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Marathon 3-Person Relay
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Marathon 3-Person Relay Details

Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

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Course Map & Description

2023 Relay Course Map

The Air Force Marathon relay takes place on the marathon course, with two relay exchanges at miles 8 and 17.

  • Leg 1 relay participants start at the same time as the other marathoners – 7:30 a.m. There is not a separate start time for relay teams.
  • Leg 2 and 3 relay participants will be bused to their respective relay exchange zone. They should report to the Relay Loading Zone near the start line on Springfield Drive.

Leg 1 relay participant will begin at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and head up a hill right from the start before dropping down into Historic Huffman Flying Field in the third mile. From there, you can expect a very flat and fast route for the next five miles as they start to lap the flight line where the 445th Airlift Wing constantly flies the beautiful C-17!

Leg 2 relay participant will proceed on this flat and fast route and continue into downtown Fairborn at mile 15 for what is lovingly referred to as the Fairborn Fly Zone. Stay cool here and don’t let the incredible energy cause you to accelerate too much as you make your way down Main Street! Returning back to the base, you then run through the historic brick house living quarters that were recently added to the National Historic Register.

Leg 3 relay participant will fly by the golf course and out onto the 844 freeway before exiting right into Wright State University’s athletic facilities. From here a few gentle rolling hills and one downhill separate you from the flat final mile. Once back inside the Air Force base gates of Area B at mile 26, zip along a portion of the old flight line and finish under the wing tips of historic aircrafts at the museum’s Air Park!

LegLocationLeg DistanceTotal Distance
1Starting Line to Mile 8 Aid Station~8.4 miles~8 miles
2Mile 8 Aid Station to Mile 17 Aid Station~9.2 miles~17 miles
3Mile 17 Aid Station to Finish Line~8.6 miles26.2 miles

Athletes Amenities

All registered relay athletes will receive a race shirt, virtual goodie bag, and a complimentary commemorative patch. Athletes who are 21 years old or older will also receive a voucher for a complimentary beer at the finish line.
All relay finishers will receive a medal, and finish line refreshments. Finisher certificates will be available to download after the race.

Rules & Regulations

Age Restrictions

Athletes must be 12 years old or older on race day in order to register for the relay.

Safety on the Course

No animals, no strollers, no baby joggers, no bicycles, no scooters, no inline skates, no roller skates, and no wheeled vehicles (other than registered wheelchair and official Bike EMS and Patrol Teams) will be allowed on the course.

Bib Pick-Up

Bib pick-up will be held at the Health & Fitness Expo located at the Wright State University Nutter Center on September 14th and 15th. There will be no bib pick-up on Saturday, September 16th unless you purchased race day packet pick-up.

What You Need:

You must present a photo ID and know your bib number or team name in order to pick up your bib. Bib numbers will be issued in late August, and you may either look them up ahead of time, or look them up at the designated Bib Number Look-Up station at the Expo.

relay

Relay packets will be distributed at the Relay Pickup Counter at the Expo and will contain all materials and supplies for each of the runners on the team. Only one member of the team may pick up the packets for the team, but all team members are advised to come for the pick up and distribution of team packets. Packets will be organized by team name.

If you are unable to attend the Expo yourself, you must make arrangements for a representative to pick up your bib for you. You must fill out and sign the Bib Pick-Up Authorization Form (found here), and your representative must present the completed form, a copy of your photo ID, and their own photo ID. Representatives who do not have these three things will not be able to pick up your bib, no exceptions.

Parking & Directions

We offer free onsite parking located approximately one mile from the start line. See the Directions, Parking, & Shuttles  page for details.

Fairborn Fly Zone (Spectator)

Family and friends can head over to the Fairborn Fly Zone located around miles 15-16 of the marathon course. The Fly Zone provides free bus transportation from the Air Force Marathon start line at the National Museum of the United States Air Force to downtown Fairborn and back. Learn more here.

Awards

awardsAwards will be presented to the top three male, female and mixed team finishers in the following categories:

  • Overall
  • Military

See the Awards page for more details.

 

Divisions

Men’s Team

Women’s Team

Mixed Male/Female (2:1 gender ration; one must be a female)

Military Male

Military Female

Military Male/Female (2:1 gender ration; one must be a female)

ROTC (2:1 gender ration; one must be a female)

 

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Marathon 3-Person Relay FAQs

Yes! We will close the relay at 250 teams, so make sure to register your team early so it doesn't sell out!

Register here.
Register here.

Only one person, the team captain, will create and pay for the team and create a team password. Once done, the other two team members will register under a separate sub event for free and use the team password to do so.

The team captain does not need to have teammates selected at the time of registration.

Please note: there will be no relay registration at the expo or on race day.
  • Men's Team
  • Women's Team
  • Mixed Male/Female (2:1 gender ration; one must be a female)
  • Military Male
  • Military Female
  • Military Male/Female (2:1 gender ration; one must be a female)
  • ROTC (2:1 gender ration; one must be a female)
Each team will consist of three runners. The relay is held on the same course as the individual marathon and run at the same time. Each relay team is assigned a single timing chip that is attached to a timing belt that will be passed from each runner. The belt must be passed off to the next runner of the relay after crossing over the timing pad at the relay exchange. The distances for each leg are approximate, not exact.

