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!
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
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.
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.
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.
The Official Registration Partner of the RAK Half Marathon 2012 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 30 September 2011, you'll benefit from the Early Bird Registration Promotion and pay less!
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'
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.comNo, sorry all entries are non-transferable, non-refundable and non-deferrable. As an international standard event this criteria is common. The moment you register/purchase something online we start to incur administration costs and banking charges, simply in processing your purchase and payment. Further charges would also be incurred in administering cancellations and processing refund payments if they were to be made. We do recycle all unused materials on your behalf.
If you have received your race pack and have decided not to participate please do NOT give your race bib or timing chip to anyone else. These are uniquely registered to your name, category, gender etc. Running under someone’s identification is both contrary to the rules and a medical safety hazard. Timing Chips can be recycled by mailing to 'Chips Coordinator, PO Box 34878, RAK, UAE'
Race Packets
How do I receive my Race Packet?
Race Packets for UAE residents and UAE addresses will be couriered to the address you have provided, either in your Premier Marathons Profile or on your physical registration form.
No, sorry but due to the high cost of courier services and quite possibly time constraints, no race packs will be couriered internationally for the 2011 race.
International Runners can insert the UAE address of a friend/colleague who is willing to receive the Race Pack on their behalf OR can opt to 'Orphan' their Race Pack (Please write 'Orphan' in Line 1 of your Address). Orphaned Race Packs will be available for collection from the Race Office from 15-17 February or from the Baggage Desk on Race Day from 5am. The Race Office will be situated at the Al Hamra Golf Village Hotel. Location map here: http://www.alhamravillage.com/UserData/locationMap.pdf
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.
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 as an 'Orphan Race Pack'. Orphan Race Packs will only be available for collection in person in RAK between 15-17 February from the Race Office at the Al Hamra Golf Village Hotel, Ras Al Khaimah. UAE Resident Race Packs not collected by 9pm on 17 February will be canceled from the race and will not be issued, Overseas Participants may collect on race Day from the Baggage Desk from 5am. 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.
Orphaned Race Packs will not be delivered and must be collected from the Race Office, Al Hamra Golf Village Hotel, Al Hamra Village, RAK between 15-16 February from 9am-7pm or 17 February from 9am-9pm only.
Overseas Participants (and ONLY Overseas Participants) Race Packs will also be made available at the Baggage Desk on Race Day from 5am.
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.
All Race packets should have been delivered by 30 January 2012. 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.
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 (if you registered before 21 Dec) 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.
Race Day Race Packet Collection is only for Overseas Participants or those packs designated 'orphans'. Such packs will be available only from the Baggage Desk (from 5am) and will not be issued after 7am. No requests will be entertained for Race Day collections - this is a service only provided to Overseas Participants.
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!
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.
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.
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
For up to date information on this query, please email the Volunteers Coordinator.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 2011.
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 01/01/2010 of 1hr:30min or less (men and women)
Preferred Start Position: Recorded time over a certified course not before 01/01/2010 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 2011. 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!!
Runners who completed the RAK Half in less than 1hr:30min during the 2011 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.
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.
Race Transport
Where do I take the Official Race Bus from?
There will be an Official Race Bus departing from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the morning of the race.
The Abu Dhabi bus will depart from underneath the large IKEA sign in the car park of Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi at 3am sharp. The Dubai bus will depart from outside the main gate of the Irish Village at 4.30am sharp. Buses will NOT wait after the scheduled departure times. The Race Buses have reserved parking inside the Manar Mall car park and will stop next to a large 4m high flag indicating 'Race Bus' and either 'DXB' or 'AUH'. Return buses will depart RAK at 11.45am (earlier if completely full, no later than 12pm).
Race buses will have the RAK Half Marathon 'running man' in the front window. Buses are supplied by Impala Rent a Car, Official Transport Partner.
Where can I buy a ticket for the Official Race Bus from?
Tickets for the Official Race Bus are available only online through the event registration store and only in advance.
Can I buy a ticket on the bus?
We encourage you to buy your ticket in advance to guarantee a seat but if you turn up and at departure time there are vacant seats, you may purchase a ticket from the bus driver. All tickets are the same and are priced at 100dhs (single or return). You are NOT guaranteed a seat if you do not purchase online in advance. Vacant seats are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
Can I leave my things on the Race Bus?
No. All items must be removed when the bus arrives. You may use the Baggage Desk for personal possessions. Buses will be vacated and locked until departure time, all items will be removed before the bus is locked and considered 'lost property'.
Is there more than one bus? Can I leave later?
There will be only one bus from each point of departure, the bus will not stop en route and is on a fixed schedule.
Tracker X5 Rental
Where do I collect why X5 Tracker from?
If you have rented a GPS Tracker along with your registration, please head to the Baggage Desk on the morning of the race to collect it. Please note that you will be asked for a photo ID (original) as a deposit. Please make sure you collect your Tracker in enough time before the race! After the race, your ID will be returned to you from the same Baggage Desk upon returning your GPS Tracker X5.
Where can my friends and family watch the race?
People from around the world can follow your progress online both live and as playback, post-race. A link will be posted on the RAK Half Marathon website. Please note that the link will only become active once the race starts!
