EVANSVILLE HALF MARATHON FAQ'S
We hope that your answer to your question is below, if it is not, please do not hesitate to contact our race staff on the Contact Us page
REGISTRATION SPECIFICS & PACKET PICK UP:
WHEN WILL REGISTRATION FOR THE EVANSVILLE HALF MARATHON OPEN?
Registration for the Series of Races and our Team 13 training program opens the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Individual race events are open for registration by February 1.
HOW MUCH IS REGISTRATION FOR THE EVANSVILLE HALF MARATHON?
Please visit our REGISTER page to review the Pricing Calendar and to learn about some of our featured race enhancement opportunities.
Note: Registration and product prices do not include applicable processing fees and are subject to availability.
HOW DO I REGISTER AND CAN I REGISTER OTHER PEOPLE?
You can REGISTER online and add other participants as part of your registration by selecting “I want to add another registration”.
Online registration officially closes 2 days prior to the race. In person registration is available at the Expo from 10 am - 8 pm. No race day registration or packet pick up will be available the day of the race
WHAT DOES MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT SUPPORT?
The Evansville Half Marathon was founded to bring a first-rate racing event to the community – promoting health and well-being for all while generating funds to further our mission. All proceeds from this event go back into our local community to help the YMCA impact the lives of children and families by providing after school care, character development and teen leadership opportunities and much more. Visit For more information on the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana.
WHAT DO I RECEIVE FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE EVANSVILLE HALF MARATHON?
All registered participants will receive an Evansville Half Marathon tech shirt, commemorative item, and virtual goodie bag. All finishers will receive a medal.
ARE THERE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES?
Absolutely! Our race was founded by volunteers, our Evansville Half Marathon Committee is volunteers and all on course entertainment and water stations are provided by volunteers! Whether you are an individual or a group, we have a place for you. If interested, please contact Special Events.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS ON RACE DAY?
Want to be a spectator by car?
- The beginning of both races will stay in the Downtown area. Parking in Mickey’s Kingdom will give you the opportunity to see your participant twice. Please note, you will need to be in this location before 6:30 am and will need to remain there until the completion of all participants through that area.
- N Main St is also a great place to cheer on racers. Arriving from the east will give you the best access to the course. This will be between miles 5 and 6.
Want to be a spectator by foot and leave your car parked?
- Hang out near the starting line with your loved ones. When it’s time for the race, take your place along Riverside Drive to cheer them on at the start.
- After giving the athletes a proper send off, head toward 3rd Street. You can catch them anywhere between Mulberry and Main Street.
- If your loved one is participating in the 5 Miler, head up Main St and find a spot on the walkway. Your athlete will be headed towards the finish soon! Take a moment to stop in one of our local Main St businesses for coffee or shop for local goods.
- If you want to provide support further into the course, head all the way down to Main Street and catch them on Main between 3rd and MLK.
- Now you have a little time to re-group and head back toward Riverside Drive. Our athletes will emerge from the Greenway and be headed to the finish at the Ford Center.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT FOR EACH RACE DISTANCE?
- Participants racing in the 5K must be 5 years of age or older by the race day.
- Participants racing in the 10K must be 7 years of age or older by the race day.
- Participants racing in the 15K must be 11 years of age or older by the race day.
- Participants racing in the Half Marathon must be 13 years of age or older by the race day.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER?
Online registration officially closes 2 days prior to the race. In person registration is available at the Expo from 10 am - 8 pm. No race day registration or packet pick up will be available the day of the race.
HOW CAN I CONFIRM MY REGISTRATION?
You will receive an email confirmation after you complete your registration.
WHAT IF I ENTERED THE WRONG INFORMATION WHEN I REGISTERED OR I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE SOMETHING ON MY REGISTRATION?
If you need to update any of your information, please contact Ashley Cabanaw.
MAY I TRANSFER MY RACE REGISTRATION TO SOMEONE ELSE?
Yes! There is a fee associated with transferring registration, contact Ashley Cabanaw for more details.
MAY I GET A REFUND FOR MY ENTRY?
No refunds will be issued for any reason. This is a standard industry policy and is not unique to our event.
WHAT IF THE EVENT IS CANCELED?
If extreme circumstances require our event to be cancelled, we will not be offering refunds.
CAN I DEFER MY RACE REGISTRATION?
No, we do not offer the option to defer your race registration.
DO YOU OFFER MILITARY OR FIRST RESPONDER DISCOUNTS?
Yes, thank you for your service! We are currently working on a partnership for 2023. Stay tuned for more information.
WHEN AND WHERE IS PACKET PICKUP?
