(Photo courtesy Regina-Leader-Post)
How long is the McDonald's Mini Marathon? What time does it start? How old do you have to be to participate?
The McDonald's Mini Marathon is approximately a 3km course (it's the first 3 km loop of the course through Wascana Park), following the road beside the lake, around the Legislative building near the lake, then back up through the park to the Start/Finish line near the MacKenzie Art Gallery. Except for the first and last few hundred meters, the course is not visible from the Start/Finish area.
CLICK HERE to download a Mini Marathon course map.
The race starts at 8:45 AM. The main race starts at 8:00 AM for the Full, Half and Relay events, and the participants make a 3 km loop through Wascana Park, pass by the Start/Finish area again, and then head out on the main part of the course.
Once the main body of the runners and walkers have gone past the Start/Finish area (at around 8:40 a.m.) we gather all the McDonald's Mini Marathon participants at the start line for their event.
The McDonald's Mini Marathon is now separated into two age divisions. Please make sure you register in the appropriate category.
Do the kids get shirts, medals and awards?
Everyone who registers in this event receives an official SaskCentral QCM commemorative cotton t-shirt in their race packages (there is no race-day pick up or registration).
NOTE: when registering, the shirt sizes listed are CHILDREN'S UNISEX sizes - XS to XXL.
(Adult S, M and L shirts may be provided for Kids L, XL and XXL sizes.)
Every finisher receives a custom-designed medal. Overall awards are presented to the top 3 overall fastest male and female finishers in each of the two divisions. There are no age category awards presented in this event.
CLICK HERE for more details on medals and awards.
CLICK HERE to learn more about what participants receive.
How do the McDonald's Mini Marathon participants receive their medals?
Each McDonald's Mini Marathon participant receives a medal after crossing the finish line. In previous years, medals were presented away from the finish line, at a tent in the race infield.
However, to speed up the presentation of medals to the McDonald's Mini Marathon participants, ALL McDONALD'S MINI MARATHON MEDALS WILL NOW BE PRESENTED TO PARTICIPANTS AS THEY CROSS THE FINISH LINE.
Is there an official awards ceremony on race day?
We are working out the details of an official 2008 awards ceremony to take place in the Finish Area, near the Finish Line. Stay tuned for more information as race day approaches.
My kids are pretty young; can I escort them? Do I have to pay a registration fee to escort them?
For the younger children, we encourage a parent or guardian to run or walk the 3 km course with them. The parent or guardian DOES NOT have to register or pay to do this. Just line up at the back of the McDonald's Mini Marathon starting pack with your child when we call the kid to approach the start line.
The course winds through Wascana Park and only the first and last few hundred meters are visible from the spectator area. There are course marshals positioned around the 3 km course, but if the child is quite young, it's best if a parent or guardian can accompany them. Besides, you’ll both have a ton of fun! (Wearing big blue silly hair like this guy is completely optional, but always encouraged.)
For safety reasons, no pets, strollers, baby joggers or wheeled devices are allowed on the course.
Do the kids have to pick up their race packages the same way adults do?
Yes, the procedure for picking up their race kit is exactly the same as for any other SaskCentral QCM participant, with one exception: we do allow parents to pick up their child’s race package; the child does not have to pick up his or her race package in person.
CLICK HERE for race package details.
Are children free at the pasta party?
Yes, we give one to every person who comes through the door. Just kidding. Children 5 years of age and younger are allowed into the Pasta Party at no charge. Any child 6 and over must have a ticket to enter.
CLICK HERE for pasta party details.
Do the participants line up at the starting line with all the other events? How do the kids line up at the starting line?
Participants in the McDonald's Mini Marathon event DO NOT line up at the starting line with the main pack. Mini Marathon participants will be called to the starting line shortly before their race begins at 8:45 a.m.
To avoid any collisions at the starting line, we ask that the older (and usually bigger) participants line up towards the front of the starting pack, while the younger (and usually smaller) participants line up towards the rear of the starting pack, especially if they are being accompanied by a parent or guardian. That way, we hope to prevent some lightning-fast 16-year-old from running over a much younger child.
Please pay attention to the race announcer for starting-line instructions on the morning of the race.
Do the kids wear timing chips like the other runners and walkers?
Yes. CLICK HERE for details about the timing chips.
I’m running in one of the adult events, which starts at 8:00 a.m., but the McDonald's Mini Marathon starts 45 minutes later. What do I do about my child, who is taking part in the McDonald's Mini Marathon?
If you are planning on doing the Full Marathon, Half Marathon or you are running the first leg of the Relay, which starts at 8:00 a.m., then I would recommend you have your spouse, partner, other family member or trusted friend go with your child to the McDonald's Mini Marathon race, which starts at 8:45 a.m. Your child can watch you start at 8:00, watch you go past the start line again a little while later, do their race at 8:45, and then watch you come across the finish line and get your finisher medal.
Will babysitting facilities be available while I run my race?
We regret that we cannot provide child-care and/or babysitting services.
Do you take finish line photos of the kids?
TPS Sports Photography is the official photographer of the SaskCentral Queen City Marathon, and they will be at the finish line to capture that magical moment when your child raises their hands in victory.
For all your questions regarding photos, please log on to www.tpsphotos.com or email them at info@tpssportsphotos.bc.ca. They offer you many ways to display your finish line and on-course photos, including prints, plaques, posters and sports cards.
Important Photo Hint: Make sure your race bib is clearly visible on the front of your shirt, since photos are identified by race numbers and, if the camera can’t see your number, it’ll be hard to find your photos when you go to order them from www.tpsphotos.com.
Where and when can I see my child’s race results? Do you give out finisher certificates?
CLICK HERE for details on viewing race results and finisher certificates.
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