FAQ
Please be sure to review the details provided on the Registration page. If your question is not answered here, send it to us and we’ll get back to you with an answer! RaceDirector@BlueRidgeMarathon.com
- Is this a Rain or Shine event? – YES!
- What type of running surfaces on the course?
- Can I register on the day of the race?
- What is the time limit for the full Marathon and the Half-Marathon?
- What type of liquids/gel do you provide along the course?
- Where will the water stops be?
- Is the National College Blue Ridge Marathon a qualifier for the Boston Marathon?
- How do I dress (layers?) for the National College Blue Ridge Marathon?
- Are there awards for each age group?
- Can I run more than one leg of the marathon relay?
- Can I run on a relay team and the marathon at the same time?
- How many women and men need to be on a Mixed Relay team?
- Is it possible to drive the marathon course?
- Will photos be taken along the course and at the finish?
- Can someone pick my packet up for me?
- If I sign up for the half and I later decide that I want to run the marathon, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
- If I sign up for the relay and I later decide that I want to run the marathon, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
- If I sign up for the relay and I later decide that I want to run the half, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
- If I sign up for the marathon and I later decide that I want to run the half, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
- If I sign up for the marathon and I later decide that I want to run the relay, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
- I have read that it sometimes helps if a friend joins you to run for a few miles at the end of the marathon (i.e. miles 22-24) for moral support. What are the marathon rules about this?
- Can a race bib be transferred to someone else?
- I was injured after registering for the race. Can I get a refund or defer until next year?
- Can I wear headphones while racing on the National College Blue Ridge Marathon course?
- Will you mail or email confirmation to me?
- What is the half marathon course like?
- Where should I park?
- Are showers available on race day?
- How do I change a member of my Relay Team?
- Will I be able to pick up my timing chip Friday, April 23, 2010 at Packet Pick up?
- Will there be massage therapists available?
ANSWERS:
- Is this a Rain or Shine Event? YES!
- What type of running surfaces on the course?
All of the race is run on paved asphalt. Back to top - Can I register on the day of the race?
No, the last opportunity to register is at Packet Pick Up and Expo on Friday, April 15, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 9:00pm. There is NO same-day registration. Back to top - What is the time limit for the full Marathon and the Half-Marathon? The Time Limit for both course are 7 hrs. That will be a 16:03 min/mile pace for the full marathon course. There will be a 6 hr cut off at Mile 22. Anyone who can not make the 6 hr cut off will be pulled from the course and transported back to the finish line. The Half Marathon is open to runners and walkers. There is a 7 hr time limit. That will be a 32:06 min/mile pace. There will be a 6 hr cut off at Mile 9. Anyone who can not make the 6 hr cut off will be pulled from the course and transported back to the finish line. All walkers will be required to walk on the sidewalks whenever applicable. Back to top
- What type of liquids/gel do you provide along the course?
We provide non-diluted HEED and water at all fluid stations along the course. Hammer Gel will be available at mile 15.3 and 20.4 for the full marathon and mile 6.8 for the half marathon. Back to top - Where will the water stops be?
Full Marathon – miles: 1.5, 3.1, 4.2, 5.4, 6.6, 7.4, 10, 11.1, 11.8, 13, 13.7, 15.3, 17.1, 18.6, 20.4, 21.5, 23.1, 24.5, 25.2, and 26.2.
Half Marathon – miles: 1.5, 3.1, 4.5, 5.2, 6.8, 10.2, 11.6, 12.3, and 13.1. Back to top - Is the National College Blue Ridge Marathon a qualifier for the Boston Marathon?
No, not at this time. Back to top - How do I dress (layers?) for the National College Blue Ridge Marathon?
