2015 Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon Weekend
Runner & Spectator Guide
Event Dates and Times
All Events Take Place at the Sanford Event Center Unless Noted
Thursday, October 8th
11:59 pm: Registration Deadline for ALL Races
Friday, October 9th
2 pm-8 pm: Be Active Expo & Packet Pick-up
4:20 pm: Kids Fun Run 1/2K
4:30 pm: Kids Fun Run 1K
5 pm: 5K Run/Walk
5:45 pm: Award Ceremony for 5K Overall Winners
6:00 pm: Speaker (Jill Bitker)
6:30 pm: Speaker (Bill Pierce)
Saturday, October 10th
7 am: Doors Open
7 am-8:45 am: Packet Pick-up
7 am-3 pm: Gear Check
8 am-2 pm: Be Active Expo
8:30 am: Shuttles Depart from Sanford Event Center for Half Marathon Start
9:00 am: Half Marathon Start at Paul Bunyan Trail, 3-miles N of Sanford Event Center
9:00 am: 26k Start
9:00 am: Full Marathon Start
12 pm: Awards Ceremony for Half Marathon & 26K Overall Winners
1 pm: Awards Ceremony for Full Marathon Overall Winners
www.bemidjiblueoxmarathon.com
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Packet Pick-up-Ballroom
Race packets will be available at the Sanford Event Center, 1111 Event Center Drive NE
Bemidji, MN 56601. The packets will be available at the back of the Be Active Expo by
entering Gate 4 and proceeding to the Ballroom during these days/times:
 Friday, October 9th from 2 pm-8 pm
 Saturday, October 10th from 7 am-8:45 am
All runners must show a photo ID to pick-up their race packet. If you are picking up a packet for
someone else, you must show a copy of their photo ID along with their consent.
Spaghetti Feed Sponsored by Bemidji Rotary Club
Friday, October 9th from 4:00-7:00 pm all are welcome to enjoy the Spaghetti Feed. Tickets for
adults (13 & up) cost $9. Tickets for children (4-12) cost $5. Children under 3 are free.
Be Active Expo, Speaker Schedule-Ballroom
Friday, October 9th
6:00 pm: Jill Bitker
6:30 pm: Bill Pierce
RUNNER’S WORLD RUN LESS RUN FASTER books will be sold after the speaker series.
Jill Bitker was a self-proclaimed anti-runner for most of her life but all of that changed in the year 2000
after her father-in-law had a near fatal heart attack. She and her husband decided at that time that lifestyle
changes were needed to be healthier and more active. Inspired by her own Father's love of the Walker
North Country Marathon, Jill decided running was the best avenue to achieve that goal.
Since then Jill has run almost 30 Half Marathons, 3 full Marathons, and countless 5ks and 10ks. She loves
running trails the most! Connecting with nature and overcoming the challenges the untouched terrain
presents serves nurture her soul.
The countless miles spent training offered Jill plenty of time to think about and discover the true benefit
of running. The trails taught her to be her own super hero, to believe in herself and accept her true
personality and imperfections. Deep within the woods Jill conquered many fears and learned to tame her
life long struggle with anxiety disorder.
She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others to inspire them to stretch themselves beyond
what they believe they can do, face their fears, and thrive in the present moment of life.
Bill Pierce, Professor and Chair of the Health Sciences department at Furman University in
Greenville, SC and lead author of Runner’s World Run Less, Run Faster, will speak at the
Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon Expo in October to share his knowledge and experience coaching
runners. Pierce is co-founder of the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training
(FIRST).
FIRST promotes running as a healthy physical activity by providing training based on scientific
principles and research. Pierce, listed as one of 10 marathon “supercoaches” by Runner’s World
magazine, has made hundreds of presentations on fitness, wellness and running. He and FIRST
have been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Week, Men’s
Journal, Runner’s World and many other newspapers and magazines across the country.
FIRST is an outgrowth of Pierce’s many years of running and coaching. He has followed the
three-runs-per-week program, popularized in RUN LESS RUN FASTER, for more than two
decades.
