FAQ's | The New Jersey Marathon at the Shore

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Q: Race Info - Distances and Age Limits
A:

Distances:

Sunday: The full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and half marathon relay (13.1 miles broken into two stages of 6.9 miles for the first runner, and 6.2 miles for the last).

Saturday: A three mile fun run/walk, a 1.2 mile "kids marathon" and various distances for children from 2-8. Learn more on our Barnabas Health Family Festival and Kids Races page.

Age Limits:

Sunday: There are posted minimum age limits of 18 years old for the full marathon and 14 years old for the half marathon (with up to two year exceptions for extraordinarily mature athletes - with parents/legal guardian and the child's pediatrician for approval). For the half marathon relay we rely upon the common sense of the parents/legal guardians and suggest that they consult with the child's pediatrician for advice for anyone 17 years old and younger who is interested in participating.

Saturday: For all Saturday races we rely upon the common sense of the parents/legal guardians for anyone 17 years old or younger interested in participating. If there are any questions about the suitability of any race for a particular child, we strongly suggest that the child's pediatrician be consulted.

Age requirements are based on regulations by IMMDA. For further information and background, see:

IMMDA Advisory Statement on Children and Marathoning.

Anyone caught entering a false date of birth on their registration form will have their registration canceled without refund.

Q: Race Info - Start Time, etc.
A:

For the 2013 event, we are planning the first corral of the Full Marathon to start at 8:00 am, and the first corral of the Half Marathon and Half Relay to start at 6:45 am. Subsequent corrals will begin in wave starts about one minute after the last runner of the previous corral has crossed the start line.

Please allow adequate time to arrive at the Start Line, check your gear bag, continue your pre-race hydration, go through your pre-race warm-up routine, and perhaps most importantly, relax and prepare for a wonderful and beautiful race.

Q: What are the corral times?
A:

The Full Marathon has four corrals, and the Half Marathon/Relay has five, which are broken up into the following times:

FULL:

(2:15:00 - 3:02:59)
(3:03:00 - 3:49:59)
(3:50:00 - 4:29:59)
(4:30 +)

HALF/RELAY:

(1:05 - 1:30:01)
(1:30:02 - 1:59:59)
(2:00:00 - 2:14:59)
(2:15:00 - 2:44:59)
(2:45:00 +)

Q: Is there a time limit?
A:

The New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half Marathon are open to all participants of age who are able to finish in the following time frames; the course closes after 6 hours and 30 minutes for the Full Marathon, and 3 hours and 15 minutes for the Half Marathon and Relay (chip time). Participants wishing to complete their event within that time frame will need to maintain a 15-minute/mile or faster pace. After the time limit has been reached, streets will re-open to vehicular traffic, participants still out on the race course will be asked to move to the sidewalks or re-routed, and on-course support (Aid Stations) will close.

Full Marathon Time Limit - Six hours and 30 minutes - The finish line will close at 2:30 PM. In addition, all marathon participants must be at the Brighton Ave. and Ocean Blvd. intersection (Mile 11.5) by 11:15 AM in order to continue the Full Marathon course. If arriving at that mark after 11:15 AM, participants will be asked to leave the course and directed to the Finish Line area.

Half Marathon Time Limit - Three hours and 15 minutes - All half marathon participants must complete the course (13.1 miles) in three hours and 15 minutes or less (chip time). If you are unable to complete the entire 13.1 miles in less than three hours and 15 minutes, please either adjust your training plan to attain that level of performance, or perhaps create / join a team for the Half Marathon Relay. If you are still on the course after three hours and 15 minutes, keep in mind that the Full Marathoner's may be coming in from behind you, and we ask that you please make room for them.

Half Marathon Relay Time Limit - Three hours and 15 minutes - All relay teams must complete the course (13.1 miles) with a combined time of three hours and 15 minutes or less (chip time).

Q: Are walkers or athletes with disabilities welcome?
A:

Due to damage from Hurricane Sandy, we are unable to accommodate athletes in wheelchairs in the Full Marathon this year. We expect to return the Full Marathon to our normal route next year, and in the interim we encourage all wheelchair-bound athletes to register for the Half Marathon.

Walkers are welcome provided they can finish the race in the specified time limit for each race. The limits are six hours and 30 minutes for the Full Marathon, and three hours and 15 minutes for the Half and Relay.

Please see this question for more details about time limits.

Q: What are the course details?
A:

The courses are USAT&F certified, which allows runners to use the Full Marathon course to qualify for the following year's Boston Marathon.

Qualification is NOT required for entry into the: NJ Marathon or LB Half Marathon.

The course starts in Oceanport at Monmouth Park; the location of central parking and the Expo, and ends on the oceanfront Promenade, just north of Pier Village and opposite the stage on The Great Lawn.

The Half Marathon is a 13.1 mile run which travels through many of the business districts and neighborhoods of Oceanport, Monmouth Beach and Long Branch.

The course for the 2013 Marathon will be a 1-loop course that includes areas of Oceanport, Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Lock Aurbor, Asbury Park & Ocean Grove.

