FAQs
Registration
How can I register?
Online - Registration online is exclusively through Premier Marathons. You can pay by credit card or check. For payment with a credit card, (MasterCard, Visa or JCB Credit Cards or Visa Electron Debit Cards only - sorry we cannot accept other debit cards or other brands of credit cards) all registration confirmations will be displayed onscreen and will be sent, along with your assigned bib number immediately by email to the email address of the registered person. If you register online and choose to pay by check, a confirmation email will be sent once we've received your check.
TIP: Don't forget you can register friends and family who are either too young to have their own profile or do not have access to a credit card or checkbook by adding them to your Profile Address Book!
My credit card won't work - what can I do?
There are a few possible reasons for this:
Some credit cards issued by non-UAE banks may not work due to security restrictions by the issuing bank. If in doubt please contact your card issuing bank. (Repeated attempts sometimes work - you could always come back to the site later and try again.)
Your card has expired or has insufficient funds.
You entered your card details incorrectly; please try again checking each digit carefully.
For any other query regarding card payments online, please email support@premiermarathons.com
I don't have a Premier Marathons User Profile - how can I register online?
To register online you will need to create yourself a Premier Marathons Profile. This is free and takes no more than five minutes.
Step 1 - log on to www.premiermarathons.com by clicking on the Register button on the right of this page
Step 2 - fill in your email ID and name in the box marked 'Create Member Profile' on the left of the page under the menu bar.
Step 3 - complete your personal information.
Step 4 - you will receive a Profile Activation email with an activation link that you must click to verify your email address is real and works. (if you do not receive this email immediately in your inbox, please check your junk/spam mail folder and ensure the email address support@premiermarathons.com has been added to your trusted email addresses. If you still can't locate the Profile Activation email please email support@premiermarathons.com)
TIP: Not received the email? Check your junk mail first, especially if you're using a Yahoo or btinternet email address.
I already have a Premier Marathons Profile - can I go right ahead and register?
Sure, but please first check the following carefully:
Your profile must include an accurate physical mailing address that our courier can deliver your race pack to - this is NOT a PO Box Number but a physical address (e.g. your office or home).
Your Classic (yellow) ChampionChip code (if you own a Classic ChampionChip) has been added/updated to your profile.
Can I register other people online at the same time using my Profile?
Yes, to register someone else with your profile, simply add them to your Address Book or use the Address Book feature on your Premier Marathons Profile (if they're already in there) - be sure you know their name, date of birth, contact details and nationality etc.
Can I register by mail/post?
No. There is no registration by mail although you can PAY your registration fees by mail. Please follow the instructions to register online and send payment by check.
Please send registration payments to: Premier Marathons, PO Box 34878, RAK, UAE. We accept cash or check although we recommend crossed checks (a/c payee) as being a safer alternative to cash. Every participant, whether individual or team members, MUST provide a valid email address to receive their confirmation and bib number within 10 days. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
How can I register in person?
The Official Registration Partner of the RAK Half Marathon 2010 is Saucony/Orlando Sports.
Full details can be found on our Registration page. Please note if registering in person you can only pay cash or with a check. Credit cards are only accepted through our online registrations.
How much is it to register and what else can I purchase online?
Does it cost more to register online?
No, the Race pays all online transaction fees for you. In fact if you register online up until midnight on 31 October 2010, you'll benefit from the Early Bird Registration Promotion and pay less!
How will my credit card be charged?
Your credit card will be processed online by Network International (Emirates NBD Group) and the fee will be charged in UAE Dirhams. Your credit card statement will show payment made to 'Premier Marathons'
I have a query with my payment/online registration - who can help?
For all queries regarding registration and/or payments
in person or by mail, please contact our Registration Coordinator.
For all queries regarding online payments, please email
support@premiermarathons.com
Race Packets
How do I receive my Race Packet?
Race Packets will be couriered to the address you have provided, either in your Premier Marathons Profile or on your physical registration form.
I cannot be at home to receive my Race Packet?
No problem, you can have your Race Packet delivered to a different address in the UAE just by editing your physical mailing address in your Premier Marathons Profile. After you receive your Race Packet you can change it back again.
