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The Margarita Half Marathon & 5K FAQs/Contact

Be sure to read the entire Race Details page in addition to this FAQ to make sure you have all the necessary info about the Margarita Half Marathon & 5K!

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Live Event

Where can I check to see if I'm registered?
Where is the start of the race?
Both the 5K and half marathon start in the Lowe’s parking lot. They both start at 8:00 am. 
When is packet pickup/registration?
Packet pickup will be determined closer to race day. 
What's the course time limit?

We’ll keep the course open in accordance with a 3:30 hours finish time, or approximately 16 minutes per mile. Due to our permit – walkers or runners that are slower than the 3:30 time will be moved up to finish on time. 

Can I run with a stroller?

Yes! We simply ask that you start at the back of the pack for safety reasons and abide by all lane guidance signs and cones. 

Can I run with headphones?
Because wearing headphones greatly reduces your ability to hear race marshals and car traffic, our insurance provider requires us to prohibit the wearing of headphones during the race. 
Can I run with my dog?

No, dogs are not allowed on the course.

Where are the bathrooms?

Porta-potties are located at the Start/Finish and at the halfway point.

Where are the water stops?

There will be five aid stations, each about 2.5 miles apart.

Aid Stations:
M1.6 Water
M3.8 Water
M5.1 Water/Gatorade
M8 Gel
M8.1 Water
M11.1 Water Gatorade

Will there be changing stations?
There are no changing facilities available, so please show up ready to run.
Is there a gear check?
Gear check will be available at the start of the race and will be transported to the finish line. Please note, there may be a slight delay in bags getting to the finish line before the first 5K runner’s finish!
Are there awards for top finishers?

The half marathon will award prizes for the top 3 men and women finishers overall, and to the top male and female in the following categories: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.

The 5K will award prizes to the top 3 men and women finishers overall, and to the top male and female in the following categories: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.

All awards will be mailed out to participants after the event within 2-3 business days. There will not be an awards tent or ceremony at the event.

Are the roads closed for the race?

The course will not be closed to car traffic but there will be runner lanes with cones, signs, and race marshals directing traffic.

Can I get a refund if I register but don't run?

No refunds under any circumstances, including event cancellation or postponement. We spend all the money we receive from runners on preparing for each event in advance, from buying all the shirts and medals to paying for business operations, including our employees’ salaries. This means that if an event is canceled or postponed because of weather, pandemics, or other forces beyond our control, we won’t be able to provide refunds. In these rare situations, we’ll convert the race to a virtual one and mail you your full race goodie bag.

What about GPS course measurements?

The half marathon course is not currently USATF certified, but will be for race day. Please check back on the race details page periodically where the USATF certification map will be posted once finalized. With that being said, your GPS measurement of the course is bound to be different and will most likely show the distance covered to be “long.” This is normal, and here’s a very technical explanation why: In GPS We Trust.

Is the marathon USATF certified?

The marathon course is USATF certified. Your GPS measurement of the course is bound to be different and will most likely show the distance covered to be “long.” This is normal, and here’s a very technical explanation why: In GPS We Trust.

Margarita USATF Course Certification.

Where can spectators park?

Spectators may not park at the finish area or any of the adjacent roads. Please park at Lowe’s near the start and registration. Before the race a free bus shuttle will run from Lowe’s to the Finish. The same shuttle will go from the finish back to Lowe’s after the race. There is no parking available at Mercedes-Benz Of Portsmouth!

Where is the best place for spectators to watch?
It is highly recommended to stay at the finish area to view your runners. The course does one small 3 mile loop and you will be able to cheer everyone on at this point. After the three mile point the course does an out and back section where we strongly discourage any cars on the course for the safety of our runners. If you do drive out to watch the race, you’ll most likely be stuck in runner traffic and not get back in time to see the finish, so we recommend staying at the dealership to see both the start and the finish.
What are the AWD (athletes with disabilities) guidelines and event rules?

Ventures Endurance happily welcomes all athletes to participate in our events. Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) include, but are not limited to the flowing athletes, Blade Runners, Visually Impaired Runners, Adaptive / Guided Runners, Pushed Athletes, Push Rim, Racing Chair and Hand Cycles.

To participate as an AWD athlete you must notify the Race Director of your participation a minimum of 20 days in advance. This allows our staff to ensure the safety and security of each athlete on the course prepare the ES (early starters) corral for athletes. To ensure your spot and be approved as an AWD participant please contact awd@venturesendurance.com. Should there be a duo team, a coupon code may be provided for the pusher/coach by emailing awd@venturesendurance.com.

Ventures Endurance Athletes with Disabilities Event Rules.

Who should I email for press inquiries?

Contact our team at pr@gannett.com!

Virtual Event

Where can I run/walk?
Anywhere! This is your virtual run, and we want you to complete it wherever and whenever you want between April 7th and May 24th. Sidewalks, trails, and treadmills are all fair game. Want to make this a family run or walk with a stroller or your miniature schnauzer Sprinkles? Now’s the chance! Make the race you want. 
What items are included with the Margarita Half Marathon & 5K Virtual Run?

Registration for the Margarita Half Marathon and 5K comes complete with a t-shirt featuring your favorite drink and commemorative finisher’s medal to jog margarita-filled memories for years to come!  

We’ll ship the same awesome goodie bag* right to you that includes a stylin’ long-sleeve t-shirt and a margarita-themed commemorative t-shirt for everyone!

*The beer/margaritas and burritos at the live event are not included in the virtual offering.

When do I need to complete my run?

You can complete your run anytime between December 26 and February 5. Once you complete your run, you can log your results online. After that, you can download your Finisher’s Certificate, see how you rank on our active leaderboard, and upload photos to share with fellow participants. To receive a Finisher’s Certificate, your run must be completed and logged by February 5.

How do I track my distance and time?

For the Virtual Run, we accept results on the honor system, but the most accurate tracking is typically via a device with GPS tracking.

How do I log my results?

After you’ve completed your run, click the Log Result button on your Virtual Run registration to enter your time. Once you’ve entered your run time, click the Finisher Certificate button to download your personalized Finisher Certificate.

When will my packet ship?
Race packets for the virtual run will begin to ship within 1-2 weeks of the live event.
Do I need to submit results to get a medal?
No. Your medal will be mailed to you with your packet after you register!
Do you ship internationally?

The Margarita Half Marathon & 5K Virtual Run is currently available only for addresses within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii*. *Shipments to Alaska and Hawaii will incur an additional shipping fee.

What do I do if my goodie bag doesn’t fit? Can I swap it?
We do not offer any size exchanges post packet shipment. All changes to sizes need to be made prior to confirming registration. We highly recommend that all participants take care to view the sizing chart to order the correct size.

Still Have Questions?

The answers to 99.9% of the questions we get asked every day are already on this website, which means you’ll find an answer much quicker here than by emailing us and waiting a few days for a response! Of course, if you’ve read every word on this site and still can’t find the answer, shoot us an email and we’ll respond as soon as we can!

For customer service inquiries, contact our team at info@margaritahalf.com. For press inquiries, contact our team at pr@gannett.com.

Ready To Run?

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