Race Day Info
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EVENT TIMELINES
SATURDAY, MAY 18
2:00 – 6:30pm | Med City Expo at the Mayo Civic Center (Packet Pick Up is open until 7:00PM)
5:30pm | GLK Orthodontics Kids Run
6:30pm | Altra Federal Credit Union 5K – walk or run this event – proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House
6:30 – 8:30pm | Finish Line Festival featuring live music, photography, and free beer to 21+ racers. Open to the entire community free of charge!
SUNDAY, MAY 19
5:20am | Race Shuttles to start line begin from Downtown Rochester pickup locations
5:30am | Race Day Packet Pick Up opens @ start line | Rochester International Airport
7:00am | Full Marathon, Relay, and Half Marathon Race Start
7:15am | 20 Mile race start (see 20 Mile info)
9:00am | Finish line fest for racers, live music, hydration by Gillette Pepsi of Rochester, and free beer to 21+ racers, family friendly
9:00am | Live music starts at Finish Line Festival
1:00pm | Race festivities conclude / race course closes
EXPO / PACKET PICK UP
SATURDAY, MAY 18 @ The Mayo Civic Center | 2:00 – 6:30PM
Mayo Civic Center | 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55902 Entrance is on Civic Center Drive; Civic Center Dr will be shut down to vehicle traffic, but you can park nearby and walk in. Packet Pick Up is open until 7:00PM.
Stop by the Med City Health and Fitness Expo to grab your race packet and check out local health and wellness businesses, as well as local artists! You can even hold puppies to destress before race day. Packet pick-up is for ALL EVENTS this day. There is no pre-packet pick up before this date for any event except the GLK Kids 1K run (hosted the Wednesday before the run at GLK Ortho South Location, 5:15PM-7PM. Again, KIDS RUN ONLY)
You are allowed to have someone else pick up your packet for you. Forward your registration confirmation to them and make sure they have that ready at packet pick up.
Same day registration will be open at the packet pick up tables located in the back on the Civic Center Expo area.
This is a great place to connect with the TerraLoco Pace Team and learn more about the race course.
Can’t make packet pick up on Saturday?
We will host a morning of packet pick up just before the start on SUNDAY, MAY 19 at 5:30am. This will be held at the start line area, at the Rochester International Event Center, near the Rochester International Airport. 7333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Shirts are given to all registered runners. We can only offer the sizes that you selected during registration. Shirt exchanges can be offered immediately post race if the shirt is not worn.
If the shirt is not picked up at the event, the event does not have the capacity to mail and create separate pickups for individuals, and therefore your shirt will be forfeit. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
SAME DAY REGISTRATION
We offer walk up registration for all events at the expo, starting as early as 2:00PM on Saturday, May 18 at the Mayo Civic Center. Check in at the packet pick up tables.
NO WALK UP REGISTRATIONS OFFERED ON SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 19
BAG DROP
A secure bag drop will be provided at the start line by our sponsor Two Men and a Truck and will be transported to the finish line in Downtown Rochester. You will give them the tear tag from your bib to match with your items at the finish line area. We do recommend tagging your bag beforehand! Tear off the bag drop ticket and pin to your bag to be ready for handoff!
20 Mile has a different START LINE! (review 20 mile info)
We will have a bag drop at the 20 mile as well if needed. the startline is much smaller and less hectic, so this will be easy to find. They will bring your gear to downtown and put it in the Two Men and a Truck vehicle for safe pick up after the event.
DOWNTOWN EVENT PARKING
Downtown Rochester has multiple ramps available within a 5 minute walking distance of the finish line and Mayo Civic Center.
We highly recommend using the ramps, though you can also find street parking in the area.
SUNDAY MORNING
We also recommend using the parking ramps and street parking available in Downtown Rochester and utilizing the shuttles to the start line. Read more about this in the Shuttle Service Section.
For more info on start line parking, view the Start Line Section.
NOTE: Saturday and Sunday parking is FREE in ramps and street parking in the city of Rochester.
