2012 Date Coming Soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I register and how much does it cost? You can register online here. Cost varies depending on the time you register but is between $45 and $70.
Where does the money that's raised go? Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass is the charity. This race is locally owned and operated by John's Run/Walk Shop.
Where is Midway? Midway is located "midway" between Lexington and Frankfort and is just off I-64. It is approximately 15 miles from Lexington, 65 miles from Louisville, and 90 miles from Cincinnati. A great site with information on Midway can be found here.
Where can I pick up my packet? You can pick up your packet at the following locations:
Thu - Oct 20 - John's Run/Walk Shop in Lexington from 12p-7p
Fri - Oct 21 - 815prime in Midway from 4p-7p
Sat - Oct 22 - 815prime in Midway from 12p-6p
Sun - Oct 23 - Day of packet pick-up will be on a case by case basis. Email info@ironhorsehalfmarathon.com if you need to use this service. Please try to take advantage of our packet pick-up on Thu, Fri and Sat.
Can I pick up my friend's packet? Yes. You will need to bring a photocopy of your friend's photo ID.
Will you mail me my race packet? We cannot mail race packets.
How will the race be timed? The race will be chip timed by GHG Timing.
Can I register the morning of the race? There will be no race day registration.
What do I get for my entry fee? You will receive a goody bag with various items donated by our sponsors including a long sleeve technical shirt (in your choice of men's or women's sizing) with the IHHM logo and a 11"x17" poster of the IHHM art work. Finishers will receive a diecast medal of the IHHM artwork. Overall and age group awards will be custom pottery hand made by Kentucky Mudworks.
How many people will be participating? Due to the narrow country roads and the size of the town of Midway the race will be capped at 1,200 runners.
I'm coming from out of town. Where can I stay? You can view a list of accommodations in Woodford County here. Midway is about a 20 minute drive from Lexington which is the second largest city in Kentucky. Two things to consider when making accomodations are the Keeneland horse racing meet will be running and the University of Kentucky will be playing a home football game on this weekend. If you're coming from out of town and need to book a place to stay please do it sooner rather than later. Some alternate towns with hotels that are near Midway are Georgetown (12 miles), Frankfort (13 miles), Shelbyville (33 miles), Winchester (33 miles), Harrodsburg (35 miles), Richmond (41 miles), and the Louisville metro area (50 miles).
Are walkers welcome? Walkers are welcome but because the race is run on narrow public roads with no shoulder we're instituting a minimum 14 minute per mile pace. This means you must be able to complete the race in 3:04 or less. If on the way back into Midway around the 6 mile mark you are not keeping a 14 minute per mile pace you will be instructed to proceed straight to a finish area where you will still receive a finisher's award. If you are not keeping a 14 minute per mile pace and you choose to proceed beyond the 6 mile point of the course you should not expect any support (traffic control, water, sports drink, etc.). A 14 min/mile pace is a very fast pace to walk for 13.1 miles so please be prepared! For your own safety please realize the problems here and don't endanger yourself at this point in the race.
Where can my family and friends watch? The best viewing option is to park in Midway and watch the start, then catch the runners as they come back through Midway, then watch the runners finish in downtown Midway on Main St. Music and food will be available at the finish after the race.
Where can I park? On street parking will be available throughout the town of Midway on a first come first served basis. Alternate parking areas along with the start and finish areas are noted on the map below. Runners and spectators, please be considerate of the churches in town when choosing where to park.
Something has come up so that I cannot run the race. Can I get my entry fee back or transfer my entry to someone else or carry it over to next year's race? Refunds or carry overs to another year will not be accepted, but you can transfer your entry to another person for this year's race so long as it's done by August 15th. We will not handle any money transfers, that will be the responsibilty of the parties doing the transfer. We will simply change the runner info after the transfer has taken place. You will need to furnish proof of entry in the form of your email confirmation in order to complete the transfer. After August 15th we will not accept any transfers of entries for any reason.
What is the race route? The race will start in downtown Midway, head east on Weisenberger Mill Rd., turn around at Paynes Depot Rd., and then head back into Midway. The race will then head west on Spring Station Rd., will turn around just beyond the first railroad crossing, and then head back into Midway where it will turn onto Turner St. and then finish on Main St. by the stone monument. Photographs taken along the course can be seen here and an approximate map of the course can be seen here.
Is the course difficult? The course is typical rolling Bluegrass horse farm country so it is not flat. It is challenging with the hills mostly occuring closer to the turnarounds on the east and west ends of the course.
What kind of weather can I expect? The average high for mid to late October in Midway is 62 degrees and the average low is 42 degrees. October is the driest month of the year in central Kentucky.
What type of aid will be offered on the course? Water stations will be positioned approximately every 2 miles. Sports drink will be available on the second half of the course. We will also have port-a-johns and first aid along the course. Food, drink and music will be available at the finish.
Will the miles be marked? Yes, each mile will be marked by a sign.
Can I wear headphones during the race? Due to runner safety we strongly discourage the use of headphones during the race.
Can I push a stroller during the race? Strollers are not allowed.
Can I lead my pet while running? Pets are not allowed on the race course.