FAQs

Frequently Asked What, Where, When and How Questions

You probably have a gazillion questions racing through your mind. Where do I stay? What time is packet pick up? How do I get to the start line? How many hills are on the course? Well, we have compiled a series of frequently asked questions and their answers to ease all your worries. Use this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) as your guide. Then, prior to race day weekend, we will be providing all registered runners and walkers with detailed Race Weekend Instructions via the email address you used during the registration process.

We hope that the information provided will answer most of your questions. Remember to check the www.SLOMarathon.com website frequently and be sure to ‘Friend Us’ on our Facebook Page to ensure you stay connected and find out "What's New". If you change your email address, please let us know right away since that is our ONLY way we will stay in touch and be able to keep you up to date.

Safe and happy training and we will see you on Saturday, April 21 (5K) and Earth Day, April 22, 2012.

  • Is the SLO Marathon a Boston Qalifier?

    Yes! By virtue of our UASTF certification:
    Marathon: CA12012RS
    Half Marathon: CA12013RS
    Please visit the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) website to learn how to qualify.

  • When do I get my Bib Number & Timing Device?

    Packet Pick Up will be where you get everything you need for race day. It will include your timing device, sweats drop bag, tech race shirts and your Official Commemorative Race Program. All athletes for all three races must come to Packet Pick Up at the SLO Life Expo on the Friday OR Saturday prior to the races on Saturday and Sunday. No Race Day packet pick-up for the marathon and half marathon is available and no exceptions will be made. Be sure to bring your photo ID to Packet Pick Up or you will not be able to sign in. You may not pick up anyone else’s packet under any circumstances.

  • What do i need to pick up my race packet?

    You must have your valid photo ID and it is very helpful to bring confirmation details to pick up your race packet. No ID means NO race. Also, if you received the Military Discount, you must bring your current Active Military ID. Minors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and will have to sign an additional waiver. Packet Pick Up is at the SLO Life Expo on both Friday and Saturday only. There will be NO RACE DAY Packet Pick Up. Bib numbers are non-transferable. No one else may wear the bib number or timing chip assigned to you. You cannot sell your bib number. Runners found on the course without bib numbers will be removed from the course and disqualified. Runners caught wearing someone else's bib number will result in both parties being banned from all future SLO Marathon & Half races and all future Get Off The Couch Potato Sports Productions events.

    IMPORTANT! In addition to picking up your race packet, at Packet Pick Up you will also receive a FREE bus pass for either the full or half marathon (not the 5K) to get you onto the mandatory buses that are required to bring you to the race start line on Sunday (details below). A variety of FREE race-related clinics will be offered at the SLO Life Expo on Saturday as well as race merchandise, demonstrations and information from a variety of merchants and vendors that will help you Live the SLO Life. 5K participants DO NOT GET or NEED a bus pass. 5K participants will start and finish at the Madonna Property, not the same location as the start for the Marathon & Half Marathon. There is also ample parking within walking distance of the 5K race.

  • Where and When is the SLO Life Expo?

    The SLO Life Expo will be held at the iconic Madonna Inn property, located at 100 Madonna Rd. in San Luis Obispo, California. The three-day expo celebrating the SLO Life and Earth Day will be held in a large field at the base of Cerro San Luis and adjacent the property. Plan ahead because you are going to want to hang out with us for the day and explore all the great SLO Life services and products we produce here, taste our Central Coast wines and beers, fuel up on SLO quality foods and farm produce then enjoy our celebratory LIVE CONCERTS! See your emailed RACE WEEKEND INSTRUCTIONS for details on each day’s race clinics, concerts and special offers not to miss.

    Expo Hours

    • Friday, April 20 - Noon to 5 p.m.
    • Saturday, April 21 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Sunday, April 22 - 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • HELP! I never received my registration confirmation email! What now?

    If you registered on Active.com and didn't receive an email confirmation immediately from Active.com. Please email info@slomarathon.com. Please let us know immediately and we will work to resolve the issue and save you time and stress. Include your full name, address, date of birth and phone number in that email to us. In addition, if you show up to Packet Pick Up Friday or Saturday and are not listed there, then bring your photo ID and proof of payment (cancelled check or credit card statement) to the Solutions Desk located in the same Registration Tent as Packet Pick Up at the SLO Life Expo.

  • Can I do late registration for any events at the SLO Life Expo?

    Late Registration will be available at the SLO Life Expo for the 5K race only on Friday (see Expo Hours) and Saturday morning from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (subject to change). However, only CASH or CHECK payments will be accepted for late 5K registration. There is absolutely NO LATE REGISTRATION for the MARATHON and HALF on any of the three days. To race the SLO Marathon or Half Marathon, you MUST register online by April 15, 2012 (7 days prior to the race).

  • Can I downgrade or upgrade to another event?

