Frequently Asked Questions

Each runner must attend the Sports and Fitness Expo as there will be NO runner registration or packet pickup on September 17, 2011.

Is there an age limit to be eligibile to run the full marathon?

Yes. You must be 18 years of age prior to September 17, 2011 to be eligible to register for the full marathon. This age limit is based on advice from the International Marathon Medical Directors’ Association. For the full article, click here:http://www.aimsworldrunning.org/articles/Children&Marathoning.pdf

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Where and when is the Air Force Marathon?

The Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K will be held on September 17, 2011.  The Start and Finish Lines are at the National Museum of the United States Air force, 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433. Start Time is 7:25 a.m. for theWheeled Division Race and 7:30 a.m. for the Full Marathon and 10K. The Half Marathon starts at 8:30 a.m.

The 5K Race Presented by Wright State University is held on September 16, 2011.  Start time is 6:30 p.m. The Start and Finish line are at the Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio 45435.

All runners will be required to pick up their bib*, T-shirt, and goodie bag at the Ervin J. Nutter Center from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 15, and from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm on Friday, September 16.

There will be no runner registration or bib pickup on September 17, 2011.

*NOTE: A picture ID is required and you will need your runner confirmation email containing your bib number. Bib Pickup representatives will be limited to picking up four race bibs, including their own.

See: Directions

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How early should I arrive at the race venue?

The earlier the better! We suggest that runners arrive at the start line located at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at least one and one half hours before the scheduled start of their race as traffic can back up quickly. 

Start Time for the Wheeled Division Race is 7:25 a.m. and the start time for the Full Marathonand 10K is 7:30 a.m. The Half Marathon starts at 8:30 a.m.

The 5K race on September 16, 2011 will be held at the Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University at 6:30 p.m.  The Air Force Marathon Sports & Fitness Expo, where runners pick up their bibs, is held at this location as well, and can become a very congested area. We suggest arriving at 4:30 pm.

See: Directions

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How do I switch from a longer race to a shorter race?

Runners may change their registration to another raceif there are slots available.

If you registered online using Active.com and the credit card is still valid, a $10 change fee will be charged to your card. You must download the Registration Change Form and submit it to the Marathon office before the change will be made. Scanned forms may be emailed tousaf.marathon@wpafb.af.mil. Forms may also be faxed to 937-656-1000 or mailed to: Air Force Marathon, 88 ABW/CVM, 5030 Patterson Parkway Bldg. 219 Rm. 106, WPAFB, OH 45433. If you paid by check, please mail the $10 check with the signed change form to the address above.

Download: Registration Change Form [pdf]

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How do I switch from a shorter race to a longer race?

Runners may change their registration to another race if there are slots available.

Your change fee will be based on the amount you paid on the date you registered and the current price of the race you wish to switch to, plus a $10 change fee. Because there are so many variables, runners switching to a longer race will need to call the Marathon office at 1-800-467-1823 to determine the appropriate fees. Please have the Registration Change Form downloaded when you call the office. You will need to submit it by email tousaf.marathon@wpafb.af.mil; by fax to 937-656-1000 or by mail to: Air Force Marathon, 88 ABW/CVM, 5030 Patterson Parkway Bldg. 219 Rm. 106, WPAFB, OH 45433. If you registered online using Active.com and the credit card is still valid, the fees will automatically be billed to that card. If you paid by check, you must enclose a check with a copy of the change form.

Download: Registration Change Form [pdf]

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Do you accept credit cards for payment?

Yes, when you register online for better value, credit cards are accepted for all races.

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I didn’t get my confirmation email. What should I do?

Sometimes a firewall or a SPAM filter may block your confirmation email. First, check your Spam/Junk email folder. If it’s not there, you can check to see if you’re registered by clicking here:http://www.active.com/send_confirmation_reciept.cfm?event_id=1912905

You can also request a new confirmation email by clicking here:http://www.active.com/search_reg.cfm?event_id=1912905&sr_id=33496

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What is your cancellation policy?

Our current policy is that registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (to other years or individuals). The only exception is for official military deployment.

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Your cancellation policy states that registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, but I have been issued orders to deploy, and I have already registered and paid to participate in the Air Force Marathon. Can I get a refund?

Refunds will be given to individuals who have deployment orders that will prevent them from participating in the marathon. The following are the requirements for a refund: 
  - Copy of deployment orders
  - Mailing address where refund will be sent

Above items must be faxed to the Air Force Marathon office at (937) 656-1000 or DSN 986-1000.

See Also: For more information visit Active Duty.

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Where do I pick up my bib and goodie bag and what do I need?

Each runner is required to show photo identification and the runner confirmation email with your bib number on it in order to pick up your bib and goodie bag at the Sports & Fitness Exposition held at the Ervin J. Nutter Center.  Check out the Sports & Fitness Exposition page for details.

See: Race Rules

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Can I register and pick up my race bib on race day?

No. We do not allow race registration or race bib pick up on race day (Saturday) for the full and half marathons or 10K race. 5K participants may pick up their bib on Thursday or Friday before the 6:30 p.m. start time.

All runners are required to pick up their runner’s bib*, T-shirt, and goodie bag at the Sports & Fitness Expo.

