Daily Tip #10: Know about the Start

It’s almost overwhelming. It’s early and the sun is just coming up. There are thousands of people around you. You have trained for this day for months and here it is. You are here at the start of the Richmond Marathon. Now what?

There will be a lot to take in at the staging area in Richmond on November 11. Richmond SportsBackers builds a veritable village to feed, organize, entertain, and then send over 9,000 people onto the streets of Richmond for three different races. Being prepared for this large-scale launch pad will put you in a better mindset for your race and contribute to an overall better race experience.

Your goal should be to get to your start area, then relax and do what you need to prepare for the race. For most people, this includes sitting awhile, having breakfast or a snack, stretching, warming up, gathering in your corral, letting out a big shout when the gun goes off, and then taking off down Broad Street. The key is to relax and conserve energy—both physical and nervous—that you'll need on the course. The following information will help you do just that.

• Double-check your transportation now. You should have a transportation plan to get yourself to the start area.
• Arrive early. Plan to arrive early so you don’t have to rush and worry. You can also enjoy breakfast, use the bathroom, and stake out a spot to sit or lie down while you wait.
• Know where to go. Take time to look at the map of the starting area which will be part of your race packet.
• Show your stuff: Only officially registered participants and their guides are allowed in the starting corrals. Your bib number and chip must be visible in order to enter.
• Any baggage you carry should be in your clear goody bag; Find the UPS trucks at the start to check your bags. A bag check label will be part of your race packet.
• Check your baggage. UPS trucks will be in each color-coded zone accepting labeled clear plastic bags from participants. (Baggage labels are distributed at the expo, as are clear plastic goody bags.) Take your baggage to the truck number printed on your race bib.