KIDS RUN
The GLK Orthodontics Kids Run start at 5:30PM on Saturday, May 18. The start line is located behind the Mayo Civic Center in Mayo Park (follow the building SOUTH around, past the art center).
Plenty of signage outside the expo entrance doors along Civic Center Drive to guide you. We recommend heading in that direction around 5:00 – 5:10PM.
View map for details.
Pre start announcements will be given by GLK Orthodontics and Mayor Norton. Volunteers will line up kids based off of age. Each age will have their own color category. This info will be given to you at packet pick up with your color coordinated bib. At race packet pick up, you will also receive a Kids Race Instructions sheets to help you with the ins and outs of the run and meeting your child at the finish line.
New this year, we have a shorter course option 0.8 miles. YOU DO NOT need to do anything separate for registration for this! Simply decide with your child whether or not they will do the short course or the long course. They will all run to the short/long split, and from there they will go LEFT for the short course across the foot bridge, or continue STRAIGHT for the long course. Teachers will help direct them.
Remember, the long run is a 1.2 mile run! This is twice the distance as a normal 1K. If you have younger kids, you may feel free to run with them and please be a sound judge on the distance and your child’s capacity.
The run course will host over 20 teachers and volunteers to help the kids safely get to the finish line.
Altra 5K
The Altra Federal Credit Union 5K is Saturday evening, May 18th. The race starts at 6:30pm sharp. The start is located on Civic Center Drive (just outside the Mayo Civic Center and the Expo area). Make sure you are ready in your spots at 6:10PM for pre race announcements! The announcer will give full instructions on where to be and when to start. This will be a simple set up, as we will reopen the road IMMEDIATELY after the start line is cleared.
The finish is brand new! It is located on 1st AVe SW, and 3rd St SW (for reference, right out front of 507 Public House). Any bystanders should head there right away from the start line, as it is about a 4-5 block walk.
THE FASTEST WHEELS COMPETITION, presented by ROCHESTER MOTOR CARS
The fastest wheels competition will be taking place as part of the Altra 5K! The competition will host the Rochester Motor Cars sprint line at the finish. There will be a timing mat set exactly 40 yards from the finish line of the 5K. Runners can choose to do the timed sprint finish for a chance at winning the “FASTEST WHEELS” competition. The overall runners will win a grand prize (to be announced) and a trophy as the Fastest Wheels of Med City Marathon, presented by Rochester Motor Cars! There is no need to register for this, it is simply part of the timing of the Altra 5K. Thank you again, Rochester Motor Cars!
POST RACE PARTY / MED CITY BLOCK PARTY
As you finish your race, get your medal, and head right into the Med City Block party to celebrate your finish! On Both Saturday evening and Sunday after the run, racers will all receive a FREE beer or NA beverage at the Med City Block Party stage, right on 1st Ave SW/3rd St SW. Thank you to Charlie’s Pub and Eatery and Schott Distributing for making this happen!
Beverages provided by GPC (Gillette Pepsi Companies) at the finish line!
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND BYSTANDERS
SUNDAY START LINE
This is for Half Marathon, relay runners, and Full Marathon. If you are in the 20 Mile, please view the 20 Mile section!
The Packet Pick Up area is hosted at the International Events Center near the Rochester Airport (7335 Airport View Drive SW, Rochester MN 55902)
Start line parking has limited availability. We recommend using the bus routes, but there is also space for parking and for drop offs. WE DO NOT HAVE BUSES RETURNING TO THE START LINE AT THE END OF THE RACE
SHELTER: The start line is an open air start line, so please prepare for this incase of weather. We do have a bag drop for your items. We recommend a LONGSLEEVE at the start (we will sell discounted $5 race shirts at the expo if you want something to wear right up until the start)
Water and bananas will be offered here as well. Port-a-potties will be near the start line area on Leqve Dr
Bag drops will be here as well. TerraLoco pace team will line up accordingly. Please ask them for help if you have questions on where and how to line up. Announcers will offer instructions and info on the race.
