It's a thrilling experience every Father's Day, as you join over 14,000 runners in a Celebration of Fitness, Family, and Fundraising, with runners young and old taking on a challenge that is special to them. And it's even more fun if you've done your planning before the big day and know what you can expect that morning.

The following topics will guide you through the questions we hear most often:

Event Start Times
This section provides information on the event and awards start times.

Access to Start and Finish Areas
You'll find out about the limited access to the University of Manitoba campus, recommended routes, road closures, and our Start Smart (Park and Ride) bus shuttle service to the Start area. Also you'll find important information on toilets, water, baggage drop-off and pickups, start line locations, meeting places at the Finish Line, recovery and medical services, and maps you can view, download, print and haul around.

On the Course
Detailed course maps and course descriptions that you can view, download and print, and a description of all of our course services - hospitality stations, ice stations, toilets, medical information, plus the rules of the road.

Relay Exchange Stations
Maps and access instructions, locations and distances, our bus shuttles, and more.

Rules of the Road
Everything you need to know about runner numbers, who's allowed on the course, and the common courtesies that ensure a safe, happy run and an accurate time and place.

Spectator Guide to the Manitoba Marathon
Calling all spectators, come out and be a part of the excitement, we need you!

Manitoba Marathon Course Records

Race Day: Event Start Times

This section provides information on the event and awards start times. The Start and Finish Lines of the Manitoba Marathon are located on the University of Manitoba campus, in south Winnipeg.

Event Start Times

Race Day Awards

Major awards presentations will be made at the University Stadium, near the Finish Line, at the following approximate times:

Manitoba Lotteries Full Marathon:

The Manitoba Marathon will recognize, on Race Day; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female finishers; top Manitoban male and top Manitoban female. Following race day; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Age Class Categories (16-19, 5 year groups from 20-24 to 70-74 & 75+) will be mailed. Top Wheeler will be awarded on Race Day and 2nd & 3rd will be awarded post-race.

The Rick McClennan Memorial Award for fastest first time Manitoba Marathoner (male and female) will be determined post-race.

Manitoba Marathon Relay

Top Male, Female, and Mixed Teams will be awarded on Race Day. Medals will be mailed to the top three teams in each of the 15 team categories.

Intrepid Dezine Half Marathon

Prizes for 1st to 3rd overall (male and female) will be presented Race Day. The Manitoba Marathon is pleased to once again present The Paula Nordal Memorial Awards sponsored by The Manitoba Runners’ Association. The $250 awards will be presented to the top male and female age 18 and under and will be mailed to the winners following Race Day. Masters prizes and Age Class Category Medals (14 and under, 5 year groups from 15-19 to 70-74 & 75+) will be mailed out. Category awards will be based on Net Chip Time. Top Wheeler awarded Race Day, 2nd & 3rd mailed post race.

Race Day: Start & Finish Areas

The Start and Finish Lines of the Manitoba Marathon are located on the University of Manitoba campus, in south Winnipeg. This section will tell you all about the Start and Finish areas, and access information to help you in your travel planning to ensure that you get to your Start Line comfortably and on time.

The Start Area

Our Start area map (PDF) shows the location of the Start Lines, clothing drop-off locations, toilets, and information centre. Please ensure that all clothing bags are marked with your runner number tag, (from your runner number). These services are all located near the intersection of University Crescent and Chancellor Matheson Road, near the Max Bell Centre. Each event has its own Start Line Arch easily visible at the Start area.

The Marathon and Half Marathon Start areas each have Pace per Mile signs to assist runners in the self-seating of the start lines. Runners are reminded that your race starts when you cross the Start mats with your chip bib, not when the gun goes off, so there is no need to crowd to the front. Please be considerate of the runners behind you and the havoc you will cause if you start too close to the Start Line Banner. The Manitoba Marathon does not provide official pace bunnies.

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The Finish Area

Our Finish area map (PDF) shows the location of the Finish Line, recovery and spectator areas, toilets, medical area, clothing pickup areas, and "Meet me" areas on the south end hill inside the stadium. Full Marathoners will have their clothing bags delivered to their special "VIP" full marathon recovery area on the University Stadium infield right beside the Finish Line.

All events finish on the University Stadium track, with runners completing ¾ of a lap before finishing at mid-field in front of the grandstand. Runners should note that there will be an overlap of finishers between events. Course marshals and track marshals will be on hand to direct runners into different lanes as you approach and enter University Stadium, to ensure your safety where finishers in different events are running at very different paces.

Smile as you Finish!