Please check back for details as we are currently designing the 2021 course.
Visit the registration platform on Race Roster and click 'Confirm Your Registration'.
Yes, you will receive a confirmation email from Race Roster after you register. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder or email us at usaf.marathon@us.af.mil to confirm your registration.
The Marathon Relay Team packets will be distributed at the Air Force Marathon Health & Fitness Expo at the Relay Pickup Counter and will contain all materials and supplies for each of the runners on the team. Only one member of the team may pick up the packets for the entire team, but all team members are encouraged to come for the pickup and distribution of team packets. Packets will be organized by team name. There is no race day packet pick up.

Again, only one team member will pick up all three packets. All three packets are packed together. But, we encourage you to bring your entire team and have fun checking out the race expo. It adds to the weekend experience.
No, there will be no race day packet pick up. Please make sure you pick up your team's packet at the Expo . There is also no expo or race day registration for relay teams.
Yes, but make sure all team members know who is picking up the race packet so there's no confusion.
Your team members race bibs, team timing device along with other goodies from vendors and businesses will be in your race bag. You MUST have your race bibs and timing device in order to run the race.
All relay teams will be issued one timing device per team that will be distributed during packet pickup at the expo. Each team member will exchange the timing device at each relay stop. You will need to contact the timer and give them your approximate finishing time and they will be able to cross reference their manual timing. They'll be located in their timing tent near the finish.
No, there is no race day registration.
An individual team member may drop off your team and switch, but they will need to pay the marathon or half marathon race registration fee.
The marathon relay starts at 7:30 am on the third Saturday of September – the same time the marathon and half marathon starts.
The course map shows where the Relay Exchange Zones are.

Each relay leg runner will be wearing a colored bib (with no timing chips), which must be attached and visible on their front. Then each team will receive ONE timing belt with one chip. This will be buckled around the active runner and will be passed among the team. Each leg will be timed individually, in addition to the total team time. Belts will be returned at the end of the race in the finisher chute.

Relay runners will need to be alert for their upcoming exchange zone. This area will be designated by signs and will be to the side of the marathon course after crossing over the timing mat allowing for room to pass off the belt. Please be considerate of other runners during the transition.

Please note: only pass your belt/chip to the next relay runner on your team. You must keep your bib on at all times in order to get onto the relay buses and back onto base to meet your team at the finish line
No, only one relay runner is allowed on the course at one time. There will be no relay run-in at the finish for runner safety and security. Failure to comply will result in team disqualification. You will not be awarded the Relay finisher’s medal in the finish area. Relay teams will be able to meet near the Relay Tent for their reunion, finisher medals, and team photos.
Transportation will be provided to and from the start and finish of each leg of the relay. There will be no private vehicles due to the race being held on the Air Force base.
No animals, no strollers, no baby joggers, no bicycles, no scooters, no inline skates, no roller skates, and no wheeled vehicles (other than registered wheelchair and official Bike EMS and Patrol Teams) will be allowed on the course.
Participants registered for the Relay may defer their registrations to the following year by completing the deferral process online by August 31st. When you defer, you are not automatically registered for the following year's event. Registrations may only be deferred for one year.

Please note that if you choose to defer your relay entry, you will be deferring your entire team to the next year.
You may substitute members of your relay team by contacting the Air Force Marathon office at usaf.marathon@us.af.mil. The last day to substitute a relay member is August 31st. No refunds will be issued.
Yes, please see the Full Marathon Course Map for details on the location of the hydration stations, water, electrolytes, fruits, and gels.

If you are part of leg #2 or leg #3, you may want to pack additional food and drinks for while you're waiting on course.
Yes, if issues arise on race morning such as a lost bib, missed bus, team no show, sickness or injury, two team members may run.

One member can run two legs, and the other runner will run their normal one leg. If two legs are being completed by the same person, they must be legs #1 and #2.
Relay Exchange 1 - bus leaves at 7:20 am
Relay Exchange 2 - bus leaves at 7:50 am
If you miss the bus, you will be unable to participate in the race. There will be no private vehicles allowed due to the race being held on the Air Force base.
Please use the Gear Check near the start line if you do not want to hold onto items during the race. Do not leave any items at the relay exchange zone.
There will be portable restrooms located at the Start/Finish line and at each relay exchange zone.
Yes, water will be available at your relay exchange zone and along the course.
Yes, you may stay on the bus at the relay exchange zone. The buses will be waiting at the zone for the incoming runners.
We will have fruit, water, and snacks at each relay exchange zone. More will be available at the finish line.
Relay runners will be dropped off at Centennal Blvd where you first loaded onto the bus. You will then walk to access the Relay Lane area to collect your finisher medal with your team.