FAQS

Madison Marathon presented by SSM Health is not able to offer refunds or deferrals, as we offer all runners the opportunity to transfer their registration another person or to change their distance. (This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event.)

If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration.

Organizer Cancellation:

If the Madison Marathon must cancel the in-person portion of the race for any reason, including COVID-19, participants will be automatically transferred to the virtual race. Race entry refunds will not be issued if the organizer cancels the in-person race events. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration.

Participant Cancellation:

If as a participant you need to cancel your in-person race entry or no longer want to participate in the in-person race, you have the option to transfer your registration to another person. Refunds and entry deferrals are not available. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. *Please note that all transfers must take place before October 20th

Insurance:

If you purchased event insurance during registration you may be entitled to a refund. Please click here for more information. All questions regarding insurance should be directed to help@fanshield.com  

CHANGE YOUR RACE DISTANCE

On or before Oct 20

• There are no additional fees associated with online changes before Oct 20, unless the race distance you are changing to costs more than your original registration fee.
• Registrants moving to a shorter distance race do not receive a refund of the price differential.

How to Change Your Race Distance in RunSignUp

• Begin by logging into your RunSignUp account, and go to your “Profile” page. On the “Profile” page, see Races under “Upcoming Events.” This shows a list of all Race(s) that are coming up.
• You are able to manage the registration for the Race by clicking “Manage Registration”.
• From the top bar, choose “Transfer Event.”
• Choose “Start Transfer.” Follow the instructions and complete your registration.

After Oct 20

• All changes must be done on-site at our Expo & Packet Pick Up
• Please pick up your original packet (bib and shirt), then visit the Troubleshooting booth.
  • A new race shirt in an alternate size may not be available.
• Fees:
  • $10 for dropping from Full Marathon to Half Marathon
  • $35 for going from Half Marathon to Full Marathon (price differential between the 2 events)
  • Price differential when moving to a longer distance
    • $40 – 10K –> Half
    • $75 – 10K –> Full
    • $35 – Half –> Full

ALL runners MUST be officially registered with a visible race number, this is an extremely important safety rule. Any “bandits” face a stiff fine and be banned for life from participating in any Madison Marathon event in the future. Pacing another without a bib is not permitted. Thank you for officially registering and for supporting our race.

BIB EXCHANGE

(Selling your registration to another runner)

On or Before Oct 20

• $15 fee paid by the original registrant
• Original registrants are responsible for finding their own buyer and is charged the exchange fee when they enact the exchange online.

How to Start a Bib Exchange in RunSignUp

• Begin by logging into your RunSignUp account, and go to your “Profile” page. On the “Profile” page, see Races under “Upcoming Events.” This shows a list of all Race(s) that are coming up.
• You are able to manage the registration for the Race by clicking “Manage Registration”.
• From the top bar, choose “Transfer to Another Runner.”
• Enter the new registrant’s First Name, Last Name and E-mail Address. Then click “Transfer as a Gift.”
• • You’ll be asked to complete payment for the transfer fee to complete your portion of the transfer.
  • MAKE SURE to let the new registrant know that they’ll receive an e-mail from RunSignUp inviting them to register. They will need to complete registration for the process to be completed

  After Oct 20

  Any bib exchanges after this time will need to be completed on-site at our Expo & Packet Pick Up for a $25 fee.

  Instructions & Guidelines

  • Original registrants are responsible for finding their own buyer.
  • The new registrant must bring a copy of the original registrant’s ID (photo or digital) in order to pick up the original registrant’s packet (bib and shirt).
  • New registrant will take the above and visit our Troubleshooting booth to officially register for the race.
  • The new registrant is charged the $25 fee.
  • No refund is given to the old registrant (the 2 parties handle money exchange on their own).
  • Shirt size exchange is NOT guaranteed.

Online registration closes on Wednesday, Nov 8 at 11:59PM.

There is no on-site registration at the Expo or packet pick-up!

Participants must be at least 14 years of age to participate in the Full or Half Marathon, and 12 years of age to participate in the 10K.

Sorry, hand cycles (hand bikes, hand-crank devices, or other mechanically gear driven devices) are not permitted on the course. Athletes using push-rim wheelchairs are allowed.

All runners must pick up their race packets at the Expo & Packet Pick Up. Runners must show a photo ID to pick up their packets. Someone else may pick up your packet with a copy of your drivers license (digital or paper). Please note: There will be no Sunday packet pick-up, unless you pre-order Will Call packet pick up for a $35 fee. We do not mail packets. More information on Will Call packet pick up can be found here.

