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, May 3, 2012. 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 Health & Fitness 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?

No, but you may have it mailed to you prior to Race Day; but you must choose this option when you register. Read on for details. Each participant must attend the Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, May 4, 2012 between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m or Saturday, May 5, 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.

PACKET DELIVERY OPTION: 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.If you did choose to have your bib shipped, it will arrive no later than April 30, 2012.

A friend or family member may pick up your bib IF AND ONLY IF they have a copy of your driver's license and a signed waiver which can be downloaded here. 2012 Event Waiver.

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.  This will be their third year handling this for us and they are FANTASTIC!

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 & Event Center. Unclaimed items will be held at the OC Marathon offices for 60 days after the event and then donated to charity. You may email us at info@ocmarathon.com through July 6, 2012 to check for your items and we can make arrangements to get it to you or for you to come by our offices to retrieve them. Anything still at our office after July 6, 2012 will be donated to charity.

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. Visit the Volunteers Page to sign up for volunteer opportunities when available (the new module will be posted around 12.01.11)

Charity Information

Who are the “Charities”?

Please visit the Charities Page for a complete listing of our 2011 Charity Partners.  2012 Charity Partners will be announced and links available for fundraising by November 15, 2011. Applications to become a 2012 Charity Partner are now available on the Charities Page. Please visit that page to download the application.

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

This year all donations must be made from our Charities Page.

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 2012 for all Running Clubs. Details on the program, how you can compete and the incentives as well as our 2012 Running Clubs Leaderboard (when the first team hits 25) can be found on our Running Clubs Page. 

Pace Groups

Do you have marathon pace groups?

We will have an official Pace Team in 2012. Please check back for complete details; look for a Pace Groups page in the Race Weekend information section sometime in the Fall 2012.