TIP: Office addresses usually work best as the courier company will deliver during regular working hours only. In this case please edit your landline telephone number in your profile to your office landline number.
It simply won't work, I cannot receive my Race Pack by courier - what do I do?
Any Race Pack that cannot, for whatever reason, be delivered or is returned to us, or where an address is incomplete, inaccurate or missing will be designated 'Orphan Race Packs'. Orphan Race Packs will only be available for collection in person in RAK during the dates and times of and at the Race Expo. Race Packs not collected by the close of the Expo on 17 February will be canceled from the race and will not be issued. Identification will be required to collect your Race Pack in person, for those collecting by proxy, a photocopy of the registered runner's ID (or Team Captain's ID) will have to be submitted.
There will be NO RACE PACK COLLECTION ON RACE DAY.
My Race Pack is an Orphan, what can I do?
Orphan Race Packs (those undelivered for whatever reason) will only be available for collection in person in RAK during the dates and times of and at the Race Expo. Race Packs not collected by the close of the Expo on 17 February will be canceled from the race and will not be issued. Identification will be required to collect your Race Pack in person, for those collecting by proxy, a photocopy of the registered runner's ID (or Team Captain's ID) will have to be submitted.
What about Team Race Packs?
To ensure that Team Race Packets stay together the four team Race Packets will be couriered to the Team Captain's mailing address on his/her Premier Marathons User Profile.
When should I receive my Race Packet?
All Race packets should have been delivered by 30 January 2011. If you have not received your Race Packet by this date please email the Registration Coordinator with your full name, email ID you registered with and your assigned bib number (if known). If you registered in person, please include the serial number from your registration form receipt and the store location you registered in.
What's in my Race Packet?
Your RACE PACKET should consist of an envelope containing your running number, timing chip/tie strap and safety pins for attaching your number to your shirt along with the Official Race Program (including Race Day Instructions) and your race t-shirt which you can wear on race day if you wish! Race Packets are distributed with Goody Bags. Team race packs will include the running numbers of all 4 members as well as the ankle strap that should be worn by the team captain for the start of the race and passed on to the following runner at the relay change-over point.
Volunteering
Will I get paid for volunteering?
No, sorry but volunteering means working without payment - it's what you do to contribute and be a helpful citizen - plus, it's great fun!
Will I be trained / receive instruction for what I have to do?
Yes, quite a few positions will mean that you'll have to attend a short training session (normally about 2 hours), in Ras Al Khaimah, a day or two before Race Day. Others will need to arrive extra early on Race Day to be briefed by the Sector Leaders.
Can I work with my friends/family?
As long as the other people you want to work with are within the age limits for the position then yes, we'll make sure you're grouped in the same position.
Can our club/school/organization take an entire station, e.g. a water station?
Yes, we would love you to have 'ownership' of your volunteer tasks - it's also great fun working in your team and provides for great photos! For information on Hosting a Water Station please check here
I don't live in RAK, is transportation provided?
For up to date information on this query, please email the Volunteers Coordinator.
The hours are long, can I do less?
No, all our positions are very important and thousands of people will be relying on YOU to make the right commitment and be there on the day. We know the hours are long and you may get tired, but we'll always try to make the time go as quickly as possible by giving you a great experience - and it's only once a year!
Will you provide food/drink?
Yes, whenever you're volunteering with us for more than 5 hours, meals will be provided. Drinks will always be available. Breakfast will be available on Race Day.
Will I have to wear anything special?
Every volunteer will be given an official race t-shirt/bib that must be worn on race day - this helps people identify you as an official volunteer. We recommend that hats be worn to keep the sun off your head/neck. For those of you working overnight you'll need something warm as it gets quite cold at 4am - gloves are good too, not for the cold but to help keep your hands clean and protected! Generally, you should dress in a comfortable manner, we recommend trainers as footwear as there's quite a lot of walking/standing involved.
5.30am is too early, can I come later?
No, there is always a lot to do at 5.30am on Race Day and runners will start arriving around 6am for the 7.00am start. Plus, the police will start closing the access roads around 6.30am so anyone arriving late will not be able to get near the course. Please only apply if you can meet the required timings.
Will you change my job?