Packet pick-up will be located at the Old Downtown YMCA located at 222 NW 6th St. Friday ONLY: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Race Day pick up will not be available.
CAN SOMEONE ELSE PICK UP MY PACKET?
Yes! They simply need to have your registration information.
RACE DAY PLANNING:
MAY I PICK UP MY PACKET ON RACE DAY?
Race Day pick up will not be available.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK FOR THE EVANSVILLE HALF MARATHON?
Parking downtown is on a first-come first-serve basis. There are multiple lots and garages available. You can also park in the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana parking lot on the corner of MLK & Court. Parking is a short walk to the starting line from the YMCA.
HOW CAN I STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE EVENT AND MY RACE?
Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on all things!
ARE HOTEL BLOCKS AND SPECIAL RATES FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS AVAILABLE?
The host hotel for the Evansville Half Marathon is: The DoubleTree by Hilton is in Downtown Evansville just blocks from the Evansville Half Marathon start line and finish line.
Doubletree by Hilton – Downtown
601 Walnut Street
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 423-5002
Other properties offing discounts for race participants include:
Hilton Garden Inn East
220 Eagle Crest Dr
Evansville, IN 47715
(812) 476-4000
WHAT TIME ZONE DOES EVANSVILLE USE?
Evansville is on Central Time.
WILL YOU BE REQUIRING VACCINATIONS, TEMP CHECKS, OR HEALTH SCREENINGS?
No, we will not be requiring vaccinations, masks, temperature checks or health screenings unless directed by government officials, locally, state-wide or nationally.
RACE DAY DETAILS:
IS THERE GEAR CHECK? WHAT BAG MAY I USE FOR GEAR CHECK AND HOW SHOULD I LABEL MY BAG?
Bag check will be available at the start from 5:15 a.m. until 6:45 a.m. Bags will be available for pick up in the finish area. You will need to show your bib number to claim your bag. We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Bags are subject to inspection; please do not check valuables.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY THROW-AWAY CLOTHING ITEMS?
Your throw away Items are picked up by volunteers and collected at the personal item check in. If you choose not to pick up your item, it will be donated to a local clothing charity.
IS THERE A TIME LIMIT FOR EACH RACE?
The course will officially close after 4 hours 30 minutes (based on a 20-minute mile pace).
Please be advised that portions of the course will remain open to traffic with volunteers located to help assist in passing vehicles.
CAN I CONTINUE RUNNING ON THE COURSE IF I DON’T COMPLETE THE RACE PRIOR TO COURSE CLOSURE?
Continuing the course after course closure is at your own risk. You will be asked by the Evansville Police Department to move off the streets to allow for vehicle traffic. Finisher medals will be awarded only to those finishing within the specified time limit.
CAN I LEAVE THE COURSE AND COME BACK?
You will be disqualified if you leave the course.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I COMPLETE A DIFFERENT RACE DISTANCE THAN MY REGISTERED RACE DISTANCE?
You will be disqualified, and you will not appear in the race results.
WHAT ITEMS ARE REQUIRED ON THE COURSE?
Your race number (bib) contains your chip for timing. Chip timing will be provided by The End Result Company. If you do not have a chip, your time will not be recorded. You must pick up your chip and race number at packet pick-up – not at the start line! Pin your race number to the FRONT of your shirt or shorts, plainly and visibly to race officials, drivers, photographers, and spectators. All participants must wear an official race number. If you do not have a race number at the finish line, you will not receive your Evansville Half Marathon medal.
WHAT ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED AND/OR NOT RECOMMENDED ON THE COURSE?
No strollers, bicycles or pets are allowed on the course for the safety of all racers.
WILL THE RACE HAVE PACERS?
Yes! We will have experienced VOLUNTEERS help you run your personal best and achieve your specific time goals by providing extra motivation and support at the Evansville Half Marathon. Pace Team Leaders are experienced runners who have run numerous half marathons and full marathons and have been assigned based on times slower than their personal best, giving them and you the best chance of realizing your goals. We will have pacers at the following increments: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, and 3:15 Run/Walk. Pacers will be clearly marked with timecards staged in the starting area on race morning.
HOW WILL THE STARTING AREA ON RACE MORNING WORK?
Runners and walkers are responsible for placing themselves in the corral closest to the pace you plan to maintain for the race. Prior to the start, ropes will be raised between corrals. There will be a one-minute hold between corrals. This is to ensure the safety of all athletes. If you plan to set a course record, head to the front of the corrals, if you plan to run/walk, settle yourself in the middle of the corrals. If you plan to walk, find yourself in the back corrals. This is for your safety!!