    Yes and No. Yes, you may downgrade from the Marathon down to the Half Marathon up until 9 days prior to your race, by April 13, 2012, UNLESS THE RACE SELLS OUT. Yes, you may downgrade from the Marathon or Half Marathon to the 5k race up until 9 days prior to your race, by April 13, 2012 UNLESS THE RACE SELLS OUT.. HOWEVER, no refunds or credits are available for any type of downgrade. No, you may NOT UPGRADE from the 5k to the Half Marathon or from the Half Marathon to the Marathon due to the extensive safety plan and added volunteer and official staff requirements that would be needed to handle the last minute added road impact. Sorry for any inconvenience, but safety is our top priority. THERE ARE No rain checks, transfers, rollovers or refunds.NO EXCEPTIONS.

  • How will my run or walk time be tracked?

    The Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K races will all be chipped timed.More details to come.

  • How do I get to the start line on race day?

    First of all, YOU CANNOT DRIVE to the Marathon & Half Marathon START LINE! All participants for the Marathon and Half Marathon MUST take one of the FREE official buses to the starting line of the event on Sunday morning or be dropped off at one of the designated drop locations. No private vehicles will be allowed at the start area. There is NO PARKING. Roadways to the start area will be fully closed to the public and all traffic from 4 a.m. onward on race day and that will be STRICTLY ENFORCED by San Luis Obispo Police Department.

    You will have two choices to get to the race START LINE on Sunday morning:

    • 1) Please CARPOOL and then either take your FREE assigned bus using your bus ticket/wristband (see all details and a map in your packet, then feel free to ask questions at Packet Pick Up). There will be several county-wide parking & bus loading locations available and one will be assigned to you specifically at PACKET PICK UP. You will not be allowed to board the bus without your bus pass/wristband and bib number. No spectators, friends or family will be allowed to board the bus. No exceptions. The same bus will take you back to your car post race and those details and times will also be in your race packet. Be sure to keep your bus ticket/wrist band on you at all times on Race Day Sunday, April 22, 2012.

    • 2) Or, have a family or friend drop you off at one of the designated drop areas near the starting line on Race Day. Be prepared for congestion and time delays if you choose this option.

    Please check your emailed Race Weekend Instructions for details and any changes in times or locations for race day bus pick-up.

    5K Participants cannot take Marathon and Half buses because your race start and finish is at another location - Madonna Inn. 5K participants must arrange their own transportation to the 5K Race start and finish so please CARPOOL. There will be limited drop-off and no parking at the Madonna Inn property (unless you are a guest at the Inn) on Sunday for Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K participants. We advise all 5K runners and walkers to CARPOOL and park in the designated athlete/spectator parking at the Madonna Inn or to walk to the start area from surrounding parking areas or to be dropped off a few blocks away.

  • Why do the buses leave the parking lots so early?

    True, no one likes getting up at before dawn (including your event staff and volunteers!) but you will be as excited as we are and won't sleep much anyway the night prior to the race! All the FREE buses must begin traveling from the parking lots to the Starting Line early for the following reasons:

    • It takes from 30 to 45min for each bus to load and then travel SAFELY to the starting area and de-bus all participants.
    • It takes that same amount of time to return and pick up more participants, if need be.
    • Since not all buses can leave at the same time, bus departures are staggered.
    • We also want to allow you time to warm-up, use the bathroom, fill up your bottles with fuel and drop off your sweats drop bag into the bag holding buses.
    • SAFELY MOVING thousands of participants from many county wide locations to one exact start line area takes a lot of time and patience.

    In your emailed RACE WEEKEND INSTRUCTIONS, and coming soon to the Website, we will include all details and times regarding the parking and busing process. So please set that alarm, maybe two alarms and plan on getting up early to ensure you have a smooth stress free race day morning! Thanks in advance for your patience and cooperation.

  • How does my sweats drop bag get to the finish line?

    Every Marathon & Half Marathon participant will receive a sweats drop bag to bring a change of warm clothes for the race start and finish. You must use this exact numbered bag that matches your bib number– no others will be accepted. There will be "sweats drop bag” buses at the starting area. You will put your sweats into your numbered bag and close it tightly, then take it to the bus according to your assigned bag and bib number. Make sure your sweats tag number (matching your bib number) is attached (pinned) to your sweats bag. The busses will be organized by bib number (i.e. 1-200). DO NOT PUT VALUABLES (phones, credit cards, cash, rings, watches, etc) in your sweats drop bag! We are not held responsible for any lost, broken or stolen items!

    Then at the finish line, all bags will be in the same numbered buses where you checked your pre-numbered bag according to your bib number. Volunteers will retrieve your bag for you. Any bags left behind will be assumed not wanted and get donated into the clothing ‘donations’ bins for collection. So, be sure to retrieve your bag post race before you board your bus back to your car.

    Finally, consider going GREEN or RECYCLING by wearing a recycled trash bag to the race start, then disposing of it in our ‘green waste cans’ at all aid stations on the course or by wearing clothing ‘donations’ to the start. Feel free to wear gloves, shirts, jackets and sweats you want to take off and donate into the bins at all aid stations along the course. All these clothing items will be donated to a local charity and you won't have to deal with a sweats drop bag at all. At the finish line we will provide a warm, covered recovery tent where you can hang out and drink warm drinks.

