Making strides for student scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a USATF sanctioned event?
Yes! Both the full and half courses are certified by the USA Track and Field Association. The full marathon USATF certification number is NE12003DCR. The half marathon USATF certification number is NE12002DCR.
What is the course like?
The highest point on the full marathon course is at the start, at 4,556 feet. The highest point on the half marathon course is 4,172 feet. The average course elevation is approximately 3,900 feet. All four courses are a beautiful, challenging mix of paved roads and wide dirt trails. The full marathon begins with a significant downhill grade for nearly five miles and flattens until it approaches mile 13, near where the half marathon begins. At this point, the course gains elevation through Mitchell Pass and around Scotts Bluff National Monument, where the pioneers crossed on the Oregon Trail. After some rolling hills, the remainder of the course is primarily flat, with a few gradual inclines and declines as it traverses a wide dirt track through the visually stunning Scotts Bluff National Monument “badlands” and finally circles back through town to the finish. For more information, see our course descriptions and maps here. Watch the full marathon course video here (half marathon begins at 1:23).
What are the price increases?
Your registration supports student scholarships at Western Nebraska Community College!
Early Bird pricing through January 1:
Marathon $75
Half Marathon $55
Half Relay $40
5K $30
January 2 - May 31:
Marathon $85
Half Marathon $65
Half Relay $40
5K $30
June 1 - August 31:
Marathon $95
Half Marathon $75
Half Relay $45
5K $30
September 1 - Expo Day:
Marathon $110
Half Marathon $90
Half Relay $55
5K $40
What is your refund policy?
We hope all covid restrictions are lifted by September; however, if needed we will put the same safety precautions in place for 2022 as we did for 2021 (see our COVID-19 page for details). If the Monument Marathon must cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all registered runners will have the option to defer race registration to the next year, receive a full refund, or donate their registration to the WNCC Foundation in support of Student Scholarships. If the race continues as scheduled, the current refund policy stands:
There will be no refunds for any reason. We are a non-profit, primarily volunteer organization and refunding creates issues for our bookkeepers and creates problems as we need to purchase supplies for planned participants well in advance of the race. You have the option of transferring your registration (to someone else for this year, or to yourself for next year) until September 1. You may switch events until September 1, but no refund will be given for difference in cost. Please call or email us to transfer your registration or to switch events. These deadlines are firm!
When is the last day I can register?
Online registration closes at noon the day before the expo. Registration is available in person at the expo and will close at 8pm (T-shirt guarantee deadline is September 10th!). There is NO race day registration.
Where should my friends and family view the race?
For minimal course disruption, we recommend that family and fans view the race from the following areas: full marathon course viewing at McClellan Park, Oregon Trail Park, or Geil Elementary School; full and half marathon viewing on Country Club Road (please park on Clubhouse Road – DO NOT park on the north side of Country Club Road).
The finish area at Five Rocks Amphitheater is the idea location for your friends and family to cheer you on as you cross the finish line. NOTE: Spectators will NOT be allowed on canal road north of Scotts Bluff National Monument. Only participants and race officials are allowed on this portion of the course. This is for the safety of the participants and the spectators and pursuant to our agreement with landowners and the National Park Service.
What is available at the finish line?
In the finisher area, you'll receive your medal, food, drinks, and medical assistance including fluids, massage therapists, and chiropractors. Full marathon gear bags will be here if you dropped one at the start. Your family and friends can visit our food and beverage vendors for coffee, lunch, and snacks while they wait for you to cross the finish and watch awards.
Is there a gear drop?
Full marathon runners can use the tear-off gear tag from their bib to label a bag to drop at the start. These will be taken to the finish area for pick-up. All other race distances park near the start/finish.
Are walkers allowed on the courses?
The courses are open for six hours. If you can walk that speed (approximately a 13.5 minute mile for the full marathon), you are welcome to do so, so long as you pay attention to runners on the course and yield accordingly. Both full and half marathons will have a sag vehicle.
May children under 14 participate in the full or half marathon?
Children 14 and under may participate with the signature of their parent or guardian and only if they are walking/running themselves (no strollers) and accompanied on the course AT ALL TIMES by a parent or guardian. All participants 18 and under must have the signature of their parent or guardian.
What should I do if I encounter wildlife?
While it would be rare to encounter wildlife, it is possible. Please don’t approach wildlife. The most common animals you are likely to encounter are coyotes and deer, which are likely to run from you. Bike marshals will be patrolling the course, on the lookout for wildlife, but in the unlikely event that you encounter a rattle snake or a skunk, please give them a wide berth and notify someone at the next aid station. If you are bitten by a snake, move away from it, then stop moving, remove any constricting items near the affected area, keep the bite lower than the heart and seek assistance from another participant or race marshal to get immediate medical assistance from the closest medical aid station.
We love our pets too, but no. For the safety of other participants, your pets, and wildlife in the Monument area, as well as out of respect for private land and National Park land, we cannot allow pets on the course.
May I bring my dog on the course?
Are bicycles, handcarts, strollers, or other wheeled vehicles allowed?
A portion of the course is on dirt road, so for your safety and the safety of all participants, we do not allow strollers, handcarts, accompanying bicycles, or other wheeled devices. For more info, see our course descriptions and video, and check out important runner safety and info in our runner race guide.
Note: an important aspect of course safety is our bike marshal team. Bike marshals are clearly identified as part of the race personnel.
Can I see who is registered?
Yes! Visit our RESULTS tab to see the current list of registered runners for this year. This link will change to a live results link for race day.
Who does this event benefit?
This event helps fund the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation. The Foundation supports students, programs, and facilities at Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC). To date, the Monument Marathon has raised more than $350,000 for scholarships and support of students. Our purpose is to expand access and maintain affordability of education. WNCC is an important local resource that benefits not only our students, but our entire community by promoting workforce development, economic development, and quality of life. The generous support we receive to make the Monument Marathon a successful fundraiser would not be possible without our incredible sponsors, volunteers, and the runners themselves who support this important cause. In addition to the mission of the WNCC Foundation, the marathon helps encourage a healthy lifestyle, showcases the beauty of our Valley, and increases tourism to the area.