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California International Marathon Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
**** 2008 IMPORTANT NOTICES *****
• Only online entries will be accepted.
• Marathon has an entry cap of 6,000.
• Entries will close when the 6,000 entry cap is achieved or on November 15, 2008 - whichever comes first.
• Absoultely no entries will be accepted in any form after November 15, 2008.
• THIS MEANS NO EXPO ENTRIES!
Marathon Divisions (age divisions are determined by age of entrant on race day)
• Open: 39-years-old and under (prize purse for both men and women: 1st=$10,000, 2nd=$5,000, 3rd=$2,500, 4th= $1,000, 5th=$500)
• Masters: 40-years-old and older (prize purse for both men and women: 1st=$500, 2nd=$250, 3rd=$100)
• 5-Year Age Divisions (awards 3-deep): 19 years old & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-49, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79. 80 & older
• Clydesdale/Athena: CIM will present awards to the top three finishers of men weighing 200 pounds or more (Clydesdales) and women weighing 150 pounds or more (Athenas). Runners who wish to compete in this division must register and weigh in. Do this during the Sports and Fitness Expo at the location (tba). Runners who wish to compete in this division must check this option on the entry form.
• Vision Impaired: Important Vision Impaired Division Information. The CIM thanks Dr. Michael Schermer and his staff for their generous sponsorship of this division.
• Pushrim Wheelchairs
• Handcrank Wheelchairs
ENTRY FEES
• $75 until October 31.
• $95 Nov. 1 until the 6,000 entry cap is achieved or on November 15, 2008 - whichever comes first.
• Bus transportation to the start from the Marathon hotels is an additional $10.
IMPORTANT Information about Chip Timing
CIM has the ChampionChip electronic timing system activated by runners wearing a small computer chip attached to the top of one shoe. At packet pick-up you will be issued a timing chip in an envelope that corresponds with your race number. The chip is a "loaner" to you valued at $30. Verify that your chip is working correctly by testing it at the designated location near the t-shirt pick up at the Expo. You may bring your own chip. At the Expo be sure to register its code number and return the loaner chip in your goody bag. Do NOT be late to the start! Due to road closure restrictions the start line will close five minutes after the starting gun is fired! Just because you will have a "chip time" that begins when you cross the start line does not mean that you can sleep in or spend an extra half hour in a porta-potty. The timing chip MUST be worn on the SHOE. Placing the chip anywhere higher than 12 inches off the ground will mean that no times will be recorded. Fasteners will be provided for affixing the chip to the shoelaces. Be sure your chip is securely fastened. It is not recommended that the chip be threaded down into the actual laces of the shoe since volunteers may have to cut the laces to retrieve the timing chip in the finish corral. Be sure to cross over the start mat. The timing mats will be across the wide CIM start line, but each runner has to be sure to cross over them to have a start time recorded. Be aware that according to USATF rules, awards and course records are based on "gun times" only. The Boston Marathon accepts "chip times" for their qualifying standards. Race results will report both chip and gun times for each runner. If you are unable to finish, give your timing chip to the designated volunteer at the aid station where you stopped running. All timing Chips look alike but they each have their unique ID code embossed on the plastic housing. If you are sharing hotel rooms, running with a spouse, etc., be very careful that the correct Chip is worn according to the assigned bib number. The timing chip must be returned to the volunteers at the finish line who will assist you with its removal. In return you will receive your finisher's medallion. Lost timing chips are the runner's financial responsibility.
BEFORE THE RACE
Receiving your Bib
This is the paper imprinted with your race number. It identifies you, and only you, as an official competitor. You must wear the bib on your front and it must be visible at all times during the event. Runners without their numbers visible are subject to disqualification. You may not alter the bib or the printing in any way. Your race bib will NOT be mailed to you; you must pick it up at the Sports and Fitness Expo, held at the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday, December 5 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ) and Saturday, December 6 ( 9 a.m. to 5 p.m). The Expo entrance is on J Street. When you arrive at the Sports and Fitness Expo, go to the packet pick up area where the volunteers will be sitting in alphabetical order; go to the volunteer whose letter corresponds to the first letter of your last name. This volunteer will present you with your timing chip and number. You may pick up a friend's number and chip. Race numbers are not mailed and are not transferable and race entry fees are nonrefundable!
When and where do I pick up my race number?
You will pick up your bib number, shirt and goody bag at the CIM Sports & Fitness Expo, at The Sacramento Convention Center.
