Athlete Guide: Ann Arbor Marathon 2022

There will be 13 aid stations along the course.  All will have water, Gatorade, and a portable toilet.

Aid stations will be approximately at miles: 1, 2, 3, 4.5, 5.5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16.5, 17.5, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Gu will be available at miles 6.5 & 20.

The Probility Ann Arbor Marathon features pacers provided by the Ann Arbor Track Club. Stop by and visit the pace team at the Health & Wellness Expo. On race morning, you’ll find the pacers lined up on South Fifth Avenue with their pacing signs. Pace groups are based on a wide range of ability levels, starting at a 8:00-minute (3:30) pace and ranging through a 13:30-minute (5:53 pace) and every time in between.

Not sure which pace is right for you? Check out this Pace Calculator or talk to the pacers at the Health & Wellness Expo or on race morning.

All full marathon participants must be at mile 14 by 11:15 a.m. At this time, the sag vehicle will start on the course. At this time, the sag vehicle will begin cleaning the course and anybody behind the sag vehicle is advised to head to the finish line and call it a half-marathon finish!

Use this address in your GPS to get to the parking area:   333 E Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Parking is available and free in any of the lots marked with a “P”.

the early start option is for those who plan to take more than  5.5 hours to finish the marathon.  If this is not you, please start at the regular start time. If you do change your mind, there is no need to do anything, just start at the regular time.

Here is important information that you need to know:

Race day packet pickup opens at 6:30 a.m. which is after your start time.  This means that you need to pick up your packet at the expo on Saturday. This is not optional.

You will need to have a headlamp and carry your own hydration until 8 a.m. when the course is officially open.

Remember that the course will be marked, but it will be dark and there will not be any police or volunteers on the course directing you until 8 a.m.  You will need to know the course and follow traffic laws. You will find the course map HERE.

All participants must be at mile 14 by 11:15 a.m. At this time, the sag vehicle will start on the course. At this time, the sag vehicle will begin cleaning the course and anybody behind the sag vehicle is advised to head to the finish line and call it a half-marathon finish!

For years we have wanted to do this.. and now we’re doing it! We are bursting with excitement to let you know that when you are huffing and puffing your way up The Arb Hill at miles 12 and 21, you’ll start to hear piano playing…and then it will get louder and louder until you crest the hill and there you will find National Boogie Boogie Piano Hall of Famer, Mark Lincoln Braun better known as Mr. B!

Mr. B has pedaled his “Joybox Express” more than 300 miles, swum it across the straits of Mackinac, and now he will inspire you all the way to the finish line!

But wait… there’s more…

Lost Voices will be back again entertaining you at the expo and the finish line. Lost Voices will also have entertainment stations along the course to help you keep moving along.

See our FAQs for policies, race transfers and other topics like that!

• On race morning, you may check your gear in a clear, plastic bag that we will provide.
• You will find the gear check area located near the corner of 5th and Madison.
• If you will be finishing your run at the Gallup Park relay exchange as a member of a relay team, we will transport your gear for you on the bus to the relay exchange .  Be sure to put your bag in the appropriate box at gear check when you check it. If you take the bus to Gallup to run towards the relay exchange near the finish, you may leave your bag on the bus and retrieve it at the gear check area.  It must be one of our supplied bags.  If not, it will not go back on the bus and will be left at Gallup Park.
• The bag that we provide will be a clear drawstring bag measuring 11” x 14”.
• No other bags will be accepted.
• Luggage that does not fit within the pre-approved finish area bag will NOT be accepted.
• You will label your bag with a label that will be provided with the bag.
• You must affix the label to your approved gear bag before handing it to race personnel.
• The drawstrings on the bag should be cinched and tied to ensure that your belongings do not fall out.
• Do not check any valuables.
• Although we will do our best to ensure that your gear is waiting for you at the end of the race, we are not responsible for lost items and/or gear check bags.

Camelbaks® and any type of hydration backpack are allowed.

Backpacks, suitcases, and rolling bags are not allowed.
Hard-sided coolers, costumes covering the full face (except face coverings if mandated by governmental order), any non-forming bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body, props and non-running equipment, including flagpoles and sticks, pets/animals (except service animals that are trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability), alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, chairs, weapons, remote-controlled aircraft, and drones are not allowed.