*NOTE: A picture ID is required and you will need your runner confirmation email containing your bib number. Bib Pickup representatives will be limited to picking up four race bibs, including their own.

Registrations may be accepted at the Sports & Fitness Expo only if all races have not sold out. Races are limited to 13,000 total runners.  It is recommended to register early on-line for better savings and a confirmed race slot. All races in 2010 sold out in advance and registration was not available at the Expo.

See: Registration

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Can my friend pick up my race bib for me?

Due to security reasons we ask that runners make every effort to pick up their own race bibs at the Sports and Fitness Expo.  A picture ID and your runner registration confirmation are required.

Runners who are not able to pick up their bibs in person must make arrangements for a representative to pick up their bibs.  Your representative must present a copy of your photo ID, a signed authorization from you, and your runner confirmation email in order to claim your race bib and goodie bag.

One person is limited to picking up a total of four race bibs.

Download: Bib Pickup Authorization Form [pdf]
NOTE: A picture ID is required and you will need your runner confirmation email containing your bib number. Bib Pickup representatives will be limited to picking up four race bibs, including their own.

See: Race Rules

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I’ve run this race before. Is there anything new I need to know for 2011?

Yes. We are changing our bib pickup procedure to expedite the process. In the weeks prior to the race, you will receive a confirmation email with your bib number on it. You will need to print this out and bring it with you in order to pick up your bib, along with your photo ID. Bibs will be ordered numerically instead of alphabetically. If you forget your email, you will need to visit the Solution Center to look up your bib number.

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Is the Air Force Marathon open to the public?

Yes, absolutely! Roughly 73% of our participants are civilians.

See: Registration

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How can I volunteer to help with the Air Force Marathon?

The Air Force Marathon is such a great event because of our dedicated volunteers. We are always looking for help, especially the week prior to and during the marathon. You just need to fill out your information and when you want to volunteer, and we will send you a confirmation. Thanks in advance!

See: Volunteer

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How long do I have to complete the course when I run the marathon, half marathon or 10K?

All runners must finish the full marathon within the 7 hour time limit in order to receive an official time and a finisher's medal. For your own health and safety, the 7 hour limit will be strictly adhered to and there will be no exceptions.

Half marathon participants have 6 hours and 10K participants must complete the race in 4 hours. If participants are not keeping pace during the race, they will be asked to leave the course and transported back to the finish line area.

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Is the Air Force Marathon walker friendly?

All of our events including the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K are walker friendly.  We ask those of you who are going to be walking the Full marathon, Half marathon and 10K to start in the back and please remember that you must finish by the course time limits (Full: 7 hours / Half: 6 hours / 10K: 4 hours)

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Is the Air Force Marathon a USA Track and Field certified course?

The Air Force Marathon is certified by the USA Track and Field Association with a certificate number of OH97034PR.

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Can I qualify for the Boston Marathon?

The Air Force Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying run. Qualifying times for the Boston Marathon can be viewed athttp://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp. Our office will submit all appropriate information to the Boston Marathon.

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I would like to participate in the Air Force Marathon. Is permissive TDY authorized?

Permissive TDY is authorized for Air Force active duty members under AFI 36-3003 (26 Oct 09) Military Leave Program, Section F, Paragraph 12, Table 7, Rule 30. Be sure to check with your supervisor.

In accordance with Joint Travel Regulations, DoD guidance and AF Instructions, civilians cannot be granted permissive TDY to participate in the Air Force Marathon. For more information please contact HQ AFMC/A1SXA at (937) 257-4803 or DSN 787-4803.

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Is Permissive TDY authorized for Air National Guard Members?

According to AFI 36-3003, for the permissive TDY rules to apply, the ANG or Reserve member must be on active duty status.  This must be approved by the Unit Commander.

(This publication addresses leave, passes, and permissive temporary duty (PTDY) for military members. It applies to active duty personnel, including United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) on active duty.  It also applies to Air National Guard (ANG) members serving on active duty in Guard or Reserve status under the provisions of Titles 10 or 32 United States Code (U.S.C.) for 30 or more consecutive days.  It implements Air Force Policy Directive 36-30, Military Entitlements, and DoD Directive 1327.5, Leave and Liberty, September 24, 1985, with changes 1-4).

See Also: For more information visit Active Duty

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Can you tell me more about the MAJCOM Air Force Marathon/Half Marathon Challenge?

A prestigious traveling trophy will be presented to the winning MAJCOM commander at Fall CORONA. The trophy will be awarded based on a point system that factors in both participation and performance in the full and half marathon events. This friendly challenge will serve as an incentive for each MAJCOM to encourage participation in the Air Force’s own nationally-recognized fitness event. Permissive TDY for military can be authorized by your supervisor.

See Also: For more information visit Active Duty

Download: Participation and Funding Guidance [doc]

Download: MAJCOM Challenge Scoring for 2010 [doc]

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Who receives a finisher's medal?

Every individual who crosses the finish line within the time limit will receive a finisher's medallion, including participants in the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K.

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Will there be energy gels available at Hydration Stations?

Energy gels will be available to full and half marathoners along the route.

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Will there be medical stations available on the course and will they have doctors?

Yes, there will be 9 stations on the course. Medical support for this event will consist of primarily volunteer medical personnel prepared to administer first aid-style assistance along the race course and at the finish line.

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