The courses have no significant hills. Most of the courses are virtually flat (with a few very gentle rolling stretches and bridge crossings). They are very fast and flat courses, which means every year many participants obtain new PRs!

Q: Where can I find help in my Training?
A:

There are a number of excellent training resources including:

Pear Sports - Unlike any other heart rate monitor or training device, Pear Training Intelligence will guide you step by step throughout your workout, not only telling you when to speed up or slow down, but also providing useful tips, helping improve your form, explaining the purpose and benefits of the workout, and motivating you.
ActiveTrainer - Get the best in online training, with a plan for both the Marathon and Half Marathon distance. The plans include calendars, tips, nutrition, recovery plans, etc!
Other Training Tips and sources of advice are available on our Training page

Q: Is there an official Race Expo?
A:

Yes - The Health & Fitness Expo for The New Jersey Marathon will be held on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4.

Location: The 2013 Expo will be held at Monmouth Park.

This comprehensive 2-day running related expo is free and open to the public, as well as to all participants of The New Jersey Marathon events. We are expecting all 12,000+ athletes to attend, plus many more thousands of spectators.

If we have not sold out, we will be accepting last-minute race applications during the expo (no registrations on race day).
The prices are as follows:

Full Marathon: $150.00
Half Marathon: $125.00

The Expo hours are scheduled for: Friday, from 1 pm to 7 pm; and Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm.

Official New Jersey Marathon merchandise will be available for purchase at the Expo and also on Race Day.

Q: How do I register?
A:

Registration for the races opened in May, 2012, and will close on Apr 28th, 2013. We have sold out the event the last 2 years, and we expect to sell out the 2013 event as well - so REGISTER EARLY to guarantee your spot and save money!

Please note: Provided we have not sold out, we will have registration open at the Expo for both the Marathon and Half Marathon, but NOT for the Half Marathon Relay (no registrations on race day for any event). Changes to existing Relay Teams will still be possible at the Expo, but no new Relay Teams may be created after the close of on-line registration (05/28/13).

You may register online at any time prior to the close of registration on Apr 28th, although our race limit may be reached earlier.

You may also register offline for both the NJ Marathon and the LB Half Marathon (but not the Half Marathon Relay) by printing out the registration form and mailing it to the address indicated on the form. Mailed applications must be received in our office no later than April 28th, 2013.

Offline Registration Forms

Q: Do you offer refunds, transfers, registration changes, or deferrals?
A:

We do not provide registration refunds or transfers from one person to another.

Change of Events for Full or Half (full to half and half to full)

Beginning on January 1^st, 2013, a $15 processing fee will apply.
You will be required to pay the difference between the amount paid for the original event and the current cost of the new event.
After April 5^th, all event changes must be made at the expo.
You can request an event change using this form.

Change of Events for Relay (full or half to relay, relay to full or half)

Beginning on January 1^st, 2013, a $15 processing fee will apply.
After April 5^th, no relay-related event changes can be made.
You can request an event change using this form.

Deferrals

Starting January 1^st, 2013, a $15 deferral fee will be charged (paid when registering the following year).
Beginning on April 6^th and ending on April 28^th, you will need to attach a copy of a note from a licensed medical practitioner stating that, in their opinion, you should not participate in the event for which you are registered, and email your deferral request, as well as the doctor's note, to registration@njmarathon.org.
Deferral requests (even with doctor's note) sent after April 28^th will not be accepted.
Through April 5^th, you can request a deferral here.

If you wish to request a change of event or deferral directly by email, please contact registration@njmarathon.org and be sure to include the following information:

First and Last Name.
Email address used during registration.
Phone number used on your registration (for verification purposes only).
Event you are currently registered for, as well as the event you wish to change to.
Your estimated finish time for the new event, as well as the names and years of any races completed since 01/01/2011 that will verify your estimated finish time. (If you cannot supply a verification race, then only send us your estimated finish time, however you may be seeded in the last coral.)
A statement authorizing us to charge the card you used for your original registration for any potential price difference, as well as the $15 change fee.

Q: Race Packet Pick-up Information - How do I receive my Bib / Timing Chip / T-shirt / Goodie Bag?
A:

These items WILL NOT be mailed to you, under any circumstances.

Normal Race Packet Pick-up:

You may either pick them up at the Expo at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ during the following hours:

Friday, May 3th: 1 pm - 7 pm
Saturday, May 4th: 10 am - 6 pm

Please Note: While race packets must be picked up during the Expo hours, they may also be picked up by another person.

For athletes not arriving until race day, The New Jersey Marathon is offering a Race Day Packet Pickup program. For additional information, see our Additional Registration Options webpage.

Q: How are the Events timed?
A:

The NJM and LBH events will be timed using a B-tag timing strip which attaches to your race bib. There is no need to return it to us after finishing your event.

The Half Marathon Relay will be timed using a timing strip which attaches via a velcro strap around the runners waist (to allow transfer of the timing strip between the relay team members), and must be returned after finishing.