Pierce was an all-around performer on his high school track team competing in jumps, sprint
relays and middle distances. In college, he competed successfully as a half-miler. He has
captured many age-group awards in his 250 road races, including 41 marathons. Pierce, 65, ran
his first marathon in 1977. He has run the Boston Marathon in five different decades – 1970s,
1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s – and in five decades of his life – 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.
He has also run marathons in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and an international
marathon that began in Poland and finished in Germany. His best time of 2:44 was run at the age
of 41.
Gear Check-Lakeview Room #6
Gear Check will be available for endurance races on Saturday from 7 am until 3 pm.
Clear gear check bags and labels will be available at packet pick-up and the half marathon start,
if you need one. In the interest of the environment, gear check bags will not be provided
automatically. Half marathon drop bags will be transported to Lakeview Room #6. Please write
your race number on the label and place it centrally on the bag. Do not leave valuables in your
bag. Make sure your bag is tightly secured. Items stored at your own risk.
MN Pacers Pace Team
We will be offering pace groups for the following time goals in the full marathon – 3:25, 3:35,
3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, and 5:00. Pacers will line up 20-minutes prior to the full marathon start.
No advance notice is needed for those planning to run with a pacer.
MN Pace Team Sponsor: Holiday Inn Express.
Timing
The 5k, half marathon, 26k, and marathon will be timed by Pickle Events and will be posted to
the Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon and Pickle Events websites. All races will be based on gun time.
Disposable chips will be on the back of the race number. Runners must wear their race number
on the outer layer of clothing. The marathon course is USATF certified and a Boston Qualifier.
For information about awards, please continue reading.
Starting Line
The starting line is outside the Country Inn and Suites adjacent to the Sanford Event Center for
all races, except for the Half Marathon Start. The Half Marathon Start is located at Paul Bunyan
Trail, 3-miles N of Sanford Event Center. Half Marathon runners must take the buses from the
Sanford Event Center. Buses will depart promptly at 8:30 am.
Friday, October 9th:
4:20 pm: Kids Fun Run 1/2K
4:30 pm: Kids Fun Run 1K
5 pm: 5K Run/Walk
Runners should give themselves plenty of time to pick up their race packets prior to their events.
Runners should be at the start line at least 15 minutes prior to start.
Saturday, October 10th:
8:30 am: Buses depart Sanford Event Center promptly for Half Marathon start
9:00 am: Half Marathon Start at Paul Bunyan Trail, 3-miles N of Sanford Event Center.
9:00 am: 26k Start
9:00 am: Full Marathon Start
Runners should give themselves plenty of time to pick up their race packets prior to their events.
Runners should be at the start line at least 15 minutes prior to start.
Cheer Zones
Along the endurance courses we have specific cheer zones for spectators. This will keep traffic
along the race route to a minimum.
• Lake Bemidji State Park
• Diamond Point Park
• Paul and Babe Statue
• Finish Line at the Sanford Event Center
For safety purposes, please keep traffic to a minimum on the race routes from 4 to 6 pm on
Friday and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Do not follow a runner with you vehicle. If this happens,
the runner may be disqualified and must leave the race.
Safety First! The Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon has traditionally been cool, but there is always a
chance the weather could be reversed. If it is warm or humid on race day, please take special
precautions to avoid over-extending your limitations. We are not responsible for race-related
injuries, and runners will be responsible for any medical expense they may incur. The Bemidji
Blue Ox Marathon follows the American College of Sports Medicine color-coded flag system to
let you know the risk level for cold or heat stress. Please familiarize yourself with these flag
colors.
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
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BLACK FLAG (Extremely High Risk): All runners should slow their pace, drink extra
fluids and those with previous heat stress problems or heat stress problems or heart
disease should consider not running.
RED FLAG (High Risk): All runners should slow their pace and those with previous heat
stress problems or heart disease should consider not running.
YELLOW FLAG (Moderate Risk): Heat stress is less, but one must be cautious as the
level of stress will most likely increase during a morning race.
GREEN FLAG (Low Risk): Risk is low, but once again you should be careful of
symptoms of heat stress. You also need to be cautious of changing weather conditions.
WHITE FLAG (Risk of Hypothermia): The risk of hypothermia is very low, but still
exists especially in slow runners or in wet and windy conditions.
