Whidbey Island Marathon

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  How long is each course?

A.  The marathon is 26.2 miles, half marathon is 13.1 miles and the 5K is 3.1 miles.

Q:  Where can I sign up to Volunteer?

A:  Send an email to whidbeymarketing@comcast.net to volunteer OR come to the Expo on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at North Whidbey Middle School from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Q:  Can I mail in a registration form?

A:  Yes, to find the Mail-in Registration form, go the to Registration page and scroll down to the Mail-in form link, located halfway down the page.

Q:  Can I register the morning of the Marathon or Half Marathon?

A:  No. There is NO day-of-race registration for the Marathon or Half Marathon.  The last day you can register for the Marathon or Half Marathon is at the Expo, the day before the events, on Saturday, April 14. 

Q:  Who do I make the check out to when mailing in my registration?

A:  Please make checks payble to:  City of Oak Harbor

Q:  What is the marathon mailing address?

A:  Mailing address:  City of Oak Harbor, 865 SE Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Q:  How do I confirm if my online registration went through? 

A:  Click here to confirm your registration online, or click here to have a confirmation email re-sent through SignMeUp.com

Q:  Where do I pick up my race packet for the 5K Fun Run/Walk?

A:  5K day-of-event registration and packet pickup will begin at 7:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Flintstone Park.

Q:  Where is the Expo being held?

A:  The Expo will be on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at North Whidbey Middle School located at 67 Northeast Izett Street in Oak Harbor, from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Q:  Where can I pick up my marathon Bib & Chip?

A:  Bib and Chip Packet Pickup is at the Expo on Saturday, April 14 from 11:00 A.M - 7:00 P.M at North Whidbey Middle School.  After picking up your packet, go through the Expo to pick up your participant shirt and goodie bag. 

Q:  Can someone else pick up my packet?

A:  Yes, another person can pick up your event packet for you provided s/he has your written and signed permission with them.

Q:  Can I change marathon events?

A:  Yes, you can change marathon events at the Expo on Saturday, April 14 at North Whibey Middle School.  Only Cash or Check will be accepted for new or changing registration.

Q:  Can I defer my entry to next year if I'm unable to participate this year?

A:  No, participants cannot defer their entries to the next year in the event that they cannot participate.

Q:  Can I transfer my registration fee to another person?

A:  No, you may not transfer your registration fees from one person to another or from one year’s event to another year’s event.

Q:  Can I get a refund if I'm unable to participate?

A:  Refunds, minus the original online service fee, are available by request until December 31, 2011.  The service fee from the initial online sign-up is non-refundable.  After December 31, 2011, refunds will not be available for any reason, including medical.

Q:  Can I participate as a walker?

A:  Walkers are encouraged to participate in the Half Marathon and 5K Fun Run/Walk.  Due to restrictions on road closures, we can only allow for six (6) hours to complete the Full Marathon course.

Q:  Is the marathon course certified?

A:  The marathon and half marathon courses are Elite USATF sanctioned and certified.

Q:  Is the full marathon a Boston Qualifier?

A:  Yes.

Q:  Who will do the timing?

A:  The Marathon, Half Marathon run and walk, and 5K Fun Run/Walk will be timed by AA Sports, Ltd.

Q:  Will there be a Clothing Drop?

A:  Clothing drop will be available at both marathon event start lines.  All bags will be transported to the finish are for pick up.  DO NOT leave valuables in drop bags, as the event will not be held responsible for their loss.

PLEASE NOTE:  All disgarded and unclaimed clothing will be donated to the local thrift shops.

Q:  What will Marathon and Half Marathon Participants Receive?

A:  All marathon and half-marathon finishers will receive a goodie bag and:
  * A customized finisher's medal
  * A finisher's tech fabric shirt (Shirt size cannot be guaranteed for those registering after January 2012)
  * On-course aid stations stocked with water, energy gels and Electrolyte Replenishment drinks. 

Q:  What will 5K Fun Run/Walk Participants Receive?

A:  All 5K participants will receive a cotton t-shirt shirt and a goodie bag.

Q:  Are there Age-Group Awards?

A:  Yes.  Age-group awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in 10-year age-groups: 

  Full Marathon from age 16 to 70+ (minimum age for Full Marathon is 16 years old).