Be ready at your startline spot no later than 6:50am
20 MILE START LINE
NEW THIS YEAR! We are now making sure the 20 milers can finish Downtown with everyone else! If you are a 20 Miler, you now start 6.2 miles in front of everyone else!
YOUR START TIME IS DIFFERENT! You start at 7:15am. Bus routes will still drop off here. Parking may difficult, if being dropped off, they must move the cars quickly after the start of the race! No vehicles can be left here.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND making sure you get your packets on Saturday, or have a friend pick up for you.
BUS SHUTTLE TO START LINE / RELAY SHUTTLES
Bus shuttles start as early as 5:20AM!
We always recommend planning to get there earlier than later! Races start at 7:00AM (7:15AM for the 20 mile).
Bus ride is approximately 15 minutes max. We have 10 buses doing loops, so we plan on a bus being sent out every 20 minutes.
The LAST bus to the finish line takes off at 6:25AM.
DAN THE BUS MAN
The legendary DAN will be hanging out at the pick up spot for the bus shuttles. Dan has been doing this job longer than anyone and is a master at these logistics. Dan is there to help and get you in the right spot. If you’re nervous about getting to the right spot, getting to 20 mile start, getting to relay zones, etc. please know, Dan will get you there. He will be running point on drop offs and pick ups and will make sure you are taken care of. Make sure you connect with him directly and he will be giving easy directions to get you all to the right spot.
Bus shuttle pick up is DOWNTOWN on Civic Center Drive/ E Center Street. This is the SAME area as the expo. Pick up is at the intersection of East Center Street and Civic Center Drive. Signs will direct you.
RELAY SHUTTLES
Relay shuttles will continue running loops after the start of the race to pick up different leg finishers and drop off different leg finishers, as well, will drop them DT at the finish. Dan will direct all bussing for this and make sure relayers get picked up and dropped off in time at the relay exchange zones (see relay maps for more info)
THERE ARE NO SHUTTLES BACK TO START LINE AREA AFTER THE RACE!
AWARDS
5K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon awards
Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall Male and Female runners.
Overall winners receive custom mugs and swag bag. 1st place winners receive free entry to 2025 as well.
Non-binary categories recognize top 1st and 2nd place finisher if applicable.
Age groups are awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in these categories:
15 and under
16-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
20 MILE AWARDS
20 Mile will recognize top 3 male and top 3 female finishers for awards. Age groups 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be listed but not awarded for this event.
RELAYS
Relay teams will be awarded for top 2 finishing teams in EACH of these three categories:
Male
Female
COED teams
Corporate Team 5K challenge
Corporate Teams will be awarded fastest teams 1st and 2nd place overall. Team members will all be announced.
We are having a traveling trophy and will connect with the winners to deliver the trophy post event. All members of the 1st and 2nd place team winners will receive an awards cup, pick up at awards booth at the finish line.
Fastest WHEELS Competition, presented by Rochester Motor Cars!
As part of the Altra 5K, the 40 yard dash to the finish will be listed as the FASTEST WHEELS competition, presented by Rochester Motor Cars. Top 3 female and Top 3 male categories will win a free car detailing from Rochester Motor Cars. As well, overall male and overall female win the FASTEST WHEELS award.
RELAY LEGS / EXCHANGE ZONES
Exchange zone locations are at approximately mile 6.8, mile 13.5, and mile 20. See exchange zone map images below. CLICK HERE for a full map image.
Runner tracking app MTEC will be available for download. You can track your runners pace throughout the entire race to see where they are at! Share with families! Download links can be found on homepage.
EXCHANGE ZONE 1 – approx mile 6.8
directions: just north of intersection of Mayowood Estates Dr SW off of Bamber Valley Rd. Location is entrance to gravel pit.
Waterstop location.
Carpool or shuttle bus drop off is recommended as parking is not available on the West side of the road.
EXCHANGE ZONE 2 – approx mile 13.5
directions: Mayo Field Parking Lot
403 E Center St Rochester, MN 55904
Across the bridge from Mayo Civic Center.
2nd leg runner can walk to this location from the Civic Center.
