluff Street in Marquette will be accepting registrations thru Thursday, August 30. Walk-up registration will be available at the Marquette Commons on Friday, August 31 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. No race day registrations will be accepted.
27. Where can I carb up the night before the race?
Local restaurants serving pasta include:
• The Pasta Shop at 824 North 3rd Street
• Casa Calabria at 1106 North 3rd Street
• Vangos at 927 North 3rd Street
If you're in the mood for Mexican (tortillas and rice provide great carbs!)
• Border Grill at 800 North 3rd Street and 1145 West Washington Street
28. I registered for the full marathon, but now, due to a training setback, I’m only going to be able to do the half. Is event switching allowed?
Yes, we will allow you to change your race selection up until Friday, August 31.
29. What is the cancellation policy?
Sorry, there are no refunds for cancellations.
30. What is the policy on cancellation due to weather?
Race officials and the marathon medical support team reserve the right to cancel any or all parts of this event if they feel participants are in danger. Refunds will not be issued if the race is cancelled or ended due to factors out of the committee’s control.
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