Peak Performance
Maine Marathon

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Race registration

Registration is underway for the 2009 Peak Performance Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay, to be held Sunday, Oct. 4. The entry fees through Aug. 30 are $30 for the half marathon, $45 for the marathon and $80 for the marathon relay. The half marathon and marathon fees increase by $10 on Sept. 1 and another $10 on race weekend, and the relay fee goes up to $100 on Sept. 1 and $120 the day before the race. There is no race-day registration for the relay.

Participants can register online or download a printable entry form.

Race Information

• Start/Finish: Baxter Boulevard, between Forest Ave. and Preble St.
• Certification: Both the marathon and half marathon courses are certified by USAT&F (ME01005WN for marathon, ME01006WN for half marathon), and the marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
• Parking: Plenty of free parking is available at the University of Southern Maine campus near the start/finish area. Runners are asked not to park in the Hannaford shopping center lot adjacent to the start/finish location.
• Charity: Proceeds from this year's race will again go to benefit the Center for Grieving Children, a local organization that provides support to grieving children, teens, families and the community through peer support, outreach, and education. Last year, the Center received a donation of $35,000 from race proceeds. Also, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training participates in the marathon each year, and this year we're welcoming the Tourette Syndrome Association. See our Charitable Causes page for more details.

Registration, packet pick-up and expo

• Where: Sullivan Gym, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St.
• When: Saturday, Oct. 3, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 5:30-7:30 a.m.
• Directions: Take I-295 to Exit 6B (Forest Avenue North). Take left at first light onto Bedford Street, then turn right at the Campus Center (Wood Rd. on the map below). Sullivan Gym is in the top left corner of the map. On race day, continue straight on Bedford Street to park in the USM garage on the left (garage not shown on map).

All-you-can-eat pasta dinner

• Where: Woodbury Campus Center, University of Southern Maine (adjacent to Sullivan Gym)
• When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 5-8 p.m.
• Cost: Adults - $10 in advance, $12 at door; Children - $7

Runner amenities

• Water stops with Gatorade (lemon-lime Endurance Formula) located approximately every two miles.
• Hi-tech long-sleeve t-shirt (shirts mailed to late arrivals if supply is gone)
• Automatic timing with WinningTime chip system
• Post-race refreshments
• Pre- and post-race massages available at start/finish line
• Baggage check available at start/finish area
• Finishers medal to all runners and certificate of completion to marathoners
• Showers available at USM's Sullivan Gym
• Medical tent located at finish line, with additional medical personnel patrolling the course
• Professional photo service, PhotoChambers, will take photos of all finishers and make them available for purchase

Important notes

An early start at 6 a.m. is available only for marathoners who expect to maintain a pace of 13 minutes per mile or slower. Anyone who starts early will not be eligible for awards, and there is no early start for half marathoners.

All marathoners who don't use the early 6 a.m. start should expect to maintain a pace of 14 minutes per mile or faster. Course support stops after 2 p.m.

No dogs, baby strollers or bicycles are allowed.

Confirmations will not be sent by mail. Entry lists will be updated regularly on this Web site.

50 States Club

The Maine Marathon race committee extends a warm welcome to members of the 50 States Marathon Club, which has chosen our race as a reunion event and the site of one of their quarterly meetings. For more information about the 50 States Marathon Club, visit their Web site.

RRCA Championships

This year's Maine Marathon serves as the Road Runners Club of America state championship, and the half marathon serves as the RRCA Eastern Region Championship.