Weather in Roanoke, VA in the Spring can vary dramatically. 2010 weather was overcast with a high of 63 degrees. We suggest you bring gloves, a hat and long sleeve shirt. Early in the race, you might have to shed some clothes so don’t wear anything too nice in case you want to throw them away (your competitor bib number must be pinned to the front of the clothing you wear since event officials will be inviting unregistered runners to exit the course. You could be mistakenly identified as an unregistered runner if your bib number is not visible). If you want to shed some clothes prior to the race start, you will be able to check them into the Gear Transfer Station and have it transferred to the finish line. See the Weather section of the website for historical race day temperatures. Back to top - Are there awards for each age group?
Yes, Awards will be give to the top three males and females in each age group. Back to top - Can I run more than one leg of the marathon relay?
Yes, a runner can run 2-consecutive legs; the team must be paid in full. The runner running two legs must be registered twice. Back to top - Can I run on a relay team and the marathon at the same time?
Yes, a marathon runner can run the first leg as a team member and then continue as long as they pay the registration for both the relay and marathon and wear both chips. Back to top - How many women and men need to be on a Mixed Relay team?
Any combination is acceptable but must include at least one woman and one man. Back to top - Is it possible to drive the marathon course?
It’s not entirely drivable. You will not be able to drive the back side of Mill Mountain after reaching the Mill Mountain Star and Roanoke Greenway portion. Otherwise, the remainder of the course can be driven. Back to top - Will photos be taken along the course and at the finish?
Yes. There will be exciting photo points along the course that will be clearly identified as well as at the finish. Race photos can be viewed and purchased by visiting www.pbcsportsphotography.com. Back to top - Can someone pick my packet up for me?
We strongly encourage all runners to pick up their own race packet at the Packet Pick Up and Expo on Friday, April 15, 2011 at Taubman Museum of Art from 4:00 pm to 9:00pm. It is important for runners to verify their data and make any necessary changes. However, if it is not possible for you to pick-up your own packet, you may have someone pick it up for you. That person will be responsible for verifying personal race information (name, age, birthdate, etc.) and must bring a release/waiver signed by you – click here to download the release. This is for special circumstances ONLY. Picking up multiple packets for full teams will NOT be permitted. Back to top - If I sign up for the half and I later decide that I want to run the marathon, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
You can transfer from the half to the marathon. You must first register and pay for the marathon and then contact the marathon office via email alerting us of the change. You will be issued a rebate check based on the lowest fee paid. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF YOUR ORIGINAL REGISTRATION FEE. These changes can only be done prior to April 1 and must be communicated through the mail or e-mail. Back to top - If I sign up for the relay and I later decide that I want to run the marathon, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
You can transfer from the relay to the marathon. You must first register and pay for the marathon and then contact the marathon office via email alerting us of the change. You must complete the Relay Team Change Form (downloadable form via our website) and fax it to the marathon office and notify us of your replacement for your relay portion. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF YOUR ORIGINAL REGISTRATION FEE. These changes can only be done prior to April 1st and must be communicated through the mail or e-mail. Back to top - If I sign up for the relay and I later decide that I want to run the half, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost?
How can I change my status prior to race day? You can transfer from the relay to the half. You must first register and pay for the half and then contact the marathon office via email alerting us of the change. You must complete the Relay Team Change Form (download-able form via our website) and fax it to the marathon office and notify us of your replacement for your relay portion. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF YOUR ORIGINAL REGISTRATION FEE. These changes can only be done prior to April 1st and must be communicated through the mail or e-mail. Back to top - If I sign up for the marathon and I later decide that I want to run the half, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost?
How can I change my status prior to race day? You can transfer from the marathon to the half. You must first register and pay for the half and then contact the marathon office via email alerting us of the change. You will be issued a rebate check based on the lowest fee paid. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF YOUR ORIGINAL REGISTRATION FEE. These changes can only be done prior to April 1st. Back to top - If I sign up for the marathon and I later decide that I want to run the relay, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
You can transfer from the marathon to the relay. You must first register and pay for the relay and then contact the marathon office via email alerting us of the change. You will be issued a rebate check based on the lowest fee paid. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF YOUR ORIGINAL REGISTRATION FEE. These changes can only be done prior to April 1st and must be communicated through the mail or e-mail. Back to top - I have read that it sometimes helps if a friend joins you to run for a few miles at the end of the marathon (i.e. miles 22-24) for moral support. What are the marathon rules about this?
