Runner Instructions

Packet Pickup
Packet pick up is available at the Madison Marathon Expo Friday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Monona Terrace. There will be no Sunday packet pick up. 
NEW this year: Runners must show ID to pick up their packets! If you are not able to make it to the expo, someone else may pick up your packet for you by bringing a copy of your drivers license with them to the expo. Parking is available at the Monona Terrace ramp and there are other downtown parking ramps near the Expo (fees vary by ramp).  

Parking
All downtown parking ramps will be open Saturday, May 26 and Sunday May 27. Parking will be a flat rate of $4, cash ONLY - pay upon entry. Street parking is also available for a fee on Saturday and is free on Sundays. Map of Downtown city-operated parking ramps. Please refrain from parking in the ramp on Caroll St. between Johnson and Dayton (marked "8" on the linked map).

For the "Downtown Madison Get-Around Guide (PDF), click here.

Gear check
Gear check will be available on the Square at the start/finish area.

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!

Restrooms
Restrooms will be available at the start and finish lines and throughout the course.

Schedule*:
Saturday
Kids Race: 6:30 p.m.
10K: 8:00 p.m.
Sunday
Full Marathon: 7 a.m.
Half Marathon: 7:12 a.m.
*Times subject to change

Courtesy
We ask runners to please be aware of others around you. Do not run/walk more than two abreast. Half marathon runners should be aware of being overtaken by wheelchair participants or a marathoner in the last 5.5+ miles. Please listen for bike escorts clearing the way and give the wheelies and marathoners the right-of- way, particularly as they approach the finish line. 
Bandit runners - The Madison Marathon does not tolerate bandit running (running without registering). Please give yourself enough time to register for your event. Runners who run without registering are using supplies, services and road space paid for by registrants. Please be considerate and do not run without registering and paying for your event.

Finish line
The following amenities will be available to runners at the finish line in the Runners Village:

Medical services provided by UW Health Sports Medicine.

Water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, Michelob Ultra (for runner 21+) and other recovery food will be provided by Milio's Sandwiches. Race gear will also be available from our official merchandiser Greenlayer.

Men’s and Women’s changing tents

Restrooms

Massages

Race results and Finisher Medals

Gear pick up

Madison Marathon Expo Schedule
Friday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 26 9am-6pm

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.

*RED FLAG - Conditions for a Red Flag situation are complicated and need explanation.
How is Red Flag conditions determined?
The Madison Marathon does not use temperature alone in calling a Red Flag situation. The race’s medical and meteorological staffs have developed a matrix that incorporates sports physiology recommendations based on geographic location with up-to-the minute weather data including, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, dew point, and wind speed. This matrix is constantly being monitored before and during the event and if a combination of these elements creates a Red Flag situation this is immediately communicated to race officials.
What happens when Red Flag conditions occur?
The simple answer is the race is stopped. The more elaborate answer is that when conditions warrant Red Flags the staff must determine where on the course to stop runners. Next, resources (staff, volunteers, law enforcement, buses, etc) must be moved to that location to facilitate a shutdown of the event and to relocate participants from the stopping point back to the Finish Line.