FAQ's
General Questions
How many miles are the races?
Is this a Boston Marathon qualifier?
What awards are given?
Where can I stay in Madison?
What charities does the Madison Marathon support?
Registration
How many runners do you expect?
What is your cancellation
policy?
Are walkers welcome?
Can I change events?
How old does a minor need to be to run in the races?
Is there a limit on the number of runners? When
is the last day I can register?
Do I have to register to run one of your courses?
Packet Pick Up
When can I or someone else pick up my race packet?
Can I have my packet mailed to me?
Where should I park?
Start & Finish Lines
Can I wear headphones, bring my dog, ride a bicycle or push a stroller?
What is the weather usually like on race day?
Where should I wear my ChampionChip disposable timing chip?
What time do the races start?
Will sweats storage be available?
Where should I park?
Can a family member or friend cross the finish line with me?
Course
How long is the course open?
How many water stations are there? What types
of products are available?
Will there be medical support along the course? What should I do if I need medical assistance?
Where are restrooms located?
How will course conditions be communicated during
the race?
What if I fall behind the full marathon’s 14 min/mile pace requirement?
How many miles are the races?
The full marathon is 26.2 miles; the half-marathon is 13.1 miles; and the 10K is 6.2 miles.
back to top
Is this a Boston Marathon qualifier?
Yes, the 2012 course will be measured and certified by USA Track & Field.
back to top
What awards are given?
Finisher medals will be given to all participants of the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K that complete the race.
Marathon
1st Place Male and Female – Madison Marathon Trophy
2nd thru 5th Male and Female – Madison Marathon Special Award
Masters Class (40+) – Top 5 Male & Female Finishers – Madison Marathon Masters Award
Half Marathon
1st thru 5th Male and Female – Madison Marathon Special Award
Masters Class (40+) – Top 5 Male & Female Finishers – Madison Marathon Masters Award
10K
1st thru 5 th Male and Female – Madison Marathon overall winner medal
Awards by Age Category
Age group award medals will be given to the top three men and women for the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K, in the following age categories: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over. One Award Per Person. Awards will be mailed out after the event.
Where can I stay in Madison?
Visit our lodging link to view and book hotels in the area.
back to top
What charities does the Madison Marathon support?
The marathon has partnered with the American Cancer Society to implement their Team DetermiNation Program. The Madison Marathon also supports other local non-profit groups. Visit the Madison Festivals charity page to learn more about our charity partners.
How many runners do you expect?
We expect approx. 1,750 marathon runners, 4,900 half marathon runners and 3,500 10K runners.
back to top
What is your cancellation policy?
The Madison Marathon is not able to offer refunds or transfers. Due to USATF rules, every entrant must sign a waiver and selling, trading or giving someone your entry is against USATF rules.
back to top
Are walkers welcome?
You may participate if you can maintain a 14-minute/mile pace.
back to top
Can I change events?
Runners may change events until online registration closes on May 24, 2012.
Race change fees:
Distance downgrade: $10 switching fee. To drop to a shorter race distance, runners must complete the Race Switch form
Distance upgrade: $10 switching fee + difference in current registration fees. To change to a longer race distance, please contact our office
How old does a minor need to be to run in the races?
Kids Race: 3. 10K: 12. Half Marathon: 14. Full Marathon: 16.
back to top
Is there a limit on the number of runners? When is the last day I can register?
There are registration caps for each race:
Full marathon - 1,700
Half marathon - 4,900
10K - 1,500
Runners may register at the Madison Marathon Expo on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26 if events remain open at that time. Please note: There will be no Sunday registration for any of the 2012 races.
back to top
Do I have to register to run one of your courses?
Legally, ALL runners MUST be officially registered with a visible race number. Any "bandits" will face a stiff fine. Anyone NOT registered who runs on the course during the race may face a "theft of services" charge and a fine. Pacing another without a number is not permitted. Thank you for officially registering and for supporting our race.
back to top
When can I or someone else pick up my race packet?
Race packets will be available Friday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Madison Marathon Expo at Monona Terrace. All runners should pick up their race packets at the Expo. Runners must show a photo ID to pick up their packets. Someone else may pick up your packet, they just need a copy of your drivers license. There are also opportunities to connect with other runners through Facebook if you’re unable to pick up your packet. Please note: There will be no Sunday packet pick-up.
back to top
Can I have my packet mailed to me?
We are unable to mail race packets ahead of time. All packets must be picked up at the Madison Marathon Expo on Friday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
back to top
Where should I park?
