Frequently Asked Questions
Starting with the most asked...
Can I run or walk with a baby stroller?
No, for safety reasons, strollers are not allowed on the course.
Can I run with my dog?
We're sorry, but your canine companions are not allowed on the course.
Can I reserve a shirt in a certain size?
When you check the box next to a t-shirt size on your registration form, you are not reserving a shirt, you are helping us work out how many shirts we need to order in each size. If it is important that you get a shirt in your size, please come early to avoid disappointment.
Can I get a refund if I register but don't run?
We plan the race based on the number of registered runners, so once you have registered we can not offer you a refund. If, however, you register and do not run, you may still pick up your race packet and shirt.
Can I run with headphones or earbuds?
For safety reasons, we strongly discourage the use of heaphones on the course.
What is the weather usually like?
The weather in southern New Hampshire is variable in the Spring. We have had beautifully warm 70 degree days, as well as cool and blustery days. The average temperature for April 11th is just under 50 degrees - ideal running weather. The 2010 Exeter Hospital Great Bay Half Marathon will take place come rain or shine!
Some more questions...
What distance is this race?
The Great Bay Half Marathon is 13.1 miles long with approximately 1/3rd of the race running along the Great Bay Estuary in scenic Durham and Newmarket, New Hampshire. The course is a certified accurate course. *Approximately 3 miles of the course travel over a well maintained dirt road.
Are walkers allowed?
YES! Walkers are very welcome to our event. All we ask is that you obey the rules of the course and walk no more than two people abreast so that others may pass easily. Walkers will start officially 1 hour before the runners and their time is adjusted accordingly.
Note: If you plan to run any part of the course, you MUST register as a runner.
Will there be bag-check facililty?
Yes. The start and finish are now in different locations, so we will provide a bag check facility at the start. We will then securely transport your bag to the finish area.
Note: We are not responsible for lost or damaged property.
What is the course like?
You can read a detailed description of the course here.
Where are the water stops?
Water stops are planned at Miles 2.4 , 5 , 7.5 , 10 , and 11.5 - Energy drink will be also available at Mile 10 - Energy Gel at Mile 7.
Will I receive a medal?
Of course! Custom medals will be awarded to all registered finishers.
Where is the start and how do I get there?
The start is new for 2010. It is approximately .25 miles from Newmarket High School on Rt. 152. See our Directions page for more information .
Note: We will be providing a shuttle service to the start area from certain parking locations. Please see our Parking page for more information.
What is the parking like?
PLEASE carpool to ease the strain on parking facilities in Newmarket. Please see our Parking page for more information about parking.
Can I take a shower after the race?
Yes. There will be a limited number of shower stalls available at Newmarket High School after the race.
Will there be an after-race party?
Yes! Please join us after the race at The Stone Church for an after-race party sponsored by Smuttynose Brewing Company.
Can I drive the course before the race?
All of the race course is accessible by car before the race begins. A downloadable course map will be made available soon; in the meantime you can take a look our interactive map on the half course page.
Note: Please do not attempt to drive on Bay Road or Dame Road during the race. There is not enough room for cars and runners.
Where can I stay in, or near, Newmarket?
There are several excellent places to stay in nearby Durham, Exeter, and Portsmouth. Please see our Accomodations page for more details.
Where are the best locations for spectators?
The best places from which to cheer on the runners are the start and finish. We strongly discourage driving on the course during the race as this is a loop course on a small winding roads. No cars, except local residents, will be allowed on Bay Road during the race, and safety concerns for the participants prevents our allowing anyone on the middle 4 miles of the course. You can, however, easily get to the 5 mile mark by driving to Durham on Rt. 108 and taking Durham Point Road back to its intersection with Dame Road. To do this, you should should start your journey before the race starts.
What does "chip timed" mean?
Each walker or runner will receive a small light “D-Tag” to be attached to their shoe. When you start the race you will travel over a mat that takes a reading from this tag. This automatically records your start and finish time so we can get results out to you faster.
Note: You do NOT need to return the D-Tag, it is disposable.
You can read a detailed description of how to use the D-Tag here.
Benefits of the D-Tag
- It is disposable
- More accurate time
- No fees for lost or unreturned tags
- Easier to attach - Hassle free
- Lighter, less intrusive
Can I run or walk with a baby stroller?
