2017 Final Instructions

Black Bear Marathon

 

SATURDAY

June 1, 2017

Packet pick-up/Race expo

Packet pick-up is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the University of Maine’s New Balance Field House (The building with the big M on it near the football stadium).*

The Marathon Expo also takes place from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday in the New Balance Field House. The expo will include a variety of vendors and exhibitors. Several items of marathon merchandise will be available for purchase.

This year, your bibs and shirts will be bagged and sorted alphabetically.

Pasta Dinner Saturday

The Family Dog restaurant located at 6 Mill St in Orono, ME will host a pre-race day pasta dinner from 4-7:00 pm.

The Family Dog logo

Governor’s Restaurant, located in Old Town, ME on Stillwater Ave also offers pasta dinners and other Maine favorites.

SUNDAY

June 2, 2017

Bibs

On race day, the bibs are available from 5:30 a.m. to 7:29 a.m. at the the New Balance Field House.*  There are no guarantees on sizes of shirts unless you registered in the first 500 runners.

*Please remember that you must have an ID to pickup your packet. If you need to pick up a packet for someone else, you must have either a signed note from that entrant or an email from that entrant authorizing you to pick up their packet. The person picking up the number must sign for it and show their ID.

Driving Directions and Parking

Directions to the New Balance Field House. GPS coordinates:  44.903615, -68.670624

Free parking is available on campus in multiple lots. When entering campus from the I-95, please use exit 193 on race day. University of Maine driving directions.

Please do not park on the side of the roads, either on or off campus. Drive slowly and keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians!!

See this UMaine parking map.  Parking will be available outside the Field House on Long Road and behind Bennett Hall.

Cheer Stations

  • UCU Steps or across the street at the Family Dog:  at the corner of Main St and Bennoch Road in Orono.  Approximately Mile 1.5
  • Old Town Canoe: located on Gilman Falls Road.  The famous Old Town Canoe store will be open and they are an official cheer station for spectators on 125 Gilman Falls Rd Old Town, ME
  • The start/Finish line of the Football stadium.

Shopping

The UM clothing store Bear Necessities will be open from 8:00 a.m.  – noon at the Alfond Arena next to the Football Stadium on Sunday. They sell UMaine and Black Bear merchandise.

Baggage

A baggage storage area will be available on race day in the New Balance Field House for those who wish to leave clothing and/or other personal items. Please be sure to mark all bags with your bib number. Volunteers will keep items grouped by bib number to make them easier to find after the race. You will need to show your bib number to claim your bag after the race.

Please keep in mind that race organizers are not responsible for clothing and other items discarded along the course or in the start/finish area outside the baggage tent. Volunteers will begin clearing the course while the race is still in progress, so clothing left on the course may not still be there if you try to retrieve it after the race. Clothing picked upon the course will be donated to a local shelter.

Course information

Maps will be available on race day and at : 2017marathonmap. No strollers, dogs, or leashed animals are allowed on the course under any circumstances.

Early start

A 6:30 a.m. start is available for pre-registered marathon walkers/runners only who expect to need six hours or longer to finish the race. If you’re a marathon runner who maintains a pace less than 13:00 per mile, you cannot take the early start.  The course will not be supported at water stops until 7:30 AM.

Early starters’ times will not be submitted for races requiring a qualifying time.  Those who disregard this rule will be subject to disqualification.

Regular Start

The marathon, half marathon and 10K all start at 7:30 a.m. at the UMaine track.

Porta Potties

There are many bathrooms available at the start/finish line in the Field House and at the Football Stadium. There are porta-potties at five locations along the course and these are marked on the course map.

They are in the following approximate locations:

  • Steam Plant: Mile 0.6 and 13.7  (this potty is off the road, follow the signs behind the trees)
  • Bennoch Road Cemetery: Just after Mile 3 and 16
  • Bennoch Road: Mile 6.7ish and 19.8ish
  • Old Town Canoe: Mile 9ish and 22ish
  • Perkins Playground: Just before Mile 12ish

Water/Gatorade/Gu Stations

There are eight water/Gatorade stations and one Gu station. They are in the following approximate locations:

  • Mile 1.9 and 15 Water/Gatorade :  University Credit Union
  • Mile 3.2 and 16.7 Water/Gatorade:  St Joseph’s Hospital
  • Mile 5.3 and 18.3 Water/Gatorade:  Rogers Farm: BARN
  • Mile 6.8 and 19.9 Water/Gatorade:  Marquis Heating
  • Mile 8.6 and 21.7 Water/Gatorade: Old Town Canoe
  • Mile 10.3 and 23.4 Water/Gatorade:  Bodies by Badger
  • Mile 11.9 and 25 Water/Gatorade: United Way and Sub 5
  • Mile 13.5 Water/Gatorade and Gu: Girl Scouts

Course regulations

The Black Bear Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K operate in accordance with the USA Track and Field (USATF) guidelines.  The race director or police can remove any participant or spectator from the race in the event the person is deemed a hazard to themself or others.

As both the Marathon and Half Marathon courses are certified by USATF, any person found cutting the course or not following the official course (including the extra distance around the cone in the second loop of the marathon) will be disqualified from the race.  Race marshalls and photographers will be monitoring bib numbers along the course for safety and USATF qualification.

The course will close promptly at 1:30 p.m.

Post-Race Activities

Food and drinks will be available after the race at the finish line.  If it is raining, we will have all post race activities in the New Balance Field House.

Awards

Location:  Football field (rain location:  New Balance Field House)

Monetary race awards will be given to the top three overall Male and Female finishers in the Marathon and Half Maratho.  The overall Male and Female 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age category will be recognized.  See awards page for details.  Those receiving monetary awards will have to sign for awards and have a check mailed to them after the race.

The awards for overall winners of each race will be presented at 9 a.m. for the 10K, 9:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 11:00 a.m. for the full marathon.  Other awards are rolling, please check results at the finish and pick up your awards at the race at the awards table at the finish line.

Results will be posted live by Racewire.

Showers are available in the locker rooms in the Memorial Gym Complex. Towels are not provided.

Volunteers

We are still looking for a few more volunteers.  If you have family/friends who are interested, please e-mail lisa.morin@umit.maine.edu

Last minute registration

We will allow a limited number of registrations for the half and full marathon and the 10K at the expo on 6/4 from 2-6 pm.  Cash and Credit cards will be accepted.

Photos

Race photos will be taken by Marquis Images and photos will be available on our Facebook page.  Additionally, photos will be taken by Racewire and posted with the results at Racewire.  Other photographers will post pictures to our facebook page.

Stay in touch! Follow us on Facebook and tag your photos with #blackbearmarathon.

Weather Policy

The race directors and campus/local police will decide if the race is cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions.  If the race is cancelled, runners will still be able to pick up their packet, shirt and other race giveaways.  The race directors reserve the right to cancel or postpone due to unsafe weather or other conditions. Refunds are not available if the race is cancelled due to unsafe conditions or inclement weather.

Proceeds for this race support the Black Bears for Recovery program for substance abuse prevention through the Student Wellness Resource Center.