BEFORE THE RACE

Receiving your Bib
This is the paper imprinted with your race number. It identifies you, and only you, as an official competitor. You must wear the bib on your front and it must be visible at all times during the event. Runners without their numbers visible are subject to disqualification. You may not alter the bib or the printing in any way. Your race bib will NOT be mailed to you; you must pick it up at the Sports and Fitness Expo, held at the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday, December 5 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ) and Saturday, December 6 ( 9 a.m. to 5 p.m). The Expo entrance is on J Street. When you arrive at the Sports and Fitness Expo, go to the packet pick up area where the volunteers will be sitting in alphabetical order; go to the volunteer whose letter corresponds to the first letter of your last name. This volunteer will present you with your timing chip and number. You may pick up a friend's number and chip. Race numbers are not mailed and are not transferable and race entry fees are nonrefundable!

Come EARLY to the Expo!
Avoid the rush and the congestion created by frantic last-minute Expo-goers and packet-picker-uppers. Be assured of getting your proper t-shirt size. Catch the best selection on Friday afternoon and as soon as the doors open on Saturday morning. You could get all your Christmas shopping done here!

EXPO Dates & Times
Friday, December 5, 3 pm to 7 pm
Saturday, December 6, 9 am to 5 pm.

EXPO Clinics
Saturday, Dec. 6 in Meeting Room 103-105 at the Sacramento Convention Center.
The 2008 schedule will be posted here when it is confirmed. Below you will see the clinics that were held at the 2007 Expo.
9:00 A.M. - Dr. Steven Polansky (25-Time CIM Finisher): “How to Run the CIM”- A Mile-by-Mile Course Review and Description of My Favorite Potholes
10:00 A.M - Dr. Neil Van Dyck, DPM: “Blister Prevention and Foot Care” Take care of your feet and run faster! 
11:00 A.M. - “How to Improve Your Running and Training  - Tips from the Sacramento Experts” (Julie Fingar, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Rich Hanna, Steven Polansky, Ernie Takahashi, Denis Zilaff)
12 Noon -“What a Life on the Run Has Taught Me”  Dick Beardsley:  Marathon Champion, Life “Survivor”
1:00 P.M. - Andrea Hacker MS RD “Eat Your Way to a Better Marathon” Nutritional needs to maximize your race performance.
2:00 P.M. - JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Ph.D. , Author of Your Performing Edge:  The Complete Mind-Body Training Program & past winner of the San Francisco Marathon.
3:00 P.M. - Dr. Paul Salitsky, Ph.D.  “Mental skills training to elevate your performance” UC Davis Professor in Sport & Exercise Psychology and Exercise Biology.
4:00 P.M. - CIM/Clif Bar Celebrity Pace Team Seminar: Pace yourself to a great race! Meet your leader!

Event Rules for Fair Competition, Safety and Courtesy

4th St. Grille, 400 L St., 448-3847 (reservations recommended)
Emma's Taco House, 723 K St., 446-2122
Grapes, 815 11th St., 447-6272
Jack's Urban Eats, 1230 30th St., 444-0307
Oasis Health Express, 912 12th St., 444-6199
Paesano's Pizzaria, 1806 Capitol Ave., 447-8646
Pete's Pizza, 2001 J St., 442-6170
Rubicon Brewing Company, 2004 Capitol, 448-7032
The Old Spaghetti Factory, 1910 J St., 443-2862
Zelda's Original Gourmet Pizza, 1415 21st St., 447-1400
Waterboy, 2000 Capitol, 498-9892 (reservations recommended)

If you are looking for company, stop by the booth of the Sacramento
area's largest running club, the Buffalo Chips, and join "the herd"
at their preferred eatery.

RACE RULES

• You must complete the entire course to be listed in the official results. Anyone who does not complete the entire course will be disqualified.
• If you are a registered runner and you run only part of the course, DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE!
• No early starters and no late starters! The starting area closes five minutes after the starting gun is fired, so do not be late for the start. The course starting area is monitored by the race personnel for "illegal early and late starters."
• No bicycles, unicyles, tricycles, inline skates, blades, skateboards, pets, or baby joggers! The only wheeled vehicles allowed on the course are those of the wheelchair competitors and CIM officials.
• No non-registered runners! It is unfair and illegal to have unregistered people run with you or offer assistance. Video cameras and officials will be stationed throughout the course to preserve the integrity of the event. Runners receiving illegal assistance WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
• Do not allow anyone to come onto the course to accompany you on the final stretch to the finish. This is illegal, can result in disqualification, and can cause serious problems including injuries to you or to other runners.
• Don't run on the wrong side of the road. The certified route after the 10.5 mile point is on the RIGHT side of the center yellow line. Prior to the 10.5 mile mark, you are allowed to run on the entire road.
• No electronic head gear! No Walkmans, portable CD carriers, iPods, or headsets of any kind. The CIM follows the recommendations of USA Track & Field and the Road Runner's Club of America in requesting that you do not use this equipment during the event. Although disobeying this rule will not result in disqualification, you will compromise your safety and that of other  runners by wearing this gear. Don't do it!

