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 2-Person California International Marathon Relay 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 need the name of your team to pick up your team’s packet
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
Leg 2 runners CAN be dropped off at the relay exchange zone
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 – Leg 1 Start Line Buses depart from location A 5:00 am – Leg 1 Start Line Buses depart from location B 5:00 am – Gear Check closes
5:30 am – Leg 1 Start Line Buses depart from locations C and D 5:30 – 6:30 am – Leg 1 Start Area Shuttle Buses running at locations E and F 7:00 am – Leg 2 Bus departs from location A
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. Check it out!
PACKET PICK-UP
A registered runner on your relay team must pick up the team’s race packet in person at the CIM Expo. This runner will pick up the materials for the ENTIRE relay team – runners will NOT be allowed to pick up their individual shirt and packet. We do not mail race materials or give them out on race day.
Relay bibs are organized by team name, in alphabetical order. Know your team name! Also, keep in mind, if your team name starts with the word Team (ie Team Smith) be sure to look for your team under ‘T’ for Team, not ‘S’ for Smith. If your team name starts with a number, hashtag or other symbol be sure to tell the volunteers.
You may have someone else pick up your team packet. Make sure they know your team name.
TEAM UPDATES AT THE EXPO
Need to update your team? Not a problem! Teams can add or replace runners at the Expo, when you pick up your team’s packet. If you are registering or adding a new runner, be sure to have the runner’s: Name, DOB, email address, and emergency contact phone number. Important to note: We can not guarantee shirt sizes for any team members registered late but we will do our best to accommodate.
If you are updating a team, pick up your packet and shirts first then head to the Relay Solutions Desk, directly in front of the relay packet pick-up.
RELAY SOLUTIONS DESK AND INFO BOOTH
The Relay Solutions Desk is the place to go to update registration information and resolve any other registration questions. If you are updating a team, pick up your packet and shirts first then head to the Relay Solutions Desk.
For all other questions (i.e. busing questions, directions, gear check info…) or for Lost & Found, the Info Booth will be located to your left, as you enter the Expo, in the Run Lab.
RELAY REGISTRATION
The relay is sold out. New team registration will NOT be available at the Expo.
RACE NUMBER
ALL relay team members must wear an official race number on the front of their body, pinned to their outer layer of clothing during the race. Numbers must be fully visible at all times (not cut, folded or obscured). Teams with runners who run without their bib properly attached and displayed risk not having their finish time and split times recorded and not being listed in the results.
Runners are NOT allowed to run with more than one bib. Runners registered in the marathon may NOT also run a leg of the relay. Runners caught running with more than one bib will be disqualified.
TIMING CHIP
Your timing chip will be included in your race packet.
There is ONE chip per team, and it is to be worn around your ankle and handed off from one teammate to the next at the relay exchange.
Your chip MUST be worn around your ankle. If the chip is not worn around your ankle, your time will not be recorded.
Your chip is NOT disposable. Look for the chip removal volunteers shortly after you finish to return your chip.
Any teams not turning in their ankle band and timing chip at the end of the race will be charged for the chip and band.
Once you receive your bib at the CIM Expo, please take a few minutes before race morning to thoroughly complete the information on the back of your bib.
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
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.
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. 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.
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 14thStreet – 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– LEG 1
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.
EXCHANGE ZONE – LEG 2
Leg 2 runners remain in the holding area until the anticipated time your partner will arrive. There will be a timing mat placed a few hundred feet before the exchange zone that Leg 1 runner will cross indicating they will soon be entering the chute. The announcer will call out the Team Name freeing Leg 2 runner to step into the exchange zone for the chip swap.
Leg 1 runners will have buses available to take them to the marathon finish line.
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 take a listen!
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:
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
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.
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 #breakthroughin22 #road2CIM – use these in all of your tweets and posts