Continued…
Water/Aid Stations for Endurance Races
Aid stations will be located along the course, as well as the Main Medical Tent at the Sanford
Event Center. Water and Gatorade stations will be located on the course about every 2-3 miles.
Energy Gel will be available at Mile 12 and 20 for the Full, Mile 11 for the 26K, and Mile 7 for
the Half. Use discretion if accepting fluids from sources other than official water stations.
Aid Station 1
(Fluids)
PB Trail & Lincoln School
Aid Station 2
(Fluids)
PB Trail & Waville
Aid Station 3 & 5
(Fluids)
New Bass-Old Bass Intersection
Aid Station 4
(Fluids)
Tall Pines, Turn Around for
Marathon
Aid Station 6
(Fluids, Gu &
Toilets)
PB Trail & Waville
Aid Station 7
(Fluids & Toilets)
PB Trail & Whitetail Road
Aid Station 8
(Fluids)
State Park Wilderness Campsite
(Group Campsite)
Aid Station 9
(Fluids, Gu &
Toilets)
Ruttgers
Aid Station 10
(Fluids & Toilets)
Birchmont & Annebelle St.
Aid Station 11
(Fluids & Toilets)
Diamond Point Park
Aid Station 12
(Fluids & Toilets)
Paul & Babe Statue
Finisher Area
The Finisher Area will be located just inside Gate 4 of the Sanford Event Center after the race.
This space is for race participants only. Finisher Area Sponsor: Harmony Coop.
Course Maps
For detailed information about individual races, please review our website:
www.bemidjiblueoxmarathon.com
Post-Race Massage
Saturday runners will be able to receive complimentary post-race massages located in Lakeview
Room #5.
Post-Race Showers
Showers will be available at the Department of Campus Recreation located at
220 19th St. NE at Bemidji State University. Please park in a meter or on the street.
The parking lot is monitored 24/7. Runners must bring their race number for access.
Awards
Medals: Medals will be handed out after crossing the finish line.
Awards Ceremony: Overall Winners will be presented with awards at the following times in the
Ballroom:
 Friday, October 9th
5:45 pm: Award Ceremony for 5K Overall Winners
 Saturday, October 10th
12 pm: Awards Ceremony for Half Marathon & 26K Overall Winners
1 pm: Awards Ceremony for Full Marathon Overall Winners
Age Group Awards: Preliminary results will be posted throughout the day near the stage in the
Ballroom. Age Group Awards will be available after the awards ceremonies for respective races.
The categories for the age group awards for the 5K, Half Marathon, 26K, and Marathon are as
follows: Male & Female 01-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & UP
Race Photography
Photos will be taken by Golden Eye Studio and made available on Flickr for runners to view or
print. In addition, Pickle Events will be videoing at the finish line. Videos will be available
online as an option when viewing your results. We encourage all runners and spectators to share
photos on Instagram using #bemidjiblueox.
Information Center / Lost & Found
An information table will be available in the Ballroom during the Be Active Expo. On Friday,
Lost & Found will be available at the information table On Saturday, Lost & Found will move to
the Gear Check room, Lakeview Room #6.
Merchandise
A limited amount of 2015 merchandise will be available for sale during the Expo. Glass stein
mugs with the race logo will be available for $10 each or 2 for $18. Fleece blue ox hats will also
be available for $14.99 plus sales tax. Cash or checks are preferred. However, both vendors will
accept credit cards.
The George W. Neilson Convention Center is located inside
Gate 4 of the Sanford Event Center, 1111 Event Center Drive
Bemidji, MN 56601.
Finisher Area
4
5
6
7
‘Be Active’ Expo
Friday:
Lobby: Finish Area with Food
4: Medical
6 & 7 Pasta Feed
Ballroom: Be Active Expo, Packet Pick-up, Speakers, Awards, Information/Lost and Found
Saturday:
Lobby: Finish Area with Food
4: Medical
5: Complimentary Massage for Runners Only
6: Gear Check/Lost and Found
Ballroom: Be Active Expo, Packet Pick-up, Awards, Information