The Seventh Annual Marshall University Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, November 7th, 2010  at 7:00 am.  There are no  course changes this year.   
   
Overview: HealthyHuntington.org, inc. is dedicated to bringing the HealthierUS Initiative to the area. Exercise is a key component of this and we want everyone to take part in this event either as a runner, walker, or volunteer. Learn more by logging onto www.HealthyHuntington.org . Events:. Marathon Half-marathon run (this may be walked) Half-marathon relay run 5-Mile walk. Entry Requirements: No restrictions except entrants must be 16 years of age or older to participate in the marathon. There is no age restriction on the other events.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS:  click here and here for 2008 and 2009 videos that were on youtube.com.

MARATHON COMMENTS:  click here to get to the marathonguide.com site where you can read comments about the race.

Registration:  this will be available in mid January 2010 on active.com.  Cut off dates for registration are not yet determined.  Please check back in January.   The prices will probably stay as noted below but this might change slightly. 

**There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION at all for any event (even the walk and relay).

Entry Fees:  MARATHON - $60 by August 15th and $80 after that.   The $60 entry fee includes the fleece.    After the August 15th deadline there are only long sleeve tech-shirts that will be given out.

HALF-MARATHON - $35 by August 15th and $50  after that (this is the same amount even if you plan on walking the half-marathon)

HALF-MARATHON RELAY - $60 per team by August 15th and $75 after that. 

ALL 5 MILE WALKERS - $20 regardless of sign-up date 

Sorry, but there are NO REFUNDS and t-shirts and fleeces will not be mailed if you cannot make it to the race.

MILITARY PERSONNEL - there are special prices for this in honor of your service to the country.  $20 for the marathon;  $10 for the half-marathon and $25 per relay team.  Please spread the word of this to other military personnel. 

Course: The course is flat and fast and USATF certified.  It is a perfect course to run to qualify for Boston. Runners start on 3rd Avenue next to Cam Henderson Center and run through downtown Huntington past Pullman Square, next to the Ohio River, and through Ritter Park among other places.  The highlight is to run through Marshall University campus on their way to a goal-line finish in Marshall Football Stadium.  Footballs will be available to carry in the final 100 yards if desired!  A race map is available online.  This course is also very spectator friendly and we will have race maps available with city maps for your friends and family to follow.  NOTE - this was just re-certified.  The new course has about 3 miles of crushed limestone on it around RItter Park.  It is very fine and packed very well so that the course remains fast.  There is no need for trail shoes, etc because of this.

The Flower:  We have a limited amount of flowers that are handed out as you enter campus (at Old Main on Hal Greer Blvd. and 4th Avenue, just beyond the 25 mile mark).  This is a memorial for the plane crash victims from November 14th, 1970 (for which the movie We are Marshall  was made).  Those taking the flower are asked to put this in a basket 200 yards away at Memorial Fountain.

Time Limit:  6 hours for all events.  For safety and insurance reasons there are no early starts.  Those participants who feel they will take longer than 6 hours should be prepared that police support and aid stations may not be available past this pace (approximately 13:45 min/mile). 

Amenities: All full marathon registrants (those participating in the full 26.2 mile race) who enter by August 15th will get a full-zip fleece jacket.  This is tentatively going to be grey this year and it is the same style as in 2009 which was VERY successful.  We may try to get a later date to sign up and still get the fleece jacket but we can't guarantee that at this time.  So - sign up early.   All other runners (marathoners after August 15th and half-marathoners and relay runners)  and walkers will receive a long-sleeve tech-shirt (size guaranteed if entry received by October 10th).  Everyone gets a unique finisher’s medal, which is specially designed for the event in a 3D format.

Relay information:  Two or three people may do the half-marathon relay in any order they wish.  The legs will be 3.3, 5.7 and 4.1 miles.   You must indicate your team name and team member’s names on the application and you must sign up together.  If any changes are made, they must be made at least one week before race time.  An award will be given to the team with the best name, with the race committee being the judges.  Go to the separate RELAY INFORMATION section for more details.

Timing: The race will be timed using RFID timing chips for the marathon and the half-marathon.  (The relay and walk will be timed traditionally).   Instructions are available at chip pick-up on how to wear the chip. Chips MUST be worn only on the ANKLE using the provided Velcro strap. You must wear your RFID chip on the ankle or you will not be timed.

You must wear your bib number on the front of your clothing so that we can see and record your number as you cross the finish line. Check the information on your packet label to make sure it is correct. If not, notify a race official at packet pickup on Saturday.
Competitors not wearing chip on ankle and bib number on front of clothing will not be timed.
Chip TURN-IN.  At the finish, you MUST turn-in your rental chip. Failure to return your chip will result in a $30.00 charge. Volunteers will be available to assist with chip collection.
May I use my own chip NO? All competitors must use loaner chips provided by race officials.