Frequently Asked Questions
updated 9/12/2023
Q: Is this race a Boston qualifier?
Yes. We are USATF certified and you will be Boston eligible if you meet the time criteria for age.
Q: Where are the aid stations?
Aid stations are located every 1.5 miles beginning at mile 2, offering water and Powerade at each aid station. GU, typically Vanilla Bean, is offered just after mile 17.
Q: Is there a time limit to complete the race?
Yes, the half marathon has a limit of 3 hours and the marathon has a limit of 6 hours (13:45/mile pace). Much of the course is open to traffic and course support will only be available during those times.
Q: Can I use headphones during the race?
Phones and portable music devices are allowed but keep safety in mind. The race course is open to traffic in many areas. Runners must remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
Q: Are rollerblades, bikes, strollers, or pets permitted on the course?
None of these are permitted on the race course for the marathon, half marathon, or relay.
Q: Can I pick up my packet on race day?
Race day registration is NOT allowed but there will be a one hour window from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM to pick up your packet at Pioneer Park. This will be a very busy time. Therefore, we strongly recommend that runners pick up their packet the night before.
Q: Can someone else pick up my packet?
Yes. We ask that you print your confirmation page and send that with your designee. This will ensure that you have given your permission and that all of your info is correct.
Q: Do you have a pasta dinner?
We team with two or three local restaurants to offer pasta meals at a discount to runners. Check the runner guide and your runner emails closer to race day for more information.
Q: How old do I have to be to run your event?
The half marathon lower age limit is 12 years, the full marathon is 16 years.
Q: Is there parking near the race start?
Yes, plenty of parking within a few of blocks. The main park entrance will be closed on race morning. You can access grass parking via the back entrance/exit via Western Avenue. Paved parking is available at the movie theater parking lot (219 6th Street, only three blocks from the start).
Q: Can I leave my warm up clothing at the start?
You can drop off a bag with your clothing at the bandshell in Pioneer Park or leave it at the start area. Your packet pickup bag will have your race number attached, so use this for your items. We will keep your bag at the bandshell until after the race. Lost and found items can be retrieved there as well.
Q: Where are the best locations to watch the race?
There are many places to cheer along the route. That's one of the great things about a small town marathon. We do ask that you avoid driving along the race route for safety reasons. Check the runner guide for a detailed list of great viewing locations.
Q: Why is there a limit on registrations, can I still get in?
Register early, as we do not plan to open the event beyond the listed limits. Historically, all races except the marathon close early. Registration for all races, except the 5K, will close one week before race day regardless of entry numbers in order for the race committee to make necessary preparations.
Q: I won't be able to run this year, can I get a refund?
Sorry, as with most races, we don't offer no refunds. Runners are allowed to transfer their registration to another runner, but this must be completed at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE race day. See the transfer link on the registration website.
Q: Can I switch to a different race?
Yes, but this must be completed at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE race day. See the transfer link on the registration website. A switch to a longer race will require the runner to pay the difference in entry fees. There is no refund for a switch to a shorter distance.
Q: How can I volunteer for the Brookings Marathon?
Just send an email to [email protected] and our volunteer coordinator will be touch.
Q: How do I register my relay team?
If you have already registered a Marathon Relay team as TEAM CAPTAIN, use your registration site login to send registration information to your team. If you are a team member, check with your team captain to ensure the team has been registered. Members can enter with no additional fee under the TEAM MEMBER registration tab.
Q: What can you tell me about the medals and race shirts?
All participants in the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay (including each relay team member) receive a custom race medal.
All participants in the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay receive a technical running shirt (long-Sleeve quarter zip for the full marathon and short-sleeve for the half and relay). Women's race shirts are fitted. If you are in between sizes, we recommend moving up one size. Late entries cannot be guaranteed shirt sizes.
Q: Is there an option for an early start?
Due to safety concerns, we do not offer an early start.
Q: Can I sign up for the marathon and just run the half marathon course?
We strongly discourage running an event other than the one for which you registered. This is confusing for our volunteers and can potentially lead to errors in the results and age group awards.
Q: Do you have pacers?
The experienced team from Lost Dog Pacers will join us again this year. We anticipate pacers for the following marathon finish times: 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 5:00, and 5:30.