As you round the final turn inside University Stadium, TPS Photography will be there, taking as many photos as they can, and will contact runners directly after Race Day. MTS TV will also be broadcasting live at the Finish Line and will also provide free rebroadcasts on Video on Demand, starting Monday.

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Access to the Start and Finish Lines

The Start and Finish Lines of the Manitoba Marathon are located on the campus of the University of Manitoba, in south Winnipeg, which normally has two major road accesses and one local access road.

On race morning, over 14,000 runners and their family and friends will try to get to the Start Area at exactly the same time and the problem is compounded by the limited number of access roads to the campus, and that the major access point - University Crescent - is part of the Manitoba Marathon course.

The Manitoba Marathon has made great strides to reduce the traffic congestion because of our commitment to start all races on time, but it all starts with our participants doing some advance planning and developing a "Get me to the Start on time" plan.

Simply stated, if you leave your house at 6 a.m. and expect to find a nearby parking spot at 6:30 a.m., you will be sitting in your car well after your race has started.

To get to your race start on time, and to reduce traffic congestion as well as your stress levels, please consider the following:

• All runners are strongly advised to arrive at the University of Manitoba before 6 a.m., whether you are driving or taking our Park and Ride services.
• The Manitoba Marathon has an expanded and very successful Start Smart (Park and Ride) program. A series of buses commutes from designated parking areas near the University, to and from the Start/Finish areas, beginning at 5:30 AM. We strongly recommend that all runners start smart, park & ride. Plan on arriving at your Park & Ride before 6 a.m. to make the 7:00 a.m. Start. Please check the map for more information and print a copy for use on race morning.
• Host Hotel Shuttles: Shuttle buses will leave from our host hotel at 5:40 a.m., with return trips from the University Stadium scheduled for 12:00 noon and 12:30 PM.
• If you are driving, Chancellor Matheson (off the Waverley Ave. extension) will be completely closed to traffic on Race Day at Pembina Highway, except for emergency vehicles, Marathon vehicles, and Park and Ride buses.
• University Crescent, which is part of the race course, will be open to traffic until 6:20 AM, then closed to cars, for the exclusive use of the runners. Under no circumstance can cars park along University Crescent, or leave the campus via University Crescent until the Manitoba Marathon closes in early afternoon.
• Kings Crescent access to the University through Fort Richmond will be closed from 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM.
• We encourage bicycles, carpools, or parking off-campus ( Pembina Highway area near Chancellor Matheson Road, or in the King's Park area) and walking in.

Please check out the following planning tool, which you can view, download, or print:

• Start Smart (Park and Ride) map and University of Manitoba Parking Access (PDF)

Additional information on the Start/Finish areas is contained in your Participant Handbook which you will receive when you pick up your runner number and chip.

Race Day: Rules of the Road

The Manitoba Marathon is committed to provide all participants a safe and accurate course, and to provide you with accurate times and places in our race results. Of course, we are also committed to the highest standards of fair play amongst all participants. We do reserve the right to disqualify any participants who breach our rules of the road.

Runner Numbers: Only registered runners/walkers wearing assigned bib numbers will be allowed on the courses. All runners get a Runner Number for their event when they register. Both must be worn on Race Day.

Your runner number (worn on the front and visible) tells the volunteers and course marshalls that you have registered for your run and that you belong on the course. It's also a great souvenir!

Our timing company, Sportsstats.ca guarantees fast and accurate results. For individual events, timing is conducted using the "chip bibs",  while Relay runners wear a timing bib belt which is transferred at each Relay Exchange Station. The Chip Bibs record when you cross the Start mat, and any mats on the course, as well as at the Finish line mat. If you wear the bib incorrectly (or not at all), or if you are not recorded at one of the mats, you will not receive a finishing time or result.

If you cannot run, your runner number and chip cannot be transferred to another runner.

Every participant must run the whole distance of the event that they are registered in. Courses are accurate, and are measured only on the roadways. Any course cutting (over any grassy area and boulevards at corners) will be treated as unauthorized short cuts on the course, and as a major breach of our "fair play" rules. The course is very well marked with large directional signs.

Runners must cross the Finish Line once only and Relay runners cannot accompany their team's last runners onto the University track. Failure to abide by these rules will lead to disqualifications.

Courtesy at the Start Line: Runners are strongly encouraged to seed themselves according to their projected pace. The fastest runners should be at the front and slowest runners/walkers should be near the back. Remember, the Chip Bibs will give you YOUR real time and any delays after the Gun Start won't count toward your finishing time.