WILL CALL PACKET PICK UP

A limited supply of ‘Will Call Packet-Pick Up’ is available for those unable to pick up their race packet prior to race day. Will Call packet pick up is available race morning from 5:30-6:30a at the Info Booth. This option must be pre-purchased during registration or can be added as an Add-On if you’re already registered. This is only available for the first 200 people and is $35.00. Those that have not pre-purchased this option but pick up their packet on race morning will be charge $50.00.

Rules are as follows:

• Available for the first 200 participants only. 
• Race Day Packet Pick Up will be only be available during the hours of 5:30AM-6:30AM on Sunday. Please note that if everyone comes at 6:30, you may be waiting in a line and miss the start of the race.
• You must have your $35 paid and confirmed by race management by November 8th.
• You must pick up for yourself. No 3rd party pick ups.
• Shirt sizes are not guaranteed.
• Absolutely no race changes or transfers on race day.
• No refunds if you decide to pick up your packet at the expo during regular hours.

You may add this option to your existing race registration by following the instructions here.

Event staff will provide more details on Will Call Packet Pick Up the week of the race.

Unfortunately race packets cannot be mailed. All in person participant packets must be picked up at the Expo & Packet Pick Up.

If you cannot get to the expo to pick up your packet, we do offer race day Will Call Packet Pick Up for an additional fee. 

Virtual race participants will have their packet mailed. 

For Expo parking and directions, visit www.mononaterrace.com.

There is on-site parking available at Monona Terrace for $.75/half hour Friday or a flat fee of $5 Saturday. All other downtown parking ramps will be open Friday and Saturday. Street parking is also available in metered spaces on Friday and Saturday. See parking ramp locations.

Looking for a spot? Visit the City of Madison Parking page for live ramp updates. You’ll be able to see the number of spaces left in each downtown ramp!

There is a t-shirt exchange tent in the finish area on race day for participants to exchange their CLEAN, UNWORN shirts for another size (if available).

The full marathon is scheduled to start at 7 am. The half marathon will start at 7:15. The 10K will start at 7:30. See your specific race event page for more information.

If race day conditions exist that could be potentially dangerous, Madison Marathon follows the below protocol:

1. Races may be delayed up to one hour.
2. Runners and spectators will be notified of conditions via:
   1. Text messages — Runners must have registered for text updates at the time of registration.
   2. Online at madisonmarathon.org, Facebook, Twitter
   3. Live, on-site announcements
3. If conditions improve or are expected to improve after scheduled start time, the race will begin approximately 30 minutes after race officials have been given an “ALL CLEAR” determination by the appropriate authorities.*
4. If conditions do not improve or are not expected to improve in order to start after an hour of delay, the race may be canceled completely.

*Permits/requirements from the City of Madison do not allow the course to stay open beyond permitted times.

You will be directed to the sidewalks off the official course and may continue at your own risk but without race support. 
The course will close at 1pm. This requires runners to maintain just under a ~14 min/mile pace for the full marathon and ~17 min/mile pace for the half marathon.

Emergency Procedures — Colored flags will be located at each water station to alert runners to changing course and weather conditions. In cases of emergency, please follow the instructions below. In rare instances, it may be necessary to either close the race course or re-route participants. If this occurs, it is being done for the safety of the participants and volunteers. 

Race Day parking: All downtown parking ramps will be open Saturday and Sunday. Street parking is also available for a fee on Saturday and is free on Sundays. See parking ramp locations. 

See our Course Information page for restroom locations. 

There will be ambulances and medical personnel at the start line, finish line and along the course (paramedics will be roving on bicycles). If you need medical attention, find the nearest aid station, bearing in mind you may have just passed it. If you are not able to make it to an aid station by yourself, notify a volunteer, spectator or another runner to notify the nearest aid station of your location and condition. Aid stations will have the ability to contact the race’s medical staff to provide you with help. 

See our Course Information page for details on locations and products. 

The course is open until approximately 1 p.m. for the Half Marathon and Full Marathon. This requires runners to maintain just under a ~14 min/mile pace for the full marathon and ~17 min/mile pace for the half marathon. The course is open for approximately 2 hours for the 10K.  

We appreciate everyone following our policy to only allow participants or staff members on our course. For the safety of all participants as well as for the spectators, we cannot permit any non-participants to enter any part of the race course or finish line chute. Runners who disregard this rule will be disqualified.

Yes, gear check is located at the Info Booth on Pinckney Street. Please provide your own clear/tranparent gear bag and put your bib# on the front of the bag. Gear bags will remain here through the duration of the race and will be available for pickup immediately following. 

The timing tag is an ultra-thin, lightweight, disposable chip that is applied to the back of your race bib. The tag has a sponge that provides the necessary space between your body and the tag in wet conditions. This ultra-thin sponge has the unique feature that it only expands when it becomes wet. The BibTag system cannot be altered in any way prior to or during the event. Please DO NOT try to remove it. Please make sure you wear your bib on the FRONT of your body and on the outside of your clothing at all times during our events. Doing anything different may reduce the readability of your results.  

