Frequently Asked Questions

I registered but don’t see my name on the participant list.  We are updating our list of registrants weekly as we get closer to race day. This information is posted on our participant list page. If you are worried about your registration and need immediate assistance, please contact the Race Manager, Mark Bongers at mbongers@finalstretch.com, with your name, the race your registered for and when, and he will get back to you with confirmation.

I registered for one race and want to switch to a different race, is that possible?  It is possible to switch races up until September 21, 2011. After that point we cannot make any more changes. 

I cannot run the race anymore - can I get my money back?  Sorry there are no refunds. 

Are there caps on the number of entries?  Yes, each race has a limit on the number of runners. 

• Marathon: 1,500 participants

• Half Marathon 2,000 participants

• 10K 750 participants

• 5K  750 participants

• Kids K  300 participants

How will I know how full each race is?  As the race gets closer, there will be two different places where you can check the capacity of each race. Each race section on the website will have an icon announcing the percentage full of the race, also you can look at the participant list for each race and see how full each race is. 

Will there be any onsite registration? Registration reopens at noon on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the New Balance Scheels Sport & Health Expo, with the exception of the 10K, which is full. 

Is there prize money?  Sorry no prize money.  Our race is for the pure joy of running.

Is the course certified? The marathon course is certified and USATF sanctioned. It is also a Boston Marathon qualifier.

Where should runners park for the marathon?  Runners are required to either get dropped off at the start line at Minnesota State University, Mankato campus OR park in downtown Mankato and take the shuttle busses from the Verizon Wireless Center to the start line. 

PARKING at the FINISH near the VERIZON WIRELESS CENTER

There is plenty of parking in the City Center that is around and within walking distance of the Verizon Wireless Center and the Pasta Feed Restaurants. Parking is also available in nearby parking ramps and on-street parking. Many businesses have generously made their parking lots available for event parking on either Friday after 6:00 pm or Saturday or both days of the event. Please see the map below to find parking locations that are available to you. Please note….runners and family members will not be allowed access to the downtown parking ramp via the alley. Parking ramp access for runners is allowed only on the south entrance. 

Download a map of the City Center and parking ramps.

Are there shuttles to the start line?  On the morning of the race, busses will start taking people from the Verizon Wireless Civic Center to the start line at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Last bus will leave from the civic center at 7:20 am. Note: the shuttle buses are for runners only, they will not return to the Verizon Wireless Center after the race begins.

How can I become a vendor at the Scheels and New Balance Sport and Health Expo?  If you are interested in exhibiting at the Scheels and New Balance Sport and Health Expo on Friday, October 21st, click here for more details and a registration form. 

Where and when is packet pickup? Packet pick-up is recommended on Friday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Verizon Wireless Civic Center during the Scheels and New Balance Sport and Health Expo. Otherwise, you are allowed, if necessary, to pick up your packet near the start line at the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus from 6:10 am to 7:30 am on Saturday for the 10K, Half Marathon, Relay Marathon and Full Marathon.

What if I am from out of town and cannot make it to packet pick up? Packet pick-up is recommended on Friday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Verizon Wireless Civic Center during the Scheels and New Balance Sport and Health Expo. Otherwise, you are allowed, if necessary, to pick up your packet near the START line at the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus from 6:10 am to 7:30 am.

Are there any hotels deals for runners? The Country Inns & Suites is the official Lodging Sponsor of the Mankato Marathon and is offering a special Marathon Runners Package. You can call them at 507.388.8555.  Other hotels are also providing special rates for runners, click here to see all lodging offers. You will not find these special offers on third party booking sites, you should contact the hotels directly.

How does the Pasta Feed work? Do I need to buy tickets in advance?  You can purchase the tickets in advance or purchase them the day of the event, it’s totally up to you. Pasta Feed.

Do all the races start at the same time?  No, the 10K race will start at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and the Marathon/Half/Relay will all start at 8:00 a.m. 

Is there a pace team? Yes - the Minnesota Pacers Pace Team.