For Race Day parking, all downtown parking ramps will be open Saturday and Sunday. Parking will be a flat rate of $4 (*Most ramps are cash-only). Street parking is also available in metered spaces on Saturday and is free on Sundays. See parking ramp locations.
back to top
Can I wear headphones, bring my dog, ride a bicycle, or push a stroller?
We understand that many runners need headphones to aid in their running concentration, or distraction. Headphones are allowed but not recommended for safety purposes. Dogs, strollers and bicycles are not allowed, strictly for safety reasons.
back to top
What is the weather usually like on race day?
Average High: 70 degrees F
Average Morning Rel Humidity: 79.0%
Average Low: 45 degrees F
Average Afternoon Rel Humidity: 50.0%
Mean Temp: 57 degrees F
Typical Sky Cover: Overcast
back to top
Where should I wear my timing chip?
These disposable chips should be laced onto your shoe.
back to top
What time do the races start?
The 10K begins at 8:00 p.m. and the kids race begins at 7:00 p.m.Saturday. The marathon begins at 7 a.m., the half at 7:12 a.m. on Sunday. See the Schedule page for more information.
back to top
Will sweats storage be available?
Yes, volunteers will collect your sweats at the start line. Gear pick up will be available after the race. Be sure you put your bib number on your sweats bag if using this service! 
Entertainment Lockers is offering runners a safe and secure alternative to already-provided race day gear check. For $10, full and half marathon runners can stow personal items, protecting them from theft and the elements. Three days prior to the event, you will receive an email containing your locker location, locker #, and lock combination. Once you locate your locker at the event and open the lock, you will notice TWO wristbands containing your Name, Locker #, and Locker combination for you to wear. You will have complete access to your locker from the beginning of the event to the end of the event. Click here to rent your locker today!
back to top
Where should I park?
Race Day parking:
All downtown parking ramps will be open Saturday and Sunday. Parking will be a flat rate of $4. Street parking is also available for a fee on Saturday and is free on Sundays. See parking ramp locations. Please refrain from parking in the ramp on Caroll St. between Johnson and Dayton (marked "8" on the linked map).
back to top
Can a family member or friend cross the finish line with me?
No. For the safety of all participants as well as for the spectators, we cannot permit any non-participants to enter any part of the race course or finish line chute. Runners who disregard this rule will be disqualified.
back to top
How long is the course open?
The course is open for six hours from the start of the full marathon and closes at 1 p.m.
back to top
How many water stations are there? What types of products are available?
See our Water Station page for details on locations and products.
back to top
Will there be medical support along the course? What should I do if I need medical assistance?
There will be ambulances and medical personnel at the start line, finish line and along the course. (See our Water Station page for medical locations on the course.) If you need medical attention, find the nearest aid station, bearing in mind you may have just passed it. If you are not able to make it to an aid station by yourself, notify a volunteer, spectator or another runner to notify the nearest aid station of your location and condition. Aid stations will have the ability to contact the race's medical staff to provide you with help.
back to top
Where are restrooms located?
See our Water Station page for restroom locations.
back to top
How will course conditions be communicated during the race?
Emergency Procedures -- Colored flags will be located at each water station and at the finish line area to alert runners to changing course and weather conditions. In cases of emergency, please follow the instructions below. In rare instances, it may be necessary to either close the race course or re-route participants. If this occurs, it is being done for the safety of the participants and volunteers.
ALERT LEVEL |
EVENT CONDITIONS |
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS |
EXTREME |
Event canceled. Extreme and dangerous conditions or course emergency |
Extreme conditions: Participation stopped / Seek shelter immediately Course emergency: Follow directions from public safety officials, race staff and volunteers. |
HIGH |
Dangerous conditions |
The race is stopped. Finish times will not be published and no awards are given after a red flag. Runners should go to the nearest water station for shuttle transfer to the finish line. |
MODERATE |
Less than ideal conditions |
Slow down / Drink plenty of water |
LOW |
Good conditions |
Enjoy the event / Be alert |
*For more info on red flag conditions, see the Runner Instructions page.
What if I fall behind the full marathon’s 14 min/mile pace requirement?
Full marathon runners who fall behind the 14 min/mile pace will be stopped at Mile 22 (the intersection of Blair St., Williamson St. and John Nolen Dr.) and will be given two options: 1.) walk up King St. to the finish line area or 2.) sign a waiver agreeing to continue the full marathon distance on city sidewalks instead of via John Nolen Dr. (Per the race’s agreement with the city, John Nolen Drive needs to reopen to vehicular traffic at 12:15 p.m.)
back to top
If you did not find the answer to your question here, please e-mail events@madisonfestivals.com.
