1.Why the new date?
We have listened to your feedback and changed the date to May 31, 2009. Stampede is a very busy time in Calgary and we have heard that hotels were expensive and often full. As well, resources such as entertainment, equipment and city police were difficult for us to secure. Add that to the fact that many people were busy with Stampede activities and summer vacation and it made perfect sense to move the race date to the spring. This gives people a perfect goal for when the weather starts to improve and it takes the race back to when it originated.

2. What about the weather in May - couldn't it snow?
Over the last 7 years, the average high on May 31 was 21 degrees Celcius (70F), the average low 7 (45F), and the mean 13 (56F). Perfect running conditions! There has been no snow or rain on May 31 in the last 7 years other than .4mm of rain in 2003. Contrast this with July 6 (our previous race date) which has had an average high of 23, an average low of 9 and a mean of 16. Three of the last 7 years had rain on July 6.  So you can see there is no greater chance of precipitation in May as there is in July.

3. What about the new 2009 course and new venue?
2009 course and elevation maps  and information about the new venue will be available in October.

4. Am I registered?
You will receive e-mail confirmation of registration once payment has been processed.
A complete list of confirmed registrations appears on our web site.
Confirmation

5. Will there be pacers or pace bunnies?
Pace Bunnies, provided by Strides Running Store, will be available for the 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon. The bunnies will wear pink ears and carry a sign with their pace time. At the race start, line up near your pace bunny. Pace times will be:

LA Weight Loss 10K: 0:45, 0:50, 0:55, 0:60, 0:65 and to complete
Half Marathon: 1:30, 1:45, 1:55, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 and to complete
HSBC Calgary Marathon: 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00 and to complete


6. Can I register on race day?
No, sorry.

7. Can I pick up my race package on race day?
No, sorry.

8. How many water stations are on course?
There are fourteen company-sponsored water stations approximately every 3 km on the marathon course. There are six company-sponsored water stations on the half marathon course and 2 company-sponsored water stations on the 10K course. Water, Gatorade, sponges, and toilets will be available at all water stations. Mixed flavors of PowerGels will be located at two locations on the marathon course, and at one location on the half marathon course; these locations to be confirmed closer to race day.

9. Can I walk the course?
Walkers are invited and encouraged to participate in all events. For safety reasons, marathon and half marathon walkers must start at 7:00am. The course will be open for 6 1/2 hours. Some roads may re-open at 12:30. Walkers will be asked to use the paths and sidewalks.

10. Is the course certified?
The Calgary Marathon is certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathon Socitey) and by Athletics Alberta and can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

11. Where should I park?
We encourage you to take the LRT to the Bridgeland LRT Station. The start and finish is right across Memorial Drive from this stop. There is limited parking available in Bridgeland.

12. What is there to do after the race?
Join us for our post-race breakfast and on-site entertainment.

13. How many people are expected to participate this year.
We are expecting approximately 7,000 people to participate in the 2009 HSBC Calgary Marathon race weekend.

14. Is the 2009 event full?
No but we expect the half marathon and 10k events to sell out well before race day.

15. I have moved, how do I change my address?
Email to info@calgarymarathon.com

16. What is the timing system used for the event?
ChampionChip

17. If I have my own chip can I use it?
Of course, bring your chip to the Fitness Expo and visit Race Headquarters, they'll be happy to arrange it.

 18. Do you give technical shirts?
All participants of the marathon, half marathon, 10k and 4x10k team event receive top quality Brooks technical shirts. Participants in the 5k and kid's marathon receive top quality cotton shirts.

 19. Can I raise funds for charity?
Absolutely. The Calgary Marathon Society supports the Canadian Diabetes Association and their activity fundraising program - Team Diabetes. You can become a member of Team Diabetes and raise funds through online pledges or you can print off a pledge form from our website and raise funds on your own. Together with the CDA, we want to promote healthy and active lifestyles while raising funds for diabetes research, education, services and advocacy programs.

While Team Diabetes is the charity of choice of the Calgary Marathon Society,  if you have a charity that's close to your heart, we encourage you to raise funds for this.