Hip Redux
Have you ever seen a list this long of FAQs for a race? Are seriously clueless people the target audience for the SF Marathon?
The ones about the distance at the end are also repeated earlier. They really needed to make sure those were answered I guess.
Is there a fee to ride the bus?What time do shuttle buses operate?Are there shuttle buses?Where do I park for the event?How do I become a sponsor?Who are your event Sponsors?If I have feedback regarding the race, whom do I contact?Where can I find a course map?Where can I find photos of the race?Where can I find race results?Is there an age limit – young or old?Will there be training runs?I’m a first time marathoner. Is this marathon a good race for me?What do I do if I injure myself on the course?Can I use headphones?Is merchandise available online?What can you tell me about the Race Shirt?What does the finisher’s medal look like and how big is it? Do all runners receive finisher’s medals?Are wheelchairs allowed on the course?Are skates, strollers or bikes are allowed on the course?Are dogs allowed?Are there relays teams?How far is a 5K?How far is a half marathon?How far is a full marathon?What kind of runners enter into this race?What’s the homepage?What other activities are planned for the Marathon Weekend?How many runners do you expect for this year?What is the Date of the Event?What is the official name of the event?Where should I stay to be close to the Start/Finish Line?Are there a variety of hotels available at different prices?Who is the host hotel and where are they located?My friend is running the Full/ Half Marathon. Is there an event I can participate in as well?Can my friends come to the weekend events?How do I get to the Runner Expo?What vendors are at the Expo?How can I be a vendor at the Expo?Can you mail me my packet?Can I pick up my packet on race day?What are the Expo Dates and Hours?Where do I pick up my bib number, t-shirt, goody bag, and timing chip?GU Energy Chomp Flavors: Will you have GU Energy Chomps at any water stops?Will you have electrolyte at every water stop?Who is your gel sponsor?Will there be a place to shower after the race?Is the course USA Track and Field Certified? If so, does the Boston Marathon consider this a qualifier for their race?Where is the start and finish of the race? Is it a loop course?Is the course difficult?Where does the course take us? Why is this the best way to tour SF?Is there a time limit?Is the course closed to traffic?Which Half should I run?What’s the total elevation gain?What would happen to the course if the US Department of Homeland Security issued a Code Orange alert?Is there congestion on the course and Golden Gate Bridge?Will the Golden Gate Bridge be a part of the course again?Are the Full Marathon and Half Marathons located on the same course?Will there be food at the finish line?Who manages the water stations?How many water stations, toilets aid stations etc. will you have?What time will the roads close?Where is a good place for my friends and family to cheer me on?What is the percentage of asphalt versus concrete on your course?What time does the course close?Can you explain the Estimated Finishing Time?What will my wave start time be?What is the start time? Will the marathon and half marathon start at the same time?I am a charity that is interested, what to I need to do to sign up? What’s required of me?What if the charity I want to raise money for isn’t listed?What is it going to cost me to run with a charity team?What Charities are involved in the Select Charity Program?What Charities are involved in the Official Charity Program?How can I run for an Select Charity?How can I run for an Official Charity?When is the awards ceremony and where is it held?What are the awards, prize money and age group breakdown?What should I do if I’m just a couple minutes off of an Elite Athlete Qualifying Time?Will elite runners attend and run The 2014 San Francisco Marathon?What will my registration charge show up as on my credit card statement?Is online registration secure?Can I register on the day of the event? Can I transfer my registration to another runner?What is the race refund policy if I cannot attend? Can I switch my shirt size or update my runner account?If I register for an event, can I later switch to another? Can I register for a friend? Can someone else pick up my race packet?Do you give out my email address?What do our fees include? When do the registration fees increase?What are the different fees?What do I do if I cannot find my registration? How do I confirm my registration?Is registration open to runners of all abilities?When will registration be open? How can people register?Are The San Francisco Marathon Events capped?When and where is The 2014 San Francisco Marathon Expo?What happens if I become injured after I enter and cannot participate?How long is the 52.4 Ultra Marathon?How long is a 5K?How long is a half marathon?How long is a marathon?
Geezus!
I think my favorite are the first three. Bbecause AFTER you answer the questions about the fee and the schedule seems like a great time to confirm that buses will, in fact, be offered. lol
Is there a fee to ride the bus?What time do shuttle buses operate?Are there shuttle buses?
Also - this one: How long is the 52.4 Ultra Marathon? (Who is buried in Grant's tomb?)
I just wonder if these people would actually read through all those faqs.
At least they should have every question covered. Or do they?
Damaris
As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.
Fundraising Page
What if I don't get enough sleep the night before the race?
What time does the coffee shop open in the morning?
Will my hotel have internet?
How many people will pass me during the race?
What should I do if I need to use the bathroom during the race?What should I do if I run out of water?
Are we there, yet?
I didn't see any FAQs on whether one needs to train for the race, and if so, how.
2024 Races:
03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles
05/11 - D3 50K 05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour
06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.
Which Half should I run?
The second half, because that's where the finish line is.
What's the homepage?
Seriously? How did you navigate to the FAQs?
Wow.
How many of those questions get asked on their Facebook page? Baltimore sends out a 15-20 page instruction book for runners. It is crystal clear very few people read it. If you did a shot for every question asked that was covered in the book, you'd be drunk really quick.
Not covered:
Will you be donating clothing left at the starting area to a charity? (legitimate question)
What will the weather be on race day?
From the Internet.
I think my favorite are the first three. Bbecause AFTER you answer the questions about the fee and the schedule seems like a great time to confirm that buses will, in fact, be offered. lol Is there a fee to ride the bus?What time do shuttle buses operate?Are there shuttle buses? Also - this one: How long is the 52.4 Ultra Marathon? (Who is buried in Grant's tomb?)
That was my favorite part also, haha
#artbydmcbride
There are plenty of unanswered questions!!
If you enter the 52.4 Ultra marathon, do you have to run the full course twice or can you run the 2nd half 4 times instead?
If a do the first half do I ride the bus to the start or after I finish?
Is the finish line for the first half the same place as the start line for the second half?
If I enter the first half and I am not tired, can I keep going and do the full marathon?
Runners run
Judging from the questions I hear asked on various internet forums, 95% of the questions in the FAQ do seem legitimate. Yes, if there's a decent website, many of those questions wouldn't be needed IF people would read the instructions. OTOH, some events use FAQs as a way of formatting the information.
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What will the dew point be at the start and finish of the race?