  • How many aid stations are there on the course? What beverages will be offered?

    In addition to aid at the start and finish, there are 11 full aid stations on the course itself. They are spread out two miles apart, beginning at mile 3 and then at miles 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21 & 23. Every aid station offers a variety of fruit & energy bars / Clif Shot Blocks, plus water and FLUID sports drinks. Basic first aid, Vaseline and sponges will also be at mile 7, 11, 15, 19 & 23. There will be also be roaming medical personnel on the course, in addition to medical staff stationed at aid stations 7, 15 and 21 plus a complete First AID Tent at the finish line. Port-o-Lays will be available at the starting line, at each aid station and the SLO Life Expo finish line.

  • What is the BYOB program? How can I support Earth Day?

    BYOB stands for "Bring your own Bottle" and represents another effort our race organizers are making to produce a GREEN race by reducing the usage of paper cups at aid stations and the SLO Life Expo. If you wish to go GREEN then please carry one or more bottles on you that can be refilled at the BYOB section of each aid station along the entire Marathon and Half Marathon course. Both water and sports drinks will be offered. All walkers and runners are strongly encouraged to take part in supporting Earth Day and all of our GREEN programs.

  • Will there be someone taking pictures of me on the course? Can I buy one?

    A professional sports photography company, Sport Photo, will be at several locations out on the course and the finish line taking pictures of walkers and runners. Be sure that when you cross the finish line that your bib number is visible and that you are smiling. They will get in touch with you following the event via email to show you your pictures.

  • How do I get back to my hotel or parked car when I am done from the expo?

    Post-race shuttles from the SLO Life Expo will depart at a variety of times from the Madonna Inn Parking Lot beginning at 10:30 a.m.. thru 3:30 p.m. to take Marathon and Half Marathon participants back to their cars at their pre-assigned bus departure points. You must have on your bus wrist band to board buses. Be sure to get your sweats drop bag before you leave the expo as well.

    See your "Race Weekend Instructions" that will be emailed to you 2 weeks prior to the race for more specific times and locations or in your PACKET PICK UP Instructions.

  • Where can spectators and family view my race?

    There will be dedicated “Spectator Sections” on the course to be determined (see website and emailed RACE WEEKEND INSTRUCTIONS) as well as along the last few hundred yards of the finish line along the fence at The SLO Life Expo. Because of the remoteness of the course into the Edna Valley and our top concerns of athlete safety and traffic control, we highly discourage spectators in that portion of the course. The runners and walkers will get plenty of support and cheer from the aid station volunteers every 2 miles on their journey.

  • How soon can I get my results? Where can I find them?

    Results will be posted every 15 minutes on the Results Board. Unofficial results will be available online Sunday afternoon at www.SLOMarathon.com and Official Results will also be published within our green ‘Virtual Goodie Bag’ that will be emailed to you after the event.

  • What can I expect if I am hurt and cannot run or walk? Can I get my money back?

    Sorry, but all entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. There will be no refunds, rain checks or rollovers. No exceptions. If you are injured during the event the medical staff will see to you and bring you back in a sag wagon to the finish line and first aid tent.

  • How many hills are there on the course? And how steep are they?

    One of the many things that make San Luis Obispo so beautiful is its rolling GREEN hills and beautiful vistas! The fully paved course starts flat downtown, gradually moves out into rolling hills through neighborhoods, then out into the vineyards of the Edna Valley and back into town to the Madonna Inn Property. This is not a flat course, but is very doable. Yes, you need to do both up and down hill training. Athletes run and walk in one full closed lane on the road. Slower runners and walkers must keep to the right and faster runners pass on the left. Course maps with elevation profiles are available on THE RACES page of this website.

  • What is the Military Discount?

    The Military Discount of 10% is given to Active Military personnel and is not valid for their spouses or dependents. At packet pickup there will be a separate Active Military bib table and those taking the discount must present a valid Active Military ID.

  • Can I wear headphones or listen to my iPod during my race?

    In accordance with the guidelines set by USA Track and Field and the Road Runner's of Club of America, we are strongly recommending that you do not use iPods or other audio devices during the races. You are out on a roadway and will need to hear cars, other runners, volunteers and the local authorities who will be providing traffic safety patrol. Choosing to use an audio device will result in disqualification of any athlete competing and trying to place in their age group or overall for awards . It also compromises your safety and that of others by wearing a headset. If wearing an iPod or other audio device results in you being unsafe or impacting the safety of others as you are not able to hear verbal instructions or commands, or approaching vehicles and course marshals on bicycles then you may be asked to relinquish the device and face disqualification. We ask that you take responsibility and use good judgment if you opt to wear an audio device. We truly hope you'll opt to leave your headsets at home and instead let the incredible scenery and entertainment we provide on the course to serve as your motivation and inspiration.