New FAQ Format

Previously, our FAQs were sentences and lots of words--and most of you didn't read them.  Therefore, for 2021, we are trying to be very crisp--which also means a bit terse.  As a result, we do not try to explain everything; we are just stating things as they are CURRENTLY planned.  All of this is subject to review and modification as needed to hold a safe event.

Key Dates:

• Packet pick-up:  Monday, May 10, 2021 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.  See below for more detail.
• Full Marathon:  Saturday, May 15, 2021, with individual starts between 6:00am and 8:00am.  (Elites start earlier.)  Course closure time is 2:00pm.
• Half Marathon:  Sunday, May 16, 2021, with individual starts between 6:00am and 10:00am.  (Elites start earlier).  Course closure time is 1:00pm.
• Select your Start Time:  Sign up by Sunday, May 9, 2021, using the form at https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/halfstart (for the Hafl) or https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/fullstart (for the Full).

Planning:

• Race Start/Finish:  Thomas Brooks Park/USA Baseball, 9008 Green Level Church Road, Cary, NC  27519
• Directions:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/directions
• Host Hotel:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/travel (~20 minute drive from Start/Finish)
• Volunteers:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/volunteer

Registration:

• Closed for new registrations
• Change Distance:  Closed; send exceptional cases to info@tobaccoroadmarathon.com
• Change Year:  Closed as of May 1, 2021
• Change Runner:  Closed as of March 1, 2021
• Special Requests (disabled athlete; costumes; etc.):  Closed as of March 31, 2021
• Distances:  Full Marathon or Half Marathon only (no 5K, no mile, no relay, no swimming)
• Divisions:  Elite, Age Group, Military, Ruckers, Special
• Refunds:  None; no exceptions

Pandemic-related Precautions: (May be adjusted based on conditions as we approach race day.)

• Lower limits on number of runners
• Running the Full and Half on different days
• Screening questionnaire at packet pickup (https://img.racereach.com/files/uploads/1620576374_trm_covid-19_screening.pdf)
• Runner self-assessment of health conditions on race morning
• Corrals with 100 runners starting every 15 minutes in a socially-distanced fashion
• Temperature checks to enter start corral
• Masks required at start and finish...and if you stop on the course (but not required while running/walking on the course)
• No Runners Expo
• No before or after-race activities
• Only water at aid stations...in 8-ounce bottles
• Reduced food at finish line

Course:

• Maps and Descriptions:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/maps
• Awards and Elites:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/awards
• Video:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/video
• Course Records:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/winners
• Elevation:
  - Full:  Flat and Fast with 21 miles on the Rails-to-Trail American Tobacco Trail
  - Half:  Somewhat more hilly than normal, but still moderately flat with 4 miles on the Rails-to-Trails American Tobacco Trail
• BQ?  Yes, the Full Marathon is a Boston Qualifier.
• Certified Half?  As of May 3, 2021, we are exploring certifying the Half Marathon. If not fully USATF certified, it will be accurately measured.

Results:

• Runner Tracking:  We recommend using an app like Life360, not our results.
• Live Results:  Link TBD  (Note:  May be delayed based on cell phone data coverage.)
• Prior Year Results:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/evtresults
• Course Records:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/winners

Parking:

• Parking passes are NOT being used in 2021.
• Full Marathon on Saturday:  Parking available to all runners; no pass needed.
• Half Marathon on Sunday:  Parking available on a first-come, first served basis; no pass needed.  Drop-off, carpooling, ride-hailing, or running/walking/cycling to the race venue is encouraged.  We will poll you to ask how are you arriving...and will let you know how much of an issue parking will be.
• Previously-purchased Parking Passes for 2020 will be usable in 2022 as long as the runner registers for the race before 2022 parking passes sell out.

Packet Pickup:

• Location:   Inside-Out Sports, 2002 Grisdale Lane, Cary, NC 27513.  919-466-0101.
  - Monday-Thursday, May 10-13, 12:00pm to 6:00pm
  - Friday, May 14, 12:00pm to 8:00pm
  - Saturday, May 15, 10:00am to 6:00pm
• What you will pick up:  Bib, t-shirt, pins, a doorknob hanger, and (under consderation) gels.
• Shop at Inside-Out Sports for other runner needs.
• Required to pick up a bib:
  - In-state:  You may pick up your own bib AND any other runner by showing their id (cell phone picture or photocopy permitted).
  - Out-of-state:  Must pick up own bib IN-PERSON showing evidence of EITHER having gotten the COVID-19 vaccine OR a negative COVID-19 test 72 hous or less BEFORE arriving in North Carolina.  Please see below for specific detalis.
• If you live more than two hours away and cannot pick up your bib by 7:00pm on Friday (for the Full) or by 5:00pm on Saturday (for the Half), please complete this form:  https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/lateppu .  We will give you additional information about when and where to pick up your bib.
• Mailed bibs/packets:  Not available.
• Expo:  None

