Charleston Distance Run

Parking

Free parking is available at the West Virginia State Capitol and UC Stadium at Laidley Field. There is no bag check.

Bibs

You must wear your bib/number on the front so it is visible at all check points and the finish line. You must pass each checkpoint along the course. Failure to pass a checkpoint or any deviation from the official course will result in your disqualification.

Start

15-mile runners will start in the river-side lanes of Kanawha Boulevard. 5K participants will start in the Capitol-side lanes of the Boulevard. The starting lines are slightly staggered. 5K walkers and participants pushing baby joggers should line up at the rear of the 5K group. All 15-mile and 5K participants will start at the same time.

Course

Both courses are marked with directional arrows with the race logo painted on the road. Please review the course map. It is the participant's responsibility to know the course. Participants who fail to complete the prescribed course will be disqualified.

Timing Mats

Be sure to cross the start mats. If you are on the sidewalks or curbs your timing chip may not be detected and you may not receive an official time. Additional mats will be positioned along the course. Participants are required to cross these mats. Your race bib/timing chip must be worn at all times during the race and when crossing the finish line.

Traffic

All participants should be alert for automobiles while on the race course. Even with our best efforts, our volunteers cannot always prevent automobiles from occasionally entering the race course. Traffic control on the race course may not remain in place for participants who are completing the course at a pace slower than 16:00 per mile. Participants who at any point on the course are past the 16:00 per mile average must eexrcise caution and be aware that traffic control may no longer be in place. These participants must move to sidewalks and continue at their own risk.

Time Limit

There is a 4:00:00 time limit for the 15-mile race. This equates to an average pace of 16:00 per mile. The finish line will begin closing down at 11:30 a.m.

Aid Stations

Water and/or sports drink will be available at 15 aid stations throughout the courses and at the finish line. A medical aid station will be located at the finish line.

Toilets

Portable toilets will be available at the following locations:

• California Avenue side of Capitol at start
• Kanawha Boulevard at South Side Bridge
• Overbrook Elementary on Oakwood Road
• Intersection of Dunbar and Virginia streets
• Intersection of Greenbrier and Virginia streets
• Intersection of Hansford and Morris streets

Relay Exchange

All relay exchanges take place in the middle of the South Side Bridge. Participants must arrange their own transportation (or walk/run) to and from the exchange point.

Strollers and Pets

Baby strollers/joggers are allowed in the 5K race, but not the 15-mile race. Strollers and joggers must line up in the rear of the 5K group at the start for safety reasons. Pets are not permitted in either the 5K or 15-mile races or at UC Stadium at Laidley Field due to insurance coverage. No wheels other than wheelchairs, hand cycles, or baby joggers are permitted.

Headphones

The use of personal listening devices with headphones or ear buds is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. We ask that you please remember that you are sharing the roads with other participants and, in some cases, vehicular traffic. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Finish

All finishers will enter UC Stadium at Laidley Field from Hansford Street and finish on the rubber track. As you cross the finish line wearing your bib/timing chip your time and place of finish will be electronically recorded. Please respect other finishers and volunteers and do not crowd the finish area. Should you need medical assistance, you will be helped to the medical area.

Post-Race

Water, refreshments, and pizza will be available to all finishers. A DJ and a free photo booth will also be at the finish line to help you celebrate will family, friends, and fellow runners. Showers will be available at Laidley Field until 11 a.m.

Medals

All finishers of the 15-mile race, the 15-mile relay, and the 5K run/walk will receive a finisher's medal at the finish line. The relay finisher will receive three medals with the expectation that the finisher will give medals to the other relay team members. Unclaimed finisher medals will not be mailed after the race.

Awards

All awards are based on chip time, not gun time. All cash award checks will be mailed within three weeks. Trophies/non-monetary awards will be available as race and category winners finish. Trophies/awards must be picked up on race day.

See the 15-Mile and 5K course pages for course-specific information.