CIM Newsletter – #6: Final Runner Instructions

by | Nov 29, 2023 | CIM, News Feed

WELCOME RUNNERS!

IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Below are your final runner instructions. Please be sure to review all the details below for essential race weekend and race day information!

Additional reminders will be posted on runCIM.org and on social media over these final few days.

Thank you for choosing the California International Marathon and good luck on Sunday!

GREATEST HITS 

Though we hope you read this entire email as this is ALL very important information, here are the most important points that we want you to see:

  • The CIM Expo will be at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
  • You must show your government issued photo ID and QR code, located below, to receive your bib (and, if someone is picking up for you, be sure they have photos of both)
  • Reminder: No gear check at the start.
  • For security reasons, runners can NOT be dropped off near the start. All runners must take a bus or shuttle to the start
  • Runners can take any of our official race transportation options, your bib is your ticket to ride.  Please Review

Questions about the greatest hits?  Keep reading, the answers are likely below.  If not, check the website for…the rest of the story.  

RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
12:00 pm – CIM Expo and Gear Check Drop-off open at the Convention Center
7:00 pm – CIM Expo and Gear Check Drop-off close

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 
8:30 am – Official Shake Out Run
9:00 am – CIM Expo and Gear Check Drop-off open at the Convention Center
5:00 pm – CIM Expo and Gear Check Drop-off close

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
4:00 am – Gear Check opens behind the Convention Center on K Street between 13th and 14th Street
4:30 am – Start Line Buses depart from location A
5:00 am – Start Line Buses depart from location B
5:00 am – Gear Check closes
5:30 am – Start Line Buses depart from locations C and D
5:30 – 6:30 am – Start Area Shuttle Buses running at locations E and F
7:00 am – Race start
8:30 am – Beer Garden and Finish Festival opens
11:00 am – Elite Award Ceremony
1:30 pm – Finish Area closes

 

2023 CIM EVENT PROGRAM

The Sacramento Running Association continually strives to improve our sustainability efforts with all our events. This year we will again have a digital event program in an effort to reduce the amount of paper and waste produced by the California International Marathon. Take a look!

 

EXPO AND BIB INFORMATION
 
EXPO
 

Hall D
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
1400 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814

 


Friday, December 1 – 12pm-7pm

Saturday, December 2 – 9am-5pm 

PACKET PICK-UP 

Be prepared to show your Confirmation QR Code 
to have your bib assigned.  Please be sure your phone is not in dark mode as the scanners will not be able to read the code.

General Marathon Packet Pick-Up: Bib numbers will be dynamically assigned in the marathon packet area. You will need your QR Code to have your bib assigned as well as your photo ID. 

VIP Packet Pick-Up: VIP Packet Pick-Up will be at the VIP booth  – look for the red carpet! VIPs will not need their QR codes. 

Seeded Start (Sub-Elite):  You will find your bib at the VIP desk. You will not need your QR code. 

NAIA: You will find your bib at the VIP desk. You will not need your QR code. 

Elite Packet Pick-up:  Elite runners will receive their race week information from the Elite Director.

You may have someone else pick up your packet for you.  The person picking up on your behalf will need:

  • Copy of your government issued photo ID
  • Your QR Code
  • Please be kind to your friend and supply them with the proper tools to pick up your bib.  If they do not have all the above, they will be turned away.

SOLUTIONS DESK AND INFO BOOTH

The Marathon Solutions Desk will be located just to the right of the marathon packet pick-up tables and is the place to go to update registration information (i.e. name spelled wrong, wrong birthdate, wrong gender…) and resolve any other registration questions.

For all other questions (i.e. busing questions, directions, gear check info…) or for Lost & Found, the Info Booth will be located to the left as you enter the expo inside the Run Lab  

RUNNER TRACKING

The 2023 California International Marathon is featuring the latest in real-time race tracking by providing Live Results via our partner RTRT.me.
  • Live Web Tracker – See times and current pace within seconds of a participant crossing each split point. Estimated times will be provided based on current pace.
  • Live Leaderboard – See who is winning via the Live Leaderboard. Top runners in each category will be displayed in real-time as they lead the way through the course.
  • Live Map Tracking – Participant locations will be plotted on the interactive course map as progress is made on course. The position of each participant is estimated based on the most recent timing received from the bib read. NOTE: Participants do not need to carry their phones for this feature to work. 
  • Mobile App – Features include Live Participant Tracking, Push Notifications, Leaderboards, and Map Tracking
  • Click here to view the CIM Dashboard.

