FAQs
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
Yes! Please visit our Registration Changes page.
Yes! ALL runners MUST be officially registered with an event-issued bib that is visible to race officials. Any “bandits” may face a stiff fine and be banned for life from participating in any future Run Madtown events. Pacing another without a bib is not permitted. Thank you for officially registering and for supporting our race and charity partners.
Online registration will stay open through 7:00am on Sunday May 28th or until an event sells out.
5K: No age minimum
Half Marathon: 14 yrs old
Sorry, hand cycles (hand bikes, hand-crank devices, or other mechanically gear driven devices) are not permitted on the course. Athletes using push-rim wheelchairs are allowed.
Yes, as long as you can complete the course before course closures.
- 3.5 hour time limit from the time the last runner crosses the start line.
Yes! Please visit our Registration Changes page.
REFUND AND DEFERRAL POLICY
Run Madtown does not offer refunds or deferrals, as we offer all runners the opportunity to transfer their registration another person or to change their distance. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration.
When registering you will be asked to confirm that you accept the no refund policy. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration.
Verify your registration HERE
RACE DAY QUESTIONS
Pace times are based on gun time, not GPS or chip time. If you fall behind the sweeper, you may be directed to the sidewalks off the official course and may continue at your own risk but without race support.
There are porto-potties available near the start \ finish line, near the Post-Race Party and at every water station along the course.
There will be ambulances and medical personnel at the start line, finish line and on roving bikes on the course. If you need medical attention, find the nearest aid station, bearing in mind you may have just passed it. If you are not able to make it to an aid station by yourself, notify a volunteer, spectator or another runner to notify the nearest aid station of your location and condition. Aid stations will have the ability to contact the race’s medical staff to provide you with help.
See our Aid Station information for details on locations and products.
The course closes 3.5 hours after the last runner crosses the start line on Sunday.
For the safety of all participants as well as for the spectators, we cannot permit any non-participants to enter any part of the race course or finish line and recovery chute. Runners who disregard this rule will be disqualified.
Race Day Parking: All downtown parking ramps will be open. Street parking is also available for free on Sundays. See parking ramp locations.
Yes, gear check is available. Be sure to attach the gear check tear off tab from your race bib to your bag if using this service!
Please use either the official race bag or a CLEAR bag no larger than a large plastic grocery bag for Gear Check.
For security reasons, please store your bags at the official Gear Check area ONLY. Do not leave bags at other locations in the Start/Finish area or anywhere along the course.
Saturday May 27
Twilight 5K - 7pm
Sunday May 28
7:00am – Madtown Half Marathon & 10K
The MYLAPS BibTag ThinTag is an ultra-thin, lightweight, disposable chip that is applied to the back of your race bib. The ThinTag has a sponge that provides the necessary space between your body and the tag in wet conditions. This ultra-thin sponge has the unique feature that it only expands when it becomes wet. The BibTag system cannot be altered in any way prior to or during the event. Please DO NOT try to remove it. Please make sure you wear your bib on the FRONT of your body and on the outside of your clothing at all times during our events. Doing anything different may reduce the readability of your results.
The Kids Race is not timed and participants will not receive a bib, chip or results.
Average High: 70 degrees F
Average Morning Rel Humidity: 79.0%
Average Low: 45 degrees F
Average Afternoon Rel Humidity: 50.0%
Mean Temp: 57 degrees F
Typical Sky Cover: Overcast
We understand that many runners need headphones to aid in their running concentration, or distraction. Headphones are allowed but not recommended for safety purposes.
Dogs – yes you can run with your dog in the Twilight 5k! Participants with dogs will start a few minutes after all ‘non-dog participants’ have started. Other animals (non-dog) and bicycles (aside from our bike escorts) are not allowed, strictly for safety reasons.
Strollers are allowed in the Twilight 5k .
Colored flags will be located at each aid station to alert runners to changing course and weather conditions. In cases of emergency, please follow the instructions below. In rare instances, it may be necessary to either close the race course or re-route participants. If this occurs, it is being done for the safety of the participants and volunteers.
Black Flag
Event canceled
Extreme and dangerous conditions or course emergency. Participation stopped, seek shelter immediately. Follow directions from public safety officials, race staff and volunteers.
Red Flag
Dangerous conditions
The race is stopped. Finish times will not be published and no awards are given after a red flag. Runners should go to the nearest aid station for shuttle transfer to the finish line.
Yellow Flag
Less than ideal conditions
Slow down & drink plenty of fluids
Green Flag
Good conditions
Enjoy the event, but stay alert!
If race day conditions exist that could be potentially dangerous, Run Madtown follows the below protocol:
-->Races may be delayed up to 45 minutes.
-->Runners and spectators will be notified of conditions via:
- Text messages — Runners must have registered for text updates at the time of registration.
- Radio broadcast on WTDY (AM channel 1670 or FM channel 106.7)
- Online at runmadtown.com, Facebook & Instagram
- Live, on-site announcements
- If conditions improve or are expected to improve after scheduled start time, the race will begin approximately 30 minutes after race officials have been given an “ALL CLEAR” determination by the appropriate authorities.*
- If conditions do not improve or are not expected to improve in order to start after a delay, the race may be canceled completely.**
*Permits/requirements from the City of Madison do not allow the course to stay open beyond permitted times.
PACKET PICK UP QUESTIONS
ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT MAIL PACKETS AHEAD OF RACE WEEKENDS, WE DO OFFER A WILL CALL PACKET PICK UP FOR SUNDAY MORNING.
If you are unable to attend the Run Madtown Packet Pick Up and do not have anyone who can pick up for you, you may register for a $30 Will Call Packet Pick Up (per participant) and we will have your packet waiting for you at our information tent 90 minutes prior to the start of the race.
Rules are as follows:
- Available for the first 100 participants only.
- Race Day Packet Pick Up will be only be available:
- Sunday 5:30-6:30AM
- Please note that if everyone comes at 6:30, you may be waiting in a line and miss the start of the race.
- You must have your $30 paid and confirmed by race management by May 24 2022.
- You must pick up for yourself. No 3rd party pick ups.
- Shirt sizes are not guaranteed.
- Absolutely no race changes or transfers at Will Call.
- No refunds if you decide to pick up your packet at the expo during regular hours.
You may add this option if available to your existing race registration by following the instructions here.
You have 2 options:
- Someone else may pick up your packet with a copy of your drivers license (paper or digital).
- You may add on the Will Call Packet Pick-up service to your registration by following the instructions here.
You can learn more here!
PACKET PICK UP QUESTIONS
We support many local non-profit groups through both donations and our volunteer platform.
Our official charities for the 2020 races are My Team Triumph – Wisconsin and The Ride – A Cycling Fundraiser for Cancer Research
Visit the charity page to learn more about our partners and how you can get involved.
Run Madtown works with Destination Madison for hotel room blocks. See our lodging page for more information.
Finisher medals will be given to all participants of the Madtown Half Marathon, 10K and Twilight 5K who complete the race.
Overall Awards
Half Marathon, 10K and Twilight 5K
1st thru 3rd place Male and Female
Awards by Age Group
Age group award medals will be given to the top three male and female for the Half Marathon, 10K and Twilight 5K in the following age categories: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over. Awards will be mailed out after the event (around 30-45 days post-race).
Scoring
Gun time will be used for the overall prize winners (top overall male and female, but net time (the time recorded by the timing chip) will be used for all age-group scoring.
Madtown Half Marathon = 13.1 miles
10K = 6.2 miles
Twilight 5K = 3.1 miles