FAQ

DATE: April 11, 2010

START: 11:00 AM runners, 10:00 Walkers

Race Course Info: 13.1 miles

• 1/2 Registration: $38 until Dec 31, 2009 ($45 after)
• RACE DAY HALF MARATHON = $50 (If Available)
• 5K Registration: $22 until Feb 28, 2010 ($25 after)
• Certified course
• Chip Timed - NEW SMALLER DISPOSABLE STRIP
• 13.1 Miles (3 miles on maintained gravel road)
• See map for pictures and course topo

PARKING RACE DAY

NEW Parking areas - to be announced

PLEASE CARPOOL! We have 800 parking spaces at or near the start and finish. These will be filled by 10:00 AM or earlier. If you arrive after 10:00 AM, you will be directed to the Municipal lot 7 tenths from registration.

There will be a shuttle from this lot.

2010 Packet Pickup Saturday & Sunday

• Saturday April 10 12:00 -5:00 pm
• Sunday April 11: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• Location to be announced

What distance is this race?
The Great Bay Half Marathon is 13.1 miles long with about 1/3rd of the race running along Great Bay Estuary in scenic Durham and Newmarket New Hampshire. The course is a certified accurate course.

ARE WALKERS ALLOWED?
YES! Wallkers are very welcome to our event. All we ask is that you obey the rules of the course and walk no more than two people abreast so that others may pass easily. Walkers will start officially 30 minutes before the runners.

What is the course like?

Our course starts in a small picturesque New England mill town, Newmarket, and takes a winding course through very rural and rustic roads that follow the Great Bay Coastline. This is a loop course with the first and last mile being run on the same roads. From the start to about mile 2.5 you will experience some small to medium hills and then the road turns into a very nicely graded gravel road (in Durham, NH) for another 3 miles. This dirt road has very few houses on it, so you will have to be content running by century old stone walls, large hay fields, beaver ponds and mature maple, oak and pine forests.

At mile 5 you go back onto tar onto a “designated scenic road” that follows the Great Bay Coastline. The next 3.5 miles are the most challenging with two good sized steep, but short hills. After each hill you will have a chance to recouperate on very gradual rolling downhills On this road you will see dramatic overlooks of the Great Bay Estuary where you might even glimpse great birds of prey like a Bald Eagle or Osprey.

Mile 9 will be the end of any real hills as you enter the Moody Point area, also called Lubberland. This flat and easy section is about 2.5 miles long and runs through a very classy Cape Cod style neighborhood with grand views of the Bay again bringing you out to about mile 12.

The last mile brings you back through town, past an artsy series of murals, field stone houses and to the finish at the Newmarket High school.

WHERE ARE THE WATER STOPS?
Water stops are planned at mile 2.5/5/7.5 10 and 11.9- Also energy drink will be available at mile 7.5 station. GU at Mile 8.

Custom medals will be awarded to all finishers.

WHERE IS THE START & HOW DO I GET THERE?
The start is in front of the Newmarket Elementary School in Newmarket. It is located 600 yards from the finish, at the Newmarket High School. There is plenty of free parking at both the start and the finish for early runners. Additional parking available at a free municipal lot 6 tenths of a mile away. A free shuttle will be provided rom the municipal lot parking area.

WHERE CAN WE FIND PARKING ON RACE MORNING?
The parking lot for both the High School finish and start are located within 200 yards. Parking is FREE on Sundays.

OTHER TOWN PARKING will be available with a shutte. Details to be announced

Note: Late arrivals will be parking in the town municipal lot about 7 tenths from the finish and 1 mile from the start - plan accordingly.

ARE THERE SHOWERS AFTER THE RACE?
There will be a limited number of shower stalls available after the race in the High School.

HOW CAN I DRIVE THE COURSE?
All of the race course is accessible by car before the race begins- But during the race please do not attempt to drive on Bay Road or Dame Road. There is not enough room for cars and runners! ! ! . Follow the race map for best results.

WHERE ARE THE BEST LOCATIONS TO SEE THE RACE?
Probably the best and only spot is the start and the finish. Because this is a loop course on a small windy road, we strongly discourage cars on the course. No cars, except local residents, will be allowed on Bay Road during the race. Safety concerns for the participants prevents our allowing anyone on the middle 4 miles of the course. However, you can easily get to the 5 mile mark by going all the way into Durham on Rt. 108 and following Durham Point Road back to Dame Road. To do this, you should leave in your car before the race starts and be past the 1 mile mark.

WHAT DOES CHIP TIMED MEAN?
Each walker or runner will receive a small light “tag” that they place onto their shoe. When you start the race you will travel over a mat that takes a reading from this tag. This records your start and finish time automatically into a computer so we can get results out to you faster. Please remember to return this chip at the end of the race.

NOTE: This year you do NOT need to remove or return the D-Tag, it is disposable!