The Expo entrance is on J Street.
Dates & Times
Friday, December 5 - 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 6; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Sacramento Convention Center is located across the street from the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel at 1400 J St. Use the 13th St. entrance.
Come EARLY to the Expo!
Avoid the rush and the congestion created by frantic last-minute Expo-goers and packet-picker-uppers. Be assured of getting your proper t-shirt size. Catch the best selection on Friday afternoon and as soon as the doors open on Saturday morning. You could get all your Christmas shopping done here!
EXPO Dates & Times
Friday, December 5, 3 pm to 7 pm
Saturday, December 6, 9 am to 5 pm.
EXPO Clinics
Saturday, Dec. 6 in Meeting Room 103-105 at the Sacramento Convention Center.
The 2008 schedule will be posted here when it is confirmed. Below you will see the clinics that were held at the 2007 Expo.
9:00 A.M. - Dr. Steven Polansky (25-Time CIM Finisher): "How to Run the CIM"- A Mile-by-Mile Course Review and Description of My Favorite Potholes
10:00 A.M - Dr. Neil Van Dyck, DPM: "Blister Prevention and Foot Care" Take care of your feet and run faster!
11:00 A.M. - "How to Improve Your Running and Training - Tips from the Sacramento Experts" (Julie Fingar, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Rich Hanna, Steven Polansky, Ernie Takahashi, Denis Zilaff)
12 Noon -"What a Life on the Run Has Taught Me" Dick Beardsley: Marathon Champion, Life "Survivor"
1:00 P.M. - Andrea Hacker MS RD "Eat Your Way to a Better Marathon" Nutritional needs to maximize your race performance.
2:00 P.M. - JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Ph.D. , Author of Your Performing Edge: The Complete Mind-Body Training Program & past winner of the San Francisco Marathon.
3:00 P.M. - Dr. Paul Salitsky, Ph.D. "Mental skills training to elevate your performance" UC Davis Professor in Sport & Exercise Psychology and Exercise Biology.
4:00 P.M. - CIM/Clif Bar Celebrity Pace Team Seminar: Pace yourself to a great race! Meet your leader!
PACE TEAMS!
Want a Boston Marathon qualifying time? Are you training for a personal best finish time? Celebrity CIM/ClifBAR pace team leaders will return in 2008 to help runners join together to achieve specific finish time goals. These leaders are local ultra runners, and most of them have run the CIM many times. Their experience and ability to maintain a steady pace will help you achieve your finish time goal. Bios of the 2007 leaders are posted on the Pace Team page and many of these leaders will return for 2008. Updates will be posted as they become available. Watch this cool video clip taken at the corner of Sunrise Blvd. and Fair Oaks Blvd. to see CIM Pace Teams in action.
Volunteers
If you or anyone you know is interested in helping, have them contact the volunteer coordinator, Julie Fingar, julie@fittorun.com
Is there a pre-race pasta dinner?
Not an official one. Below are just a few of Sacramento's popular downtown restaurants. More restaurants and shopping can be found in Sacramento's historic "Old Town" area (on 1st and 2nd Streets between I Street and and Capitol) and in the Sacramento Plaza shopping mall (between 5th and 9th Streets on K Street).
EARLY RACE DAY
Event Rules for Fair Competition, Safety and Courtesy
4th St. Grille, 400 L St., 448-3847 (reservations recommended)
Emma's Taco House, 723 K St., 446-2122
Grapes, 815 11th St., 447-6272
Jack's Urban Eats, 1230 30th St., 444-0307
Oasis Health Express, 912 12th St., 444-6199
Paesano's Pizzaria, 1806 Capitol Ave., 447-8646
Pete's Pizza, 2001 J St., 442-6170
Rubicon Brewing Company, 2004 Capitol, 448-7032
The Old Spaghetti Factory, 1910 J St., 443-2862
Zelda's Original Gourmet Pizza, 1415 21st St., 447-1400
Waterboy, 2000 Capitol, 498-9892 (reservations recommended)
If you are looking for company, stop by the booth of the Sacramento
area's largest running club, the Buffalo Chips, and join "the herd"
at their preferred eatery.
RACE RULES
• You must complete the entire course to be listed in the official results. Anyone who does not complete the entire course will be disqualified.
• If you are a registered runner and you run only part of the course, DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE!
• No early starters and no late starters! The starting area closes five minutes after the starting gun is fired, so do not be late for the start. The course starting area is monitored by the race personnel for "illegal early and late starters."