Q: Where should I park on Race Day?
A:

The Main Parking Area for the Sunday races will be at Monmouth Park Racetrack, at 175 Oceanport Ave., in Oceanport, also the location of the Start Line. Access to Monmouth Park Racetrack is via Rt. 36 (the main access route from either Exit 105 of The Garden State Parkway, Exit 13B of Rt. 18 or Rt. 35). There will be plenty of free parking and a free shuttle service that runs between the start, finish, and relay transition areas.

Please help us keep cars away from our course, for both safety and convenience, by taking advantage of the free and unlimited parking at our Main Parking Area (see above).

Q: Do you have a Gear Check / Bag Drop?
A:

There will be a bag drop off area near the Start Line, and a bag pickup area near the Finish Line. Please watch for signs for the "Bag Drop" and "Bag Pickup".

Since the Start and Finish Lines are located in two different areas this year, bags will be transported to the finish area so athletes can have their bags available after finishing.

Bags must be the same as the race packet bags given out at the expo.

Please DO NOT leave valuables in your bag as we cannot be responsible for the contents of your bag.

Please DO NOT leave your bag around the Start or Finish Areas, outside the official bag drop area. Bags left outside and unattended may be confiscated due to Homeland Security requirements.

Any items dropped at the start line, or along the course, will either be destroyed by the authorities, or donated to charity.

Q: Do you have Pacing Teams?
A:

The Official Pacers will be wearing bright pacing bibs on their front and back and carrying pennants with the group time.

At the Start Area, look for the signs that show the various pace times in the corrals. Your pacer(s) will meet you at the appropriate sign.

For additional information about our pacing teams, click here.

Q: How does the Marathon Relay work?
A:

The Half Marathon Relay will start on Sunday morning at the same locationand time as the Half Marathon. It will be a 2-person team relay, with legs of approximately 6.65 miles and 6.45 miles.

Each team will be issued one timing strip. This should be attached around the runner's/walker's waist. In the transition area this timing strip will serve as your baton - simply release it from the first team member, and pass it to the second. This is the hand-off.

Any substitutions / changes in Relay Division, from original registration, must be made in writing before April 15, and may require an additional $10 fee.

Relay Divisions:

Open - All Male Team (under 40)
Open - All Female Team (under 40)
Open - Mixed Team (one male/one female both under 40)
Masters - All Male Team (40 to 59)
Masters - All Female Team (40 to 59)
Masters - Mixed Team (one male/one female both 40 to 59)
Seniors - All Male Team (60+)
Seniors - All Female Team (60+)
Seniors - Mixed Team (one male/one female both 60+)

Q: Info about the Start Line procedures:
A:

Things to check - Be sure that: your race bib is on the front of your shirt / singlet and visible (so that you will receive your "official" marathon photo), and the timing strip is securely fastened.

Amenities at the Start Area - Water, Gatorade, Vaseline, sunscreen and Port-a-Johns. Greeters and a Help / Info Desk will be available to provide direction and last minute answers to questions.

Official Pacers - The Official Pacers will be wearing bright pacing time bibs on their front and back and holding pennents with their pace times. Your pacer will meet you at the appropriate sign.

Timing Mats - Please avoid the timing mats while waiting for the start of the race.

Switching Races - There are NO CHANGE OF EVENTS on race day. Your timing chip will time you for the event length for which you registered. Changes of event must take place prior to race day.

Q: Information for On The Course - During The Race:
A:

Clothing - Please Note: All discarded clothing will be donated to charities. We cannot return clothing discarded either at the start or along the course.

Animals / Children in strollers, bikes, etc. - For safety and insurance reasons, animals of any kind, regular or jogging strollers, bikes, kettle-bells, and in-line skates are NOT permitted on the course.

Headphones - For safety reasons, the New Jersey Marathon organizers STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you DO NOT use your headphones during the races. We all need to be aware of our surroundings, which include fellow runners and the possibility of errant traffic or emergency personnel traffic on the course. We believe that there will be many 'distractions' along the course including: spectators, bands and the beautiful scenery.

Fluid Stations - The Official on-course fluid stations are located approximately 1.5 miles, or less, apart. Each station will have Gatorade Endurance Formula first, and water second. Bananas and GU will also be available at 3 locations between miles 13 and 22.

GU Energy Gels - Vanilla and chocolate will be available at 3 location on the marathon course, between miles 13 and 22. If you've been training with other Energy Gels please be prepared to carry your own favorite gel packs, and only take the GU if necessary. We will have approximately 7,000 GU gel packs on the marathon course.

Medical Aid - EMT ambulances will be stationed at strategic locations along the course in addition to the volunteer medical personnel from Monmouth Medical Center who will staff our Med Tents along the course.

If you become sick, extremely fatigued, or injured, each fluid station will have communications to race officials who will alert EMTs. It is best if you DO NOT leave the course. However, if you do, you must notify an official and hand in your number! In addition, bicyclists will be patrolling the course to both assist, and seek assistance, as needed! A "sweep van" will pick up anyone retiring from the course.

Port-a-Johns - There will be an abundance of toilet facilities at the Start / Finish Areas, as well as on the course, near each Fluid Station.

Kettle bells - For safety reasons, kettle bells are not permitted on the course.

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