Run Famous. Run Miami. It's a celebrity experience! Run through a tunnel of a thousand fans, experience ING Cheering Zones and Community Fun Zones, and over 30 entertainment spots with mascots, dancers, bands and special guest celebrities. The course features great support with 24 aid stations (12 on the half) featuring doctors, nurses, and health care professionals from UHealth - University of Miami Health System, water and Gatorade® Endurance Formula. Every finisher gets the Spinning Palm Finisher Medal complete with artistic ribbon and the famous "Spinning Palm." Celebrate with thousands at our Post Race Festival with live music, food, drinks and age group awards going 5 deep for 13 age groups in the marathon and 14 age groups in the half.

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Half Marathon Course

Course

ING Miami Half Marathon® Course Information

On This Page:
Start & Finish Lines / Check-In
Turn-by-Turn & Mile Markers
Marathon Aid Stations
Course Elevation
Entertainment
Other Important Info
Pace Groups
Weather Conditions

After each year's half marathon, we pay tribute to the star of the show… the course. Runners count on the course each year to pull them through each mile, and every year this course doesn't let them down. 13.1 miles of Miami views and sounds help propel one to the finish line. This half marathon course basically has everything in common with the full marathon route, for it shares the same route for 12.8 miles.

"...The first predawn mile along the MacArthur Causeway brought views of the cruise ships. As the sun rose on Ocean Drive, the horizon glowed in cockatoo-and flamingo-feathered hues. Sailboats bobbed in the waters off the Venetian Causeway…"
- Linda Robertson
Miami Herald


Course Information
Course Map:
2011 Course Map
2011 (Interactive) Half Marathon Course Map

*Course subject to change

USATF Certified: FL-09007EBM

USATF Certified

The Start Line:

The 13.1 mile course starts and finishes in the same general area. The race will start heading north in front of the American Airlines Arena (official home of the Miami Heat). The half and full marathons start at the same start line and at the same time.
American Airlines Arena

Address: 601 Biscayn e Blvd., Miami, FL 33131






The Finish Line:

Runners will finish heading north adjacent to Bayfront Park which is located only 4 blocks south of the start line.

Address: 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33131

The course is the same as the full marathon with
the exception of the last 800 meters where half-marathoners will split from the full marathoners. Please look for volunteers and
signs that indicate the turn off point shortly after Mile 12.


Gear Check-In:

You will be able to check your belongings near the finish line. Gear check is near the finish line at the north end of Bayfront Park. Please use the bag provided at packet pick- up. Affix to your bag your bib number sticker which was provided in your registration packet. Please make sure your belongings are well-marked with your contact information. We are NOT responsible for damaged or lost items.

Turn-by-Turn:

2010 Half Marathon Turn-by-Turn.pdf *
Click here for a descriptive and elaborate course narrative with historical
and interesting facts of each mile.

*Course Subject to change.

ING Half Marathon Aid Stations:
Course Elevation Information:

The truth is Miami and Miami Beach are at sea level; we have really no noticeable elevation changes. However, we do have to have a way to get from one beautiful piece of land to another without getting our feet in the water. Description of bridges or as we say in Miami "hills":



  • A 1/4 of a mile into the race there is the largest of the bridges (9 meters above sea level-highest elevation on the course) that is really not too tough because it is gradual and early in the race. This bridge connects us to Watson Island.
  • At the 2.5 mile mark you'll have a second incline that is less gradual of an incline but much lower in height than the first bridge. This connects us to the island of Miami Beach.
  • At the 8.5 mile mark you'll encounter a "hump" drawbridge that really isn't anything that will slow you down nor take much out of you. This is just more island hopping.
  • At the 10.5 mile mark there is another "hump" just slightly higher than the 8.5 mile drawbridge.

Venetian Causeway

MacArthur Causeway

Course Entertainment:

Miami is known for entertaining its visitors and residents, so of course we couldn't have a half marathon without offering Miami-Style entertainment. You'll be getting over various entertainment stations along your journey through paradise.

Entertainment is provided by Music Desires.
Click here to contact Music Desires. 		Music Desires

ING Cheering Zone - Community Fun Zones

The ING Miami Half Marathon® course is extremely spectator friendly. You can give your loved one a shout of encouragement or snap a photo of them with a dramatic Miami backdrop in one of the many different areas that the course winds through.

ING Cheering Zone - Omni Station

Mile: 10.5
Location: NE 15th St and Biscayne Blvd.
Hours of Operation: 6:40 am to 8:45 am

Tip: This ING Cheering zone is ideally located at Mile 10.5 to cheer both marathon and half marathon runners alike.

