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 12, at North Whidbey Middle School from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

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 12. 

Q:  What is the marathon mailing address?

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

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

A:  5K day-of-event registration and packet/bib pickup will begin at 7:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 12, at North Whidbey Middle School located at 67 Northeast Izett Street in Oak Harbor (this is for the 5K only).

Q:  Where is the Expo being held?

A:  The Expo will be on Saturday 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 for the Marathon and Half Mararthon is at the Expo on Saturday, April 12 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.  We DO NOT recommend waiting until the morning of race day to pick up your bib/chip near the start line, if there are long lines, you may miss the start of your race.

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 events by logging into the Active.com acount you created when you registered online (https://myevents.active.com/) while registration is still open OR change events at the Expo on Saturday at North Whibey Middle School.  Cash, check or credit card will be accepted for new or changing registration at the Expo.

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

A:  No.  The Whidbey Island Marathon does not offer refunds for any reason, including medical.

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

A:  No.  The Whidbey Island Marathon does not defer registrations to future years for any reason.

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

A:  Yes.  If you are unable to participate in this year's event, you may transfer your registration to another individual if the transfer is completed through your Active account online at https://myevents.active.com/.  Transferring through the online system will close April 9 at 11:59pm.  You can still do transfers at the Expo on Saturday, April 12.

Registrations may only be transferred to another individual by following the transfer process via the link in your confirmation email or the link noted above.  Unauthorized transfers will not be allowed.  The new registrant will need to create or already have an account with Active to complete the transaction, and the new registrant will also need to pay the difference if the price has changed.

Anyone caught participating with another participant's number or without a registration / bib number will be removed from the course and disqualified.  An official race number is required to participate in all races.

Q:  My friend/family member is a registered participant. Can I run with them as their pacer?

A:  No.  All participants on the routes must be registered and have a bib number. Anyone on the route that is not registered and does not have a bib number will be removed from the course; the registered friend/family member could be disqualified. 

Q:  Can I participate as a walker?

A:  Walkers are encouraged to participate in the Half Marathon Walk 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:  How is the timing done and where do I find race results?

A:  This is a disposable chip timed event. There will be split timing mats at all of the turnaround points on the course. Race results can be found on the Race Results page after the event.

Q:  Will there be a Clothing Drop?

A:  Yes.  There will be a clothing check at both the Full Marathon and Half Marathon start line locations. You may pre-stuff your own bag or you may use one of the bags that will be provided. The bags will be transported to the Finish area at Windjammer Park. You will need to show your race/bib number to pick them up. The event is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please DO NOT pack anything of value.

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 2013)
  * 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 finisher's medal 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 5-year age-groups: 
     Marathon from age 16 to 70+  (minimum age for Full Marathon is 16 years old).
     Half Marathon from age 14 to 70+  (no age minimum for Half Marathon).

Q.  Will there be Aid Stations?

A:  Yes.  Basic first aid will be available at all water stations. Water stations and porta-potties will be located every 1 1/2 - 2 miles on the course. There will also be Gatorade at every other water station as well as GU energy gels at miles 6, 13, 17, 21 and mile 4 in the Half.

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

A:  Parking & Shuttles

     Before the race: There will be shuttle service from the Finish at Windjammer Park to Deception Pass fo the Full Marathon beginning at 5:45 AM and the last bus leaves at 6:30 AM. Please do not wait until the last minute to try and catch the shuttle; you may not make a bus for the start.

There will also be pick-up shuttle service from the Coachmann Inn, Candlewood Suites/Best Western and Auld Holland Inn to the Full Marathon start.

Half Marathon participants are encouraged to carpool to the start line at Windjammer Park.

     After the race: There will be shuttle service to the Coachman Inn, Candlewood Suites/Best Western and Auld Holland Inn. There will be no shuttle service back to the start line of the full marathon.

     There is No Parking or vehicle Drop Offs at the Full Marathon Start line. The shuttle loading zone is at the RV Park near the Finish area.

      Deception Pass Bridge Closure: Bridge will be closed from 7:15 AM - 7:45 AM. If you are driving onto the island please make sure you time yourself accordingly to catch the shuttle for the Full Marthon or be over the bridge prior to closure for the start of the Half.    

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 5K Fun Run/Walk page, below the MapMyRide interactive route map.  

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 some hot food (BBQ) for purchase so don't forget to bring some money. 

Q:  Where do I find event photos?

A:  Links to the event photos can be found on the Race Results page or go to www.brightroom.com.
Brightroom is the official event photographer for this year's event. Their photographers will be at the Finish line as well as on the course. Please see www.brightroom.com after the event if you would like to purchase any of the photos or check the Race Results page for a link to the photos they took.

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.
     Please Note:  There will be limited response as the event date gets closer.