Due to liability considerations, and out of respect for the registered participants, non-registered runners are not permitted to run or walk within the boundaries of the official marathon course. Friends may stand adjacent to the edge of the defined course and cheer the participants on! Friends must NEVER cross the finish line or enter the finish zone which begins approximately 2/10 mile before the finish. Back to top - Can a race bib be transferred to someone else?
No. Bibs are not transferable. Transferred bibs will result in disqualification. Back to top - I was injured after registering for the race. Can I get a refund or defer until next year?
No – there will be NO refunds or deferments. We incur fixed costs for each runner based on registration numbers. As a result, we are not able to allow any refunds. Back to top - Can I wear headphones while racing on the National College Blue Ridge Marathon and Half Marathon course?
Runners participating in the National College Blue Ridge Marathon may use portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication. Back to top - Will you mail or email confirmation to me?
If you register online, you will receive a Confirmation Email immediately from Setupevents.com. We do advise early registration. Registration fees increase the closer it gets to race day. Back to top - What is the half marathon route?
The Half Marathon will start at 7:30am in front of the Taubman Museum of Art on Salem Ave.(the same time and location as the marathon). The Half Marathon course runs the established marathon route up to the 4.25 mile mark, at the Roanoke Mountain Campground, here the Half Marathon will turn around and retrace the course a short distance before veering left and running to the highest point on Mill Mountain and Famous Mill Mountain Star. The runners will continue on the Marathon course down the backside of Mill Mountain, connecting to the Roanoke Greenway. The Half Marathoners will continue on the Roanoke Greenway. At mile 9.25 of the Half Marathon course, which is mile 17.75 and 22.25 of the marathon, the Half Marathoners will continue on the Roanoke Greenway toward the finish as the Marathoners will after mile 22,25. and finish the remainder of the course like the Marathoners. Runners will be notified of the Half Marathon turn off via signage and speakers. See the Half Marathon course map for further details. Back to top - Where should I park?
There are public parking garages throughout the downtown area. Click here to view a map of parking garages. Back to top - Are showers available on race day? Yes, shower facilities will be available for free at the Downtown Kirk YMCA located at 520 Church Ave. To use the Y’s facilities, you will show your bib at the front desk. There will be directions in with your Final Instructions. Back to top
- How do I change a member of my Relay Team? It is imperative that the registration data associated with your race number does, in fact belong to you, the participant. While it may seem harmless to run under an unauthorized number, it does convey serious consequences to the organizers and participant field alike. Correct information allows medical staff to correctly identify participants in need of treatment and ensures accuracy of race results and awards. If you wish to change your team relay registration, you may do so with the following restrictions. You must download and complete a relay change form (available on our website). The form must then be submitted, following the instructions on the form. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING RELAY CHANGE FORMS (SOME CHARGES APPLY). Changes requested prior to April 1, 2011 will be processed at the marathon office and will not incur an administrative fee. Changes will not be processed between April 1, 2011 and April 15, 2011. Change forms will; however, be accepted and processed at the Packet Pick up and Expo, held on April 15, 2011. RELAY TEAM MEMBER CHANGES PROCESSED AT THE EXPO WILL INCUR A $10 ADMINISTRATIVE FEE PER PARTICIPANT. Corrections of personal data can be made free of charge. *Please download change form and completed prior to the expo, in order to expedite the process. Back to top
- Will I be able to pick up my timing chip Friday, April 15, 2011 at Packet Pick up?
Update June 22, 2010 – we are attempting to switch to disposable chip timing which means you will be able to pick up your chip on Friday April 15. Please check back soon for details. Back to top - Will there be massage therapists available?
Yes! They will be at the start/finish line. These are volunteers and are charging $1/min. with a 10 minute minimum (cash only). For runners it is a recovery massage. Spectators can get in on the action too.Back to top
