FAQ - the 2011 edition
1. What is the course like?
2. Are iPods/MP3 players allowed?
3. Can my family see me on the course? If so, where?
3. Is there electrolyte at every aid station?
4. Where will there be GU gels available?
5. What order are water and electrolyte at the aid stations?
6. Can you walk the Half if you are not a "racewalker"?
7. Do you have pace groups?
8. Is this a Boston Qualifier course? When I BQ when will I be able to apply to Boston?
9. What is the time limit?
10. Can my friend bike beside me?
11. Can someone else pick up my packet for me? Yes.
12. Can I pick up my packet race morning?
13. Where do I park?
14. How early do I need to arrive?
15. Event shirts:
16. Can I get a refund, deferral or transfer for my entry?
FAQ
1. What is the course like? Well, it doesn’t get much flatter with less then a 300 foot total change in elevation. The running surface is mostly asphalt but there is still about a third that is pavement. However, most of the course offers a grass surface along the course should you choose to run there. There is a considerable amount of shade and sun on the course so it just depends upon if your glass is half full or half empty.
2. Are iPods/MP3 players allowed? We do not disallow headphones. We ask that you keep the volume low enough that you can hear pre-race instructions, as well as directions from road marshals on the course.
3. Can my family see me on the course? If so, where? Yes, there are plenty of parking areas within 0.3 miles of the finish/start area that will give them an opportunity to view participants. New for 2011 – we have rented The Cook House Pavilion for spectators located at miles 5.8 and 18.9. From the start/finish area and The Cook House (only 0.2 miles from start/finish) they will be able to view participants at mile markers 0, 5.8, 13.1, 18.9 and 26.2. The park is open to traffic but we do not recommend you travel around the park as it adds to the traffic and pollution the runners will encounter.
3. Is there electrolyte at every aid station? Electrolyte (GU Brew – lemon lime) and water will be available at all 26 aid stations.
4. Where will there be GU gels available? The GU gels (vanilla) will be available at approximately mile # 7.5 and #20.5.
5. What order are water and electrolyte at the aid stations? Water will be offered first and electrolyte second at each aid station.
6. Can you walk the Half if you are not a "racewalker"? Yes, but you may not run or jog at all!
7. Do you have pace groups? No, we do not utilize pacers for this event.
8. Is this a Boston Qualifier course? When I BQ when will I be able to apply to Boston? Yes we are a BQ USTF certified course. Boston has revamped the admissions to a rolling format that is more performance based. So if you qualify in Erie by more than 5 minutes you should apply that same day to get “in line” before the 9/19 pool of entrants. If you qualify by less than 5 minutes you will be able to apply when the registration opens for all qualified runners. Our results will be provided to BAA in a timely fashion to support your application.
9. What is the time limit? The time limit is 6 hours for the marathon and 5.5 hours for the half marathon.
10. Can my friend bike beside me? NO! Bikes, roller blades, strollers, etc, are not permitted on the course for safety reasons. You will be disqualified if this occurs.
11. Can someone else pick up my packet for me? Yes.
12. Can I pick up my packet race morning? Yes, but it can get crowded and we will not delay the start for people waiting in line for their number. We have extended packet pick-up hours on Saturday from noon until 7PM.
13. Where do I park? On day of race we will have parking attendants direct you to a parking lot that will be no more than 0.25 miles from the start. The parking areas are Beach 6 and Beach 8, which are south and north of our starting area (Rotary-Beach 7).
14. How early do I need to arrive? Assuming you already have picked up your race packet/number, you should plan to be at the entrance to Presque Isle State park no later than 6:00 AM. If you don’t have your race number yet, then plan on being at the park entrance by 5:30. We will not delay the start for late participants.
15. Event shirts: The event shirts are a long sleeved micro fiber – Dri_Balance.
16. Can I get a refund, deferral or transfer for my entry? Sorry, we are not able to do this as outlined in our application.