During the registration process, you had the option to put in a phone number of anybody who may want to track your progress during your race.  They will receive text message updates.  If you opted out, but have changed your mind, it’s not too late.  You can log in to your RunSignUp account and add the phone numbers of all the people who love you!  Click “Manage Registration”.

The Kids Run is on Saturday, Oct 1 at 2:00 p.m. outside the 2|42 Community Center at 648 S Wagner Rd.

All participants will get a commemorative hat and finisher’s medal.

Details will be send to all participants.

THE EXCITEMENT STARTS SATURDAY!

Your race weekend kicks off Saturday, October 1 with the:

Ann Arbor Sports Commission Health & Wellness Expo
12 – 4 pm
2|42 Community Center 
648 S Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor

This free event is open to both participants and the public!

Visit vendors such as Probility Physical Therapy, Run Tree Town Marathon Retail, and many more!

Learn about our featured charities, fundraising through the Ann Arbor Marathon, and ready to connect with you at the Expo. Pick up your race packet … or register if you haven’t already done so.

Join us from 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. for a race course Q&A with Epic Races’ Founder and CEO, Eva Solomon. This session will take place in the student auditorium at the Expo, just to the right of the main entrance.

If you just can’t make it to the expo, you can also pick up your packet race morning between 6 – 7:45 a.m. at the race site.

RACE BIBS
Individual timing tags are affixed to the back of each bib number. Leave the tags on the back of the bib number and pin the bib number to your front torso, so that it is clearly visible on the outside of your clothing.

Bib Quick Tips:

>>Race bib is clearly visible on the front of the torso
>>Race bib is unaltered and unmodified (do not fold, wrinkle, or remove back tag)
>>Race bib is pinned in all four corners
>>Race bib is not covered (by jackets, runner belts, water bottles, etc.)
>>Your race number should be worn on the front of your shirt and outside of your clothing (that way, the photographers can email you your photos after the race!).

If you enabled notifications during the registration process, you will receive a text message with your results shortly after finishing the race. You will also be able to check your results using the QR code on your bib shortly after you finish the race.

All results will be posted under the “results” tab at www.annarbormarathon.com.

Wondering if you won an award?

You can check several ways:

• Overall awards are given to first overall female in each of the races
• Age-group awards are given to top 5 in each 5-year female age group (20 – 24, 25 – 29, 30 – 34….)
• Check the QR code on your bib with a QR scanner on your phone
• Check the “results” tab on the event website.
  If you did win an award, you can pick it up at the award table. We know your time is valuable. For this reason, we offer grab-n-go awards. Grab your award, take a moment for the photo op on the podium, then go!

Packet pickup
Choose one representative for your team to pick up packets for everybody.  Here is what you will get in your packet:
– Race belt
– Bib with team number and chip
– T-shirts for all
– Safety pins

Runner #1 will wear the race belt with the number. When Runner #1 get to the exchange point for Runner #2, Runner #1 will take off the belt and give it to Runner #2, etc.  This bib has the timing chip and you will need it to get your finish time.  

Bus
Ann Arbor Public School buses will transport legs 2 and 4 to the exchange point in Gallup Park.  Leg 3 is within walking distance from the start line. You will pick up the bus at Madison and South 5th Streets. See more detail below.

Bag Check
If you are running leg 1 or 3, give your stuff to your teammate to bring to the exchange point.  Please use one of our clear bags that you can get at packet pickup, at the bag check table by the start line, or on the bus! Leg 2 & 4 may leave bags at the bag check table by the finish line and can give discarded clothes to teammates to bring to the finish area.

Here is a summary of how the day will go:

Leg #1 (7.05 miles)
You will begin at the official start line with everybody.  If you would like to have warm, dry clothes for you when you finish your leg, you should put your belongings in a “bag check” bag and give it to your teammate.  You can get a bag at our “bag check” area and we will also have them on the bus. When you arrive at Gallup Park, your stuff will be there and there will be a bus to transport you back to the start/finish area.

Leg #2 (6.05 miles)
You will take the bus to Gallup Park and may leave your belongings in a bag with your teammate in one of our supplied bags. Your teammate can leave it at the “bag check” area of the start/finish area.

