POLICIES

REFUND, DEFERRAL & CANCELLATION POLICIES

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COURSE CERTIFICATION

Have questions about race course length compared to GPS readings? Click here for details on all USATF certified HMF courses.

OTHER POLICIES

Age Eligibility

HMF Age Requirement
On the recommendation of the medical support team, the Hartford Marathon Foundation has established age policies per event. Please click on the REGISTRATION INFO tab on the specific event’s official webpage.

Other age related information on running 26.2
Age requirements are based on regulations by IMMDA. For further information and background, see IMMDA Advisory Statement on Children and Marathons: http://www.aimsworldrunning.org/articles/Children&Marathoning.pdf

For more information, please read RRCA’s guidelines on children’s running:
http://www.rrca.org/education-advocacy/fundamentals-of-youth-running/

Baby Jogger/Stroller Policy

Baby Jogger/Strollers are permitted in many HMF Events and NOT permitted in others, including all half marathon, marathon race distances and triathlons. Please click on the race distance webpage within the “RACES” tab on the specific event’s official webpage. See the stroller policy for the event under the section, “NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE”.

Where baby Jogger/strollers are permitted, participants must line up at the back of the starting pack.

It is your responsibility to make sure your baby jogger/stroller does not impede other runners, and you must take extra precaution to ensure your safety, your child’s safety, and the safety of the runners around you. We reserve the right to pull any participant from the race who is endangering other runners or themselves.

Course Limits

For an event that has a course limit, time and pace requirements are included on the race Web site and on final instructions.

There are many factors in determining course limits, including road permits with specific time allotments, local law enforcement staffing, medical team management, SAG staff and event volunteers.

When the time limit is reached, the course is closed and official event participation is over. If choosing to continue, it is the full responsibility of the race participant to ensure they know the route they are running. Race staff cannot guarantee that water, food, finisher swag, medical services or any course amenities will be available once the course closes.

It is protocol for SAG staff to call in to race command with bib numbers of participants who refuse transport to the finish after course closures. HMF will no longer request runners to remove their bib if continuing to run past course limits, however, those runners are no longer part of the race and must follow all traffic and pedestrian rules.

Runners may contact the HMF office within 48 hours of race day to request a finisher medal if finish line services are broken down upon arrival to post-race area.

Disabled Athletes

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Event Cancellation Policy

If an event is canceled by HMF all registered participants will be automatically moved to a virtual event option, if available. Participants will be refunded any price difference above the virtual entry fee. If participants do not want to remain in the virtual event, registration options will be presented.

Gender Identity

HMF supports gender neutrality at events and respects participants’ right to decline assigning gender within the registration process. Participants may select the following Gender Options: Male, Female, Nonbinary/Genderqueer, Prefer not to Say.

By selecting “Nonbinary/Genderqueer” or “Prefer not to say”, participants will display in the overall results of the event they participate in. Participants in the Nonbinary/Genderqueer division will be eligible for Nonbinary/Genderqueer divisional awards. Participants who elect the option “Prefer not to say” will not display in division results or be eligible for divisional awards.

  • Overall awards are determined by the overall male and female finishers.
  • The top overall male and female finishers will be determined by official clock (gun) times recorded from the start, determined by the air horn, of the first wave of the Event in which they are participating to the point where they cross the finish line.
  • Age group divisional awards are based on one’s age on race day OR category in which they elect to participate (Example: Athena, Clydesdale, Nonbinary/Genderqueer).
  • Age group divisional awards are based on official net time.
  • Participants may compete in the gender category with which they identify without any need for disclosure of information or other requirements. Age group participants who finish in the top three in their age group are eligible to receive awards, and in keeping with applicable USATF rules, participants who qualify for such age group awards may be required after the race to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID to verify age and gender information, and may be required to supply additional information in keeping with USATF rules.
  • Athletes who qualify for prize money or other awards may be required after the race to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID to verify age and gender information in keeping with applicable USATF rules and may be required to supply additional information in keeping with USATF rules as well as complying with IRS requirements for tax withholding and reporting.

No Cash Policy

Cash will no longer be accepted for in-person race registration or event merchandise purchases at any HMF event. Payment by credit card and personal check will be accepted.

Not Allowed on Course

Running Events/Walking Events:
No unregistered runners or walkers. Headphones discouraged. No bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or motorized vehicles.

Triathlons/Duathlons:
No unregistered participants. Headphones discouraged. No rollerblades, skateboards, or motorized vehicles.

Pet Policy

Due to insurance and liability issues imposed on HMF, no dogs are allowed at our events.  That means NO DOGS are allowed with runners or walkers on the course and we kindly ask spectators to leave dogs at home. Service dogs must be identified as such at all times.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Special Discounts

HMF offers age discounts for youth ages 5-21. These discounts are built into the registration process, therefore, discount codes are not needed. In addition, HMF FitKids races (one-mile or less) are always $12 for ages 2-11.

Eligible participants must contact registration@hartfordmarathon.com in advance to request the following military, group or senior discount codes. Codes must be used for advanced, online registration only. They will not be accepted for walk-in registration at Packet Pick-up.

Active Military
$5 off adult entry (Military ID required at check-in)

Group Registration (10 or more)
$5 off adult entry for a group of 10 or more people per event. Additional discounts not available on already discounted registration fees.

Seniors
Ages 80+, 50% discount always

Virtual Event Policies

Virtual events are run on your own at a date and time of your choosing, in a location and route of your choosing, which will not have any support or security measures in place by the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

HMF virtual events give participants the flexibility to participate when and where it is convenient. As such, there are no refunds and no deferments for virtual events.

Weather Policy

Weather forecasts will be monitored prior to the event paying special attention to the possibility of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, high winds and extreme temperatures. If necessary, athletes will be made aware of these predictions on the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s website so that they can adequately prepare for severe weather during the race as well as possible course alterations.

On race day, the Race Director will monitor the weather and make a decision if any action will be taken to modify the swim, bike or run course. Possible scenarios include: change of race start time on the scheduled date, modification of the race format, change of race date or cancellation of the event.  In cases of extreme heat, the event alert system will be employed, please click here for more details.

Wet, slick roadways, standing water and poor visibility due to heavy rains may require rerouting or shortening the course.

Visible lightning will cause the race to be postponed for a minimum of 15 minutes. Additional sightings will continue to delay the race in 15 minute increments.

If high winds are present, extra care will be taken to secure race signage, start and finish areas, mile markers, bike racks, fencing, banners, timing clocks and other equipment.

If extreme heat is predicted, extra water will be provided to the athletes, both prior to, during and after the event. The medical team will also be alerted that athletes may require additional medical attention during and after the event due to the high temperatures. Water temperature for the swim will be checked and USAT rules on wetsuits will be followed.

MEDICAL ADVICE AND GENERAL DISCLAIMERS

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