If you have any questions as to where you should be at the start line, please ask one of the start line volunteers from German American Bank.
WHAT HYDRATION WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE COURSE?
Every hydration station will include water. Around half of our hydration stations will also feature an electrolyte sports drink. If heat is extreme, we will provide more hydration stations throughout the course.
HOW MANY RESTROOMS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE COURSE?
Portable toilets will be located at the start and finish as well as locations on the course.
WHAT IF I NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION DURING THE RACE?
First aid will be provided by ProRehab. There will be first aid stations at mile 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 12.5 near the water stations. There will also be roving medics and ambulance support on the course. At the finish, the ProRehab tent will be available for participants. All aid workers will be wearing bright red shirts. If you see someone in danger, please CALL 911 or contact an aid worker as soon as possible.
REFUNDS AND WEATHER DETAILS:
COULD BAD WEATHER OR OTHER COURSE CONDITIONS DELAY OR CANCEL THE RACE?
Yes. Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather. In the event of a thunderstorm with lightning at the start time of the event, the event will be delayed for 15-minute increments until no more lightning has been detected and it is deemed safe to proceed. The race organizers reserve the right to delay the start based on radar images and information being gathered via local meteorologists. If the race cannot be started within 1 hour of the designated start time, race organizers will begin taking measures to cancel the event.
WHAT HAPPENS IF EXTREME WEATHER HAPPENS DURING THE EVENT?
Extreme weather qualifies as lightning/thunderstorms, flooding causing the course to be beyond passable or high temperatures/heat indexes. If the weather is extreme before the start of the event, an announcement will be sent to all participants via email and shared on social media. If the weather begins while participants are on the course, we have flag system to alert participants.
Flag System for Heat/Emergencies:
- Yellow Flag: The heat index is at a point that participants should slow down and drink plenty of water.
- Red Flag: Identifies that extremely dangerous weather exists. Timing of the event has been stopped and no awards will be given once this action is taken.
- Black Flag: Race has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions or course emergency. An event such as lightning, tornado or human disaster has occurred or is occurring, and all participants need to seek shelter immediately.
If conditions warrant, an identifiable flag will be posted at each mile mark. This warning system was established by the Evansville Half Marathon committee to ensure the safety of all participants.
IF THE RACE IS CANCELED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER, WILL REFUNDS BE OFFERED?
No, as stated in the participant waiver, we will not provide a refund due to extreme weather conditions. All proceeds from your registration fee will benefit the YMCA of Southwestern IN, Inc. youth and Outreach programming.
RESULTS, AWARDS AND PHOTOS:
WILL I RECEIVE A FINISHER MEDAL?
If you cross the finish line you WILL receive your medal!
WHAT ARE THE AWARDS FOR EACH AGE GROUP?
HALF MARATHON AWARDS: Awards will be provided to the top ten men and top ten women finishers. Age group awards (after removing the top ten) will be given to the top four age division winners in the following divisions:
- 13-14 years old
- 15-19 years old
- 20-24 years old
- 25-29 years old
- 30-34 years old
- 35-39 years old
- 40-44 years old
- 45-49 years old
- 50-54 years old
- 55-59 years old
- 60-64 years old
- 65-69 years old
- 70-74 years old
- 75-79 years old
- 80+ years old
5 Miler AWARDS: Age group trophies will be awarded to the top three participants in the following male and female age groups after taking out overall winners.
- 12 and under
- 13-14 years old
- 15-19 years old
- 20-24 years old
- 25-29 years old
- 30-34 years old
- 35-39 years old
- 40-44 years old
- 45-49 years old
- 50-54 years old
- 55-59 years old
- 60-64 years old
- 65-69 years old
- 70-74 years old
- 75-79 years old
- 80+ years old
Walking awards will be given to the top four male and female walkers.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY RESULTS?
All participants should be done by 11:40 a.m. The digital clock positioned at the finish line is an unofficial time. Your official time will be recorded electronically. Your official time and order of finish will be posted on the YMCA Evansville Half Marathon website and will be emailed to you if you provided an email address on your entry form.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL AWARDS BE DISTRIBUTED?
No Awards ceremony will be held. As age group divisions are filled and top overall are filled, awards will be available for retrieval near the finish line.
WILL RACE DAY PHOTOS BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
Yes! Photos will be provided by Inzaption Photo. They will not be available to view for 5-7 business days.
IS THERE AN AWARD FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE SERIES?
Yes! At the finish line, a German American Bank volunteer will present you with the THREE YEAR Series Medal as well as your Evansville Half Marathon medal. Your bib number will alert the volunteers that you are eligible for both medals.