Minnesota Pacers will carry signs to lead groups to the finish line to reach specific time goals. Feel free to stop by the Minnesota Pacers booth at the Scheels and New Balance Sport and Health Expo or at the start line and sign up for free. The pacers will be handing out pace bands to runners at the expo booth as well. The Minnesota Pacers Pace Team is comprised of locally talented runners who have been carefully chosen based on their recent success in marathons. Let them guide you to the finish line on race morning.

Beginning 30 minutes before the race, the official pace team will be lined up at the starting line according to pace. The pacers will make all last minute instructions on their group at the starting line. Please check at the general information booth at the Scheels and New Balance Sport and Health Expo and at the start line on race day for more pace groups that may be added to this list.

Sam Ryder is the Minnesota Pacers leader and you can email him directly at pacersam@yahoo.com for any pacer related questions or comments from runners.

Is there a no headphones policy? Participants are allowed to use headphones and similar devices at this event, but at their own risk.  With this said, for the safety of all the participants, we strongly encourage a headphone free environment at this race. Participants safety is Final Stretch’s highest priority when managing a race. Therefore, if you are wearing headphones or similar devices during the event, please turn them off or remove them when coming to an intersection that is monitored by police or course marshals. They are trying to make this event safe for you and need to communicate to all participants valuable information. Thank you for your cooperation in advance for makingthis event a safe and enjoyable race for everyone.  

I have several friends coming to cheer me on, where are the best spectator spots along the course?Please check out the Spectators page of our website for the best spectator viewing spots, “cheer zones” and spectator tips. 

Is there a runner bag drop?

Marathon, Half Marathon, first runner on Relay Team and 10K runners will be able to check their belongings on race day at the start line. At packet pick up, runners will receive their official Mankato Marathon Drop Bag (same as goodie bag) as well as a bag label which corresponds to your bib number. Before your race attach the bag label to your bag and fill the bag with your warm-up clothes. There will be a large Kiwanis truck by the start line to drop your clothes and gear prior to the race.  Items must be in your Mankato Marathon Drop Bag, NO OTHER BAGS ALLOWED. You can pick up your bag at the Kiwanis truck at the end of the runner's corral.

You must show your race number to get your gear back. 

We ask that no valuable or fragile items be left in your gear. This drop area is for only gear and there is no guarantee on your items. We do not accept responsibility for loss or theft.

Where will the aid station and water stops be and what will they have?

• Mile 2.4 = Water, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 4.7 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 6.8 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 8.9 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 11 = Water, Sports Drink, Carbos, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 13.3 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 15.5 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 17.8 = Water, Sports Drink, Carbos, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 19.8 = Water, Sports Drink, Fruit, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 21.8 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 22.8 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 24 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support
• Mile 25.4 = Water, Sports Drink, portable toilets and Medical Support

The exact mileages are subject to change. The sports drink at the aid stations will be Gatorade.

How long will time be kept for the marathon?  Official time will be kept for 6 hours (2:00 pm). Please email the race director if you feel that you will be unable to complete the marathon in this time period.

Are any roads going to be closed for the marathon? There will some minor traffic disruptions in Mankato until early afternoon Saturday, October 22. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by traffic delays.

Watch for the following roads & intersections:

• Monks Avenue & Stadium Road - 7:25 am to 8:20 am
• Monks Avenue from Stadium Road to CR 90 - 7:25 to 8:30 am
• Victory Drive and CR 82 Traffic Congestion - 8:50 to 10:25 am
• One Lane closed on Victory Drive from Balcerzak to CR 82 - 6:00 to 11:00 am
• One Lane closed on Balcerzak from Monks Avenue to Victory Drive - 6:00 to 11:00 am
• Blue Earth Street will have Traffic Congestion at the Red Jacket Trail - 8:45 am to 1:15 pm
• Riverfront Drive will be closed (from Poplar Street to Stoltzman Road) - 4:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Riverfront Drive will be reduced to one lane (from Main Street to Stoltzman Road) - 4:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Road closed from all side streets to Riverfront Drive from Stoltzman Road to Main Street - 4:00 am to 2:30 pm