2012 Ann Arbor Marathon FAQs

UPDATED 3-23-2012

Jump to:

• Where is registration?
  
• If pre-registered?
  
• Will my first name appear on my race bib?
  
• Health and Wellness Expo?
  
• Where do volunteers go?
  
• When and where does the race start?
  
• Finisher medals for Marathon and Half-Marathon?
  
• Are walkers allowed?
  
• How many Aid-Stations are on the courses?
  
• What energy drink will be offered on the course?
  

• What about energy gel?
  
• Will you have pace teams for the Marathon?
  
• Can I run with an iPod or similar device?
  
• Strollers Allowed?
  
• What is the race route?
  
• Is there Medical Staff on site?
  
• Recycling?
  
• Are Spectators allowed?
  
• Is it required that my attire be Maize and Blue?
  

Where is registration?

Pre-race registration is available either online or entry forms may be picked up at Running Fit Stores; be sure to follow the instructions on the entry form. Online registration will close at 4PM Friday, June 15^th. Online registration will NOT be accepted after this time. Registering after this date can occur at the Expo (for the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K and 1.2 Mile Kids Run) or on Race day (for the 5K and 1.2 Mile Kids Run); see further information below.

Race packet pick up, as well as late day registration, will be held during the Health and Wellness Expo held at Briarwood Mall on Saturday June 16^th from 10AM to 4PM. This event is free and open to participants and the public. Parking is free during this event.

Race packet pick up (for the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K and 1.2 Mile Kids Run) and race day registration (for the 5K and 1.2 Mile Kids Run) will be available at the starting line on event day (Sunday June 17^th). There will be no race day registration for the Marathon and Half-Marathon. Registration will begin at 6:00AM and will continue until 30 minutes prior to the start of the 5K and the 1.2 Mile Kids Race.

NOTE: All of the above is subject to the following proviso with respect to the Marathon and Half-Marathon: The Marathon is limited to 2,500 participants and the Half-Marathon is limited to 5,000 participants. Accordingly, registration for the Marathon and Half-Marathon will close when the limits are reached, and we will provide notice on our website when that occurs.

If pre-registered?

If you are registered for the race, please be sure to pick up your race packet either Saturday at the Expo or on race day at the Registration Table. Packet pick up will be held during the Health and Wellness Expo at Briarwood Mall, Saturday June 16^th from 10AM to 4PM. You may also pick up your packet on race day at the Registration table, at the starting line. Packets will be available beginning at 6:00AM.

Will my first name appear on my race bib?

Yes, pre-register for the Marathon, Half-Marathon or 5K by May 20th and the first name you register will be printed on your bib.  Please note, due to the busy race season, we had to order by May 10^th in order to get the bibs printed, shipped and prepped with the timing company in time for June 17^th.

Health and Wellness Expo?

There will be a Health and Wellness Expo at Briarwood Mall, Saturday June 16^th from 10AM to 4PM. This event is free and open to the public. You can also late day register for this event as well as pick up Race Packets.

Where do volunteers go?

Volunteers will receive an email with pertinent information from their Committee Chair. Be sure to know where and when to meet your group on event day. There may even be a pre-race volunteer meeting for certain committees.

If you don’t receive your Volunteer Information before race day, be sure to stop by the volunteer table on event day; it will be located at the starting line. You will also receive an event Staff T-shirt.

The Ann Arbor Marathon needs a ton of volunteers… whether you are interested as an individual, group, business / school team, etc., we need a lot of help from all ages in multiple roles. For more information or to volunteer, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call CFC (734) 213-1033.

Thank You in advance for all your hard work!

When and where does the race start? 

• The Marathon starts at 6:45AM
  
• The Half-Marathon starts at 7AM
  
• The 5K starts at 7:30AM
  
• The 1.2 Mile Kids Marathon starts at 11:30AM
  

The Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K races begin on South Main Street and East Keech Avenue (the Northwest corner of the University of Michigan Football Stadium, the “Big House!”)

Will you have finisher medals for the Marathon and Half-Marathon?

Yes, and we are going to try and make them really cool!

I would like to walk the Marathon or Half-Marathon. Are walkers allowed?

Yes, you are able to walk either the Marathon or the Half-Marathon. Both courses are open for 6 hours—until 1:00PM. You can walk as slow as a 27-minute per mile pace and finish the Half-Marathon within 6 hours, so finishing the Half-Marathon by the cutoff time should not be an issue. Those walking the marathon will need to average about 13:45 minutes per mile to finish in 6 hours. Participants still on the course after 6 hours will be asked to move to sidewalks as streets will be reopened for traffic and aid stations will discontinue on-course support. Anyone finishing after 6 hours will not receive an official time, but will receive a finisher medal.

How many Aid-Stations are on the courses?

There are 17 on the Marathon course, eight on the Half-Marathon course and two on the 5K course.

What energy drink will be offered on the course?

We are very pleased to have Powerade as our energy drink provider. Powerade will be available at every aid-station on the Marathon and Half-Marathon courses. Each aid-station will be set-up so that water is offered first, followed by Powerade.

What about energy gel?

We will have energy gel at a minimum of two aid-stations on both the Marathon and Half-Marathon courses.

Will you have pace teams for the Marathon?

The Pace Team provides a runner-focused experience by offering a range of times from 3:15 to 5:00 which covers the expected finish times of over 90% of the marathon participants. The Pacers from MarathonPacing.com are uniquely qualified by having on average completed over 30 marathons and paced over a dozen marathons.

Can I run with an iPod or similar device?

Yes, USATF has amended its rules to remove the ban on iPods and similar devices. While we encourage you not to use them and to totally focus on and savor the course with your fellow runners, in the end it is your call. If you choose to use your iPod please keep it on low volume or with one ear bud out.

Strollers Allowed?

Strollers are not allowed in the Marathon or Half-Marathon, but are welcomed in the 5K!

What is the race route?

All maps for Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K routes are available on the Course Maps page.

Can someone ride the course with me on a bike or roller blades, etc.? How about running with a dog on a leash?

No. Other than strollers being allowed in the 5K, only registered runners or guide dogs are allowed on the course.

Is there Medical Staff on site?

Yes, there will be a Medical Team at the finish line. Red Cross will be providing quick response throughout the course and Huron Valley Ambulance will be on standby throughout the course. There will also be bike teams during the race.

Will the results be posted after race?

Yes, preliminary results for the Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K races will be located on the Results Wall at the finish line. Please allow volunteers access to the boards so they may continuously post updated results! The preliminary results will also be available here on theannarbormarathon.com approximately 24-hours after the event. Final results will be posted online within 2–4 days after the event. You can also print your Finisher Certificate from the website for the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K and 1.2 Mile Kids races.

Recycling?

Yes! The Ann Arbor Marathon is a Green event and reducing its impact on the environment! Virtual Race Bags will be available to limit paper waste. Recycling and composting containers will be conveniently located along the course and start/finish lines. Please do your part and put recyclables and waste in the appropriate containers!

Are Spectators allowed?

Spectators are welcome! Bring cameras and join the fun! Cheer on participants all along the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K and 1.2 Mile Kids Marathon courses.

Is it required that my running attire be Maize and Blue?

If you want to be fashionable and look really great, Maize and Blue is recommended, but we are very gracious here and you can wear any colors you want!