The D-tag is easy to attach your shoe and is far lighter and less intrusive than other timing tags and chips. Once the D-tag is attached to your shoe, you will quickly forget that it is even there! Instructions for attaching the D-Tag to your shoe are available here.
Key Benefits
Disposable Tag
Accurate Time
No Fees for lost or unreturned tags
Less hassle post race
Lighter, Less intrusive tag
Easier to attach to shoe
No pre-race check-in
No post-race tag turn-in

D-Tag - Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the D-tag gets wet?
The tag is completely weatherproof and will work regardless of rain, heat, storms, humidity or other inclement conditions.

How do I make sure I have the right tag?
Each tag will be clearly marked with the bib number of the participant to whom the tag is assigned. Because the timing tags are clearly marked with the runner’s bib number, there is no need for “chip check” or “tag check” at packet pickup. The purpose of traditional chip check was to ensure that the chip given to the runner was the correct chip. Because the tags are already labeled with the runner’s bib number, there is no need to check that the tag is correctly assigned.
How do I make sure that my tag works?
Each D-tag is checked and double-checked for functionality before they are distributed to the athlete. The tag is always “on” and does not need to be activated. There will be no “tag check” or “chip check” at the EXPO.
I already own another timing chip; can I use it with the ChronoTrack system?
No. Using the disposable D-tag assigned and given to you before the race is the only method to correctly track your times. Other tags and chips are not compatible with the ChronoTrack system.
What is tag time and how is it different from gun time?
Tag time (Chip time) is recorded by an electronic tag that is attached to a runner’s shoe. Your tag records the time at which you cross the start line, the finish line and several split times in between. Tag time is often shorter than gun time because tag time begins when a runner crosses the start line while gun time starts when the gun is fired; many runners don’t cross the start line until several minutes after their official gun time has begun.
How accurate is tag time?
Tag time is the most accurate form of marathon timing available because it measures the exact time between a runner crossing the start line and the finish line. Tag time also records several important splits, providing an accurate record of a runner’s pace.
Can I leave the D-tag on my bib?
No. For optimal performance, the D-tag must be attached to the shoe in the proper manner. For instructions on properly using the D-tag please click here.
Can I flatten and tuck the whole D-tag in my laces to make sure it stays?
No. This can cause damage to the D-tag and also lowers the performance of the D-tag. For optimal performance, the D-tag must be attached to the shoe in the proper manner. For instructions on properly using the D-tag please click here.
Can I create a hole in the D-tag and tie it on?
No. Puncturing or cutting the D-tag can damage the tag. For optimal performance, the D-tag must be attached to the shoe in the proper manner. For instructions on properly using the D-tag please click here.
Are you sure the D-tag will stay adhered throughout the race?
Yes! The D-tag has a special adhesive to ensure its durability. Alterations to the D-tag or how it is attached to the shoe are far more likely to cause additional problems that could have easily been avoided. For instructions on properly using the D-tag please click here.
What if I don’t have laces?
The D-tag can also be used by attaching it to your ankle with a Velcro strap. The tag should still be formed to make a “D” shape and then attached with the Velcro.

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Registration Links

 

USATF Official Map (PDF)

Mile 5.5 on Bay Road, Durham

NO Dogs, Baby or Jogging Strollers allowed please. Also no headphones or ear buds please.

WILL THE RACE ENTRIES BE CAPPED?

For the safety of our race participants, the entry numbers will be capped to control the numbers at the half Marathon starting lines. We would love to be able to let everyone in, but safety requires that we limit the field. The number of participants is capped at 2000 for the half Marathon

HOW DO I REGISTER?
You can register for all events online on our page, see the registration link. OR, Register by mail using our PDF Entry form and mail it to: Great Bay Half, C/O LOCO Sports, PO Box 423, Newmarket, NH 03857

HOW DO I GET MY PACKET?
All packets and chips must be picked up before the race. The best way to insure you hae everything is to visit us at the free Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday and Sunday Race Day (8:30 am - 10:30 pm) before the event.

WHERE IS THE START & HOW DO I GET THERE?
The start is in front of the Newmarket Elementary School in Newmarket. It is located 600 yards from the finish, at the Newmarket High School. There is plenty of parking at both the start and the finish, but there may need to be extra parking at a free municipal lot 7 tenths of a mile away. A free shuttle will be provided for the municipal lot parking.

Where is the Expo and early number pickup?
to Be Announced

WILL THERE BE A BAG CHECK SO THAT I CAN RETRIEVE MY BAG AT THE FINISH?
For the Half Marathon you can place your bag in the High School Gym near the LOCO booth - However, we strongly suggest that you leave nothing breakable or valuable. We are not responsible for anything that you leave. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE your bag in the Elementary School. It will be locked after the start.

WHERE CAN I STAY IN OR NEAR NEWMARKET?
There are several wonderful places to stay in nearby Durham, Exeter or even Portsmouth. See our lodging page! -

 

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