Unofficial results will be available on the CIM website starting noon on Sunday.  

OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE – PRESENTED BY ASICS

We are excited for you to see our official merchandise booth with our official shoe and apparel partner – ASICS.  Visit the ASICS booth, just past the packet pick-up area at the expo and also at the finish line.

OFFICIAL SHAKE OUT RUN

Join us Saturday, December 2 at 8:30 a.m. before the Expo for a quick shakeout run, near the West Lobby.  Click here for more information.  
RUNNER MEDICAL INFO

CIM has teamed up with UC Davis Health and RaceSafe to create a standard of care and safety for our athlete community. We kindly request that you provide critical health information to our medical team in advance, that will help them to appropriately care for you.

 

Thank you for helping our medical team provide the best safety and care to our athletes.

 

 

 

COURSE PREVIEW

Are you ready to conquer each mile of the CIM course with confidence?

Introducing our new web-based Race Course Visualization brought to you by Neurun and led by Nissan of Elk Grove’s ARIYA EV Crossover, the Official Vehicle of the California International Marathon. The experience features video clips of each mile layered with strategic tips from our CIM team. For the most immersive view, we recommend exploring the experience on a desktop or tablet.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned marathoner, our visual guide is designed to help you plan and prepare for your race day success.

View Course Video

Check it out now to begin visualizing your race day journey! 

NEED A RIDE TO THE EXPO?

SacRT has partnered with the Sacramento Running Association to offer free rides on fixed-route buses and light rail trains for California International Marathon race and expo attendees with this flyer.

Click here for more information.  

RACE MORNING

GETTING TO THE START 

Runners are not permitted to be dropped off near the Start Line.  All runners must take one of the provided buses to the Start Area.  Be sure to know which bus you plan to use before race day.  

Downtown and Hotel Area Buses
  • Downtown and Hotel Area Buses Leave from Downtown (Location A) and near select Partner Hotels (Locations B, C, D)
  • Return buses available after the race from finish back to locations B, C, and D.
  • Upon arrival at the Start Area, runners can remain on the buses until shortly before the start

 

Shuttles near the Start (for runner drop-off)
  • 2 drop-off locations available near start area (Locations E and F) Runner drop-off only: no parking available, no return bus from Finish Area 
  • Shuttles run on a loop so runners must exit upon arrival to the Start Area
  • NOTE: No West Shuttle from Oak Avenue this year
Check out the informative transportation video on our transportation page.
GEAR CHECK

THERE ARE NO GEAR CHECK SERVICES OFFERED AT THE START LINE.  Gear check services are available during operating hours at the CIM Expo and at Bus Location A on race morning. 

Gear Check Drop Off operating hours at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center:

  • Friday, December 1 at the CIM Expo – Between 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, December 2 at the CIM Expo – Between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 
  • Sunday, December 3 behind the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center on K Street between 13th Street and 14th Street – Between 4:00 am – 5:00 am 
Retrieving Gear Bags After the Race in the CIM Finish Area:

  • Sunday, December 3 at the Finish Area – Between 9:30am-1:30pm
  • Bags will be transported from SAFE Credit Union Convention Center and available for pick-up by participants in the CIM Finish Area

SELF-SEEDED START STAGING AREAS  

There are multiple entrances to the Start Staging Areas available to runners, sorted by your expected finish time; these are NOT assigned corrals. Please review the self-seeded start corral staging schedule here and on race day line up in the appropriate pace range so you and all of your fellow runners will have a fair start and a chance to perform your best.

FUELING AND HYDRATION 

The California International Marathon will have 17 aid stations spread throughout the course, each stocked with nuun and water, in that order. Four of these stops will also be stocked with GU Gels, GU Chews, and fruit. Click HERE for more on-course fueling and hydration information. 

