Can I qualify for the Boston Marathon at the Gettysburg North-South Marathon?

• Yes. The Gettysburg North-South Marathon course is certified according to USATF (PA22010NP) standards allowing you to qualify for Boston. Once our race results are made official, we forward them directly to Boston’s registration department. Click here for more information about Boston qualifying.

How will the race be timed?

• We will have disposable bib chip timing provided by 2L Race Services to ensure fast and accurate results for all competitors. There is also RaceJoy GPS tracking and official timing so family and friends can follow your progress on the course during the race.

Is there a course time limit?

• Yes. The course will remain open for 6 hours.  For marathon runners, that is ~ 14:00/mile, so unless you can walk VERY fast, it is a run-only event. The half marathon also has 6 hours which makes it very walker friendly.  The 5K technically has a limit of 5:45.  At that 2:00 pm, we will begin breaking down aid stations and packing up the timing, but we try to keep the medals out and food and drinks available as long as possible.  

Do you allow deferrals, transfers, or refunds?

• We do not allow refunds. Requests for deferrals and transfers will be evaluated on an individual basis. Runners can change their event (dropping down if injured, behind on training, etc.) until the day before the race. We do allow participants to purchase registration insurance that will cover the cost of their entry if they cannot attend.  Additional information about this coverage is available at https://www.allianzworldwidepartners.com/usa/terms-and-conditions/001004651.  

Can I register on race day?

• If a race is not sold out, we will have race weekend registration.

Are the roads completely closed to traffic?

• No. Portions of the course will have roads closed, while other areas will be open to light traffic on back-country roads. A combination of police officers, park rangers, and certified flaggers will direct traffic and runners to ensure your safety.

Do you allow headphones?

• Headphones are strongly discouraged but not banned. Headphones present safety concerns for yourself and, more importantly, the other runners around you. Having a safe course is one of the top priorities. If you elect to wear headphones, we encourage you to use them in such a manner that you can hear surrounding sounds (traffic control personnel, vehicles, volunteers, and other runners).  All participants who choose to wear any form of headphones assume all responsibilities and risks.

Do you allow baby joggers, strollers, or pets on the course?

• Unfortunately, our course is not closed to traffic, so we cannot allow baby joggers or strollers. These present safety concerns for yourself and, more importantly, the other runners around you. Having a safe course is one of the top priorities for all our participants.
• Pets are not permitted in any of the Gettysburg Festival of Races events.

Does each race have a cap on the number of participants?

• Yes:
  • Gettysburg North-South Marathon:  500 Runners participants
  • Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon: 1500 participants
  • 2L Race Services 5K: 500 participants

Does the race course travel through the Gettysburg Battlefield?

• Sadly, the event can no longer travel through the Gettysburg National Military Park. Park Management instituted a new policy in 2022 that officially bans all races of any kind. We fought as hard as we could to get them to change this policy, but in the end, they dug in and were unwilling to change. The new route which travels through southern Adams County and crosses the Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland is wooded and beautiful.

Are finisher medals given out?

• We will have medals based on the event logo for all finishers of the Gettysburg North-South Marathon and the Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon.
• There are no finisher medals for the 2L Race Services 5K.

Will I need my race bib tickets for the post-race party?

• Yes, your bib gets you entry to the post-race party. Your bib has a tear tag (ticket) on it for the food tent and entitles you to one free beer (must be 21+). 

Is there same day packet pick up?

• Yes, but there is a late pickup fee of $20. 

Can I have my race bib and swag shippsed to me?

• Yes, you can pay $10 to have your packet shipped to you up until ~3 weeks prior to race day.

How can spectators watch and support participants?

• Because of the rural nature of our course, spectators are not allowed on the course.  There is no where for vehicles to park without going onto private property (not allowed) or parking on the side of the road and creating dangerous conditions for the runners.  Our event offers the RaceJoy app which allows family and friends to watch participants move along the race course and send digital text-to-talk cheer messages.  It does require that participants run with a phone and have the app set up and activated.  We have used the app since 2020 and it has been very popular among users.

• The only exception to spectators on the course is to volunteer at an aid station. We do need volunteers working aid stations to supply runners with water and gatorade. This is a great opportunity to see your friends/family run, while also helping the overall experience for all the participants. If you're interested in volunteer, please visit our Volunteer page to see all volunteer opportunities or email Jen Gaynor.