InFirst Bank Veteran's Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay
Sun November 1, 2020 Blairsville, PA 15717 US DirectionsAdditional race information can be found at http://www.veterans-marathon.com.
Blairsville, PA US 15717
The 9th Annual InFirst Bank Veteran's Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay races will be held on the beautiful Ghost Town Trail near Indiana, Pennsylvania on Sunday, November 1, 2020. The marathon is a certified Boston qualifier. All proceeds from the race go to support veterans in Western Pennsylvania through the Western Pennsylvania Veteran's Relief Fund, a 501c3. Monies from the race will be used to support the needs of veterans in our communities.
COVID-19 UPDATE: The following protocols will be in place for all events:
*Face Coverings Required-- for all runners, spectators, volunteers, etc. at the start/finish area and any area in which social distancing is not possible. We are providing "buffs" in the runners' bags, but you are welcome to wear the face covering of your choice, as long as it covers the nose and mouth.
*Try Not to Congregate-- We ask that runners and spectators NOT congregate at the race site before (no more than 1 hour before your wave start), during, or after the race. We are happy to celebrate your accomplishments, but we are still working under state mandates. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
*COVID-19 Waivers-- MUST be signed by all runners. You must drop off the waiver when you pick up your packet. The waiver can be downloaded and printed here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MU21DtkjziW44EmRzp8E0NfwqmGXffH1iGEW7fHJp-8/edit?usp=sharing
*Wave Starts-- we ask runners to please honor the wave that you are in as much as possible. We realize that people may be coming with others with the intention of running together. We simply ask that runners do not "pack" any of the waves with extra participants. We are using the wave starts in order to create social distancing on the course, and we appreciate your assistance in making that happen for all people involved. Thank you.
*Aid Stations will be "grab and go." Aid station volunteers will be there to replenish the supply of food and drinks but WILL NOT be personally handing out food or drink. Please also be mindful of trash. Our aid stations are only two miles apart. Please carry any trash you have to the next aid station. We don't want our volunteers or the race directors having to pick up your trash.
The race directors and all involved appreciate that you have chosen to run our race! We simply want to make sure that we conduct the race in a responsible manner, and we appreciate your cooperation in making that happen this year and for years to come.
Al and Candi Lockard
Welcome to the 9th Annual InFirst Bank Veteran's Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relay! This may be a "small-town" race, but the race support is top-notch! All proceeds from this race go to support the veterans of Western Pennsylvania through the Veteran's Relief Fund, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Check out the race website at www.veterans-marathon.com for more information!
With your race participation and the support of our sponsors we hope to meet the needs of veterans in Western Pennsylvania Over the past eight years, InFirst Bank has served as the title sponsor for the race-- we thank them for their commitment to the race and to our veterans. We also thank the many local businesses who have supported the race as "Mile Sponsors" or donated products to the race. This race could also not happen without the support of the Indiana Road Runners Club-- thank you to the club officers and members for their support.
RUNNER INFORMATION:
ATTENTION ACTIVE DUTY/ VETERANS: As a thank you for your service, active duty and veterans can register at the $26.20 rate up until October 24th and will receive a special FREE race t-shirt. To receive this offer, you must complete and send in the paper application and provide proof of service (DD214, NGB Form 22, valid state driver's license showing military service, or military identification). Please black out SSN# on any documentation. Paper applications can be found at www.veterans-marathon.com. Thank you. A copy of the paper application is posted as a PDF below.
There will be an opening ceremony at 8:30 AM near the start line before the beginning of the Marathon & Marathon Relay.
Race times are 9 AM for the Marathon and Marathon Relay. The Half Marathon starts at 10:00 (please note the time change for the Half Marathon-- we have pushed it back by 30 minutes to promote the separation of runners on the course.)
Runners will be running an out and back course from Saylor Park to Dilltown on the beautiful Ghost Town Trail. The grade for the trail is about 2% on the way out-- which means a "downhill finish!" There are mile markers every mile. There are aid stations every 2-4 miles. The Marathon and Marathon Relay have 9 aid stations. The Half Marathon has 5 aid stations. There are Porta-Johns or facilities at each aid station. Aid stations will offer only pre-packaged items such as small water bottles and pre-packaged food. This means that aid station food options will be limited. Runners are encouraged to carry food and drink that they may want.
Racers should be prepared for any manner of weather in November in Pennsylvania-- anything from 50 degrees, to cold rain to snow! The trail holds up well regardless of the weather conditions.
All finishers receive an awesome finisher's medal!
There will be "to go" food and refreshments for all runners at the finishing area.
Race packets and bibs can be picked up in one of two ways:
1) Pre-race packet pickup will take place at the InFirst Bank branch at Townfair Plaza in Indiana on Saturday, October 31st between 3-6PM. The branch is located at 475 Ben Franklin Road South, Indiana, PA 15701. This will be a "drive-through" packet pick-up. You simply drive up, give your name and race, and we will get your packet to you! Please remember to bring your completed and signed COVID-19 Waiver in order to receive your packet. Here is the link to the waiver: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MU21DtkjziW44EmRzp8E0NfwqmGXffH1iGEW7fHJp-8/edit?usp=sharing
2) You may also pick up your packet on race morning. Please do not arrive more than one hour before your wave start (wave assignments will be emailed within the next week or so). Please remember to bring your completed and signed COVID-19 Waiver. Thank you!
The Hilton Garden Inn in Indiana, PA will be offering a special discount rate for runners!
To book online within the block:
Booking Link: http://group.hiltongardeninn.com/VETMAR
Group Name: Veteran's Marathon
Arrival Date: 31-Oct-2020
Departure Date: 01-Nov-2020
Alternatively, if on the phone with a reservations’ agent, you can reference Veterans Marathon. Please note that the discounted rate of $99 will only be available for booking up until the Monday prior the race weekend (October 26). After that, any unreserved rooms remaining in the block will be returned to general hotel inventory to be sold at regular rate.
CH Fields, the restaurant onsite, is also happy to provide a special offering when the runners show their bibs either Saturday or Sunday evening. The restaurant will offer a free appetizer with a purchase of an entrée.
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