FAQs

The Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K will be held on September 15, 2012.  The Start and Finish Lines are at the National Museum of the United States Air force, 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433. Start Time is 7:25 a.m. for the Wheeled Division Race and 7:30 a.m. for the Full Marathon and 10K. The Half Marathon starts at 8:30 a.m.

The 5K Race hosted by Wright State University is held on September 14, 2012.  Start time is 6:30 p.m. The Start and Finish line are at Wright State University's Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio 45435.

All runners will be required to pick up their bib*, T-shirt, and goodie bag at the Sports & Fitness Expo at Wright State University's Nutter Center from 11 am to 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 13, or 10 am to 8:00 pm on Friday, September 14.

There will be no runner registration or bib pickup on September 15, 2012.

*NOTE: A picture ID is required and you will need your runner confirmation email containing your bib number. Bib Pickup representatives will be limited to picking up four race bibs, including their own.

See: Directions

The earlier the better! We suggest that runners arrive at the start line located at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at least one and one half hours before the scheduled start of their race as traffic can back up quickly. 

Start Time for the Wheeled Division Race is 7:25 a.m. and the start time for the Full Marathon and 10K is 7:30 a.m. The Half Marathon starts at 8:30 a.m.

The 5K race on September 14, 2012 will be held at Wright State University's Nutter Center at 6:30 p.m.  The Air Force Marathon Sports & Fitness Expo, where runners pick up their bibs, is held at this location as well, and can become a very congested area. We suggest arriving at 4:30 pm.

See: Directions

Yes. You must be 18 years of age prior to September 15, 2012 to be eligible to register for the full marathon. This age limit is based on advice from the International Marathon Medical Directors' Association. For the full article, click here: http://www.aimsworldrunning.org/articles/Children&Marathoning.pdf

Each runner is required to show photo identification and the runner confirmation email with your bib number on it in order to pick up your bib and goodie bag at the Sports & Fitness Exposition held at Wright State University's Nutter Center.  Check out the Sports & Fitness Exposition page for details.

See: Race Rules

Due to security reasons we ask that runners make every effort to pick up their own race bibs at the Sports and Fitness Expo.  A picture ID and your runner registration confirmation are required.

Runners who are not able to pick up their bibs in person must make arrangements for a representative to pick up their bibs.  Your representative must present a copy of your photo ID, a signed authorization form from you, and your runner confirmation email in order to claim your race bib and goodie bag.

One person is limited to picking up a total of four race bibs.

Download:Bib Pickup Authorization Form [pdf]

NOTE: A picture ID is required and you will need your runner confirmation email containing your bib number. Bib Pickup representatives will be limited to picking up four race bibs, including their own.

See: Race Rules

Yes, absolutely! Roughly 73% of our participants are civilians.

See: Registration

On Saturday morning, runner shuttle buses will begin leaving the Wright State University Nutter Center at 4:30 am. Buses will run every 10 minutes until 6:30 am. You can drop off runners at the Nutter Center and meet them at the finish line later to avoid the early morning traffic. PLEASE NOTE: Runner shuttles are ONE-WAY ONLY. Runners are responsible for their own transportation from the finish line. The runner shuttles are designed for those runners who have family members available to meet them after the race. Buses are for RUNNERS ONLY and your race bib must be visible. Spectators and family members will not be allowed to board the runner shuttles.

No. All 3 gates will be entry only. There will be no runner drop-off allowed at the museum. Any car entering through the gates should plan on staying on the museum grounds until 8:30 am or later when the gates will open to exiting traffic.

All of our events including the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K are walker friendly.  We ask those of you who are going to be walking the Full marathon, Half marathon and 10K to start in the back and please remember that you must finish by the course time limits (Full: 7 hours / Half: 6 hours / 10K: 4 hours)

The Air Force Marathon is certified by the USA Track and Field Association with a certificate number of OH97034PR.

The Air Force Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying run. Qualifying times for the Boston Marathon can be viewed at http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp. Our office will submit all appropriate information to the Boston Marathon.

Every individual who crosses the finish line within the time limit will receive a finisher's medallion, including participants in the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K.

There will be 244 porta-pots located at the Start Line. Each hydration station will have a minimum of 3, with some having as many as 10 depending on the number of runners expected to pass by. There will also be 15-20 placed in the parking area, but as these typically have long lines you are advised to proceed to the start line where the vast majority will be located.

Runners may change their registration to a shorter race if there are slots available. Please download the Registration Change form and submit by July 1, 2012. A $10 change fee will be assessed. Do not send or fax your Registration Change form after July 1, 2012. There will be no race changes made at the Expo. Please contact the Marathon office at 937-257-4350 with any questions.

+ How do I switch from a shorter race to a longer race?