  Half Marathon from age 14 and under, to 70+ (no age limit for Half Marathon).

Q.  Will there be Aid Stations?

A:  Yes.  Aid stations (approximately every two miles) will include water and toilet facilities.  There will be at least two aid stations in each half of the marathon course with electrolyte replenishment drinks and GU energy gels.

Q:  Will there be parking and shuttles to transports marathon participants to start lines or their vehicles?

A:  Parking & Shuttles
     Full Marathon - Participants will be shuttled to the start line beginning around 5:50 A.M.  The shuttles will pick up participants at Windjammer Park, Coachman Inn, Best Western/Candlewood Suites, and Auld Holland Inn on their route to the starting line at Pass Lake, with shuttles continuing to drive the loop and transport participants.  The last full marathon shuttle will leave for the start line at approximately 6:40 A.M.  Arrive early for the shuttles.  DO NOT attempt to arrive last minute to get on the final shuttle to the start line.  This may result in your missing the shuttle and the start.  Space heaters and Porta Potties will be onsite at the start of the full marathon.  

Please note: There is no parking or vehicle drop offs at the full marathon start line. 

     Half Marathon - Because there are more participants in the half marathon, participants are  encouraged to carpool to Windjammer Park.  Shuttles will be available to provide service back to the Coachman Inn, Best Western/Candlewood Suites, and Auld Holland Inn.  Porta Potties will be onsite at the start of the half marathon.

If parking lots are full, you will need to find street parking.  Please do not block driveways.

It is anticipated that the shuttles will provide service from 10:30 A.M. continuously to 5:00 P.M. from Windjammer Park (Finish Line) back to the Coachman Inn, Best Western/ Candlewood Suites, and Auld Holland Inn.
    
Q:  Where can I view a course map?

A:   Links to the course maps can be found near the bottom of each event page. 

Q:  How do I find the elevation information for the marathon routes?

A:   Maraton/Half Marathon elevation information can be found via links to the course maps near the bottom of the Marathon & Half Marathon page.

     5K Fun Run/Walk:  Elevation information is shown on the MapMyRun interactive route map page, just below the course map image.  

Q:  What are the average temperatures during April on Whidbey Island?

A:  Past temperature information for Oak Harbor, WA in April can be found at the following website:
       http://weather-warehouse.com/WeatherHistory/PastWeatherData_WhidbeyIslandNas_OakHarbor_WA_April.html

Q:  Can I bring my...?

  Can I bring my dog to run/walk with me?
  No.  Dogs are not allowed on any of the courses.  As a courtesy, please pick up after your pet if you bring them to a spectator area or the finish line at Windjammer Park as we don't want the marathon participants, other spectators/visitors, or volunteer staff to step in pet waste.

  Can I bring my baby in a stroller/jogger?
  Strollers/joggers will only be allowed on the 5K Fun Run/Walk course.  We ask that walkers and parties with wheelchairs and strollers start toward the end of the line to reduce crowding and allow runners to achieve their best time.

  Can I bring my bike/skates/skateboard?
  No wheels are allowed on any course except for registered wheelchairs and official course vehicles.

  Can I bring my MP3 player?
  WIM will allow headsets on the course only if it does not pose a safety risk.  For safety reasons, it may be necessary for a course  official to ask you to remove your headset/earphones during the race.  You are required to comply or face disqualification and  removal from the course.  

Q:  Where is the Finish Line located?

A:  Both the marathon and half marathon will finish on the Oak Harbor waterfront in Windjammer Park.

Q:  What will we find at the finish?

A:  We will have entertainment and lots of cold food available for no charge to race participants wearing their bibs.  In addition, there will be a no-host beer garden and some hot food (BBQ) for purchase so don't forget to bring some money.  If you plan on purchasing anything from the beer garden please bring valid photo ID with you.

Q.  Where can I see a "snapshot" of participant demographics?

A:  Click here to view a "snapshot" of partipant demographics.  Click on the drop-down menu to select information.

Q:  Where do I find event photos?

A:  2011 Event Photos can be viewed and ordered through Brightroom: http://www2.brightroom.com/81920

Q:  Where do I find Race Results?

A:  On the Race Results page

Q.  How do I contact marathon staff?

A.  Whidbey Island Marathon staff can be contacted using the Contact Us page.