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?

Visit Registration Transfers and follow the on screen instructions and pay published transfer fees.  You will need the email address used for your original registration. So dig that up to get started.

I can’t find my name on the confirmation page, but I registered online, or my check has cashed.

Visit Registration Confirmation and follow the on screen instructions!

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. Registered participants will receive their bib numbers via email on Thursday, April 28, 2011. If a participant does not get a bib number via email or have a confirmation, no problem!  Just grab your ID and head on over to the OC Fair & Event Center to the Health, Fitness & Nutrition Expo. When you get there, look up your name 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.

Can I pick up my packet on Race Day?

Yes, for a fee. But you must choose this option when you register. Read on for details. Each participant must attend the Health, Fitness & Nutrition Expo on Friday, April 29, 2011 between 12 p.m. and 7:00 p.m or Saturday April 30, 2011 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and show their identification to pick up their own race bib, B-tag timing chip, technical shirt or t-shirt, and goodie bag.   You also must sign a hard copy of the release waiver at this time.

NEW FOR 2011:  If you absolutely cannot make it to the Expo on Friday or Saturday, we can make special arrangements to mail your bib number and timing tag to you approximately one week before the race. This option is ONLY available during the online registration process and CANNOT be changed once you have selected this option or chosen NOT to select it. The fee for this service is a non-refundable $25 and can be added to your cart during your registration purchase. The delivery is only for the bib and timing tag, you will pick-up your shirt and any other items on race day.

Participant Information

Will there be Personal Items Storage?

UPS, one of the most recognized names in the world, will ensure your personal items are safely delivered to you at the finish line.

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 Half Marathon will be at your own risk. Shuttle service will begin at 4:00 a.m. from the finish line area at the OC Fair and Event Center and continue through the Marathon and Half Marathon starting times. Visit Parking and Directions for detailed information.

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. Email volunteers@ocmarathon.com to go on the email distribution list to receive notification when the volunteer sign-ups are available.

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 2010.  Please email jbruton@runicr.com for more information or check the Training Page of the web site.

Charity Information

Who are the “Charities”?

Applications and deadlines for 2011 Charity Partners will be available fall 2011. If you’d like more information or would like to receive the application when they are available, please email us at charities@ocmarathon.com. We will have a Charities Page on the web site as well, but it’s not quite ready to go yet, so check back or email us and we’ll notify you when it’s ready!

Can I make an online donation to my selected children's charity?

At the moment, no, but you will be able to shortly! We’ve launched a new registration system this year and are working on getting the charitable giving component integrated. With this system, as soon as the charitable component is available, you will be able to go back into your registration and make donations! If you want to be notified when our charitable giving component is live, email us at charities@ocmarathon.com and we’ll put you on the notification list.

Teams and Running Clubs

My employer wants information on having a team.

E-mail us at runningclubs@ocmarathon.com and we will work with your employer to get you set up in our Running Club program. Details on this program can be found on our Running Clubs Page.

I am a member of a running club that wants to send a team to participate in the OC Marathon.

We have a program going on for 2011 for all Running Clubs. Details on the program, how you can compete and the incentives as well as our 2011 Running Clubs Leaderboard can be found on our Running Clubs Page. 

Pace Groups

Do you have marathon pace groups?

Now this is an area where we could really improve! We are working on options and will post all the details here and on the Pace Groups page of the web site as soon as we have them. One way or another, we WILL have them in a more organized fashion in 2011.