Race Rules and Safety

The event rules and safety guidelines are intended to help produce and direct a large scale event, to ensure the safety of all participants, to meet the requirements of local government permits and to be compliant with applicable USA Track & Field (USATF) for participant performance records and event liability. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in helping everyone enjoy Coast Guard Marathon race weekend!

If you have specific questions about rules and safety precautions that are not answered here or in our FAQs, please feel free to reach out for further information [email protected]

runner grabbing water during marathon event

Safety Information 

Medical Tents

5K – We will have 2 bike medics along the race route and the main Medical will be positioned at the Start/Finish lines in their base tent.

Half – We will have 2 medical tents set up around the halfway point and a few miles from the finish line.  Each medical location will have basic medical supplies, 2 EMTs + an ambulance.  We will have a full base tent setup at the start / finish and all will have radio communication with all medical personnel and police.

Full – We will have 4 medical tents evenly dispersed along the race route.  Each location will have basic medical supplies, 2 EMTs + an ambulance.  We will have a full base tent setup at the start / finish and all will have radio communication with all medical personnel and police.

Water Stations

5K – We will have 1 water station at approximately the halfway point.

Half – We will have 6 water stops with replacement drinks dispersed evenly along the route.  In addition, we will have 1 food stop positioned around the halfway point on the course providing a Gel or Block item.

Full – We will have 13 water stops with replacements drink dispersed evenly along the route. In addition, we will have 2 food stops positioned on the full course, 1 around the halfway point and 1 a few miles before the finish line.

Course Limits

We encourage the seasoned and first time marathoners (including walkers) alike to take part.  There will be a cut-off pace of 16 minutes/ mile for the full and half marathon. For the safety of our participants, any runner who is unable to maintain that pace will be picked up and brought back to the start/ finish area.

There will be a 1 hour cap on the 5K.

Course limits are set based on permits obtained by agreements with the City of Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, Base Elizabeth City, and Department of Transportation. Once the course limit expires, the roads that the race route follows are no longer closed to traffic and race service cannot be guaranteed.

Inclement Weather

All races are planned to take place rain or shine. Races will be cancelled only if absolutely necessary for the safety of participants, volunteers and event staff in the case of an extreme weather event. In this case, there will be no refunds of race entry fees. Each athlete accepts any such risk during registration. We encourage you to check our website, and social media throughout the weekend for the latest information.

Event Rules

  • Bicycles, pets or animals of any kind, rollerblades, skateboards, or scooters are NOT permitted in any of our events. Unofficial support bikers are NOT allowed on the course. Strollers are permitted for the 5K on Saturday, March 8 ONLY and not allowed for the 13.1 or 26.2.
  • Spectators are asked to remain off the course and/or in the designated spectator areas for the duration of the event.
  • You must be in good health and physically prepared to take on the challenge of the Coast Guard Marathon including the half and 5K. Please do not come to the in-person event if you are exhibiting symptoms of illness.
  • Because the full and half marathon course takes runners on-base, background checks must be completed prior to race day for each registered runner. If you do not wish to participate in the background check, we encourage participation in the 5K which does not run on-base.
  • Bib numbers are NOT transferrable and for security purposes is considered a serious offense. Anyone found participating with another person’s number will disqualify both people from future Coast Guard Marathon events.
  • Participants understand that there are inherent dangers including but not limited to: falls, physical contact with other participants, volunteers, race personnel, contract service providers, employees, and spectators including the potential the contraction of a communicable disease resulting from contact with other participants, volunteers, race personnel, contract service providers, employees, and spectators. By registering for this event you assume all risks and agree to abide by all rules.

*Final details and rules subject to change.

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