WELCOME TO THE 2024 HEARTLAND MARATHON
September 22, 2024 is almost here! Your training is behind you and you're getting excited to be participating in the 10th annual Heartland Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, or 10K. In an effort to relieve some of the anxiety about the logistics of all that stuff that happens before, during and after the event, we've put together this I'm-glad-they-sent-me-this Newsletter. Please give it a read or two, and you'll be ready to rock and roll when you get here.
Let's start with the schedule of events. This is an overview of everything going on for the entire weekend. Visit the Google Play or Apple store and search for the official Precision Race Results app. Once downloaded, search for the Heartland Marathon event to access event logistics, relay information, live tracking, and more.
Please consult the guide below and the Frequently Asked Questions page for additional details.
Tom Whitaker and Daren Konda, Race Directors
PACKET PICK UP (SATURDAY)
PACKET PICKUP (SATURDAY):
Location:
Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market
101 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
41.259268, -95.928431
Hours:
Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10 AM – 6 PM. You may have someone else pick up your packet for you. Individuals picking up will be asked to sign a form.
Procedures to pick up your packet:
- Your bib number along with instructions of how to wear your bib will come in an email from our timing company. The email address is alanhigley@hotmail.com. Please watch for it as it will contain further race information. If you don't have your bib number at packet pickup, we will have a place for you to look it up. You do not need to know it beforehand.
- Proceed to the pickup line for your event.
- Tell our volunteer your bib number and he/she will give you your bib and shirt. You will be given the size that you put on your registration form. NO EXCHANGES…sorry.
- Changes or corrections in your registration may be made at packet pickup.
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS (SUNDAY)
Please allow yourself enough time race morning to park.
You can park in designated lots at:
- Miller’s Landing, 1155 Gallup Drive on the Omaha Riverfront
RUNNERS RACE DAY (SUNDAY)
- NO RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP!
- NO GEAR CHECK! Gear check is not provided, but Parking is close to the Start/Finish Line.
Course Description and Race Bib Colors
The 2024 Heartland Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K courses extend through portions of Omaha’s new RiverFront parks. The course features the Lewis and Clark Landing, the Kiewit Luminarium, and Heartland of America Park. The courses are out-and-back courses, with the turn-around locations for each race indicated with a turn-around sign of the same color as your event race bib.
The Marathon and Marathon Relay course is a two-loop course. On the first 14-mile loop, the course will take the runners over to the Iowa side of the Missouri River following the tour of the RiverFront parks. The runners cross the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and run south along the trail, past Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, the Dodge Riverside Golf Club, the Harrah’s and Ameristar Hotels and Casinos, the Western Historic Trails Center, and the Council Bluffs Recreation Complex. The Marathon Course extends south parallel to 24th Street in Council Bluffs to the Veteran’s Memorial Highway, where it turns east briefly before the turn-around. The second loop of the Marathon is 12-mile loop that bypasses the RiverFront parks and continues over the Bob Kerrey Bridge to repeat the distance on the Iowa side of the River. The Marathon runners will wear lime green race bibs. The Marathon Relay runners will wear black race bibs.
The Half Marathon course follows the same route as the first loop of the Marathon but reaches the Half Marathon turn-around on 24th Street north of Veteran’s Memorial Highway. The Half Marathon runners will wear navy blue race bibs.
The 10K course runs through the RiverFront Parks and over to the Iowa side of the Missouri River, south past Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, and turns around between the Harrah’s and Ameristar Casinos. The 10K runners will wear gray race bibs.
AID STATIONS
- Aid stations will be located on all courses approximately every 2.0-3.0 miles.
- All aid stations will have both GATORADE AND WATER.
- Gatorade and water on the course will be supplied in 6 oz. cups. GU will be available for the Marathoners at approximately Mile 16.75.
- 12 oz. bottles of Gatorade and 16 oz. bottles of water will be available at the Finish, along with pizza, hot dogs, fruit, snacks, and cookies.
PACERS
Pacers for both half and full marathons.
