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 6
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 7 
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 8
4:00 am - Gear Check opens behind the Convention Center on K Street between 13th and 14th Street
4:30 am - Gear Check closes
4:30 am - Start Line Buses depart from location A

5:00 am - Start Line Buses depart from location B
5:00 - 5:30 am - Start Line Buses depart from locations C and D
5:15 - 6:15 am - Start Line Buses depart location E
7:00 am - Race start
8:00 am - Beer Garden and Finish Festival opens
10:30 am - Hotel Return Buses to Location B, C, and D begin running from Finish
1:30 pm - Finish Line closes
1:45 pm - Hotel Return Buses stop running
2:00 pm - Finish Festival and Gear Check pick-up closes


2024 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 6 - 12pm-7pm
Saturday, December 7 - 9am-5pm 

For the Speaker Series Schedule - click here


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.
|*FULL_NAME*|
|*QR_CODE*|
If you can not see your code, click the link below.
|*CONFIRMATION_RECEIPT_URL*|

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 Desk  - look for the red carpet! VIPs will not need their QR codes. 

Seeded Start (Sub-Elite) and NAIA Athletes:  You will find your bib at the VIP Desk. Go to your designated table there. You will not need your QR codes. 

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
  • Both images can be on their phone, no need to print.
  • 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 left 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 2024 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 7 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

Sutter Health is the official Sports Medicine Partner of the California International Marathon. They are partnering with RaceSafe to create a standard of care and safety for our running community! RaceSafe software provides quick, secure access to our athletes' health profiles to direct better care.  To ensure maximum safety on race day, we strongly recommend that you provide health information to our Sutter Health CIM medical team in advance. This will help the medical team promptly care for you in an emergency. Please follow the link below to complete a brief medical form through RaceSafe. Thank you for helping our team provide our athletes with the best safety and care.
Complete Medical Form Here

RACE WEEK READY

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. 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 Buses (Location A) 
  • Downtown buses leave from Location A behind the Sacramento Convention Center at 4:30am

Point West Area Buses (Location B)

  • Partner hotels buses leave from Location B in Point West area from Tribute Rd, Hilton, and Doubletree Hotels at 5:00am

Folsom Buses (Location C and D)

  • Shuttles leave from Location C at Century Movie Theaters/Folsom Outlets at Iron Point Rd and Folsom Blvd between 5:00 and 5:30am
  • Shuttles leave from Location D at Sam's Club on Iron Point Rd and East Bidwell between 5:00 and 5:30am
  • Buses will be provided for hotel guests only at the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom at 5:30am

Granite Bay Buses (Location E)

  • Shuttles leave from Location E at Raley's at Douglas Blvd and Auburn-Folsom Rd between 5:15am and 6:15am

NOTE: No South Shuttle at Greenback Ave this year, use Locations C, D, or E for shuttle options in Folsom and Granite Bay near the start area.  

Return buses are available after the race from finish area on N St and 11th St back to locations B, C, and D

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 6 at the CIM Expo – Between 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, December 7 at the CIM Expo – Between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 
  • Sunday, December 8 behind the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center on K Street between 13th Street and 14th Street – Between 4:00 am – 4:30 am 
Retrieving Gear Bags After the Race in the CIM Finish Area:
  • Sunday, December 8 at the Finish Area - Between 9:30am-2:00pm
  • 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 Precision Hydration and water, in that order. Three of these stops will also be stocked with PF 30 Energy Gels, PF 30 Caffeine Gels, PF30 Chews & Fruit. Click HERE for more on-course fueling and hydration information. 

Be kind to the beautiful neighborhoods we are running through.  Please discard your trash in trash cans provided at each aid station and not the ground.  If you miss the last can at an aid station, hold on to your trash until the next aid station.  


HOW SALTY IS YOUR SWEAT?!

Sodium is the key electrolyte you lose in your sweat and it’s crucial to your hydration status. The thing is, everyone loses a different amount of sodium in their sweat, from as little as 200mg of sodium per liter, to as much as 2,000mg/L. This is largely genetically determined. Precision Fuel & Hydration's at-rest Sweat Test can tell you how much you lose, so you can dial in your hydration strategy for CIM.
Book your Sweat Test HERE to learn how salty your sweat is at the CIM Expo.


RACE WEEK READY
Our Final Stop on the #ROAD2CIM!

Welcome to the fifth stop on our Road2CIM journey: Race Week Ready! The big day is almost here, and now is the time to fine-tune your race plan, gather essential information, and soak in the excitement of marathon week.

This stop is all about helping you feel prepared and confident for race day. From must-know participant tips and logistics to guidance for spectators and highlights of race week events, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of this special week.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS - Click here. 


WEATHER FORECAST

The current weather forecast calls for the morning low at the Start Line in Folsom to be in the low- 40s, with highs at the Finish Line in Sacramento in the low-60s. 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.  

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 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 8:00 am 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.

The best place to watch your runner finish is from the bleachers on Capitol Mall right next to the finish line.  Spectators and runners can reunite after the race in the grass area in front of the State Capitol building.


MARATHON FOTO

Smile! MarathonFoto will be there to photograph your accomplishments on race day. Be sure to have your bib visible and keep an eye out for our photographers in the bright colored vests along the course!

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

  • Make sure your bib is on the outmost layer of clothing
  • Make sure your bib is on the front of your body
  • If we can't see your bib, you won't see your photos
  • Smile!  Remember, you paid to do this!


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 Brewing Company

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, 8ZERO5 (non-alcoholic).

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


FUN EXTRAS  

INSPIRE A BREAKTHORUGH  
 
Need an extra push to get through "The Wall" at mile 17?

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


CIM x iTAB

A free gift for all 2024 CIM participants! Just, fill out this form to reserve your gift!



CIM is excited to partner with iTab to provide all marathon finishers a FREE custom medal iTab with your name and official finishing time to attach to your 2024 CIM finisher medal. All you have to do is out the form to reserve your preference and they will ship your free iTAB after the event.



The deadline to complete the confirmation form is December 22, 2024


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


2024 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! 

Loyal runners - if you are registered for the program, be sure to wait until you receive your Loyal Runner code before you register for 2025.