FAQs
Please read through our FAQs before shooting us an email. If you don't find your question/answer listed here, please email us at info@renoraces.com
WHAT TIME DOES THE RACE START?
The Rock Tahoe Half Marathon has two start times.
7:00 a.m. start for walkers/joggers with projected 3-4hr finish times.
8:00 a.m. start for runners projecting under 3hr finish.
*DO NOT POACH THE EARLY START IF YOU ARE A RUNNER PROJECTING TO FINISH UNDER 2:40!!*
WHEN AND WHERE IS PACKET PICKUP AND PRE-RACE EXPO?
The Rock Tahoe Half Marathon packet pickup and pre-race expo will be held at the amazing Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe on June 16th, 2023 from 2p.m-8p.m. There will be on option for packet pickup on race day for an additional fee.
MAIL MY BIB!
We will mail your bib and timing chip for an additional $25.00. Your participant shirt must be picked up at our pre-race expo or at the finish line festival. If you select this option your bib will be mailed to the ADDRESS you provided in the form above! This option is only available for purchase prior to May 15th, 2023. ***NO EXCEPTIONS***
WHO CAN PICK-UP MY PACKET FOR ME?
If you cannot pick up your race packet, you may have a friend or family member pick it up for you (they will need to present a photo or copy of your photo ID and a note from your mother...or you).
Once your registration is complete you’ll receive an email confirmation from us. We recommend that you to bring your confirmation e-mail with you to the Expo for packet pick-up (just in case).
Registration Confirmation can be found in your HERE.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M REGISTERED AND MY RACE WAIVER IS SIGNED?
ARE THERE RACE TIME LIMITS?
Runners should only participate if they are confident that they can finish the race in four hours (4:00:00) or less. Traffic control, race monitors, safety/health volunteers and race officials will vacate the course at 11:00a.m. Anyone continuing to run the course will be doing so at their own risk.
ARE THERE AID STATIONS ALONG THE COURSE?
Yes, aid stations are strategically positioned all along the course. The first aid station is at mile three and approximately every 1.5 miles thereafter. Fuel at stations will have Nuun hydration, water, gels, pretzels, fruit and an aid station surprise!! Click here to view our course map and aid station locations.
ARE HEADPHONES OR EARBUDS PERMITTED?
Yes...and no. For safety reasons, we allow ONE EAR BUD in the right ear while on the course. This may sound ridiculous but there is an open lane of traffic adjacent to the closed course so it is imperative that runners are able to maintain auditory awareness of their surroundings. Runners wearing both earbuds during the race will either be pulled from the race or disqualified. We want you to rock and we also want to make sure everybody is safe. Thanks in advance for complying with this rule.
DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ELITE RUNNERS?
Um…no. Everyone who enters the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon is treated like a celebrity. If you need extra special treatment we have connections at a Kobe Beef Farm. They’ll take good care of you.
ARE THERE COURSE MARSHALS OR MEDICAL SUPPORT ON THE COURSE?
Absolutely. Course marshals and medical staff will be patrolling the course to monitor the health and safety of our athletes. Thanks to Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness and Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for providing world-class medical support.
Yes! Our Official Run Partner, Reno Running Company, has put together a brand new 16-week training program perfect for beginner and intermediate runners to get you ready to Run. Rock. Recover. at Rock Tahoe! Click here to view and download the training program.
DO YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDED TRAINING PROGRAM?
ARE THERE PACERS FOR THIS YEAR'S HALF MARATHON?
Yes! The pacers from Beast Pacing will be back! They will be at the expo so you can meet the pacers and ask any questions you may have.
Yes! Click here to view our store. If you have any questions, please email store@epictahoe.com.
DO YOU HAVE A STORE WHERE I CAN BUY YOUR SUPER-RAD MERCHANDISE?
Yes, you can shop HERE.
DO YOU HAVE A STORE WHERE I CAN BUY YOUR SUPER-RAD MERCHANDISE?
All of our racers can participate in our referral program that turns all of your hard work into actual cash back! Once you register for Rock Tahoe, you'll receive a unique referral link that you can send to your friends. As long as they sign up using your unique link, you'll get credit for it and receive $5 back for each person that signs up!
You must use your unique link which can be found in your Race Roster dashboard. You'll be paid out every other week once your balance amounts to $15 -- that's only 3 people! You'll still be paid out even if you only refer one person, it will just be after the race.
DO YOU HAVE AN AMBASSADOR PROGRAM?
Yes! We couldn't put on these awesome events without the help of some fantastic volunteers! We have partnered with Athletes United to coordinate our volunteers. Athletes United is a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster the participation and enjoyment of endurance sports so that kids are engaged in a healthy, active lifestyle. It is our hope that this leads to a future of health, fitness, positive choices and many, many successes.
If you are interested in volunteering, a list of times/positions will be available soon! We look forward to having you part of the crew! If you have any questions regarding volunteering, please email info@athletesunited.org.
DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS?