Weather:

• Forecast:  https://www.wunderground.com/calendar/us/nc/raleigh/KRDU
• Average high for mid-May in Cary, NC, is 80°F.  Average low is 56°F.
• Read about heat adaptation:  https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20825873/training-in-the-heat-0/
• If weather is excessively hot or humid:   Race Director reserves the right to cancel or suspend the race.  For assessing risk of temperature-related conditions, we will use the heat index chart at http://www.marathonguide.com/training/coachmindy/heat.cfm

COVID-19 symptoms/tests/vaccines:

• All runners:
  a) You will be asked to complete a screening form when you pick up your bib.  If you want to save time, print and bring it ahead of time.  https://img.racereach.com/files/uploads/1620576374_trm_covid-19_screening.pdf
  b) Also, please check your temperature on race-morning and self-assess for any symptoms of COVID-19 (re: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html ).  Important:  DO NOT COME to the race venue if you have any symptoms.  Please send us an email at info@tobaccoroadmarathon.com to let us know.
• Out of state runners must show evidence at packet pickup of one of:
  a) Being fully vaccinated (Re:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/second-shot.html)
       -or-
  b) A negative COVID-19 "viral" test (Re:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html)
• Note:  We are asking that runners from out-of-state get the testing done before arriving in North Carolina, but if you arrive without having received test results, you should be able to get a test in North Carolina with results in 24-48 hours.  See https://covid19.wakegov.com/testing/.
• Electronic submission of evidence:  Not permitted.

Start Line:

• 100 runners per corral starting every 15 minutes
• Sign up for a corral/start time by Sunday, May 9.
• 2 runners started every 5 seconds (~50 feet between runners)
• No spectators permitted
• Start corrals will be open for all paces, except possibly the first two corrals (6:00am and 6:15am)
• If you arrive sooner than 30 minutes before your start time, please wait in your car
• Port-o-johns available
• Bag check:  NOT available
• Wear a mask at the race venue until you cross the start line

Finish Line:

• What you will get:  Water bottle; medal; mask; chocolate milk, banana, granola bar, pretzels
• Please wear a mask (given to you) as soon a possible after you hydrate
• No spectators permitted

On-course aid stattions:

• For consumption:  8 ounce water bottles ONLY (Bring your own gu; electrolytes, salt tablets, and/or powder to mix in water; etc.)
  Note:  We are exploring how best to provide chilled water; it may not be particularly cold.
• Please discard water bottles and bottle caps in trash cans and not on the trail, sidewalk, road, etc.
• Medical issues:  Please ask a volunteer for various supplies
• Aid Station Locations:
  - Full - See course map
  - Half - As of May 3, 2021, still being worked out.  Roughly every two miles.
• Port-o-johns:  At each aid station
• Masks: Carry a mask should you need to stop for an extended time at an aid station.

On the course:

• Social distancing requested.  Do not remain in close proximity to another runner for an extended amount of time.  (Think of this like a runner's version of the "no drafting" rules in a triathlon--either pass or remain several lengths behind other athletes.)
• Headphones permitted but discouraged.  Using just ONE ear pod or using bone-conducting headphones is recommended.  Please be sure you can hear all verbal instructions as well as traffic.  Call out issues and obstacles to other runners.
• Passing:  Parts of the couse are on sidewalks and/or narrow; please allow room for other runners to pass.  Stay no more than two people abreast.
• Open Course:  The course/trail is not closed closed to other users.  Be alert for walkers, runners, cyclists, and horses.

Spectator Locations:

• Please observe social distancing
• Spectator locations for the Full Marathon shown on https://img.racereach.com/files/uploads/1618464995_trm-full.pdf
• Spectator locations for the Half Marathon recommended at Mills School Park (between miles 11 and 12 of the half marathon).  Other locations along the Half Maraton course are possible, but please respect social distancing and private property.

After the Race:

• BQ / PR Bell:  Yes, the bell will back!
• Finish Time:  Link to be texted to your cell phone...or check our web site.
• BQ shirts:  If you achieved a BQ time, pick up a special BQ t-shirt!
• Merchandise:  https://www.insideoutsports.com/other/trm-merchandise.html
• Race photos:  Sorry, none planned this year due to the extended number of hours of the race.
• Awards:  We will contact you for monitary awards.  Age Group awards (if we have them) being evaluated as of May 3, 2021.  If we have these, they will be mailed.
• Review our Race:  On one of the sites listed on https://tobaccoroadmarathon.com/reviews

• Temperature checks to enter start corral