We try very hard to put you where you want to work, occasionally it may be necessary for us to reassign you at the last minute. We reserve the right to reassign any volunteer to any other position within the age requirements according to necessity.
Start Positions
What is a Competitive / Preferred Start Position?
A Competitive / Preferred Start Position (CSP/PSP) is a preferential position when lining up at the start of the race. A CSP entitles the runner to line up immediately behind the elite runners while a PSP entitles the runner to line up immediately behind the CSP runners. Note: Only available up to 30 November 2010.
Can I register for a Competitive / Preferred Start Position?
Runners need to qualify for a CPS or PSP to be awarded one of these preferential start positions. To be awarded one of these places you MUST submit proof of a previous recorded time as follows:
Competitive Start Position: Recorded time over a certified course not before 01/01/2009 of 1hr:30min or less (men and women)
Preferred Start Position: Recorded time over a certified course not before 01/01/2009 of 1hr:45min or less (men and women)
All proofs must be submitted by email to the Registration Coordinator before the close of registration, by mail to 'Registration Coordinator, PO Box 34878, RAK, UAE) to reach us no later than 30 November 2010. No request after this date can be guaranteed. In the case of over-subscription, the fastest times will receive their chosen start position. Those who do not provide proof or do not make it into their chosen start area will be grouped in the Mass Start. Register early and get your time proofs in early!!
I ran the RAK Half last year - don't you already have my time?
Runners who completed the RAK Half in less than 1hr:30min during the 2010 event will automatically be awarded a CSP. All other runners will have to request a CSP/PSP during registration as their time performances may well have improved since then.
How will I know if I have been awarded a CSP or PSP?
Your running bib will clearly indicate any preferential start position. This will be the only way of knowing as we do not inform people in any other manner.
The Race
What time does the race start and what time should I be there?
The race starts at exactly 7:00 am with the Team Relay race starting 15 minutes later. ALL runners should arrive no later than 6:20. Half Marathon runners will start lining up at the Start Line 15 minutes before the race and Team Relay runners need to be on their buses by 6:20 - all buses will depart at exactly 6:30.
Is there a cut-off time?
Yes, cut-off time for all runners is 11:00 am.
What if I can't finish the race?
If you feel tired or for whatever reason do not wish to complete the race, please move to the right hand side of the road and wait for the sweep bus which will be following the last runner. Once on board the bus, a crew member will note down your running number and your result will show as DNF (Did Not Finish).
The Team Relay Challenge
How many people can make a team?
A team consists of 4 (four) people, running 5K each except for the last runner who runs 6.0975km.
We are less/more than 4, can we make a team and run less/more sections each?
No. Teams should consist of exactly 4 runners. Each runner can only run one leg (section) of the course. Your bib will determine which part of the course you're supposed to run and if marshals see you running on a different part, you will be required to exit the course and that will lead to you and your team being disqualified. If you would like to run the full half marathon, please register as an individual and let someone else register in your place in the team.
I'm registered as a team member but would like to run the full distance, can I just keep running?
No, team members can only run their designated leg of the course. Your bib will determine which part of the course you're supposed to run and if marshals see you running on a different part, you will be required to exit the course and that will lead to you and your team being disqualified. If you would like to run the full half marathon, please register as an individual and let someone else register in your place in the team.
NOTE: the same runner CANNOT register as an individual and as part of the team, please choose which race you want to take part in.
Can we carry the timing chip in our hand?
No. The Team Relay timing chip is given to you on an ankle strap and should only be worn around your ankle and passed on to the next runner who will in turn wear it around their ankle at all times during the race. If you hold the chip in your hand, in your pocket, or anywhere other than your ankle, your time will not be recorded and the entire team will be disqualified.
One of our team members will not be able to make it on race day, what can we do?
If one of your team members will not be able to take part, please find a replacement and email the Registration Coordinator no later than February 11, with your team name and number, the details of the runners you wish to replace and the details of the new member.
I am the Team Captain but I would like to run the last leg of the race, can I do that?
By definition, the Team Captain is the member who will be running the first leg of the race. If you wish to run the last leg (or any other leg) of the race, please designate someone else to be the Team Captain. Team Members should run in the same order in which they are registered.