DO YOU HAVE ANY LODGING PACKAGES AVAILABLE FOR RACE PARTICIPANTS?
Full room block package details can be found on our TRAVEL page, and are valid on 2-night stay packages.
LODGING PACKAGES:
WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REGISTRATION SITE?
If you encounter an issue with our registration site, Race Roster, such as the website crashes, page won't load, you receive an error with your coupon, etc., please try refreshing your browser and trying again before contacting us. Usually people have an extra space in the promo code, or an issue with their internet connectivity that is resolved by trying again.
You can check their FAQs page HERE or contact the registration help desk directly at support@raceroster.com or call 855-969-5515.
IF I FIND A SPECIAL PROMO CODE AFTER I'VE ALREADY SIGNED UP, CAN I GET A REFUND?
It's up to all of our participants to enter the promo code during the checkout process, so please double check our Facebook page and sign up for our email list to make sure you have the latest and greatest promo codes. If you enter the code incorrectly or find one after the fact, unfortunately as a general policy we will not issue a refund.
HOW DO I CHANGE MY START TIME?
Send us an email and we will adjust your start time. Just remember, 7AM is for walker/joggers only and we do have penalty boxes if you are running too fast! Pick your start time wisely.
I NEED TO UPDATE MY CONTACT INFO OR CHANGE MY T-SHIRT SIZE, HOW DO I UPDATE MY ACCOUNT?
You can easily update your profile so that we have up-to-date information including your address, emergency contact information, t-shirt size, and even bib personalization! Changes can be made up until April 26, 2022. To update, first sign in to your account by CLICKING HERE, and step-by-step instructions are available HERE .
REGISTRATION:
TEAMS:
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO I NEED FOR A TEAM?
Two or more people make a team.
DOES MY TEAM HAVE TO START AND FINISH TOGETHER?
Nope. The teams are really more of a symbolic gesture of solidarity…which usually translates into ridiculous outfits, double entendre team names and other absurdly creative things.
HOW DO I CREATE A TEAM? DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYBODY?
Whoever signs up first does so under the “Rock Tahoe Marathon Teams” and you will be asked to create a team name. You will become the team captain and then you just let your cronies know they need to sign up under the team registration (just as you did) and pick your team off the list. Start typing in the team name and the list will auto-populate. If you make a mistake, shoot us an email and we'll get you on the right team. Everybody on the team registers and pays independently. However, I’m sure they would appreciate it if you picked up the tab.
ARE THERE TEAM DISCOUNTS?
If you have more than 10 people coming to Rock Tahoe we should talk. If you have more than 25 people our Corporate Engagement Programs are probably a better fit. Either way, we should talk. Send us an email with your details and we'll help sort you out!
POST RACE PARTY:
WHERE IS THE POST RACE PARTY?
The 2022 Post race party will be a POOL PARTY held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe!
10:00 am to 1:00pm, all ages welcome!
Entry is FREE for racers and their guests*!
Food and drink will be available for purchase on-site.
*Pool is subject to capacity limits, first come first serve.
RACE DAY QUESTIONS:
HOW DO I GET TO THE START?
Shuttle service for all participants will be provided from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to the Start. Shuttle pick-up will be at the Guitar Plaza in front of Alpine Union.
You may also be dropped off at the start. We recommend arriving 30mins prior to your start time to allow time to check your drop bag, grab some water, fruit, or coffee, hit the restroom, and warm up. Parking is not available so your ride will need to continue on to the finish line to meet you there instead of watching the start.
WHAT TIME DOES MY SHUTTLE LEAVE?
Walker (7am) Start Shuttles will begin loading at 5:30am. The last Walker Start Shuttle will leave at 5:45am sharp.
Runner (8am) Start Shuttles will begin loading around 6:00am. The first shuttles will leave at 6:15am and the last Runner Start Shuttle will leave promptly at 7:00am.
*7am start folks do NOT need to sign up for a time -- you will automatically be on the 5:45am bus.
*8am start -- sign up at the expo for your shuttle time.
CAN SPECTATORS RIDE THE SHUTTLES?
Nope.
ARE SPECTATORS ALLOWED AT THE START?
Sorta. The nearby parking lots have limited space available and fill quickly. There is one lane of the southbound highway that is open so spectators will be able to drive back to South Lake Tahoe. Spectators are not be allowed to stop on the race course. The best place for them to cheer you on is at the finish line!
IS THERE A CUTOFF TIME FOR THE RACE?
We have a cutoff time of 4 hours. At 11:00 a.m., Highway 50 will be reopened to traffic and, if you are still on the course, you will be removed. It is generally a bad idea to play chicken with cars.
CAN I START EARLY EVEN THOUGH I'M FASTER THAN 3 HOURS?
No. Don't even think about it. Sleep in. Relax. Enjoy the late start. Nobody will be allowed past Aid Station #1 at Mile 3 before 7:30 a.m. There is also a 2nd penalty box at Aid Station #7 which you will get caught in and have to wait until the lead men and women from the 8am start pass.
