Boston Marathon Qualifying: The course starts (and finishes) at the Bowling Green Ball Park and runs a 13.1 mile loop through historic downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky and the beautiful campus of Western Kentucky University. All proceeds from the bg26.2 & half marathon go to the National MS Society in memory of Susan B. Riherd. All finishers will receive a finisher's medal along with post-race refreshments. Post-race stretches and massages will be available.
Start Time: Start time for the bg26.2 & half marathon is 7:00 a.m. Central Time.
Marathoners: Marathoners will run the course twice.
Checkpoints: There will be 5 checkpoints on the course that all marathon runners must pass and 2 checkpoints for the half marathoners. If registered as a marathoner and only run one loop (13.1 mile), when crossing the finish line you will be a DNF.
π Event Categories
Marathon: Standard 26.2 miles.
Half Marathon: Standard 13.1 miles.
6k (bg6000): A shorter race option.
Time Limit: There is a 6 hour time limit on the race. After 6 hours, participants must move to the sidewalks or extreme right side of the road. There will not be any police service/protection after the 6 hour mark. There will be cyclists on the course to assist runners when needed up to the 6 hour mark.
π Expo & Pasta Dinner
Event Schedule: Packet pick-up, the expo, and pasta dinner will be held on Saturday, November 1 at Bowling Green Ballpark from 5 - 7pm.
Free Dinner: The pasta dinner is free to each paid participant. Guests may purchase $3 tickets at the door.
π Course Information
Map & Instructions: Map and printable turn-by-turn instructions are available here: Race Maps
πΆ Strollers on the Course
RRCA Compliance: The bg26.2 & half marathon complies with the recommendations of the RRCA. The RRCA strongly recommends against the use of baby strollers/joggers by participants in road races if the child does not meet the age restriction outlined for the event. The bg26.2 & half marathon including the bg6000 will follow the RRCA guidelines and not permit strollers on the course. Since the bg26.2 is an open course, no roads are closed and parts of the course are limited to a bike lane, we feel that this could allow for a potentially dangerous situation.
π Awards
Finishers: Awards for overall finishers are determined by gun times, chip times will be used to determine other award winners.
Marathon Awards: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to bg26.2 male & female finishers. Overall awards to Masters male & female (40-49) and Grandmasters male/female (50 and over).
Age Group Awards: Awards for 1st thru 3rd place age group winners. Age groups for the marathon are: 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, 70 & over. The minimum age requirement for the bg26.2 is 16 years old.
Half Marathon Awards: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to Half Marathon male/female finishers. Overall awards to Masters male/female (40-49) and Grandmasters male/female (50 and over). Awards for 1st thru 3rd place age group winners. Age groups for the half marathon are: 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, 70 & over. The minimum age requirement for the half marathon is 12 years old.
π bg6000
Unique Challenge: The bg6000 is a 6k race through downtown Bowling Green, or perhaps itβs a 5K with a bonus K at the end. The bg6000 course starts the same place as the marathon and half marathon.
Start Time: Start time for the bg6000 is 7:15 a.m. Central Time.
πΆ bgKIDS
Fun Run: The bgKIDSbg26.2 fun run will take place Saturday November 1st at Bowling Green Ballpark. Participants will run two laps around the concourse at Bowling Green Ballpark for a total distance of one kilometer. All participants will receive a finisher's medal and Mr B's Pizza.
Start Time: Start time for the bgKids is 4:00 p.m. Central Time.
π° Refunds
No Refunds: bg26.2 & Half Marathon does not offer refunds for any event. All event registrations are final. This includes duplicate registrations. Please double check before signing up again.
Transfers and Deferrals: Transfers (to a different race) and deferrals (to the next year) can be completed by the registrant in their RunSignUp race dashboard. A fee will apply.