Early Start (Sunday, 6am)

The 6am early start is required for, and only available to:

  • Marathoners needing between 6 and 7 hours to complete their race

  • Front-Half-Marathoners needing between 3 and 4 hours to complete their race

To ensure the safety of all participants, the following rules apply for anyone wishing to take advantage of this early start:

  • The early start will begin at 6am. This is not a rolling start; everyone will need to be in place, ready to start at 6am.

  • Each early start participant must have an individual light. This serves the dual purpose of illuminating the street for the participant and making the participant visible to others. Participants will not be allowed to start without an acceptable light. Examples include headlamps, light vests, light belts, clip-on lights, and visor lights. Lights will NOT be provided by the race.

  • Each early start participant must have an early start bib. During registration, participants are asked if they need this extra time to complete their race. Answering YES will automatically put the participants in the early start category. The registration questions may be edited by participants at any time prior to the end of November by logging in to their RunSignUp account and modifying their registration. We will also provide bib exchanges for early starters at the expo on Friday (12/9) and Saturday (12/10). No changes will be allowed on Sunday (12/11).

  • Early start participants must NOT pass the 6-hour pacer until after the halfway point. A set of 6-hour marathon pacers will lead the early starters, and a set of 7-hour marathon pacers will serve as sweepers. Early start participants MUST remain behind the 6-hour pacers until the halfway point (13.1 miles) or they will be disqualified, and potentially pulled from the course. This rule will be enforced with timing mats and race officials. The early start marathoners who feel they may be able to break 6 hours will be allowed to pass the 6 hour pacers at the halfway point. Early start participants must remain in front of the sweepers.

  • All participants are expected to keep to the side of the route. The 7am starters will reach the 7 hour sweepers around mile 5 (roughly 7:25am-7:30am). They will reach the 6 hour pacers around mile 7 (roughly 7:35am-7:40am). Early starters will need to ensure they keep to the side of the route and do not impede the pace car and/or the faster participants. Please do not run/walk more than two abreast.