No, for safety reasons, it's not possible to take strollers on the course.
Can I run with my dog?
We're sorry, but your canine companions are not allowed on the course.
Can I reserve a shirt in a certain size?
Note: We will have a large selection of sizes for this race. You may choose the shirt that fits you best. If the size you selected does not fit, there will be a T-Shirt Swap table where you can exchange your shirt. All shirts are wicking long sleeve red shirts with the race logo. As always, if it's important that you get a shirt in your size, please come early to avoid disappointment.
Can I get a refund if I register but don't run?
We plan the race based on the number of registered runners, so once you've registered we can not offer you a refund.
Can I run with headphones or earbuds?
For safety reasons, we strongly discourage the use of heaphones on the course.
Some more questions...
What distance is this race?
The Great Bay Half Marathon is 13.1 miles long with approximately 1/3rd of the race running along Great Bay Estuary in scenic Durham and Newmarket, New Hampshire. The course is a certified accurate course.
Are walkers allowed?
YES! Wallkers are very welcome to our event. All we ask is that you obey the rules of the course and walk no more than two people abreast so that others may pass easily. Walkers will start officially 30 minutes before the runners.
Note: If you plan run any part of the course, you MUST register as a runner.
What is the course like?
The course starts in the small New England mill town, Newmarket, and takes a winding course through rural and rustic roads that follow the Great Bay coastline. This is a loop course with the first and last mile being run on the same roads. From the start to about mile 2.5 you will experience some small to medium hills after which the road turns into a nicely graded gravel road (in Durham, NH) for another 3 miles. This dirt road has very few houses on it, so you will have to be content running by century-old stone walls, large hay fields, beaver ponds and mature maple, oak and pine forests.
At mile 5 you go back onto tar and follow the Great Bay coastine on a “designated scenic road”. The next 3.5 miles are the most challenging with two steep, but short hills. After each hill you will have a chance to recouperate on very gradual rolling downhills. This road provides dramatic overlooks of the Great Bay Estuary where you might even glimpse great birds of prey like a Bald Eagle or Osprey.
With Mile 9 comes the end of the major hills as you enter the Moody Point area, also called Lubberland. This flat and easy section is about 2.5 miles long and runs through a classy Cape Cod-style neighborhood with grand views of the Bay again.
The last mile brings you back into town for a spectacular finish. We can't reveal any details about the finish location at the moment, as we are finalizing the details with the Town of Newmarket. Rest assured, it will be a finish befitting a race of this size and renown.
Where are the water stops?
Water stops are planned at mile 2.5 , 5 , 7.5 , 10 , and 11.9 - Energy drink will be also available at mile 7.5 station. GU at Mile 8.
Will I receive a medal?
Of course! Custom medals will be awarded to all finishers.
Where is the start and how do I get there?
The start is near the Newmarket Elementary School in Newmarket. See our directions page for details. Parking will be provided at the Elementary School and nearby High School as well as at local municipal lots. A shuttle service will be available from certain municipal lots. Details will be announced at a later date. For a parking map click here.
Can I take a shower after the race?
Yes. There will be a limited number of shower stalls available at Newmarket High School after the race.
HOW CAN I DRIVE THE COURSE?
All of the race course is accessible by car before the race begins. Download and print course map here.
Note: Please do not attempt to drive on Bay Road or Dame Road during the race. There is not enough room for cars and runners.
Where are the best locations for spetators?
The best places from which to cheer on the runners are the start and finish. We strongly discourage driving on the course during the race as this is a loop course on a small winding roads. No cars, except local residents, will be allowed on Bay Road during the race, and safety concerns for the participants prevents our allowing anyone on the middle 4 miles of the course. You can, however, easily get to the 5 mile mark by driving to Durham on Rt. 108 and taking Durham Point Road back to its intersection with Dame Road. To do this, you should should start your journey before the race starts.
What does "chip timed" mean?
Each walker or runner will receive a small light “D-Tag” to be attached to their shoe. When you start the race you will travel over a mat that takes a reading from this tag. This automatically records your start and finish time so we can get results out to you faster.
Note: You do NOT need to return the D-Tag, it is disposable.
