FAQ
Below are the answers to our most frequently-asked questions.
If you still have questions after reading, please don’t hesitate to contact us with anything you need answered.
Do any or all days in a series.
Walkers welcome.
You may changes races (upgrade or downgrade) at any time, even in the middle of a race. Just notify the timers.
Strollers are allowed.
Earphones are allowed.
No pets on the course.
See individual race pages for info on early starts.
Registration fees are non-refundable and may not be transferred to another participant.
We do not provide transportation or lodging, but our Facebook groups are good options to connect with other runners for sharing rides and rooms, or just getting recommendations.
Every Mainly Marathons race is measured to the inch and is sanctioned by USATF. None of our courses are certified, which means they are NOT Boston Qualifiers. You can, however, count any of our USATF-sanctioned events toward the 50 State Clubs, Maniacs and Fanatics rankings, and any other such club. We make every effort to help you achieve your running goals with regard to moving up in any of these clubs, and we welcome all members.
The safety and well-being of our runners is always our number one priority. We provide safe courses with minimal—most of the time zero—traffic and some of the best food/aid table of any marathon. We will always have everything to keep you well-hydrated and fueled during your race. More information on our Loony Lunchbox detailed below.
All of our races are timed with real people and timing clocks, no chips. We offer a rubber band system for helping you count your laps. The Rubber Band system is not required, but highly recommended for those doing a half-marathon or longer.
We cannot control the weather, but we try VERY HARD not to have to cancel any race. If dangerous weather happens, we can stop the clocks and have all the runners wait it out in your cars. We will resume when it is safe, no matter how long that is. (Big marathons cannot do this, they often have time limits on how long roads can be closed.) Also, we offer free race deferrals for any reason, whether your travel plans changed, the weather is undesirable, or you’re just not feeling it – you can defer for any reason!
Camping is not allowed in the start or parking areas of our races. Many of our locations have their own camping facilities and arrangements may be made through them, such as the State Parks that we use.
All participants receive the Starter Medal (traditional medal with ribbon), Year Tab Medal (denotes the year), and a State Medal (one fore each state completed). If all races/states in a series are completed, then a bonus Series Finisher Medal is earned. All medals connect to make a medal chain. Also, one shirt and one bib are provided per series. Check out our Medals page to see the medals from previous series.
Early Starts
- Marathon, Half and 50K only.
- If you are a 6+ hour marathoner, please consider this option.
- Early Starts will be one hour before the regular start; packet pickup and parking will begin 30 minutes prior to the early start.
- Aid stations may not yet be open.
- Participants must have a flashlight, it will be dark.
- Early starting 50K’s have 9.5 hours for completion.
- Participants will be led out by a staff person walking to the first turn-around, usually 1.1 miles.
- Please be courteous and unobtrusive when entering the staging area while race setup, packet pickup and regular start are in progress.
- You will need to be QUIET during that first hour.
- Not all race locations will allow an early start; see individual race pages for details.
- If you are late to the early start you will need to wait until the regular start time.
Loony Lunchbox
The Loony Lunchbox is endearingly named after the runners we’re feeding. We think that the people running with Mainly Marathons (including us) are a little loony, like who runs a 183.4 miles in a week?! Well, many of you do and you need nutritional food to fuel you on your way to completing those miles. We’ll be serving unique options daily and, when possible, two different options each day – everybody loves second breakfast!
Even though Norm is retired, his legacy will live on. Whether it be his motivational cheers of “less talking, more walking” or the magical powers he used to make his ever-so tasty French toast, the legacy of his ladle will not fade! We obtained some of his secret recipes, which we had to trade a small fortune for and swear an oath of silence. So, with these secret recipes and a helping of our own homemade dishes, we hope to fuel you as you reach your goals. However, if your goal is to enjoy your time on the course, then you should definitely stop by the Loony Lunchbox and get seconds or thirds!
Each recipe that we serve was selected based on the nutrition needed for endurance events along with its convenience to eat on the go. Please give us feedback on the food options you enjoy and those that you don’t. Here’s a list of some of the food options you’ll see at our series:
- Hot Dogs (and Vegan Dogs)
- Fantastic French Toast
- Peaches and Cream Oatmeal
- Veggie Fried Rice
- Tater Tot Hotdish
- BBQ Meatballs
- Vegan Chili
- Cheddar Broccoli Soup
- Mini Quiches
- Triple Berry Pancakes
- and much more!
Mainly Marathons Safety Plan
Mainly Marathons is a race company focused on multi-day, multi-state race series. Our courses are designed with the runners’ safety in mind. Our courses are based on short loops (1-2.5 miles) that provides runners with aid (food, water, electrolytes, etc.) frequently. This ensures that our participants have access to aid every 2.5 miles or less. We offer an additional aid station, if temperatures become too warm, which provides the opportunity for aid less than every mile. Our courses avoid crossing any traffic, and they are typically on wide paved trails with minimal elevation change. We use coning and barricades, if needed. Our crew (staff and volunteers) wears neon series shirts to help identify the crew easily. The crew surveys the course many times during the race, as a means to “check-in” with the participants. In case of an emergency, we have a defibrillator and staff trained in its use. Also, all of our staff have been trained in CPR and BLS. We do not allow pets.
Additional COVID Safety Measures:
No Pasta Dinner during Packet Pickup. Please limit gathering during Packet Packup. Time limited gathering before start of event, participants must remain in vehicles until 20 minutes before the race start. Race Day Packet Pickup is available, but please return to vehicle to wait for race start. Face masks required when stading in Staging Area, especially around Aid Station. Walking / Running through Staging Area does not require masks; although, it is encouraged. All food will be prepackaged and provided in individual portions. No Loony Lunchbox. Please bring refillable bottle. Participants will be asked to open their own bottles and then volunteers/crew will refill bottles. No uncovered cups allowed at Aid Station. Number of participants could be limited (depending on location). Participants will be required to follow “American driving laws” on the course, stay to the right of the course and pass on the left. Spectators must check in with crew to discuss safe areas for spectating/cheering. Upon finishing the race, participants are expected to limit time in Staging Area. If carpooling, please wait in vehicle.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via the information below.
Minnesota Brother, LCC – DBA: Mainly Marathons
Jesse Rueckert and Daniel Rueckert, Co-Race Directors
Partners in Running
One of the greatest things about running marathons and half marathons is the support we all give each other, both on and off the course. Here are some of our friends in the running community who do a wonderful job promoting the sport. Help us show our support for these organizations by visiting the links below.