- Half – 1:30; 1:45; 2:00; 2:15; 2:30; 2:45; 3:00; 3:15
- Full – 3:30; 3:45; 4:00; 4:15; 4:30; 4:45; 5:00; 5:15; 5:30
Please note that the above pacers have presently volunteered to participate in the indicated events, but due to circumstances beyond our control, one or more pacers may not be present, and we may not be aware of that situation as late as race day.
RACE START
A tentative schedule is listed below.
- 7:00 am – Marathon & Marathon Relay
- 7:20 am – Half-Marathon
- 7:40 am – 10k
- 1:00 pm – Course Closes
RELAY TEAM INSTRUCTIONS
The Relay Exchange stations may become congested with team vehicles and spectator vehicles both converging on these locations. Relay runners should line up on the right hand side of the trail in the direction the runners are going.
Start (Distance of 1st leg – runner 1 will run approximately 4.7 miles):
Located at Miller’s Landing on the south/east side of Gallup Drive (1155 Gallup Drive on the Omaha Riverfront). Parking is available in designated relay spots at Miller’s Landing 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha, NE. Cheer your first teammate off and head to the first exchange point!
Exchange #1 (Distance of 2nd leg – runner 2 will run approximately 5.3 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 4.7 at Nebraska Ave. and River Road. Exchange Point #1 is located just south of Aid Station B. Park at 2421 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA. Runner 2 will run south in the bike lane on River Road.
Exchange #2 (Distance of 3rd leg – runner 3 will run approximately 4.9 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 10.0, at the Western Historic Trails Center. Drop off is available at 3434 Richard Downing Ave, Council Bluff, IA. The entrance drive is currently closed to vehicles but runners may pass through the entrance gate to the Western Historic Trails Center and walk approximately 400 feet north westerly to the trail. Runner 3 will run northwesterly on the trail.
Exchange #3 (Distance of 4th leg – runner 4 will run approximately 5.8 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 14.9 at the east end of the Bob Kerry Bridge in Tom Hanafan Park in Council Bluffs, IA. Parking is available on Avenue A adjacent to 4201 Rivers Edge Pkwy, Council Bluffs, IA. Runner 4 will run south on the trail.
Exchange #4 (Distance of 5th leg – runner 5 will run approximately 5.5 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 20.7, just south of 24th Street & Richard Downing Ave. in Council Bluffs, IA. Parking is available at 3271 Marketplace Dr, Council Bluffs, IA (west of JCPenney). Park and take the trail on 34th Ave to 24th Street. Runner 5 will run north on the 24th Street Trail on the east side of 24th Street towards Richard Downing Ave.
Team Reunion (OPTIONAL):
This will allow team members to finish as a team. Relay bibs are XXX-A thru XXX-E. The team member wearing bib XXX-E MUST cross the finish line first, other runners shall remove their timing chip on their bib before crossing the finish line. Exchange point is located on the west side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Go meet your teammate to finish the relay and celebrate your accomplishment!
SPECTATORS RACE DAY (SUNDAY)
Bring signs, noisemakers, and positive energy to cheer on the runners. Follow all traffic laws. Do NOT stop in the middle of the road and impede traffic.
The Finish Area is located in a park setting near Miller’s Landing, next to the Missouri River. Spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the park while they support the runners.
AWARDS AND RESULTS (SUNDAY)
Finisher medals will be provided in the Finish Area. The Overall winners for each race will be announced according to the approximate schedule below. The Age Group awards will not be announced but will be available for pick-up at the awards table during the time periods listed below.
- 10K
- Announce Overall Winners – 9:00 a.m.
- Age Group Awards available for pickup – 9:00-9:30 a.m.
- Half Marathon
- Announce Overall Winners - 10:30 a.m.
- Age Group Awards available for pickup – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
- Marathon, Marathon Relay
- Announce Overall Winners – 12:00 p.m.
- Age Group Awards available for pickup – 12:00-12:30 p.m.
MEDICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
Runners’ Responsibilities
In registration and pre-race communications all runners are advised to prepare for the physical demands of their race with proper training.
Finish Line Medical Tent
The finish line medical tent is staffed and supplied to treat common marathon-related injuries and illnesses, and to begin stabilization procedures for severe problems. Any runner who requests assistance will be evaluated in the medical tent and treated based on our protocols for runner medical care. The medical team may authorize transportation to a nearby hospital in case of serious injury or illness.
No media, family or friends of ill or injured runners are allowed in the medical tent or area because of privacy, confidentiality, biohazard and crowding issues.
Impaired Runner Policy
Medical personnel are authorized to remove from the race course any runner deemed medically impaired without an automatic disqualification. To be allowed to continue the race, a runner must:
- Be able to proceed in a straight path toward the finish line.
- Be able to explain who they are, where they are on the course, and what they are doing.
- Look clinically fit to proceed with good skin color and body appearance.
- Be able to maintain a reasonable running posture.
WEATHER POLICY
Revised 9-15-2024
Safety is our number one priority. Although we recognize the hard work and commitment that goes into preparing for a race, safety will always come first. If weather conditions present a threat, the Omaha Running Club reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event, delay the start time, or alter the course or course(s). Unfortunately, registration fees cannot be refunded if unsafe weather cancels the race.
In the event of a cancellation, the race will not be rescheduled.
- Extreme heat or cold can cause the race to be postponed or the course(s) may be shortened. On hot days extra water stations with Gatorade and water will be available to runners on the race course(s).
- Visible lightning will cause the start of the race to be delayed until lightning stops.
- When thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.
- The start of the race will be suspended for thirty minutes. Participants are to take shelter immediately.
- Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute delay will reset the clock.
- The Omaha Running Club will review proposed delays with Police providing traffic control. Normal public operations need to resume, therefore any delayed start will not be greater than 120 minutes. Race delays may require the race distance to be shorted. Any delay will be posted to the event website.
- In the absence of unsafe weather conditions, the Omaha Running Club will host events rain or shine.
- If a lightning or severe storm enters the area during the race, volunteer stations will be alerted via text to the bike support and aid station captains.Look for sturdy buildings along the race course that you can find shelter in if a severe storm enters the area during the race. Sport field restrooms, retail stores, and entertainment venues are examples of potential shelters. Volunteers and participants are responsible to get themselves to safety.
- In the event of lightning, all participants, volunteers and spectators should move to a building or their automobile until the all clear has been announced.
- In the event of a severe storm or tornado warning, all participants, volunteers and spectators should move to a solid building in the immediate vicinity when they hear emergency sirens or a public address announcement.
- If you are in a location not near a solid building, use your best judgment for the area you are in. A car is a next best option.
- If those are unavailable, avoid poorly anchored structures such as tents or canopies, as the wind can sweep those away easily.
- As a last resort and if no structure is available, go to a low‐ lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding. Have as little contact with the ground as possible. Squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible. Do not lie flat on the ground – this will make you a larger target.
- Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, and power lines. Lightning strikes the tallest objects in an area. Stay away from natural lightning rods, such as bleachers, metal barricades and other metal sports equipment, temporary metal structures or other larger metal items.
- If the event is cancelled due to a weather event or other reason while participants are on the course aid station volunteers or race officials will instruct runners to stop running and seek shelter.
- Aid station volunteers will be notified through in person communication or via phone call or text that the race has been cancelled. If the event is cancelled/delayed or postponed, volunteers are to leave all aid station tables, water containers, Gatorade containers and all other aid station supplies and get to safety.
- For tornado safety and preparedness info – http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
PHOTO TAGGING AND RESULTS
2024 Photos: Photos will be posted throughout the day. Participants can quickly search by bib number to find photos.
MOBILE APP
Download our race day app to access event logistics, relay information, live tracking and more. Visit the Google Play or Apple store and search for the official Precision Race Results app. Once downloaded, search for the Heartland Marathon event.