Race Day Info

MENU

EVENT TIMELINES

SATURDAY, MAY 18
2:00 – 7:00pm  |  Med City Expo at the Mayo Civic Center 
5:30pm  |  GLK Orthodontics Kids Run
6:30pm  |  Altra Federal Credit Union 5K – walk or run this event – proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House 
6:30 – 8:30pm  |  Finish Line Festival featuring live music, photography, and free beer to 21+ racers. Open to the entire community free of charge!

SUNDAY, MAY 19
5:20am | Race Shuttles to start line begin from Downtown Rochester pickup locations
5:30am | Race Day Packet Pick Up opens @ start line | Rochester International Airport 
7:00am  |  Full Marathon, Relay, and Half Marathon Race Start
7:15am | 20 Mile race start (see 20 Mile info)
9:00am  |  Finish line fest for racers, live music, hydration by Gillette Pepsi of Rochester, and free beer to 21+ racers, family friendly
9:00am  |  Live music starts at Finish Line Festival 
1:00pm  |  Race festivities conclude / race course closes

EXPO / PACKET PICK UP

SATURDAY, MAY 18 @ The Mayo Civic Center | 2:00 – 7:00PM 
Mayo Civic Center | 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55902 Entrance is on Civic Center Drive; Civic Center Dr will be shut down to vehicle traffic, but you can park nearby and walk in.

Stop by the Med City Health and Fitness Expo to grab your race packet and check out local health and wellness businesses, as well as local artists! You can even hold puppies to destress before race day. 
Same day registration will be open at the packet pick up tables located in the back on the Civic Center Expo area. 
This is a great place to connect with the TerraLoco Pace Team and learn more about the race course. 

Can’t make packet pick up on Saturday? 

We will host a morning of packet pick up just before the start on SUNDAY, MAY 19. This will be held at the start line area, at the Rochester International Event Center, near the Rochester International Airport. 7333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Shirts are given to all registered runners. We can only offer the sizes that you selected during registration. Shirt exchanges can be offered immediately post race if the shirt is not worn. 

If the shirt is not picked up at the event, the event does not have the capacity to mail and create separate pickups for individuals, and therefore your shirt will be forfeit. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. 

SAME DAY REGISTRATION

We offer walk up registration for all events at the expo, starting as early as 2:00PM on Saturday, May 18 at the Mayo Civic Center. Check in at the packet pick up tables. 

NO WALK UP REGISTRATIONS OFFERED ON SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 19

BAG DROP

A secure bag drop will be provided at the start line by our sponsor Two Men and a Truck and will be transported to the finish line in Downtown Rochester. 
You will give them the tear tag from your bib to match with your items at the finish line area. 

20 Mile has a different START LINE! (review 20 mile info)
We will have a bag drop at the 20 mile as well if needed. the startline is much smaller and less hectic, so this will be easy to find. They will bring your gear to downtown and put it in the Two Men and a Truck vehicle for safe pick up after the event. 

DOWNTOWN EVENT PARKING

Downtown Rochester has multiple ramps available within a 5 minute walking distance of the finish line and Mayo Civic Center.
We highly recommend using the ramps, though you can also find street parking in the area.
SATURDAY MORNING
We also recommend using the parking ramps and street parking available in Downtown Rochester and utilizing the shuttles to the start line. Read more about this in the Shuttle Service Section
For more info on start line parking, view the Start Line Section.

NOTE: Ramps and on street parking may have a fee depending on hour of parking. The City of Rochester has made these fees much more affordable than Twin Cities parking. 

KIDS RUN

The GLK Orthodontics Kids Run start at 5:30PM on Saturday, May 18. The start line is located on the south patio of the Mayo Civic Center. 
If you head towards the large blue start / finish line on Civic Center Dr., volunteers and race staff will guide people to the Kids Run start line. We recommend heading in that direction around 5:00 – 5:15PM. 
View map for details. 

Pre start announcements will be given by GLK Orthodontics and Mayor Norton. Volunteers will line up kids based off of age. Each age will have their own color category. This info will be given to you at packet pick up with your color coordinated bib. At race packet pick up, you will also receive a Kids Race Instructions sheets to help you with the ins and outs of the run and meeting your child at the finish line. 

Remember, this run is a 1.2 mile run! This is twice the distance as a normal 1K. If you have younger kids, you may feel free to run with them and please be a sound judge on the distance and your child’s capacity. 

The run course will host over 20 teachers and volunteers to help the kids safely get to the finish line.

Altra 5K

The Altra Federal Credit Union 5K is Saturday evening, May 18th. The race starts at 6:30pm sharp. The start and finish line are the exact same spot, located on Civic Center Drive (just outside the Mayo Civic Center and the Expo area). Make sure you are ready in your spots at 6:10PM for pre race announcements! The announcer will give full instructions on where to be and when to start. 

THE FASTEST WHEELS COMPETITION, presented by ROCHESTER MOTOR CARS

The fastest wheels competition will be taking place as part of the Altra 5K! The competition will host the Rochester Motor Cars sprint line at the finish. There will be a timing mat set exactly 40 yards from the finish line of the 5K. Runners can choose to do the timed sprint finish for a chance at winning the “FASTEST WHEELS” competition. The overall runners will win a grand prize (to be announced) and a trophy as the Fastest Wheels of Med City Marathon, presented by Rochester Motor Cars! There is no need to register for this, it is simply part of the timing of the Altra 5K. Thank you again, Rochester Motor Cars!