Average weather is as follows:
Average High: 50 degrees F
Average Low: 30 degrees F
Mean Temp: 40 degrees F
Typical Sky Cover: Overcast

Dogs/animals of any kind, and strollers or bicycles are not allowed, strictly for safety reasons.

We understand that many runners need headphones to aid in their running concentration, or distraction. Headphones are allowed but not recommended for safety purposes.

Yes!  

The course is open until approximately 1 p.m. for the Half Marathon and Full Marathon. This requires runners to maintain just under a ~14 min/mile pace for the full marathon and ~17 min/mile pace for the half marathon. The course is open for approximately 2 hours for the 10K.  

Prizes will be awarded to both male and female finishers in each of the following categories below.

PRIZE MONEY CATEGORIES

OVERALL MARATHON WINNERS
1st place male/female – $1,500
2nd place male/female – $750
3rd place male/female – $375

OVERALL HALF MARATHON WINNERS
1st place male/female – $1,000
2nd place male/female – $500
3rd place male/female – $250

OVERALL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON AWARDS

Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall male and female.

AGE GROUP AWARDS

The top 3 in each age male/female age group will receive an award.
The age groups are:
19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-99.

MASTERS MARATHON DIVISION

Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall male and female for over age 40.

WHEELCHAIR DIVISION

Awards will be given for 1st Wheelchair – Madison Marathon Special Award

10K AWARDS

OVERALL AWARDS

Awards will be given for the top 3 overall male and female.

AGE GROUP AWARDS

The top 3 in each age male/female age group will receive an award.
The age groups are:
19& Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-99.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

• Overall placing and money will be determined by Gun Time.
• Gun time will be used for the overall prize winners (top overall men and women and top masters men and women), but net time (the time recorded by the timing chip) will be used for all age-group scoring.
• All prize money will be distributed post-event after all W-9s have been collected and scoring has become official.
• Participants that are currently NCAA eligible athletes or under the age of 18 are not eligible for prize money due to eligibility restraints with the NCAA, High School Associations and AAU.
• Madison Marathon does not support the use of any illegal or banned substances.
• Awards will be mailed out within 45 days of the event. We do not host an awards ceremony.

Yes, our courses are measured and certified by USA Track & Field.
Marathon: WI12059DM
Half Marathon: WI12060DM

OVERALL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON AWARDS

Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall male and female.

AGE GROUP AWARDS

The top 3 in each age male/female age group will receive an award.
The age groups are:
19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-99.

MASTERS MARATHON DIVISION

Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall male and female for over age 40.

WHEELCHAIR DIVISION

Awards will be given for 1st Wheelchair – Madison Marathon Special Award

10K AWARDS

OVERALL AWARDS

Awards will be given for the top 3 overall male and female.

AGE GROUP AWARDS

The top 3 in each age male/female age group will receive an award.
The age groups are:
19& Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-99.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

• Overall placing and money will be determined by Gun Time.
• Gun time will be used for the overall prize winners (top overall men and women and top masters men and women), but net time (the time recorded by the timing chip) will be used for all age-group scoring.
• All prize money will be distributed post-event after all W-9s have been collected and scoring has become official.
• Participants that are currently NCAA eligible athletes or under the age of 18 are not eligible for prize money due to eligibility restraints with the NCAA, High School Associations and AAU.
• Madison Marathon does not support the use of any illegal or banned substances.
• Awards will be mailed out within 45 days of the event. We do not host an awards ceremony.

Personalize your hard earned medal with an iTAB engraved with your name and official finish time. Your iTAB attaches to the medal ribbon with the unique ribbon buckle, which simply threads on to the medal ribbon so that it is visible from the front, along with the medal itself. 

Your iTAB will be mailed to the address associated with your registration approximately three weeks after the race. Your name will be written on the medal exactly as it appears on your registration.

If you have already registered and you want to add the iTab to your registration, you can do so by following the directions here. 

Madison is full of many wonderful lodging options. And, when you make your reservation through our dedicated hotel link, the hotel makes a donation to Madison Festivals, the non-profit organization that owns the Madison Marathon. We use those dollars to support local charities and keep this non-profit fundraising event going strong! 

Check out some of our favorite hotel partners:

Click here to make a reservation

The Madison Marathon’s official charities are Badger Challenge and myTEAM TRIUMPH. We also support many other local non-profit groups. Visit the Madison Festivals charity page to learn more about our charity partners. 

Full Marathon = 26.2 miles
Half Marathon = 13.1 miles
10K = 6.2 miles