WHAT IF I DO THE EARLY START AND FINISH A LITTLE UNDER 3 HOURS?
High fives from the entire race crew. Nice work. Just remember, if you hit Aid Station #1 before 7:30am you will be held in the penalty box. Seriously.
DO YOU REALLY HAVE A PENTALTY BOX?
Yes! It's important to us that the top men and women runners get the glory of crossing the finish line first. If you are signed up for the 7am start and need to change your time to the 8am (or visa versa) please make a transfer via your online athlete dashboard or in person at the pre-race expo.
I HEARD WE RUN THROUGH A CAVE. SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT BATS?
No. Just vampires.
IS THERE A BAG CHECK?
Yes. We are hooking you up with a souvenir bag that you can use to check your gear at the start line. Bags will be transported to the finish where you can retrieve them after the race. Please do not bag check valuables or breakables such as your car keys, cell phone, jewelry or small children -- we are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
WILL I RECEIVE A FINISHER MEDAL AND RACE T-SHIRT?
Yes! Participates will receive a fancy shmancy finisher race medal along with a sweet race shirt you'll want to rock everywhere.
ARE THERE SHOWERS OR CHANGING ROOMS AVAILABLE?
Kind of. You should be staying at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in which case you can head to your room and shower before heading over to the Pool Party!
WHERE WILL PICTURES BE TAKEN?
We will be snap happy all day long. Your pictures are taken on the course, at the finish line and at the Post-Race Party. You can view your photos online here. A link to the photos will also be emailed to you and we will, of course, post some of them on our website and on our social media outlets (i.e., make sure you’re smiling for the world to see!).
HOW CAN MY FAMILY FIND ME AFTER THE RACE?
We recommend carrier pigeon over a smoke signal.
SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THE ALTITUDE?
Don't worry, just train. It’s downhill and absolutely beautiful. Stay hydrated, and pace yourself.
WHEN DO I GET MY RACE RESULTS?
Typically we post results after the finish. Since we use Chronotrack you’ll have your results in a ridiculously fast timeframe after the event. Disposable chip timing will be used. Results will be posted as soon as they become available and will be updated continually during the event. QR codes on your bibs also link you to the race results.
WHEN ARE THE AWARDS AND WHO GETS THEM?
Awards distribution begins at 10:30am near the finish line. This should be plenty of time to get our act together. If not, your patience will be greatly appreciated. Awards will be awarded to the top overall male and overall female runners, along with the 1st-3rd in each age group for both males and females.
WHAT IF I FORGET TO PICK UP MY AWARD?
Really? Are you that busy that you can’t hang out for awards? You’re in Tahoe for goodness sake! Hang out and chillax for a while. Awards need to be picked up on race day, at the Awards Presentation. If you do not pick up your award it will be melted down and repurposed as a ninja star to throw at you next time we see you.
CAN I EXCHANGE MY SHIRT FOR A DIFFERENT SIZE?
Race shirts cannot be exchanged until after the race. If your body size changed from the time you signed up either good for you or shame on you!! We will have a shirt exchange station at the Rock Tahoe merchandise booth near the finish line from 9am to 12pm. This should go without saying but shirts cannot be worn if you need to exchange it.
ARE DOGS ALLOWED?
Sorry, pets are not allowed on the course.
WHAT IF MY GARMIN/iPOD/SMART DEVICE DIFFERS FROM THE OFFICIAL RACE DISTANCE OR SHOWS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TIME THAN THE OFFICIAL RACE TIME?
Don’t worry, we won’t charge you for extra mileage. How accurate your GPS device can be is affected by trees, cloud cover, mountains, UFO's, minor software derivations, auto pause and/or signal dropout. Thus chip timing is the official keeper of records.
ARE STROLLERS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE?
Yes. We dig groms and we love that you want to run with them. You will need to start at the back of the pack and you absolutely need a tether line to the stroller. The first three miles are downhill and we can’t have any runaway babies.
WHERE DO VOLUNTEERS REPORT?
Volunteers should check in at the location designated by the Volunteer Coordinator or their Team Captain. If you are lost, stay where you are and email info@athletesunited.org.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND/DEFERMENT POLICY?
All race entries are non-refundable and may not be deferred to another year.
However...
You may transfer your bib to another racer for free. Transfers can be requested under your Athlete Dashboard, or follow the instructions here.
*All transfers must be completed by May 15, 2022.
WHAT ABOUT RACE INSURANCE?
Race Insurance is available and it can be purchased for a nominal amount at the time of registration only. For full terms and conditions click here.
If you need to submit an insurance claim, start online HERE.
For coverage details regarding the coronavirus, see FanShield's FAQs here.
This insurance program is being provided by our registration service provider and is administered by a third party, FanShield. This program is responsible for handling all customer inquiries and claim requests as well as processing any approved refunds and sending these to the customer. Athletes requesting a refund should submit a claim online HERE.
For any questions related to the insurance policy or coverage, please contact FanShield's customer service online via chat or email.