POST RACE PARTY / MED CITY BLOCK PARTY

As you finish your race, get your medal, and head right into the Med City Block party to celebrate your finish! On Both Friday evening and Saturday after the run, racers will all receive a FREE beer or NA beverage at the Med City Block Party stage, right on Civic Center Drive. Thank you to Charlie’s Pub and Eatery and Schott Distributing for making this happen! 

Beverages provided by Gillette Pepsi of Rochester at the finish line!

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND BYSTANDERS

SUNDAY START LINE

This is for Half Marathon, relay runners, and Full Marathon. If you are in the 20 Mile, please view the 20 Mile section!

The Packet Pick Up area
is hosted at the International Events Center near the Rochester Airport (7335 Airport View Drive SW, Rochester MN 55902)

Start line parking has limited availability. We recommend using the bus routes, but there is also space for parking and for drop offs. WE DO NOT HAVE BUSES RETURNING TO THE START LINE AT THE END OF THE RACE

SHELTER: The start line is an open air start line, so please prepare for this incase of weather. We do have a bag drop for your items. 

Water and bananas will be offered here as well. Port-a-potties will be near the start line area on Leqve Dr (view map)

Bag drops will be here as well.
TerraLoco pace team will line up accordingly. Please ask them for help if you have questions on where and how to line up. Announcers will offer instructions and info on the race.
Be ready at your startline spot no later than 6:50am

20 MILE START LINE

NEW THIS YEAR! We are now making sure the 20 milers can finish Downtown with everyone else! If you are a 20 Miler, you now start 6.2 miles in front of everyone else!

YOUR START TIME IS DIFFERENT!
You start at 7:15am. Bus routes will still drop off here. There is no good parking! If being dropped off, vehicles will need to find a shoulder on the EAST side of Bamber Valley Rd SW. They must move the cars quickly after the start of the race! 
Port-a-potties, bag drop, and pick up are all here if needed. 

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND
making sure you get your packets on Saturday, or have a friend pick up for you. 
 
This will be a smaller rally and be handled with simple coning and a start gun for your start time
 
For reference, the house address 4230 40th St SW, Rochester MN is on the same street and in eye sight of the start line.
 

BUS SHUTTLE TO START LINE / RELAY SHUTTLES

Bus shuttles start as early as 5:20AM!
We always recommend planning to get there earlier than later! Races start at 7:00AM (7:15AM for the 20 mile). 

Bus ride is approximately 15 minutes max. We have 10 buses doing loops, so we plan on a bus being sent out every 20 minutes.
The LAST bus to the finish line takes off at 6:25AM. 

DAN THE BUS MAN

The legendary DAN will be hanging out at the pick up spot for the bus shuttles. Dan has been doing this job longer than anyone and is a master at these logistics. Dan is there to help and get you in the right spot. If you’re nervous about getting to the right spot, getting to 20 mile start, getting to relay zones, etc. please know, Dan will get you there. He will be running point on drop offs and pick ups and will make sure you are taken care of. Make sure you connect with him directly and he will be giving easy directions to get you all to the right spot. 

Bus shuttle pick up is DOWNTOWN on Civic Center Drive. This is the SAME area as the finish line and the expo. Pick up is at the intersection of East Center Street and Civic Center Drive. Signs will direct you. Please see map attached for info 

RELAY SHUTTLES

Relay shuttles will continue running loops after the start of the race to pick up different leg finishers and drop off different leg finishers, as well, will drop them DT at the finish. Dan will direct all bussing for this and make sure relayers get picked up and dropped off in time at the relay exchange zones (see relay maps for more info)

THERE ARE NO SHUTTLES BACK TO START LINE AREA AFTER THE RACE! 

AWARDS

5K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon awards

Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall Male and Female runners.
Overall winners receive custom mugs and swag bag. 1st place winners receive free entry to 2025 as well.

Age groups are awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in these categories:
15 and under
16-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+

20 MILE AWARDS

20 Mile will recognize top 3 male and top 3 female finishers for awards. Age groups 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be listed but not awarded for this event.

RELAYS

Relay teams will be awarded for top 2 finishing teams in EACH of these three categories:
Male
Female
COED teams

Corporate Team 5K challenge

Corporate Teams will be awarded fastest teams 1st and 2nd place overall. Team members will all be announced.

We are having a traveling trophy and will connect with the winners to deliver the trophy post event. All members of the 1st and 2nd place team winners will receive an awards cup, pick up at awards booth inside the expo.

Fastest WHEELS Competition

As part of the Altra 5K, the 40 yard dash to the finish will be listed as the FASTEST WHEELS competition, presented by Rochester Motor Cars. Top 3 female and Top 3 male categories will win a free car detailing from Rochester Motor Cars. As well, overall male and overall female win the FASTEST WHEELS award. 