Leg #3 (7.05 miles)
This transfer spot is at Greene St. between Hoover and Hill.   Before staging yourself to run, you may want to put your warm, dry clothes in a “bag check” bag and have your leg #2 teammate bring them to Gallup Park for you so they will be there for you when you arrive.

Leg #4 (6.05 miles)
Same as leg #2, but you may want to take a later bus than the 7:50 a.m bus. Your choice!
When you are approaching the finish line, your teammates will join you to the finish where you will all receive your well-deserved medals because there is no “I” in TEAM!

8:30 a.m.
9:10 a.m.
9:50 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:10 a.m.
11:50 a.m.

Please be sure to arrive at Gallup before your teammate!

If you plan to discard clothes, please pick up one of our clear bags and have your teammate bring it to the finish area for you. We will leave any and all non-transparent personal bags at Gallup Park.

Looking forward to your post-race shower?  The Ann Arbor YMCA has graciously offered the use of their locker rooms to all Probility Ann Arbor Marathon participants!

Q: When is the Y open?
A:  Monday–Friday: 5:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Saturday–Sunday: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Q: Where should I park? 
A: While parking in downtown Ann Arbor can sometimes be challenging, there is typcially street parking available around the Y.  In addition, surface parking lot options are here.

Q: Where is the Y located?
A: 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Q: Does the Y provide towel service?
A: Yes, but the towels are just small gym towels and only one per person.  We highly recommend you pack a towel for your shower.

Q: Are lockers available?
A: There are lockers in the five locker rooms: Boys’ (under 18), Girls’ (under 18), Mens’, Womens’ and Universal Access. Parents may accompany a child of the same gender into the boys’ or girls’ locker rooms. Parents needing to accompany an opposite-gender child should use the Universal Access locker room. Individual changing cabanas are provided there for your convenience. You may put your belongings in any open locker and supply your own combination or key lock. Please remember to remove all belongings when you have finished for the day. Additionally, small security lockers are available on the first floor; tokens to operate these lockers are free and available at the Membership Desk. Master locks for the locker room lockers are for sale for $7.00.

Q: I am not a member, how will I get in?
A: Simply stop at the front desk and let the staff know that you just participated in the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon and you are there to take a shower. You will need to provide photo identification and sit tight for a quick 5-minute background check which is their standard policy for all members and guests.

The Probility Ann Arbor Marathon’s urban race course lends itself naturally to spectating. If you are coming to cheer your peeps and lots of strangers, here are some helpful tips:

• The course will be closed to traffic, but you will be able to navigate around on the open roads.  Be familiar with the course map which you can find at www.annarbormarathon.com.
• We will have a shuttle bus running between the start/finish line and the beautiful Gallup Park which is miles 8 & 21 as well as the relay transition spot for legs 2&4.

Here’s some more tips for you:

• DO offer a high five if inspiration grabs you, but remember that a few high fives go a long way. Don’t be offended if a runner doesn’t take you up on your offer
• DO cheer on everybody, not just the participants you know
• If you are going to play any music or do anything loud, please be respectful of neighbors who are sleeping and wait until after 8:30 a.m.
• DO keep dogs leashed and well away from the course
• DO be inspired to run yourself next year
• DO have a great time! A road race can be a wonderful, inspiring event to watch
• DON’T enter the race course! Big no-no! Even if your friends are across the road on the other side!

-DON’T smoke anywhere near the race

-DON’T say “You’re almost there!” unless the finish line is actually in sight

Get your photos freaky fast using our new facial recognition technology!

In order to use this,

CLICK HERE！

Your “Virtual Race” is all yours! It can be done at any time and at any location. You can run or walk. You can participate alone, with friends, co-workers, or even your pet. There are no parking problems. No crowds. No long port-a-potty lines. There is no start gun or nervous, pre-race chitchat with other runners. There is not even a starting line!

No need to follow all of the pre-race instructions for QR codes, packet pickup, etc.  After you complete your race, you can upload your information at www.annarbormarathon.com under “results”.  There you will see, “submit virtual results”.

Your swag will be sent to you in the mail!

Easy peasy!

Let us know if you have any questions!