Getting to the Start

CIM is run on a point to point course, which means that the starting line is 26.2 miles away from the finish point. Here are the three options for getting to the start:

1. (The BEST option!) Buy a bus ticket ($10) when you register or at the Sports and Fitness Expo for the bus ride to the start. Bus tickets are not sold on race day! Buses leave 5 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. on Sunday morning at the special rate CIM hotels and from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. from the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Remember - the earlier you leave, the shorter the portapottie lines will be at the start area!

2. For runners not taking the buses, BE SURE TO GIVE YOURSELVES PLENTY OF TIME TO GET TO THE START due to traffic congestion near the starting area. Runner drop-off is approximately one uphill mile from the start on the south side access and approximately 1/2 mile from the start on the north side access.

3. Run to the start. This is a dare to the ultra-runners who have entered. What's another 10 or 20 miles to someone who can run 100 miles?

Starting Area Amenities
Nothing but the best for those about to face this 26.2-mile challenge: a zillion porta-potties, trucks for hauling your "sweat-bags" to the finish, and early-bird volunteers to answer questions and offer encouragement.

Sweats Bags 101A
For marathon newbies or visitors from a planet with different marathon customs, the race "goody bag" you received at the Expo has a second purpose.
• At the Expo, a volunteer wrote your bib number on the bag with a marker. Make sure the number is correct and legible.
• At least ten minutes before walking to the starting line, put the items you do not plan to wear or carry during the run - like your "sweats"- into the "bag." get it?
• Do not put anything valuable in this bag (especially no car keys and no cell phones, please)!
• Now go to the sweats bus area and leave your bag with the volunteers.
• After you cross the finish line, go to the sweats bag area where a volunteer will return your bag to you.
• You must pick up your sweats bag by 1:30 p.m. race day.
• If post-marathon brain-fade sets in and you forget to do this, contact the CIM office (916-983-4622) and arrange to get your sweats bag within 10 days after race day.
• Items not claimed will be donated to charity or, if cool enough, will be fought over by the CIM Board members at their next meeting.
• No one even remotely involved in CIM is responsible for lost or stolen items.

Important Starting Line Advice

• Be at the start line on time! Duh.
• The race starts promptly at 7:00 am and the starting area closes at 7:05 a.m.
• Do not dally or plan to be late due to Chip timing.
• Only the fastest runners should be close to the starting line. Don't worry! There is plenty of space for a smooth, fast start. All runners cross the start line in less than five minutes.
• If you are not one of the speediest and place yourself too close to the front you will: a) Get trampled by faster runners. b) Go out too fast and face certain disaster in later stages of the race.

Click here to watch a cool video clip of the start of the 2005 CIM.

DURING THE RACE

Aid Stations & Mile Splits
There will be 18 aid stations staffed by cheering volunteers from local
schools, service clubs, and those ubiquitous Buffalo Chips. Each will have
water, GU2O Hydration Drink, medical supplies, and porta-potties.
GU Energy Gel will be provided on the course at miles 13 and 20.

Fluids
Proper fluid intake is crititcal not only for a good performance but also for your
health during and after the event. Too little fluid intake leads to dehydration; too
much and improperly balanced fluid intake can lead to hyponatremia. Please
read this bulletin from USA Track & Field for proper fluid intake guidelines.
You should also read this paper, "Proper Hydration for Distance Running"(pdf)
published by USATF.

Course Tips
CIM is a FAST course with a net elevation drop. The key word here is "net"-
it is certainly not all downhill, and the terrain is rolling, especially in
the first half. Do not get drawn into too fast an early pace by your
excitement, fellow runners, or by the first downhill mile. Be conservative
and do not charge the hills; run them at a steady, even effort, even if
that means reducing your speed. This helps you conserve energy to use later
to maintain an even pace in the second half. Trust us! The best times on
this course have come from running a relaxed, conservative pace in the
first half and strong, steady pace in the second half.

When does the course close?
The CIM course closes some of the area's busiest streets, intersections and
bridges, inconveniencing thousands of area couch-potato motorists. The
marathon has the superb cooperation of local law enforcement agencies to
assist with these closures, but they must limit the race to a finish time
of 6 hours (this is a 13:44 min. per mile pace).

