Frequently Asked Questions

RUNNERS

BEFORE THE RACE

REGISTRATION

I’m injured, pregnant or unexpectedly out of town, can I get a refund?
Within 30 days of race day, entry fees are non-refundable and entries are non-transferable. You will not receive a refund if you cannot participate, and you may not give or sell your number to anyone else. You also may not defer your entry to the next year or another race.

If you request a refund more than 30 days before race day you will be refunded your entry fee less a $15 service fee. Send all refund requests to: registration@hartfordmarathon.com.

Can I give/sell my number to another runner?
Entries are non-transferable. Most importantly, this is for the safety of the runner. If a runner collapses or is otherwise injured during the race and is running as someone else we do not have any idea who that person is and whom to notify. This also creates issues with the race results.

Why haven’t I received an email confirmation?
When you registered online, you received an email confirmation. If someone else registered you, they received the confirmation. We do not send any other confirmations. You may verify your entry on the Entry List on our registration page. Paper applicants do not receive email confirmations. If you have registered and are not on the list, email: registration@hartfordmarathon.com.

How can I see if I’m registered?
You may verify your entry on the Entry List on our registration page.  If you have registered and are not on the list, email: registration@hartfordmarathon.com.

Where does my registration fee go?
Your registration fees help to pay for the necessary permits, infrastructure, supplies, and personnel to put on the marathon and related events. The Hartford Marathon Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.

Can I switch from one race to another? From marathon to the half? Or the half to the 5K?
If a race has not filled up, you may switch up to the day before the race. See the Registration Manager at Packet Pickup to make the switch. You will be charged the additional fee, if applicable. Once the race has begun, you may not switch races. If your number crosses the finish timing mats during the finish time of another race, your timing device will automatically disqualify you from all races.

Before race week you may have this race switch made by sending an email request to: registration@hartfordmarathon.com. If you switch to a shorter race you will not be refunded the entry fee price differential nor will you be charged a service fee. If you switch to a longer race you will be responsible for paying the entry fee price differential but there will be no service fee.

I've missed the deadline for online registration.  What can I do?
You can register in person during packet pickup.  See information below for details. 

PACKET PICK-UP

When is packet pickup?
Click here to see packet pickup locations and times.
No Race Day Registration or Pickup

What do I need to bring with me to pick up my packet?
Bring your photo ID to the Expo to pick up your packet.

Can I authorize another person to pick up my race packet?
You may designate another person to pick up your packet. Your designee must bring a waiver/permission slip signed by you and a copy of your photo ID in order to obtain your packet. The permission format is included at the bottom of the Running Event Waiver.

Where can I park at packet pickup?
Downtown Hartford offers an abundance of parking at or near the XL Center.

PASTA SUPPER

How do I purchase Pasta Supper tickets?
Pasta Supper tickets can be purchased at the time you register for the race. Or, you can click here to purchase them through our website.

Where is the Pasta Supper?
The location of the Pasta Supper is at The Hartford Club, 46 Prospect Street, Hartford.

Where do I pick up my ticket for the Pasta Supper?
All pre-purchased tickets will be at the entrance to the Pasta Supper.

RACE DAY DETAILS

PARKING

Where should I park on Race Day?
Click here for parking information.

GEAR CHECK

Is there a place to drop gear bags at the start line?
Yes. You may check your gear at The Bushnell Memorial Hall, located on Capitol Avenue, just east of the start line. See the Start Location Map.

What happens to my bag if I forget to claim it after the race?
Gear Check closes at 2:00 p.m. on race day and all bags must be picked up before that time. HMF and The Bushnell are not responsible for bags not picked up by 2:00 p.m. however, remaining bags can be picked up at the marathon office for up to two weeks after the race. After two weeks, anything remaining is donated to charity.

THE START

Where does the race start?
The marathon and half marathon start on Capitol Avenue in front of the State Capitol grounds at the orange, blue and white balloon arch. The 5K starts on Washington Street & Buckingham Street at the red and orange balloon arch.  Click here for detailed map of the start area.