EXCHANGE ZONE 3 – approx mile 20
directions: 2755 2nd St SW Rochester, MN 55902
(Next to Rochester Fire Station #3)
Waterstop location.
Carpool or shuttle bus drop off recommended at this location.
IMPORTANT
*ONLY 1 MEMBER OF THE TEAM WILL PICK UP THE PACKET FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, INCLUDING SHIRTS
*Everyone gets a bib.
*There will only be 1 timing ankle strap for the entire team. Each runner will need to wear this same timing strap during their run. The first leg runner will wear this during their leg of the run. They will meet with their relay partner at exchange zone 1. Runner 1 will remove chip strap from their ankle, give it to runner 2. Runner 2, place chip strap on ankle and then run your leg. The same process happens at exchange zone 2 and 3 until they reach the finish line.
To keep it simple…Run with the chip strap. Meet your partner at the exchange zone, give them the chip strap, then they repeat this!
The relays are split into 4 separate legs of the race, with 3 separate exchange zones (half marathon relay runners only need to use exchange zone 1). The legs are approximately 6.5 miles a piece and are paired with specific water stops. (maps of each below)
Runner 1 can ride the bus or be dropped off at the start line.
Parking is limited at the exchange zones, so taking shuttles are encouraged.
6:50 AM Two busses come back to Exchange Zone Bus Parking Area to shuttle people to the Exchange Zones. The Relay Exchange Zone Bus Area is the same place as the Start line Shuttle.
7:00 AM Race Starts for the Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, and 20 Mile
7:10 AM Busses at Start Line (Rochester International Event Center) leaves for Exchange Zone 1 (runner 2 that starts at exchange zone 1 can ride to start line with the first leg runner)
7:15 AM 20 Mile Start
7:10 AM Bus #1 from the Exchange Zone Bus Parking Area leaves for Exchange Zone 1
7:30 AM No buses this year to Exchange Zone #2, because it is 2 blocks away from the civic center on E Center Street
7:30 AM – 12:40pm Busses will be picking up and dropping runners at exchange zone #3.
Please take the shuttles if at all possible because parking at the relay exchange zones is crowded and hard to maneuver.
Leads will help direct info to help questions around what bus to take
WATER STOPS
Water stops are approximately every 2 miles on the course.
Miles 8, 15, and 22 have GU energy gels.
Mile 10 and 24 will have bananas.
Water and Gatorade provided at ALL water stops
RESTROOMS
Restrooms will be available at the Start line and at every water stop and exchange zone. Also, downtown, we will have additional street port-a-potties. The Mayo Civic Center is always open for use as well!
RACE PHOTOGRAPHY
Your race photos are presented by Driftless Hydration!
MyLaps RunnerTag program will capture your bib number and create a slide show for anywhere you were captured in a photo! All photo links will be sent to runners post race
MTEC RESULTS APP
IMPORTANT NOTE: Tracking mats are set beginning at the 10K split (6.2 miles. This is close to where the 1st relay exchange zone is, so relay runner 2 should not rely on this). From there, racer pace will be tracked throughout the course. For mile 20, this will begin at the “13 mile mark” which is closer to mile 7 for you. From there, 20 milers will be accurately tracked throughout the remainder of the course through the finish.
TERRALOCO PACE TEAM TIMES
The TerraLoco Pace Team is here to help you stay on course, no matter what! Feel free to ask them any questions or for assistance if you need it.
Marathon
3:25 (7:49/mile)
3:35 (8:12/mile)
3:45 (8:34/mile)
4:00 (9:09/mile)
4:15 (9:43/mile)
4:30 (10:17/mile)
5:00 (11:26/mile)
6:00 (13:44/mile)
Half Marathon
1:35 (7:15/mile)
1:40 (7:38/mile)
1:45 (8:00/mile)
1:50 (8:24/mile)
1:55 (8:47/mile)
2:00 (9:09/mile)
2:10 (9:55/mile)
2:15 (10:17/mile)
2:20 (10:41/mile)
2:30 (11:26/mile)