If I can't finish under 6 hours?
A CHP (California Highway Patrol person, not a Buffalo Chip), driving at a
13:44 min. per mile pace, will open the roads behind his car to regular
traffic. If you are behind the CHP, you will be asked to proceed on the
road shoulders or sidewalks, and you will be subject to pedestrian traffic
laws of the City or the County of Sacramento. No race services (aid
stations, mile splits, traffic controls) will be available on the course
for runners progressing slower than the 13:44 min. per mi. pace. Race
management will attempt to provide, but cannot guarantee, race medals,
finish times, and refreshments to runners finishing after 6 hours.

What if I can't finish at all?
Not to worry-better to not finish and stay healthy than to totally trash
yourself. We'll be here next year, and the year after, ad infinitum! If you
are ready to "cry uncle," park yourself at the nearest aid station, hand
over your timing chip to the designated aid station volunteer, get medical assistance
if necessary, and mull over what went wrong. A sweep vehicle will take you
to the finish.

. AFTER THE RACE

Finish Line Activities & Triage
You've done it and a hero's welcome awaits you! The finish line area has
been a beehive of activity since pre-dawn hours. Let friends and relatives
know it's a great place to spectate and cheer. They can watch or run the
maraFUNrun, see the wheelchair competitors zoom to the finish (course
record is 1:45:10), and see if a relay team finisher can beat the first
place male and/or female individual finisher. As you round the corner at
8th and Capitol Mall, you will be directed to one of two finish lines.
• Men finish on the right (south) side of Capitol Mall.
• Women finish on the left (north) side of Capitol Mall.
• Registered runners ONLY will be allowed to cross the finish line.
• DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE ENTIRE COURSE.

Tell your loved ones in advance that under no circumstances will they be
allowed to run with you to the finish line. It is dangerous and can compromise
the results. After crossing the line, be fair! DO NOT PASS ANYONE in the
finish chute. Volunteers will assist you with the removal of the timing chip
and will provide additional assistance as needed. To indicate that you
are feeling OK, keep smiling! Next, you will be presented with your well-
earned finisher's medallion and a space blanket for warmth.-
-
If you need medical assistance, volunteers will help you to the medica
facilities. Start your recovery by recovering your belongings from the
sweats bag area and putting on some warm clothes. Keep walking -
post-marathon walking is one of the best ways to rid your
body of lactic acid - and walk to the refreshment area where water,
other nourishing beverages, and food will be available.

Post-marathon Food Etiquette
Cal International does not provide a post-marathon "all-you-can-eat"
buffet. Start your food replenishment here, but finish it at a local
restaurant or in the comfort of your own home. Be kind to the runners
finishing after you: they have been on the course longer and are likely to
be much more hungry than you!

Awards Ceremony
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel at 3 p.m.
Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in the following age
divisions: 19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,
55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over, and wheelchair.

Overall Race Results
Unofficial race results will be posted in the finish area as soon as they
are spit out of the computer. They will also be posted Sunday evening at
www.runcim.org.

Race Photos
The official race photography company is SportPhoto.com. Race photos
will be posted on its web site soon after the event and will be available
for purchase. Be sure to have your bib number clearly visible on the
front of your clothing at all times because your bib number is the reference
the photogrpahers use to enable you to access your photos easily.

Did I qualify for Boston?
CIM is a favorite for runners around the world to make their
qualifying time for the Boston Marathon and is ranked in the top five
U.S. marathons by Runner's World Magazine as a Boston Marathon
qualifier. The 113th running of "Boston" will
be on Monday, April 20, 2009. Below are listed the age
division qualifying times:

Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards

AgeGroup Men Women
18-34 3 hrs 10 min 3 hrs 40 min
35-39 3 hrs 15 min 3 hrs 45 min
40-44 3 hrs 20 min 3 hrs 50 min
45-49 3 hrs 30 min 4 hrs 00 min
50-54 3 hrs 35 min 4 hrs 05 min
55-59 3 hrs 45 min 4 hrs 15 min
60-64 4 hrs 00 min 4 hrs 30 min
65-69 4 hrs 15 min 4 hrs 45 min
70-74 4 hrs 30 min 5 hrs 00 min
75-79 4 hrs 45 min 5 hrs 15 min
80+ 5 hrs 00 min 5 hrs 30 min

You may add up to 59 seconds to the above times and still qualify.

Qualifying times are based on your age on the date of the Boston Marathon
in which you will be participating.

Download an entry form at the BAA web site, www.bostonmarathon.org.

Do you need to know anything else?
Use the search tool on the web site front page. If that doesn't find your answer, email
runcim@jhu.edu or runcim@ncbb.net.
or phone: 916/983-4622
or fax: 916/983-4624
or write: The CIM, 120 Ponderosa Ct., Folsom, CA 95630