Photo Credit: Bill Manning

Nancy Sutton Moss and Gary Bredehoft, co-directors of the 39th Annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon and Half Marathon, are excited to have you running in Lincoln, Nebraska on Sunday, May 1. As veteran race directors, they know you have questions and in the next series of emails, they are going to answer the most frequently asked questions they receive. They have also compiled a FAQ section on the marathon website if you can't wait for parts two and three.ParkingThere are several parking lots available on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Parking will be allowed in the A and C lots on the map below marked in dark purple as well as the parking garages. New this year - runners and spectators will not be allowed to park in the Stadium Drive Parking Garage or the Champions Club lot. You can also park in city of Lincoln parking garages (first hour free) and at parking meters (free on Sundays).The StartThe start of the race is located at 14th Street near Vine Street. Wheelchair entrants start at 6:45 a.m.; everyone else will start in waves beginning at 7 a.m. with the elite/fastest runners going first. Race officials will open race day packet pickup in the NU Coliseum at 5:30 a.m. and police will begin closing streets in and around the start at 6 a.m. - plan accordingly to park, drop off your bag, etc.Once the wheelchairs start, we ask you to start lining up according to the color on your bib at 6:50 a.m. Pacers will also have signs in the color waves so line up according to the pace you intend to run during the race. The bib color order is as follows:

• Yellow
• Red
• Green
• Blue
• Orange
• Purple

Because of the wave start, we estimate the start will take approximately 40-45 minutes. For your convenience, there is a waiting/staging area in the Cook Pavilion adjacent to the start. If you want to run with someone who is in a different color wave, you may do so but it must be in the color of the latest wave.Prior to the race, bathrooms are available in Memorial Stadium in the east and south stadiums, in the NU Coliseum and port-a-potties on W Street, east of the start.Bag DropYou will be given an official Lincoln National Guard Marathon and Half Marathon bag at packet pickup marked with your race number for you to put items you do not want to carry while you run. The National Guard operates the bag drop on race day located in the south stadium parking lot directly outside the runner exit. The lot is marked on the map in your packet and there will be signs on campus. Bags will be organized by race number for easy pickup after the race.We strongly recommend you only put clothes or items in the bag which are not of value or importance to you as the Lincoln National Guard Marathon and Half Marathon is not responsible for any lost, stolen or discarded property. Leave the valuables at home.Any items left around the start/finish area will be picked up and taken to the People’s City Mission. The race is not responsible for any items discarded near the start/finish or on the course.On The CourseThroughout the race, we encourage and advise runners to stay hydrated to prevent both dehydration and hypothermia. Aid stations are never more than 2.5 miles apart. (Locations are marked on the map below with a red cross.) Each aid station will provide water with lids and straws for easy drinking, Gatorade Endurance Formula and ice. Each aid station will be staffed with a physician to assist runners. Vaseline and band-aids are also available. Port-a-potties are near the aid stations throughout the course.For your safety and the safety of other runners and volunteers, there are a number of items that are not allowed on the course including: runners not wearing a bib, animals, non-official bikers, baby joggers or strollers, roller skates or rollerblades, skateboards, or any wheeled vehicles other than registered wheelchair athletes. We also discourage runners from wearing headphones but if you choose to wear them we ask you to use some common sense - keep the volume low and remove them to listen to verbal instructions from course monitors and officials.If marathon runners are not at the turnoff for the half marathon by 10:30 a.m., they will be directed to finish the half and not continue on the marathon course. The course is officially open until 1:30 p.m. Runners not expected to finish in that time may be directed to the sidewalk to finish their run.If you start the race but are not able to finish, there is a sag wagon driving the course which will take you to the start/finish area. As an added precaution, each aid station is equipped with a physician. There will also be bikers and emergency personnel riding the course to assist you. If you have a preexisting medical condition, please let race officials know through the website and ask that the Medical Director contact you directly.The FinishThe race finishes on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium. Family and friends can watch you finish in the south stadium seats as well as on HuskerVision as you head up Stadium Drive before entering the stadium. Spectators will enter through Gates 1 and 2 and will not be allowed on the field.After you receive your medal, you will be directed under north stadium for water, Pepsi, Gatorade and chocolate milk as well as food and snack items. At 11 a.m., a light lunch consisting of pork sandwiches, salads, chips, cookies and cake will be served in the Nebraska Champions Club just west of the finish line.You can meet your family and friends at the "Meet Your Runner Here" sign near the south stadium runners exit. A photo backdrop will be located near the area for you to commemorate your finish with your family and friends. If you would like to take a shower after the race, you may use the showers in the Campus Rec Center located adjacent to the starting area; enter on the west side on 14th Street and towels will be provided.Volunteers NeededIt takes several volunteers to run a race. If you know of someone who is not running but wants to be a part of the fun, we have a job for them. Complete the online form or contact Lu Wetzler, volunteer coordinator, if you can help.