Runners may change their registration to a longer race if there are slots available. Please download the Registration Change form and submit by July 1, 2012. You must pay the difference on the rate published on the date the change is completed, plus a $10 change fee. Do not send or fax your Registration Change form after July 1, 2012. There will be no race changes made at the Expo. Please contact the Marathon office at 937-257-4350 with any questions.

Yes, when you register online for better value, credit cards are accepted for all races.

+ What and when is the Transfer Program?

The Transfer Program will be available during the month of July providing the race is sold out. If you register for the Full, Half or 10K race before July 1 and become unable to run, you may elect to transfer your bib to another runner of your choosing. When the option becomes available, you must fill out a Transferor Form, and then you will receive an email containing two codes. Once you send the codes to the new runner (the Transferee), he or she will be able to register for the race and you will no longer be registered. The Transferee must pay a transfer fee ($30 full / $25 half / $20 10K) to the Air Force Marathon.

Please note: The Air Force Marathon will not give refunds to those transferring out of the race. It will be your responsibility to collect reimbursement from the runner you are transferring your bib to. The Air Force Marathon will also not attempt to match runners. It will be your responsibility to find a runner to take your spot should you wish to transfer out of the race.

No. We do not allow race registration or race bib pick up on race day (Saturday) for the full and half marathons or 10K race. 5K participants may pick up their bib on Thursday or Friday before the 6:30 p.m. start time.

All runners are required to pick up their runner's bib*, T-shirt, and goodie bag at the Sports & Fitness Expo.

*NOTE: A picture ID is required and you will need your runner confirmation email containing your bib number. Bib Pickup representatives will be limited to picking up four race bibs, including their own.

See: Registration

Sometimes a firewall or a SPAM filter may block your confirmation email. First, check your Spam/Junk email folder. If it's not there, you can check to see if you're registered by clicking here: CONFIRM Your Registration

You can also request a new confirmation email by clicking here: Send New Confirmation

Our current policy is that registration fees are non-refundable. The only exception is for official military deployment.

All runners must finish the full marathon within the 7 hour time limit in order to receive an official time and a finisher's medal. For your own health and safety, the 7-hour limit will be strictly adhered to and there will be no exceptions.

Half marathon participants have 6 hours and 10K participants must complete the race in 4 hours. If participants are not keeping pace during the race, they will be asked to leave the course and transported back to the finish line area.

Yes, energy gels will be available to full and half marathoners along the route. Specifics will be released when they are available.

Yes, there will be 9 stations on the course. Medical support for this event will consist of primarily volunteer medical personnel prepared to administer first aid-style assistance along the race course and at the finish line.

Refunds will be given to individuals who have deployment orders that will prevent them from participating in the marathon. The following are the requirements for a refund:
  - Copy of deployment orders
  - Mailing address where refund will be sent

Above items must be faxed to the Air Force Marathon office at (937) 656-1000 or DSN 986-1000.

See Also: For more information visit Active Duty.

Permissive TDY is authorized for Air Force active duty members under AFI 36-3003 (26 Oct 09) Military Leave Program, Section F, Paragraph 12, Table 7, Rule 30. Be sure to check with your supervisor.

In accordance with Joint Travel Regulations, DoD guidance and AF Instructions, civilians cannot be granted permissive TDY to participate in the Air Force Marathon. For more information please contact HQ AFMC/A1SXA at (937) 257-4803 or DSN 787-4803.

According to AFI 36-3003, for the permissive TDY rules to apply, the ANG or Reserve member must be on active duty status.  This must be approved by the Unit Commander.

(This publication addresses leave, passes, and permissive temporary duty (PTDY) for military members. It applies to active duty personnel, including United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) on active duty.  It also applies to Air National Guard (ANG) members serving on active duty in Guard or Reserve status under the provisions of Titles 10 or 32 United States Code (U.S.C.) for 30 or more consecutive days.  It implements Air Force Policy Directive 36-30, Military Entitlements, and DoD Directive 1327.5, Leave and Liberty, September 24, 1985, with changes 1-4).

See Also: For more information visit Active Duty

A prestigious traveling trophy will be presented to the winning MAJCOM commander at Fall CORONA. The trophy will be awarded based on a point system that factors in both participation and performance in the full and half marathon events. This friendly challenge will serve as an incentive for each MAJCOM to encourage participation in the Air Force's own nationally-recognized fitness event. Permissive TDY for military can be authorized by your supervisor.

See Also: For more information visit Active Duty

Download: Participation and Funding Guidance [doc]

Download: MAJCOM Challenge Scoring for 2011 [doc]

More than 2,000 volunteers are needed in order to have a successful event. Anyone interested in volunteering should visit the volunteer link, where you will find a full listing of time slots and positions available. Once you enter your information, you will receive a confirmation email. Registration for the 2012 Air Force Marathon Volunteer site will open on May 1, 2012.

See: Volunteer