|
|
|
|
|
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS... How long is a ¼ Marathon. A full marathon is 26 miles, 385 yards or 42.159 km. Thus, a ¼ marathon is exactly 6 miles, 975.25 yards or 10.549 km. The course is precision measured by a measuring wheel to ensure that the Durham ¼ Marathon is indeed a full ¼ marathon. There are no estimates in this race. What are the directions to the start area? There will not be parking directly at the start area but parking is available free of charge within a 5 minute walk. If coming from Toronto, take the 401 to the Simcoe Street exit. The exit actually takes you onto Bloor street so turn left at the lights onto Bloor street and turn left again at the next set of lights at Simcoe Street. Follow Simcoe street through to the downtown turning left onto Bond Street (one way). Follow Bond Street to the next set of lights at Centre street and turn left again. Just before King Street and on your left hand side is an enterance to a parking garage. Parking is free on weekends so please find a spot there. To walk to the start area just follow Centre Street south until you reach Memorial Park ... you cannot miss it. If taking GO Transit, take the GO train into Oshawa. Take the Oshawa-Courtice-Bowmanville-Newcastle GO Bus into Oshawa. Once Downtown, get off at the King St./Bond St. stop. Walk South on Bond Street until you come to Memorial Park. Where should I park? Parking in municipal lots/garages is free on weekends. To locate any of the downtown parking lots/garages please visit www.downtownoshawa.ca/parking.php. Is the start and finish at the same location? No, the Durham ¼ Marathon is known as what is called an 'out only' race. This means that you will start at one location and finish at another. The start location is at Memorial Park and the course finishes near the lake at Lakefront West Park. The benefit however, is that the course is a net downhill course. This means that you start at a higher elevation than where you will finish, making the course just a bit faster. How will I get back to the start area and my car? Starting at 11:00 am, a chartered bus will start to shuttle people back to Memorial Park. This service is offered free of charge to all Durham ¼ Marathon participants. Is first aid available throughout the race? Yes, first aid providers will be present on foot and bicycle throughout the course and at the finish area. Also, all traffic marshal volunteers will be watching for the health of the participants to minimize any problems. Will the event be chip timed? Yes, the ¼ Marathon event will be chip timed and results will be available within minutes of crossing the finish line and on the web within hours of the end of the event. Will I receive a shirt? The Durham ¼ Marathon is once again pleased to offer a technical shirt to all participants. We are sure that you will once again be pleased with this year's design. Will I receive a finisher medal? The Durham ¼ Marathon provides unique and distinctive medals to the top three male and female finishers and the top three male and female finishers in each age category only. We will once again be providing a unique certificate of completion to each participant or a seal to update your current certificate. Can I walk the course? Yes, the course will be open until 11:30. This means that you have 2.5 hours to complete the course, which is well within the average walking time for this distance. If you plan on walking, please start the event near to the back of the pack to be courtious to the running participants. Can I bring my stroller or Dog? Yes, strollers and dogs are permitted, however, we do request that you start the race near to the back of the pack to minimize obstruction or injury to the other runners. Can I rollerblade or bike the course? Rollerblades and bicycles are not permitted on the course as a part of the Durham ¼ Marathon. Are there food and drinks available for the participants? The Durham ¼ Marathon will provide water and sport drink at the 2.5km, 5km and 7.5km mark of the course. The finish area will provide a large assortment of food and beverages and, in the past, has been one of the many features of the event that past participants have commented as exceptional. This year will be no different. When can I pick up my race kit? You can pick up your race kit at the Oshawa Centre starting at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 22nd. Kits are also available for pick up on the 23nd at the Oshawa Centre from 10:00am - 9:00pm and again on race day starting at 7:30 am. |