What’s the course like?
The marathon will take place on a two-lap course, with each lap being 13.1 miles. Half-marathon participants will start with marathon participants and finish their race at the end of the first lap. The majority of the course is on well-paved asphalt roads in the town of Hawassa (altitude 5500 feet). A small section of the course is on a smooth, dirt trail.
Are there any hills on the course?
The city of Hawassa is one of the flattest cities in Ethiopia: it is situated on Lake Hawassa. There are no major hills on the route, but there are a few gradual gradients leading up from the lakeside roads into the center of town.
What is the altitude of Hawassa?
Hawassa is at an elevation of 5500 feet, roughly the same as Denver, CO and Davos in Switzerland.
Is the course certified?
The course distance has been planned with the cooperation of an IAAF course measurer who will certify the exact distance within the coming months.
Is the course walker friendly?
Yes. The course is designed to accommodate both runners and walkers. Walkers in each distance will line up behind the runners. Please note course closure times below.
What are the time limits for slower runners?
The marathon course will be open for seven hours; the half marathon course will be open for 3 ½ hours. Any runners slower than these times will still be allowed to finish the race, but they will not receive an official finish time. Also, aid stations will not be open past these designated times.
How far is the start and finish from the hotel?
The start/finish area is less than two miles from the center of Hawassa and not more than two miles from all hotels used by tour participants.
What is the weather like in Ethiopia in October?
Temperatures vary according to altitude. In Addis Ababa (7500 feet / 2300m) average temperatures in October are from 71F / 21C maximum to 48F / 8C minimum; in other words, cool in the early morning and evening but getting warm in the middle part of the day, but rarely very hot. In Hawassa the altitude is lower and temperatures can rise to the mid80sF / 30C in the middle part of the day, but are likely to be around 50F / 10C at the time of the race start at 6.15 in the morning.
Will the race be held rain or shine?
Yes.
What type of first aid and medical teams will be on hand?
Our race medical team consists of doctors, nurses and paramedics and Red Cross volunteers. There will be a number of medical stations along the course route.
What fluids and refreshments will be available?
Bottled water and sports drinks will be available throughout the course and at the start/finish. If you’d like to use gels or special food during the race, you must bring your own. There will be a post-race party with boxed lunches for all finishers.
Will there be transportation to and from the event?
Buses will transport tour participants from their hotels to and from the start/finish.
Will there be entertainment along the course?
Yes. Local Ethiopian bands will provide entertainment along the course.
Can I run and not go on a tour?
No. We want all of our runners to experience Ethiopia, so the races are only open for tour participants and legal residents/citizens of Ethiopia.
What timing device will be used?
RFID timing system with chips attached to running shoe.
Will there be pace teams?
Not quite at the level offered at the world’s big-city marathons. However, at the pre-race briefing one day before the race arrangements will be made to set up different pacing groups for the marathon.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
You must be 18 years old on race day (October 20, 2013) to run the full marathon. You must be at least 16 to run the half marathon. The children’s race is open to children aged from 3 to 10 on the day of the race. There is no minimum age requirement for the 5K.
Will there be medals?
Yes. Each participant in every event will receive a medal, emblematic of this unique, first-time event.
How will the gold prize draw work?
Every registered participant will automatically be entered in the gold prize draw which will be a random prize draw. Twelve winners will each receive the value of one ounce of gold.
What accommodations, arrangements will there be if a runner needs to drop out along the course?
There will be support vehicles to pick up runners who can’t continue.
Click HERE for Tour-specific questions.
Click HERE for General questions.
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