RELAY LEGS / EXCHANGE ZONES

Exchange zone locations are at approximately mile 6.8, mile 13.5, and mile 20.  See exchange zone map images below. CLICK HERE for a full map image. 
Runner tracking app TRACX will be available for download. You can track your runners pace throughout the entire race to see where they are at! Share with families! Download links can be found on homepage

EXCHANGE ZONE 1 – approx mile 6.8
directions: 3491-3521 Bamber Valley Rd SW Rochester, MN 55902
Waterstop location.
Carpool or shuttle bus drop off is recommended as parking is not available on the West side of the road. 

EXCHANGE ZONE 2 – approx mile 13.5
directions: Mayo Field Parking Lot
403 E Center St Rochester, MN 55904
Across the bridge from Mayo Civic Center.
2nd leg runner can walk to this location from the Civic Center.

EXCHANGE ZONE 3 – approx mile 20
directions: 2755 2nd St SW Rochester, MN 55902
(Next to Rochester Fire Station #3)
Waterstop location.
Carpool or shuttle bus drop off recommended at this location. 

IMPORTANT

*ONLY 1 MEMBER OF THE TEAM WILL PICK UP THE PACKET FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, INCLUDING SHIRTS
*THERE IS ONLY 1 BIB PER TEAM! The runner who crosses the finish line must wear this bib! The other runners will not wear a bib.
*There will only be 1 timing chip in the packet for the entire team. Each runner will need to wear this same timing chip during their run. The chip is on an ankle strap. The first leg runner will wear this during their leg of the run. They will meet with their relay partner at exchange zone 1. Runner 1 will remove chip strap from their ankle, give it to runner 2. Runner 2, place chip strap on ankle and then run your leg. The same process happens at exchange zone 2 and 3 until they reach the finish line.

To keep it simple…Run with the chip strap. Meet your partner at the exchange zone, give them the chip, then they repeat this!

The relays are split into 4 separate legs of the race, with 3 separate exchange zones (half marathon relay runners only need to use exchange zone 1). The legs are approximately 6.5 miles a piece and are paired with specific water stops. (maps of each below)

Runner 1 can ride the bus or be dropped off at the start line.

Parking is limited at the exchange zones, so taking shuttles are encouraged.

6:50 AM Two busses come back to Exchange Zone Bus Parking Area to shuttle people to the Exchange Zones. The Relay Exchange Zone Bus Area is the same place as the Start line Shuttle.

7:00 AM Race Starts for the Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, and 20 Mile

7:10 AM Busses at Start Line (Rochester International Event Center) leaves for Exchange Zone 1 (runner 2 that starts at exchange zone 1 can ride to start line with the first leg runner)

7:10 AM Bus #1 from the Exchange Zone Bus Parking Area leaves for Exchange Zone 1

7:30 AM No buses this year to Exchange Zone #2, 2 blocks away on E Center Street

7:30 AM – 12:40pm Busses will be picking up and dropping runners at exchange zone #3.

Please take the shuttles if at all possible because parking at the relay exchange zones is crowded and hard to maneuver.

Leads will help direct info to help questions around what bus to take

Exchange zone #2

This is located just across the E Center Street Bridge, about 2 blocks NE from the Mayo Civic Center. The third leg runner will simply need to walk there to meet their runner. Do not take the bus if you are the 3rd leg runner.

WATER STOPS

Water stops are approximately every 2 miles on the course. 
Miles 8, 15, and 22 have GU energy gels.
Mile 10 and 24 will have bananas.
Water and Gatorade provided at ALL water stops

RESTROOMS

Restrooms will be available at the Start line and at every water stop and exchange zone. Also, downtown, we will have additional street port-a-potties. The Mayo Civic Center is always open for use as well!

RACE PHOTOGRAPHY

Your race photos are presented by Driftless Hydration!
Pic2Go program will capture your bib number and create a slide show for anywhere you were captured in a photo! All photo links will be sent to runners post race

TRACX App

LIVE TRACKING! Download the TRACX app to track your friends and family during the 2024 Med City Marathon!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Tracking mats are set beginning at the 10K split (6.2 miles. This is close to where the 1st relay exchange zone is, so relay runner 2 should not rely on this). From there, racer pace will be tracked throughout the course. For mile 20, this will begin at the “13 mile mark” which is closer to mile 7 for you. From there, 20 milers will be accurately tracked throughout the remainder of the course through the finish. 

TERRALOCO PACE TEAM TIMES

The TerraLoco Pace Team is here to help you stay on course, no matter what! Feel free to ask them any questions or for assistance if you need it. 

Marathon 

3:25 (7:49/mile)

3:35 (8:12/mile)

3:45 (8:34/mile)

4:00 (9:09/mile)

4:15 (9:43/mile)

4:30 (10:17/mile)

5:00 (11:26/mile)

6:00 (13:44/mile)

Half Marathon 

1:35 (7:15/mile)

1:40 (7:38/mile)

1:45 (8:00/mile)

1:50 (8:24/mile)

1:55 (8:47/mile)

2:00 (9:09/mile)

2:10 (9:55/mile)

2:15 (10:17/mile)

2:20 (10:41/mile)

2:30 (11:26/mile)