Yes. We are USATF certified and you will be Boston eligible if you meet the time criteria for age.
Q: Where are the aid stations?
Aid stations are located every 1.5 miles beginning at mile 2, offering water and Powerade at each aid station. GU, typically Vanilla Bean, is offered just after mile 17.
Q: Is there a time limit to complete the race?
Yes, the half marathon has a limit of 3 hours and the marathon has a limit of 6 hours (13:45/mile pace). Much of the course is open to traffic and course support will only be available during those times.
Q: Can I use headphones during the race?
Phones and portable music devices are allowed but keep safety in mind. The race course is open to traffic in many areas. Runners must remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
Q: Are rollerblades, bikes, strollers, or pets permitted on the course?
None of these are permitted on the race course for the marathon, half marathon, or relay.
Q: Can I pick up my packet on race day?
Race day registration is NOT allowed but there will be a one hour window from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM to pick up your packet at Pioneer Park. This will be a very busy time. Therefore, we strongly recommend that runners pick up their packet the night before.
Q: Can someone else pick up my packet?
Yes. We ask that you print your confirmation page and send that with your designee. This will ensure that you have given your permission and that all of your info is correct.
Q: Do you have a pasta dinner?
We team with two or three local restaurants to offer pasta meals at a discount to runners. Check the runner guide and your runner emails closer to race day for more information.
Q: How old do I have to be to run your event?
The half marathon lower age limit is 12 years, the full marathon is 16 years.
Q: Is there parking near the race start?
Yes, plenty of parking within a few of blocks. The main park entrance will be closed on race morning. You can access grass parking via the back entrance/exit via Western Avenue. Paved parking is available at the movie theater parking lot (219 6th Street, only three blocks from the start).
Q: Can I leave my warm up clothing at the start?
You can drop off a bag with your clothing at the bandshell in Pioneer Park or leave it at the start area. Your packet pickup bag will have your race number attached, so use this for your items. We will keep your bag at the bandshell until after the race. Lost and found items can be retrieved there as well.
Q: Where are the best locations to watch the race?
There are many places to cheer along the route. That's one of the great things about a small town marathon. We do ask that you avoid driving along the race route for safety reasons. Check the runner guide for a detailed list of great viewing locations.
Q: Why is there a limit on registrations, can I still get in?
Register early, as we do not plan to open the event beyond the listed limits. Historically, all races except the marathon close early. Registration for all races, except the 5K, will close one week before race day regardless of entry numbers in order for the race committee to make necessary preparations.
Q: I won't be able to run this year, can I get a refund?
Sorry, as with most races, we don't offer no refunds. Runners are allowed to transfer their registration to another runner, but this must be completed at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE race day. See the transfer link on the registration website.
Q: Can I switch to a different race?
Yes, but this must be completed at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE race day. See the transfer link on the registration website. A switch to a longer race will require the runner to pay the difference in entry fees. There is no refund for a switch to a shorter distance.
Q: How can I volunteer for the Brookings Marathon?
Just send an email to [email protected] and our volunteer coordinator will be touch.
Q: How do I register my relay team?
If you have already registered a Marathon Relay team as TEAM CAPTAIN, use your registration site login to send registration information to your team. If you are a team member, check with your team captain to ensure the team has been registered. Members can enter with no additional fee under the TEAM MEMBER registration tab.
Q: What can you tell me about the medals and race shirts?
All participants in the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay (including each relay team member) receive a custom race medal.
All participants in the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay receive a technical running shirt (long-Sleeve quarter zip for the full marathon and short-sleeve for the half and relay). Women's race shirts are fitted. If you are in between sizes, we recommend moving up one size. Late entries cannot be guaranteed shirt sizes.
Q: Is there an option for an early start?
Due to safety concerns, we do not offer an early start.
Q: Can I sign up for the marathon and just run the half marathon course?
We strongly discourage running an event other than the one for which you registered. This is confusing for our volunteers and can potentially lead to errors in the results and age group awards.
Q: Do you have pacers?
The experienced team from Lost Dog Pacers will join us again this year. We anticipate pacers for the following marathon finish times: 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 5:00, and 5:30.