Is there a corral start for marathon or half marathon?
There is a seeded start corral for runners who have documented a time of <3:30 or <1:30 (half). Click here for more details.

THE COURSE

What is the time limit for the marathon?
Our permits limit the marathon to a 6 hour time limit and the half marathon to a 3 hour time limit. Both courses will be closed at a 13:44 minute per mile pace. No race services including medical, aid stations or traffic control are available beyond this pace.

Why is there a time limit?
In order to comply with city, town and state permits, streets crossing the route must be reopened to vehicular traffic on a set schedule.

What happens if my pace is slower than the allotted time?
If you are caught by the Sweep Vehicle traveling at the 13:44 per mile pace you MUST move to sidewalks and follow all traffic signals to complete your run. Keep in mind that the race services including water stations and medical aid will also be discontinued once the Sweep Vehicle comes through.

Can I wear headphones?
While HMF will not ban the use of portable listening devices (except for All USAT triathlons), the use of such items is discouraged –for your safety and the safety of others. Running safety has always been, and will continue to be, the priority for all of our events. Please be mindful of the other participants and race personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone. The abuse of portable headphone devices can result in disqualification.

What if I lose something during race weekend?
The Information Booth at the Expo and the Information Tent in Bushnell Park are the locations for all Lost & Found items. After marathon weekend, items will be available at the HMF office for one month. Clothing items left in the start areas are donated to charity.

What is not allowed on the course?
Runners going backward, runners not wearing a race number, animals, bicycles, baby joggers, baby backpacks, runners carrying children, roller skates, roller blades, and wheeled vehicles other than push-rim wheelchairs or hand-crank chairs.

Is there energy gel available on the course?
GU Energy Gel will be located at Mile 7 (Half), Mile 8 and Mile 17 (Full), and unique to the ING Hartford Marathon: GU Energy Gel on Demand – our course bicyclists will carry GU Energy Gel on their bikes to be given as needed along the course.
PLEASE DON’T LITTER ALONG THE COURSE – DISPOSE OF CUPS AND PACKS IN RECEPTACLES PROVIDED.

What sports beverage will be on the course?
Gatorade (lemon-lime) will be available at all water stops along the course.

THE FINISH

How do I get my finisher items after the race?
  • For the marathon and half marathon, finisher medals will be given out in the finish chutes after official finishers cross the finish line.
  • Relay finisher medals will be given at the awards/results tent in Bushnell Park.  
  • All official finishers in the 5K, half marathon or marathon will be given a reusable water bottle and reusable snack bag inside the finish chutes.

Where can I meet my family and friends after the race?
The easiest way to find your family and friends after the race is to have a plan beforehand. An easy place to meet up post-race is the Family Meeting Area located in Bushnell Park. The Family Meeting Area is marked with signs showing letters of the alphabet and runners are encouraged to ask their family and friends to meet them under the sign showing the first letter of the runner’s last name.

PRIZES AND AWARDS

Will I receive an award if I place in my age group?
Merchandise prizes to top 3 age group finishers in each of the following divisions:
16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+.

Note for Half Marathon:
In addition to the above, a 15+ under age group is factored for Half Marathon finishers.

Note for 5K:
In addition to the above, a 9 & under plus 10-14 age groups are factored for 5K finishers.

Wheelchair Division:
Awards presented to pushrim wheelchair athletes. Top 3 finishers in the Marathon and Half Marathon.

Clydesdale/Athena Division:
Top three finishers in each division.

All awards presented in Bushnell Park on race day. Winners unable to collect award on race day may contact lisa@hartfordmarathon.com after the race. Mailing fee will apply.

CHIP TIMING

Do I need to purchase a timing chip?
No, the timing chip, “B-Tag” is affixed to the back of your race bib and will already be provided in your race packet for use on Race Day.

