Registration Information
I’d like to change my registration from marathon to 1/2 marathon or 1/2 marathon to marathon. How do I do that?
You can email registration@ocmarathon.com. Please state your first and last name, address, email, phone number and race you are registered in NOW and what you would like to change to. Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing. If you are "stepping down" from any category, you will not receive a refund on any monies paid. If you are "upgrading" to a new category, you will be charged the difference between what you have already paid and the current fees. The card with which you paid your original registration will be charged the difference unless you notify us to use another form of payment in your email.
I can’t find my name on the confirmation page, but I registered online, or my check has cashed.
Click on the Confirm Your Entry link under the Register Now button above the menu buttons on the left. You must enter your first and last name exactly as it was entered on your on line registration. If we entered it from a mail in document, our standard is the first letter of the first and last name are capitalized, rest is lower case. If you do not have the exact spelling or you registered via the mail and it does not come up as you entered it on the entry form, you may email registration@ocmarathon.com to inquire about your registration confirmation. Please allow 2 weeks from the date you mailed in your registration for it to appear in our system. If you registered online, the confirmation should be available within 24 hours if your first and last name match exactly. If you provided an email address when you registered online or on your mail in registration form, you may request a duplicate copy of your confirmation email by clicking on the Confirmation Email Duplicate button also above the menu buttons on the left. You must enter the exact email address you used to register to request the duplicate.
I lost my confirmation that I received when I registered online. How do I pick up my race packet without it?
You do not need your confirmation. Please just go to the Expo with your ID and state your name. Registered participants will receive their bib numbers via email prior to the Expo. If a participant does not have a bib number, you can look up your names on the alpha lists (provided by Race Central) as you enter the Expo. Once a participant has a bib number, you will proceed to the corresponding registration table where you will need to provide a valid photo ID and sign the release waivers for the OC Marathon and OC Fair & Event Center.
Can I pick up my packet on Race Day?
NO! ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PICK UP THEIR PACKETS AT THE EXPO! THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS YEARS! Each participant must attend the Health, Fitness & Nutrition Expo and show their identification to pick up their own race bib, D-tag timing chip, technical shirt or t-shirt, and goodie bag. Friends and family of participants may pick up packets for the participant only if they have a copy of the person's ID and both an OC Marathon event waiver and an OC Fair & Event Center waiver SIGNED BY THE PARTICIPANT. These forms will be available here soon. We will post them in our forum when they are available as well.
Participant Information
Will there be Personal Items Storage?
Personal Items Storage is available near the shuttle service at the OC Fair and Event Center. Personal Items Storage will also be available at the Marathon and Half Marathon Start Line. Look for "Personal Items Storage" signs. A bag will be provided for you to check your items and you will use the tag provided on your bib to label your items for storage. All items will be brought from the Start Line to the tent at the Shuttle Bus loading area at the Finish Line. It is not recommended that participants store any valuables.
Will there be a Participant Lost & Found?
Items of value that have been turned in will be located at the Volunteer Tent at the OC Fair and Event Center. Unclaimed items will be donated to a charity at the end of the event.
What if I have a question on race day?
For all questions and inquiries, participants and spectators can visit the Volunteer/Information Tent at the OC Fair and Event Center at the Finish Line.
Transportation/Parking
What happens if I try to park in parking lots that are not approved event parking locations for The OC Marathon?
Please do not park in any area that is not designated The OC Marathon Event Parking area. In order to accommodate the normal traffic around Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, as well as accommodate for the heavy shopping traffic, we need to direct The OC Marathon traffic to the assigned lots. You run the risk of being towed should you choose to park in another area. Parking at the starting area of the Marathon and 1/2 Marathon will be at your own risk. Shuttle service will begin at 4:00am from the finish line area at the OC Fair and Event Center and continue through the Marathon and 1/2 Marathon starting time.
Course Information
What is the time requirement on the course?
The course time limits are 3.5 hours for the half marathon and 7.0 hours for the full marathon. Please note that the course will have a rolling re-opening that will be strictly enforced by the Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Irvine Police Departments. The Participant/Spectator Guide will have detailed re-opening times and if a participant has not reached those points by that time, they will be instructed by police officers to obey all traffic laws and continue the route as a pedestrian on the sidewalks.
All participants will need to complete mile 4 (Balboa Island Bridge) by 7:45am. Also, half marathoners will need to complete mile 12.75 (across Newport Blvd and Mesa Blvd.) by 10:00am.
Will there be portable restrooms on the course?
Yes, there will be portable restrooms on the course.
Will this be a Boston Qualifier?
Yes, this race will be a Boston qualifier.
Are ipods allowed on the course?
Yes, ipods are allowed on the course.
Will photographs be taken along the course and at the finish? If so, how can I order these pictures?
Brightroom Professional Event Photography will be there on the course and at the finish line to capture you on the day of your big race. You will be notified via email (if it was provided on your registration form) when the photos are ready. After the event we will post a link to the Brightroom web site for your convenience.
Am I allowed to bring my baby stroller jogger, or have my friend in-line with me?
Baby stroller joggers will be allowed, but you must start at the back of all the participants. In-line skaters, bicyclists, as well as pets will be prohibited on the course in order to ensure the safety of all runners.
Can walkers register for the Marathon? Half Marathon? 5K?
Walkers are encouraged to participate in the Half Marathon rather than the full Marathon. The Full Marathon course has a time limit of 7.0 hours. The Half Marathon has a 3.5 hour time limit, so as long as you can walk a 15 minute mile, you can walk the the Half Marathon. The 5K does not have a time limit.
Volunteers
My son/daughter is in a youth group and would like to volunteer. Is there an age cutoff for volunteering?
We require ages 16 and older to volunteer. If they are younger, they must be accompanied by an adult. Please email volunteers@ocmarathon.com to put your name on a volunteer list.
Training
The ICR Beach Runners is the official training program for the OC Marathon. Registration for the ICR Beach Runners Training program will be available in early fall 2009. Please email jbruton@runicr.com for more information or check the training page of the web site.
Charity Information
Who are the “Charities”?
Please visit the Charities Page of the web site for information on how to become The OC Marathon Charity Partner.
Can I make an online donation to my selected children's charity?
Yes! Please select a charity and run on their behalf! This option will be available late fall 2009 as part of the online registration process.
Teams and Running Clubs
My employer wants information on having a team.
Please call (949) 222-3327 or e-mail us at runningclubs@ocmarathon.com and we will work with your employer on a customized team program for your office!
I am a member of a running club that wants to send a team to participate in the OC Marathon.
We will have a promotion specifically for Running Clubs of all sizes. Details on the program, how you can compete and the incentives included will be posted on our Running Clubs Page of our web site in February 2010. To receive more information on our Running Clubs incentive program when it's available, please email a contact name to running clubs@ocmarathon.com.
Pace Groups
Do you have marathon pace groups?
You will be able to sign up for free pace groups at the Expo or go to the Pace Gropus page under the Training Tab on the web site to find out more details. There will also be race pace groupings at the start. All runners are required to follow standard race etiquette and position themselves at the start accordingly. The fastest runners should go to the front, followed by progressively slower paced runners. If a participant is running with a stroller, they will be expected to start in the back of the participant group.