Aid Station FAQ
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Please join us in a HUGE round of applause to ALL the local companies and community groups who volunteered their time and energy to host aid stations in 2011:
Leader-Post/Global Regina
Sikh Society Regina
104.9 The Wolf
Big Rock Brewery
Conexus Credit Union
North Central Family Centre / Ben Hernando group
Saskatchewan Credit Unions / SaskCentral
Solvera Solutions
United Way GenNext
First Baptist Church Regina
Hemophilia Saskatchewan
Hill Avenue Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Running Room/Walking Room
If your group or company is interested in hosting an aid station, please email us ASAP at runqcm@hotmail.com.
- You will need a minimum of 25 volunteers if your station is located on first half of the course
- You will need a minimum of 15 volunteers if your station is located on the second half of the course.
Where are the aid stations located? What do they provide?
Are there any gels available on the course?
Once I've consumed my gel, can I just toss the wrapper anywhere I want?
If I carry my own water bottle during the race, can I get it refilled at the aid stations?
Are there any “unofficial” refreshment stations on the course?
Where are the aid stations located? What do they provide?
There will be 14 separate aid station locations on the course. Aid stations are spaced approximately every 2 km to 3.5 km apart, and their locations are partially dictated by how best they can be integrated into the surrounding neighbourhoods.
A few of those locations on the second half of the course are “out and back stations”, meaning you will run by them once going one way (out) and once going the other way (back).
A full marathoner will pass by an aid station 17 times. A half marathoner will pass by an aid station (let’s see…carry the one…divide by the square root…when in doubt “X” equal eight…) a half marathoner will run by an aid station 7 times. The Mini Marathon course has one aid station location.
Aid stations are located at the following points on the course (all distances approximate):
- 1.8 km
- 4.3 km
- 7.3 km
- 10.8 km
- 13.4 km
- 15.5 km (Gels)
- 18.5 km
- 22 km (out - Gels)
- 23.5 km (out)
- 25.6 km (out)
- 27.4 km
- 31 km
- 33.2 km (back)
- 35.5 km (back)
- 37 km (back - Gels)
- 38.8 km
- 39.8 km
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The aid stations serve Nimbus filtered water and Gatorade.
Three aid stations - at approximately the 15.5km, 22km and 37km marks - will also offer gels.
A couple of aid stations will also have petroleum jelly (a.k.a. Vaseline), as well as gels.
One of those things you eat and one of those you don't. We assume you'll figure it out.
Are there any gels available on the course?
Yes, three aid stations - at approximately the 15.5km, 22km and 37km marks - will have gels.
Once I've consumed my gel, can I just toss the wrapper anywhere I want?
No, please don't litter. We ask that you treat the course and surrounding area as if it was your own yard. Please carry any gel wrappers - or any other packaging - with you until you can dispose of them in a garbage can.
Why do some aid stations offer Vaseline on sticks? Are you guys just kinky or am I supposed to eat that stuff?
Yes, hearing an aid station volunteer shouting “Vaseline!” can come as a shock to a first-time participant. Tongue depressors dipped in petroleum jelly are handed out at the several aid stations along the course. Runners put this Vaseline on their chest, their inner thighs and where their arms rub their sides. It’s done to prevent chafing. And because it just feels good. Hey, runners do strange things in public, what can we say?
I normally wear a "camelback" water container when I run. Will I be allowed to wear this during the race?
There is no problem with you wearing a "camelback" when you run. As long as you're not towing a wheeled water trailer behind you, you’re fine. Oh and please leave the actual camel at home.
If I carry my own water bottle during the race, can I get it refilled at the aid stations?
Of course you can. Just stop at any aid station and politely ask the aid station volunteers to refill your water bottles with Nimbus water or Gatorade. The volunteers who are actually handing out cups of water and Gatorade will likely be very busy, so it’s best to ask the volunteers doing the pouring right at the aid station tables. Please be patient, since their priority will naturally be on getting water and Gatorade out to the hundred and hundreds of participants who are gulping it by the cupful.
Remember...“Please” and “thank you” go a long way.
I prefer to re-hydrate with my own special blend of replacement fluids. Can you pre-place my own special fluid bottles at each of the aid stations before the race and then just have the volunteers hand me my own special bottles when I pass by?
I am afraid not, even if your special blend includes eleven different herbs and spices. If you wish to re-hydrate using your own unique fluid replacement, you are certainly most welcome to do so. However, it is your responsibility to arrange for your own support personnel to bring your special fluids to the aid station locations and wait for you to arrive at those aid station locations. It is not the responsibility of the event volunteers.
Are there any “unofficial” refreshment stations on the course?
There is always the possibility that enthusiastic residents might set up their own “front yard aid stations”, offering food and fluids to participants. We want you to enjoy this kind support from the local neighbourhoods and we encourage you to thank the folks for being so enthusiastic about the event. However, we do ask you to please exercise your common sense when taking food and drink from strangers along the course.
The Credit Union Queen City Marathon does not assume any responsibility for any consequences stemming from consuming food or liquids on the course. So, if you DO decide to take a big swig of whatever the crazy old guy in the bathrobe and bunny slippers is serving from his front porch, you do so at your own risk.
Then do me a big favour and tell my Dad to please go back in the house and put some clothes on…he’s embarrassing Mom.