Official time – gun time, or chip time?
Per USATF rules, your official time is from the gun (horn) until you cross the finish timing mats. Chip time or net time is provided as a service to you, and is accepted by many races as a qualifying time, including the Boston Marathon. We award prizes based on net time for all age group awards. We award prize money based on gun time.

BOSTON QUALIFYING

Is the ING Hartford Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes. The Boston Marathon accepts qualifying times from the ING Hartford Marathon. Qualifying times for the Boston Marathon vary by age group and a complete breakdown of qualifying times can be found on their website: www.baa.org. HMF will send a complete list of finishers to the BAA once results become official.

How do I submit my time to the Boston Marathon?
When registering for the Boston Marathon, enter your finishing time, finishing place, the race name and location and date of the race in the section entitled “Qualification Information”. Be sure to indicate if the time you enter is gun or chip time.

Will the Boston Marathon check to confirm my time?
Yes! The Boston Marathon automatically receives a list of all official finishers of the ING Hartford Marathon and their chip and gun times. The time that you put on your Boston Marathon registration will be checked against the official time that they have on file.

MERCHANDISE

How do I contact someone about an online merchandise purchase?
Click here to view available merchandise. Please send all comments and questions to: diane@hartfordmarathon.com

Will I be able to purchase race merchandise on race day?
Yes, an official merchandise store is located in Bushnell Park.

VOLUNTEERS

Do I have to be signed up to volunteer?
Yes. All our volunteers must register on our website. Click here to register today!  

What if I can’t volunteer on Marathon day?
We have plenty of jobs available on Thursday and Friday in the XL Center at our Expo where we could use your help.

Where do I report Race morning?
All volunteers in the Bushnell Park area report to the Volunteer Tent, adjacent to the Beer Garden and south of the Carousel.

What if I am at a Water Stop or volunteering on the Course?
You will be contacted by a coordinator once you register. You do not have to come into Bushnell Park to check in!

Where do I park?
Click here for detailed parking information. If you park at the Gold Building, please bring the parking pass to the Volunteer Tent to be stamped.

SPECTATORS

How can I tell if a runner is participating in the full marathon, relay, half marathon or 5K?
Spectators can identify participants by the color of the race bib:

  • Marathon runners and relay teams have bright orange bibs
  • Half marathon runners have blue bibs
  • Half marathon walkers have light blue bibs
  • 5K runners have white bibs

How can I find out if a runner has finished?
Friends and family can track your progress in the marathon throughout the course through MTrack, our interactive runner tracking map. Links will be available at www.tcmevents.org on race day. Results for all events will be published on our website during and immediately following the races.

How can I find out if someone has dropped out of the race or is in the Medical Area?
Check at the Information Tent located on the east side of Bushnell Park. Click here for a detailed map of Bushnell Park.

What are the best places to watch the race?
Top Places to Watch the Marathon or Half Marathon

  • Start – Capitol Avenue in front of the CT State Capitol
  • Mile 2 – Pearl Street, Hartford
  • Mile 4 – Riverfront Plaza at the Founders Bridge, Hartford 
  • Mile 6 (Half) – UConn campus on Troutbrook Drive, West Hartford
  • Mile 10 (Half) – Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, West Hartford
  • Mile 14 –Old Main Street & Chapel Road, South Windsor
  • Mile 20 – Old Main Street & Pleasant Valley Road, South Windsor 
  • Mile 25 Riverfront Plaza at the Founders Bridge, Hartford 
  • Mile 26 – Under the Soliders and Sailors Memorial Arch at Bushnell Park

What time will the first runners be coming through my area?
Click here to view our pace chart.

Will my road be closed during the marathon?
Click here for road closure information. This information will be updated as marathon weekend approaches. 

GENERAL/MISCELLANEOUS

What are the future dates of the ING Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon?
The ING Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon are on the 2nd Saturday in October – October 11, 2014 and October 10, 2015.

How old is the ING Hartford Marathon?
The first Hartford Marathon was run in October 1994. Click here to read more about the history.