• No bicycles, unicyles, tricycles, inline skates, blades, skateboards, pets, or baby joggers! The only wheeled vehicles allowed on the course are those of the wheelchair competitors and CIM officials.
• No non-registered runners! It is unfair and illegal to have unregistered people run with you or offer assistance. Video cameras and officials will be stationed throughout the course to preserve the integrity of the event. Runners receiving illegal assistance WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
• Do not allow anyone to come onto the course to accompany you on the final stretch to the finish. This is illegal, can result in disqualification, and can cause serious problems including injuries to you or to other runners.
• Don't run on the wrong side of the road. The certified route after the 10.5 mile point is on the RIGHT side of the center yellow line. Prior to the 10.5 mile mark, you are allowed to run on the entire road.
• No electronic head gear! No Walkmans, portable CD carriers, iPods, or headsets of any kind. The CIM follows the recommendations of USA Track & Field and the Road Runner's Club of America in requesting that you do not use this equipment during the event. Although disobeying this rule will not result in disqualification, you will compromise your safety and that of other runners by wearing this gear. Don't do it!
Getting to the Start
CIM is run on a point to point course, which means that the starting line is 26.2 miles away from the finish point. Here are the three options for getting to the start:
1. (The BEST option!) Buy a bus ticket ($10) when you register or at the Sports and Fitness Expo for the bus ride to the start. Bus tickets are not sold on race day! Buses leave 5 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. on Sunday morning at the special rate CIM hotels and from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. from the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Remember - the earlier you leave, the shorter the portapottie lines will be at the start area!
2. For runners not taking the buses, BE SURE TO GIVE YOURSELVES PLENTY OF TIME TO GET TO THE START due to traffic congestion near the starting area. Runner drop-off is approximately one uphill mile from the start on the south side access and approximately 1/2 mile from the start on the north side access.
3. Run to the start. This is a dare to the ultra-runners who have entered. What's another 10 or 20 miles to someone who can run 100 miles?
Starting Area Amenities
Nothing but the best for those about to face this 26.2-mile challenge: a zillion porta-potties, trucks for hauling your "sweat-bags" to the finish, and early-bird volunteers to answer questions and offer encouragement.
Sweats Bags 101A
For marathon newbies or visitors from a planet with different marathon customs, the race "goody bag" you received at the Expo has a second purpose.
• At the Expo, a volunteer wrote your bib number on the bag with a marker. Make sure the number is correct and legible.
• At least ten minutes before walking to the starting line, put the items you do not plan to wear or carry during the run - like your "sweats"- into the "bag." get it?
• Do not put anything valuable in this bag (especially no car keys and no cell phones, please)!
• Now go to the sweats bus area and leave your bag with the volunteers.
• After you cross the finish line, go to the sweats bag area where a volunteer will return your bag to you.
• You must pick up your sweats bag by 1:30 p.m. race day.
• If post-marathon brain-fade sets in and you forget to do this, contact the CIM office (916-983-4622) and arrange to get your sweats bag within 10 days after race day.
• Items not claimed will be donated to charity or, if cool enough, will be fought over by the CIM Board members at their next meeting.
• No one even remotely involved in CIM is responsible for lost or stolen items.
Important Starting Line Advice
• Be at the start line on time!
• The race starts promptly at 7:00 am and the starting area closes at 7:05 a.m.
• Do not dally or plan to be late due to Chip timing.
• Only the fastest runners should be close to the starting line. Don't worry! There is plenty of space for a smooth, fast start. All runners cross the start line in less than five minutes.
• If you are not one of the speediest and place yourself too close to the front you will: a) Get trampled by faster runners. b) Go out too fast and face certain disaster in later stages of the race.
DURING THE RACE
Aid Stations & Mile Splits
There will be 18 aid stations staffed by cheering volunteers from local
schools, service clubs, and those ubiquitous Buffalo Chips. Each will have
water, GU2O Hydration Drink, medical supplies, and porta-potties.
GU Energy Gel will be provided on the course at miles 13 and 20.
Fluids
Proper fluid intake is crititcal not only for a good performance but also for your
health during and after the event. Too little fluid intake leads to dehydration; too
much and improperly balanced fluid intake can lead to hyponatremia. Please
read this bulletin from USA Track & Field for proper fluid intake guidelines.
You should also read this paper, "Proper Hydration for Distance Running"(pdf)
published by USATF.
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