GU Marathon Training Tip

Don’t try anything new on race day. That includes nutrition. Nerves will be high on race morning; don’t introduce something new and expect your gut to be okay with it. Check out GU’s Top 12 Fueling Tips as you prepare to run CIM.

Road to CIM Podcast Series:

Episode 2: “Race Strategy & Logistics with Tamara Torlakson” by Rambling Runner
Episode 3: “Tim Tollefson on the Road to CIM Series: Celebrating Others is a Beautiful Thing” with Running for Real

Click here to check it out!

 

WEATHER FORECAST

The current weather forecast calls for the morning low at the Start Line in Folsom to be in the mid- 40s, with highs at the Finish Line in Sacramento in the high-50s. Check the weather conditions before you leave your hotel room on race morning.  Here are some race day tips that apply regardless of the weather: 

  • Dress in layers! You can always shed unwanted clothing at the start line and the first two aid stations.  Look for the volunteers waving the “Throw Me Your Clothes” signs. Do not litter the streets with unwanted clothing as we have designated bins.  Clothes shed at the start and on the course will be donated to a non-profit – you will NOT get them back. 
  • Wear your bib on your outermost layer.  Timing chips covered by clothing may not work effectively.  
  • Stay on the bus! If you rode the bus to the start, stay on the bus. Runners are allowed to stay on the buses until 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. 

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

Click HERE to view the spectator information page-and then send the link to all your adoring fans! This page has information on parking tips, directions to the best spectator locations and the course entertainment list.

The best spots on the course for spectators are…

  • Turn onto Fair Oaks Blvd from Oak Ave — Mile 6
  • Old Town Fair Oaks – Mile 10 
  • Fair Oaks Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue – Mile 13.5
  • Breakthrough Zone at Loehmann’s Plaza – Mile 20.4
  • California State Capitol – Finish Festival

The road closure schedule can be viewed by clicking HERE. For up to date road closure information and closure avoidance we recommend using the WAZE app who have partnered with the California International Marathon.

 

AFTER THE RACE
FINISH FESTIVAL

The Finish Festival will open to the public at 8:30am on race day. All Finish Festival attendees are required to pass through one of three designated Security Checkpoints. All bags are subject to inspection by Security Checkpoint staff.
 
To learn more about CIM event rules and security procedures, including a list of prohibited items, click here.
 

MARATHON FOTO

 

To make sure you have the best race day photos please follow these tips:


 

 

PARTICIPANT SHIRT SWAP

Having second thoughts about the shirt size you selected?  Not a problem! Unworn participant shirts can be swapped at the swap booth, located in the finish area near the merchandise booth, while supplies last. 

BEER GARDEN – PRESENTED BY Firestone Walker

Celebrate your finish in a premium beer garden after the race. Beers available will include: 805, Cali Squeeze Blood Orange Hefewiezen and Mind Haze IPA.

*Must have a valid ID to enter the beer garden.

FUN EXTRAS  

INSPIRE A BREAKTHORUGH  

Need an extra push to get through “The Wall”

Send in a special message, quote, or photo to yourself or a loved one and we’ll put it up on the NEW Breakthrough Zone big screen!

These messages will be displayed at random to thousands of runners powering through one of the most challenging points of the CIM course.

Send your message now!

SOCIAL MEDIA The California International Marathon and the Sacramento Running Association have an active presence on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. We encourage all of you to engage with us and other runners using your own social media accounts.

Official Twitter Hashtags: #runCIM #CIM40 #road2CIM – use these in all of your tweets and posts

Official Twitter Accounts: SRA/CIM, @runSRA_CIM

Official CIM Facebook Page: LINK

Official SRA Facebook Page: LINK

Official Instagram Account:  LINK

 

2023 VIRTUAL GOODY BAG

All entrants will receive an email  following CIM with special offers from Race partners. Keep an eye out!

 

LOYAL RUNNER PROGRAM

If you have run CIM 10 or more times please visit our website for more information about the program.  You must register for the program to receive the benefits (if you registered last year, no need to reregister again) so check it out!