Five Points of Life Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay
USATF Certification
Full Marathon – FL-10003EBM
Half Marathon – FL-06012DL
Start & Finish Lines
Start/finish areas are located across the street from the UF&Shands Orthopeadics and Sports Medicine Institute in the parking lot of the Phillips Center for Performing Arts on the University of Florida’s campus at Hull Road and SW 34th Street.
Packet Pickup
Packets will contain your race number, sponsor goodies and your technical short sleeved t-shirt. Marathon, Half Marathon, Team and Marathon Relay teams may pick up their packets at the Fitness EXPO on Saturday, February 18, 2012. The EXPO will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Marathon, Half Marathon, Team and Marathon Relay teams may also pick up their packets on race day beginning at 6 a.m. at the finish area. Onsite registration will not be accepted on race day.
Gear Bag Drop Off
All participants will be able to check a gear bag at the finish area. Just look for the information tent and drop them off before 6:45 a.m.
Important Medical Information for Participants
Timing
This year’s timing will be handled by DRC Sports out of Inverness, Florida. We’re excited to have DRC Sports as our Race Weekend timing company.
Course Time Limit
The half marathon course will close 3 1/2 hours after the start time at 10:30 a.m. The marathon course will close 6 hours after the start time at 1 p.m. Participants will be allowed to continue after these times on the sidewalks at their own risk.
Marathon Relay Information
The Five Points of Life Marathon Relay is back for its 3rd year. Relay teams will consist of 5 people and do not have to be co-ed. Four of the team members will run 5 mile segments and the last team member will finish the course with a 6.2 mile segment. A captain must be chosen before the team registers.
Relay Registration
The captain will log onto Active.com, pay the registration fee and set up a team account. After this is done the captain will distribute the team name and password to the other four members. The other four members will then register for free under the name. Each relay team member must register. Register for the Marathon Relay here. Registration closes on February 1, 2011
Relay Transitions
Fabulous Coach Lines will be providing transportation to and from the transition areas for team members. Each team member must take provided transportation. The second runner will be shuttled to the transition area at Mile 5 at approximately 6:30 a.m. The third, forth and fifth runners will be transported in shifts after the start of the race. Water, chairs and cover will be at each transition area.
Please meet at the information tent at the finish area on race day at 6:25 a.m.
Gear Bags – Marathon Relay
Every team member will have a gear bag that they will be able to leave in the transportation vehicles or at the transition area.
For more information email Brite Whitaker at bbwhitaker@lifesouth.org.
Team Competition-Half Marathon
Teams are welcomed again this year for the half marathon. Teams must consist of 4 people and must be co-ed (at least one male and one female). A team captain must be chosen and indicated on the team registration. All four members must be registered to run the half marathon. Download a team registration form here.
Awards & Age Groups
All finishers of the marathon, marathon relay and half marathon receive the official Five Points of Life finishers medal at the finish line. Top awards are distributed at the post race party at the marathon finish area for the half marathon at 10:30 a.m. and for the marathon and marathon relay at noon. Wheelchair awards will be given to the 1st and 2nd place finishers for each gender. Age group and masters awards will be dispersed to the top three finishers of each gender in each of the following age groups (marathon’s youngest age group will be 19 and under):
- 15 and under
- 16-19
- 20-24
- 25-29
- 30-34
- 35-39
- 40-44
- 45-49
- 50-54
- 55-59
- 60-64
- 65-69
- 70+
- Wheelchair
The Five Points of Life is awarding a prize purse totaling $5,000 to the top finishers of the marathon and half marathon for each gender. The winnings are as follows:
| Marathon | Half Marathon | |
| 1st Place | $900.00 | $250.00 |
| 2nd Place | $450.00 | $150.00 |
| 3rd Place | $300.00 | $100.00 |
| 4th Place | $200.00 | |
| 5th Place | $150.00 |
In accordance with USATF rules, overall and cash awards will be determined by gun time while age group awards will be determined by chip time.
Post Race Party
Post race party begins at 9 a.m. at the start/finish area.
Come join us to celebrate the finish of the seventh annual Five Points of Life Race Weekend. Enjoy pizza, refreshments and entertainment, including a live performance. All participants are invited to attend!
Host Hotel
The Five Points of Life Race Weekend does not have an official host hotel. We work in conjunction with the Gainesville Sports Commission to use their preferred hotels. Click here to see a list of the preferred hotels.
Course Records
- Marathon Male: Matt Loiselle, Toronto, ON – 2:25:34 in 2010
- Marathon Female: Lyudmyla Pushkina, Gainesville, FL – 2:50:12 in 2006
- Half Marathon Male: Mark Carroll, Ireland – 1:06:34 in 2006
- Half Marathon Female: Ramilia Burangulova, Gainesville, FL – 1:16:43 in 2007
Course Support
Water and Gatorade is available at six hydration stations on the first half and eight on the second half. The first half hydration stations will be placed approximately 1.5 to 2 miles apart. The second half stations will be 1 to 1.5 miles apart. Energy gels will also be placed at four designated hydration stations along the course. The will be at miles 5, 15 and 20.
Medical tents are strategically placed seven times along the course to ensure your safety and comfort. A main medical tent will be stationed at the start/finish area in the parking garage. Medical tents will not have water and Gatorade.
Smile for the Camera
MarathonFoto will once again be doing the photography for the Race Weekend. To view your photos after the race click here.
Volunteers
Volunteers are always needed for the Race Weekend. Click here to visit the volunteer page to sign up to be a Medical Volunteer or General Volunteer.
Course Highlights
This Boston Marathon qualifier and USATF certified course starts in front of the University of Florida Center for Performing Arts and weaves through Gainesville’s most popular running areas. The route takes you past the iconic 34th Street Wall where thousands of UF students and Gainesville residents have commemorated important events in their lives and in the community. You’ll be challenged by the historic hills of 16th Avenue, a popular training route of Frank Shorter who won the 1972 Olympic gold medal in the marathon, and will enjoy Gainesville’s beautiful Duck Pond and downtown areas.
On the first half you’ll also pass through Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, home to the 2008 National Championship Gators, and may see some “real” gators sunning themselves on the shores of Lake Alice. After the split, marathoners will continue to Rails to Trails, Williston road, 34th Street and winds again through parts of UF’s campus and back to the start/finish area. A festive post race party welcomes you to the finish line and you’ll enjoy pizza, refreshments, live entertainment and awards.
Race Day Weather
Average Temperature for February 19th
- High: 70°F
- Low: 46°F
- Mean: 58°F
Temperature on race day last year (February 20th)
- High: 69°F
- Low: 45°F