Getting There: From anywhere in downtown, take the MetroMover’s Omni loop to Omni station. Exit the train and you are there (approx 5 minutes ride)

What can you expect at the ING Cheering Zone?

• Go signs you can customize for your favorite runner
• Thunder sticks and other noise makers to “turbo boost” runners to the finish line
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• Emcee and live entertainment to keep you dancing in the streets and cheering for joy

What to bring with you?

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bright, colorful clothing (preferably orange)
• Camera for that special moment…you know the one
• A reliable wristwatch to keep track of the race

ING Community Fun Zone Challenge

The ING Community Fun Zone Challenge is designed to encourage spectator and community participation in the ING Miami Marathon®. There were five Fun Zones along the 26.2 mile course, each being run by a different group or organization. The goal for the Fun Zones was to form a foundation in which we could continue to build into an event that involves, engages, and gives back to the community.



The inaugural ING Community Fun Zone Challenge recap & results!


Half Marathon Course Time Limit Policy:

In order to comply with city permits, the roads used will reopen in a graduated fashion. We require that participants be properly trained to complete the half marathon (13.1 miles) within 3.5 hours (~16min/mile pace). However, the half marathon finish line will remain open for 4 hours (~18 min/mile). Please note that after the 3.5 hour pace, support (i.e. aid/water stations, volunteers, course marshals, clocks, etc.) is not guaranteed and you will be required to adhere to local pedestrian rules (move to curbsides, break down lanes, sidewalks, etc.).

Half Marathon Cut-Off Policy Summary:
► 3.5 hours (16 min/mile pace) for the course
► 4 hours (18 min/mile pace) for the finish line (use sidewalks, curbs, etc.)

*The cut-off times are based on chip time, not gun time, in consideration of the additional time it takes the start corrals to clear through the start line.

**These cut-off times are also based on industry benchmarks, a majority of the races throughout the US implement similar policies.


Other important course details:
  • The 13.1 mile course is a USATF certified flat single loop course.
  • There are several bridges well spread out along the course with a very slight graduated incline. The bridges are being held in the closed-to-vessel position for the duration of the race.
  • The half marathon course will remain open for 3 hours & 30 minutes (with aid stations and other staff support). The finish line will remain open for 4 hours (meaning you will receive your certificate and other finish line ammenities).
  • The course will close at a graduated pace, approximately 16 minutes/mile. When the course closes it will no longer have aid station nor other course support, participants will need to abide by normal pedestrian rules.
  • Digital time clocks will be positioned throughout the course.
  • Course markers, directional arrows, and other signage will be positioned throughout the course. Pay attention at the turn off point towards the finish line as the marathon and half marathon splits apart.
  • ChampionChip mats will be placed at the 10K point.
  • Several digital clocks at the Finish Line will display unofficial times.
  • The half-marathon will feature music and entertainment along the course for both spectators and runners.
  • If you signed-up for the half marathon and you decide to run the full marathon you will be considered a "Bandit" runner. Therefore, you will not be considered an official finisher. Please register for the race you plan on running.


Weather Conditions:

The time period for the marathon is historically among Miami's driest and coolest time of the year. Nevertheless, we recommend that you please plan and prepare accordingly. Miami's weather can be humid, warm and wet. Run Miami Beach

Get a sense for how pleasant our climate is during that time of the year...

* The winter in Miami can vary drastically so please plan and prepare accordingly in case marathon day is warm, humid, and wet.

Pace Groups:
 

Whether going for a PR or keeping consistent splits, run with one of our trained and qualified pacers to ensure finishing in your goal time. To sign up for the pace group of your choice please click here. The Pace times for the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon will be:

Please note that full and half pace groups begin together and stay together until mile 12.8.

3:30 / 1:45

3:40 / 1:50

3:50 / 1:55

4:00 / 2:00

4:15 / 2:08

4:30 / 2:15

4:45 / 2:23

5:30 / 2:45

 

Pace Group Sign Up



The Course is famous - Hundreds of movies have been shot on the course

The sights along the course are probably going to be extremely familiar, for hundreds of Hollywood hits have been shot at the very deco buildings you'll be running by, the sidewalks you run alongside, and the waters you'll trot across.

Movies and TV shows are such a big part of this course that we have created a seminar during ING Miami Marathon® Weekend at the Health & Fitness Expo presented by The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. The seminar will focus on movies and other trivia that pertain to the marathon route.

For a list of the Major Motion Pictures shot on or near the course click here.