• Race Bags – With the safety of our runners, volunteers, and spectators in mind, The Steamtown Marathon race committee has banned knapsacks, gym bags, duffle bags, drawstring bags and any and all similar non-transparent bags and sacks on our buses, at the starting line and at the finish line.  Please leave such bags at home. Clear plastic bags will be available at the race expo, bus boarding and at the starting line for your use.  Note: Camels, hydration packs and similar water transportation devices are allowed but will be subject to inspection by law enforcement and race officials.

• Six Hour Time Limit – The Marathon Race Committee respectfully requests that you enter only if you are confident that you can finish the course in six hours or less (an approximately 13-minute per mile pace). Traffic control and health and safety volunteers, and race officials, will vacate the course six hours after the start (2:00 p.m.). Anyone who continues to run on the course after 2:00 p.m. will be doing so at his/her own risk. Anyone who finishes after seven hours (3:00 p.m.) will not be listed in the official race results and may not receive a finisher’s medal.

• Vehicles on Course – Unofficial wheeled vehicles (strollers, bikes, baby joggers, skates, skate boards, roller blades, etc…) are not permitted on the course. Pets are also banned from the course.

• Pacers are Banned – Pacers are not allowed on the course!  Any runner who receives assistance from a pacer (either on foot or on bicycle) risks being disqualified by the Race Director.

• Headphones – Race officials ask you to please refrain from wearing earphones, headphones, and similar devices out of concern for your safety and the safety of other runners.  However, the Steamtown Marathon will not disqualify a runner who chooses to disregard this request.

• Age Requirement – Only validly entered runners may participate. No one under the age of 18 on race day will be allowed to compete in the Marathon.

• Cheating – The race will be videotaped at several checkpoints to ensure competitors who cross the finish line have done so after completing the entire course. Any competitor caught cheating risks being banned for life from The Steamtown Marathon.

• Bib Number – Please make sure your race number is pinned to the FRONT of your shirt/singlet/shorts. Please do not attempt to cross the finish line without a race number clearly visible to finish line personnel. Do not, under any circumstances, allow another runner to run with your bib number.

• Sag Wagons – Lackawanna County shuttles will patrol the course and offer rides to competitors who choose not to continue. Your race bib number will be recorded upon boarding. Any competitor who boards a sag wagon will not be allowed to rejoin the race.

• No Duplication of Awards – With the exception of the Top Local Finisher category, there will be no duplication of awards!

• Gun Time, Not Chip Time – All awards, including top overall finishers, age group awards, top local finishers, weight class awards, and cash prizes will be determined by actual order of finish (clock /gun time), NOT by chip time.

• Prize Money – Any competitor who receives prize money will be required to provide a Social Security Number to Marathon officials. In accordance with USATF Rules and regulations, college-eligible athletes are not eligible to receive athletic funds (prize money). The names and addresses of all athletes and the amount of athletic funds paid to any individual who competes in the Marathon will be submitted to the USATF.

• Drug Testing – Athletes who participate in this competition may be subject to formal drug testing in accordance with USATF Regulation 10 and/or IAAF Rule 55. Athletes found positive for a banned substance, or who refuse to be tested, will be disqualified from this event and will lose eligibility for future competitions. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications may contain banned substances. Information regarding drugs and drug testing may be obtained by calling the USOC hot line at 800-233-0393.

• Race Cancellation – The Race Director reserves the right to cancel or modify the Marathon in consideration of extremely adverse weather conditions, or other health or safety factors, that pose an imminent threat to competitors or volunteers. In the unlikely event of cancellation, entrants who have picked up their race number will receive partial credit towards next year’s entry fee.

The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify any individual who does not comply with these rules.