Runner Safety: The streets used by Manitoba Marathon events are completely closed to traffic or to cross-traffic. Only registered runners and walkers and official course cyclists and vehicles are allowed on the course. For the safety of participants, bicycles, roller skates, or roller blades and pets are prohibited from all Manitoba Marathon courses. They will be removed by police and course marshals. As well, runners who are accompanied by unofficial cyclists will be disqualified. Baby strollers/joggers are prohibited on the Full and Half courses, participants will be removed from the course and disqualified. Baby strollers and baby joggers CAN be registered for participation in the Great-West Life Super Run and Free Press Walk. The adult pushers should start at the back of the pack to ensure the safety of nearby participants.

Spectator Access: Please use our maps to help your fans (friends and families) find good access to viewing points on the course. Again, careful planning is recommended, as the Manitoba Marathon course will be closed to traffic and to cross-traffic.

Watching the Marathon

Join our Miles of Smiles on Father’s Day!

You can be a big part of the Manitoba Marathon experience, even if you are not a runner or volunteer. Join thousands of early birds, who roll out of bed early every Father’s Day, and add their applause and good wishes to the thousands of runners and walkers who are struttin' their stuff and building a better community.

Every runner will say that the cheers and support of spectators – friends and strangers alike -- along the course lightens their steps and melts the miles away. So, whether you plan to root for your friends or family, or for a few thousand total strangers, here are some guidelines to help you participate in the Manitoba Marathon in your own special way. We’ve divided our ttips into several topics:

• Cheering along the course: Learn about the course route, when to expect runners at various points along the course, and collect some proven tips on great spectating.
• Great Viewpoints: Check out our favourite viewpoints along the course.
• Cheering at the Start and Finish Lines:
• Some Favourite Cheers, and other fun stuff.

Cheering along the course:

• Map out where you want to be, ahead of time. The Manitoba Marathon covers 26.2 miles of beautiful Winnipeg neighbourhoods, with a couple extra miles tossed in for the Half Marathon. That means that you have all kinds of access points to the course, but you have to plan carefully. Start by viewing or printing a copy of our Course map (PDF). It shows the course for all events, as well as the locations some of the really exciting areas along the course - our Hospitality Stations, Ice Stations, and Relay Exchange Stations. Turn-by-turn Directions (PDF)
• Plan on when you should be there. Use our Time of Day chart below, to ensure that you get to see who you want to see! Remember to be flexible - your friends can be having a really good day or a tough one, so get there early and stay a bit later, just in case.
• Plan on how to get there. The Manitoba Marathon course is a closed "parade route" and you will not be allowed to drive on or cross the marathon route. Think ROAD CLOSURES and backed up traffic. So...give yourself enough time to reach your spot, choose where you need to get to, including any detours you may need to make, and plan to park and walk in to your viewing spot.
• Plan on how to find your friends. Know what they’re wearing!
• Help your runner friends find you! Sometimes it’s easier for runners to see you! Let them know where you expect to be, and which side of the road you plan to stand on. Consider balloons or signs to grab their attention as well!

Great Viewpoints:

Get organized on Race Day! Do you have friends who live right on the Manitoba Marathon course? If so, help them organize an early Father's Day party -- pull out those lawnchairs, turn on the music, play canned music, or build a theme that's all yours. It will be SO appreciated by the thousands of runners who will pass you by, knowing that you care!

Or check out these Spectator Favourites:

• Pembina Highway - Miles 1-2 (University Crescent to Crescent Drive), and Mile 5+ (Point Road to Jubilee): Northbound traffic is closed but southbound lanes are open. Offers easy spectator access & parking, shortly after the Start.
• Harrow St. (Miles 6-8). Easy access from west or east. A great chance to see friends and family in the Marathon & Relay, shortly after course split.
• Wellington Crescent to Assiniboine Park (Miles 8-11). Wow, picture perfect! Access off Academy Road, park on residential side streets and walk in. Be sure to check out the great Relay Exchange Zone at Wellington Crescent & Doncaster.
• Wellington Crescent/Omand’s Creek pedestrian bridge (Miles 9.5 and 14). Many spectators catch their friends twice here, at the Wellington Crescent/Lindsay St. tracks, then walk over the footbridge into Omand’s Creek Park to see them again as they turn onto Wolseley. Access and parking at either location.
• The Assiniboine Park Footbridge (Mile 12). The best photo op on the course, as runners cross the footbridge before turning on to Portage Avenue and back downtown. Easy spectator access & parking along Portage Avenue and nearby residential streets.
• Portage Avenue at Collegiate St. (13.1 miles)! It’s getting lonely out there, as runners contemplate the halfway point, and think of all the work they have left to do. Give them a big lift with your cheers!
• Wolseley Ave (Miles 14-15.5). Graceful, tree-shaded streets. Acess off Westminster Ave., park on residential side streets and walk in. Check out Relay Exchange Zone #3 near Laura Secord School!
• Broadway Ave. at the Manitoba Legislature (Mile 16.5), and Assiniboine Ave. down to Main St.
• St. Mary Ave, south of St. Anne Road (Mile 20) and on to Kingston Row and Relay Exchange #4.
• Dunkirk & St. Vital Road (Mile 22). The end nears, and those encouraging words make all the difference!
• Bishop Grandin & River Road (Mile 24). Cheer runners up "the hill" as they cross the Red River, or go crazy at the Bishop Grandin Prize Mile just west of the Bridge, as runners think of the Finish Line! Parking available at Pembina Crossing Shopping Centre, on Pembina Highway just north of the Bishop Grandin turnoffs.
• Pembina Highway and University Crescent (Mile 25). Easy parking and walk-in access off Pembina Highway.

Time of Day Viewing Guide

Cheering at the Start and Finish areas:

• Many spectators join us at our Start Lines and simply walk back to the University Stadium grandstands, to watch waves and waves of runners enter the stadium. It’s a continuous party there, Super Run finishers are followed by the 10k walkers, the Half Marathon finishers, and finally the full marathoners and marathon relay runners.
• The start and finish areas are located near each other, on the University of Manitoba campus. All events finish on the University Stadium track, with runners completing ¾ of a lap before finishing at mid-field in front of the grandstand.
• If you plan to be at the start and finish lines to watch your family or friends start or finish, you will face the same vehicle access (and timing) issues as the runners and walkers. Simply stated, many roads are closed, traffic backs up, and we strongly recommend that you check out our Race Day: Start and Finish Areas page, to help you plan your day.
• Our Start Area map (PDF) shows the location of the Start Lines.
• Our Finish Area map (Map Coming Soon!) shows the location of the Finish Line, recovery and spectator areas, and the "Meet me" areas on the south end hill inside the stadium.
• Our SmartPark maps (PDF) will help you figure out how to get to and from the Start and Finish areas. Please remember that our SmartPark park & ride shuttles give runners priorty over spectators, in getting to the Start area.
• Time of Day Start times & projected finishing times for each event are:
  • Manitoba Lotteries 26.2 Mile Manitoba Marathon: 7:00 and 9:15+
  • Intrepid Dezine Half Marathon: 7:00 and 8:08+
  • Manitoba Marathon Relay: 7:10 and 9:30+
  • Great-West Life Super Run: 7:15+ and 7:30+
  • Winnipeg Free Press 10K walk: 7:15 AM and 8:05 AM+

Some Tips for Great Spectating

• Dress for the weather. You will be outside for a while, and weather conditions can change. So be prepared.
• Get noticed! Signs, music, balloons...remember, it's a party out there, so help CELEBRATE the commitment of all runners to Fitness, Family & Fundraising!
• Cheer for your friends, but cheer for all those strangers too!
• Find some favourite cheers. Need some inspiration? Try these....
  • You’re looking great!
  • Running smooth!
  • You can do it!
  • Way to go!
  • That’s it, one step at a time!
  • Stay relaxed! Keep it up!
  • Keep it going!
  • Water/relay zone just ahead/around the corner... doing great!
  • Call out something unique about the runner(s) - shirt colour or slogan or school/corporate names.
  • Go for it! You’re almost there! (but ONLY near the end!)
• Remember, cyclists/roller bladers are not allowed on the course, as they are a hazard to other participants and are considered an unfair assist. Accompanied runners can be disqualified.
• Bringing kids out? Dress them well, plan activities for them, and don't forget to time those washroom breaks :)

Race Day: Entertainment Miles

"Calling all Entertainers!" We're looking for more entertainment to participate in Manitoba's largest mass participation event! Join our fabulous groups already "strutting their stuff!" We need your help in cheering on the Manitoba Marathon participants.

More entertainment means more family, more fun, and a thrilling Manitoba Marathon experience for participants and spectators alike!

Come out, entertain us, join our party! For more information on becoming a part of our annual celebration of fitness, family, and fundraising please call our office at 415-4517.

Join in the spirit of the Manitoba Marathon!