Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-Race | Race | Post- Race | 5K Walk | Fundraising
Pre-Race
Is my registration fee refundable?
Registration fees and all associated costs are non-refundable.
Is this race certified?
Yes, t his Marathon is certified and times can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon (Course Certification # PA11033WB).
ResultsTimes will be posted on the Results page following the race serving as official verification for Boston Marathon qualifiers.
How do I build a relay team?
Ask your friends to spread the work, below is a sample email that can be used:
It's time to start thinking about building relay teams for the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon. We are looking to build 3 teams of 5 people each.
The race is September 9, so there is plenty of time to train. If you know someone that is not on this list but might be interested in taking on a challenge and joining a team, let them know they can get in touch with [insert name and email].
How it works: each person takes a
3.6 – 6.5 mile leg in the relay. It is a great cause, a wonderful time (see link below). Not to mention a lot of fun getting together for group runs prior to the race and seeing it all come together race day. You don't have to be a professional runner, nor super fast, you just need to like the challenge and join us for this great cause!
Here is a link to the organization's event page.
http://www.vianet.org/events/marathon/index.shtml
Please let [insert name and email] know about your interest in getting a spot on a relay team.
Where can I pick up my race packet?
Saturday, September 8, 2012
10am to 5 pm
There is no Race Day packet pick-up.
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
101 Founders Way
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Directions
Please Note: many of the streets at the SteelStacks campus were recently opened to the public and may not show up on GPS devices. GPS coordinates for the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks: @40.614205,-75.367611
Copy and paste the location below into Google Maps for directions:
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks @40.614205,-75.367611
Race packets for Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay Teams include your ChronoTrack B-Tag Single Use Bib Tag, safety pins, driving directions and course information, shirts and information/goodies from our sponsors. All runners will receive a Dri-Balance™ (technical fabric, moisture wicking technology) runner’s shirt in their race packet. Shirts are unisex sizing.
Packets are arranged alphabetically by last name. Relay Teams receive one packet for the entire team which includes two ChronoTrack B-Tag Single Use Bib Tags, three regular bibs, and shirts for all members of your team. Relay Team packets are alphabetical by your team captains’ last name. If you would like to have something included in our race packet, please email us Via@ViaNet.org.
Can someone else pick up my race packet?
Yes, you may send someone else to pick up your race packet. They need to know your name and for which event you registered (Marathon, Half Marathon or Relay). For Relay Teams, be sure the person picking up the packet knows the team captain’s name. Relay Team packets are alphabetical by team captain’s last name.
Can we substitute Relay Team members?
Yes, please email Via@ViaNet.org if you wish to make a substitution prior to pick-up of race packets. Please no race day substitutions.
Where do I pin my race number?
Pin race number on the front of your shirt or shorts so that your bib can be read by our announcer. Do not pin bib numbers on your back.
When should I arrive at the start?
Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the race start.
Where do I park on race day at the start?
Check our Driving Directions for detailed information on parking.
Will there be a Bag Drop?
A bag drop will be provided at the Marathon/Relay Start and Half Marathon Start. Bags will be labeled with Bib # and name. Once runners have completed the race, bags can be picked up at the Finish Festival. Race volunteers manage the drop-off during the race.
Race
How do the exchanges work?
There will be a single staging area at each relay exchange. There will be volunteers calling out incoming team numbers. This should help in locating your incoming team member. However, it is the responsibility of the relay teams and each team member to know when their team member will be arriving at each exchange. This can be approximated by knowing each of the team members running pace (how fast they run) this will help in estimating when they will be arriving at each relay exchange. Relay Team members should touch hands with their incoming team member to make the exchange. Relay Team members please keep the exchange zones and the marathon course clear.
At exchange points (mile markers 5.5, 12, 16.8 and 22.6), Marathon/Half Marathon Runners will stay to the left. At exchange points, Power/Water Stations will be on the left for easy access for Marathon/Half Marathon Runners and to ease congestion. Relay Runners will enter the exchange chutes on the right to make their exchange with team members.
Can a Relay Team have less than 5 people?
Yes, teams can do the Relay with only two, three or four runners. When you submit the online registration form, fill in the contact information for additional team members’ names with the runners on your team.
Are drinks and food available on the course?
16 Water Stations are located throughout the course. Water stations will be about every 1.5 to 2.5 miles on the course. View Course Map for locations. Water Stations have PowerAde and Water in cups. Please note: Water Station #10, (mile 17 for full marathon and mile 4 for half marathon) will NOT have PowerAde. Power/Water Stations are located at every exchange
(mile markers 5.5, 12, 16.8 and 22.6), featuring Power Bars and Power Gels (the official energy product of the LVHN Marathon) and refreshments.
Food and water at exchanges and Finish Festival is for runners and volunteers only. Please have bib # or volunteer shirt visible to receive food.
What if I have to go to the bathroom during the race?
Portable toilets are at the start, finish and exchange points
(mile markers 5.5, 12, 16.8 and 22.6).
Where is the best place for people to watch the race?
Much of this course is run on the Lehigh River Canal Towpath. The best place for spectators is at the exchanges points along the course. Go to Travel & Directions for driving directions to the exchange points. The times listed on our Spectators page lists approximate times runners will pass through each exchange.
What if I get hurt or cannot finish the race?
Safety is our main objective. Please exercise caution at all times. A LVHN medical tent will be at the finish providing basic and advanced medical support and LVHN medical volunteers will be positioned throughout the course at water stations and exchanges to provide basic medical support. City, borough and township emergency services will provide support along the course. Report all emergencies on the course to the Water Stations. Please review our Race Day Cancellation/Alteration Policy.
Transportation for any runners who are no longer able to complete the race but are not in need of medical attention, will be available. Runners should notify water station volunteers that that are in need of transport. Transportation will be dispatched to your location and transport you to the finish line.
When does the course close?
All participants should be able to complete the course within an average of a 14-minute per mile pace. Course maintenance and street closures will cease along the course based on average of a 14-minute per mile pace, with all maintenance ceasing at 1pm. At portions of the course that on public roads, the course will be opened back up for vehicle traffic. If you fall behind this pace, please move to sidewalks or safe areas for pedestrian travel. We cannot guarantee that you will find water or food after the course is closed. If you do not think you can complete the course by 1pm, please ask a water station volunteer to arrange for an assistance vehicle to the Finish Line, Center Square in Easton.
The Finish Festival ends at noon however, food and beverages will be available until 1pm.
Post-Race
Is food available at the finish?
Yes, food is available for participants at the finish. Food and water at exchanges and Finish Festival is for runners and volunteers only. Please have bib # or volunteer shirt visible to receive food.
The Finish Festival ends at noon however, food and beverages will be available until 1pm.
Will there be transportation provided for runners?
Marathon
Shuttle buses will be available between 10 am and 2 pm from the finish line back to the Marathon Start at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest & I-78 in Allentown.
Half Marathon
Shuttle buses will be available between 9 and 12pm from the finish line back to the Half Marathon Start at Main and Market Streets in Bethlehem.
Relay Teams
Relay Teams are responsible for their own transportation. Directions will be provided to all team captains
in the race packet
and are available under Travel & Directions. They include instructions for directions and parking information for exchange points. Typically, Relay Team caravan along the course as a team. They start by dropping their first runner at the starting line and then driving to the first exchange. The Relay Team caravan drops off their next runner and waits to pick up their incoming runner. They then drive to the next leg to pick up their next team member and so on until the end.
Where can I get my results after the race?
Race results will be available at the finish area and will be posted on the Results page following the race, serving as official verification for Boston Marathon qualifiers.
For more information, email our race director:
RaceDirector@ViaNet.org
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