FAQ

The Boston schedule is not solidified, but based on history and current Boston announcements, this will get you into the next.

If previous year’s schedules hold, we are right in the sweet spot of an early fall marathon that, depending on your finish time,  lets you take advantage of either …With no one able to be sure, we are your best chance for a last shot at next spring’s Boston.  We will keep you posted as we hear more from the BAA in summer, and as early registration progresses in September.

Please see our eligibility page for a current list of requirements.

Note: Eligibility times are waived …

• 2/1 if the Spring race has not filled
• 7/1 if the fall race has not filled if the race has not filled

No, sorry but we accept only official finish times.

Sorry but once we are filled, we do not have a waiting list, nor do we make any exceptions to our course capacity limits.  In addition, there are absolutely NO exceptions to eligibility requirements unless the race is not filled by 6/1 (fall race) or 2/1 (spring race).Runners expect and deserve a great shot at their qualifying time, and too many runners on the course would be detrimental to their chances. Thanks for understanding.

Yes! Pace teams will be on the BQ.2 Marathon Races course. Learn more about pace teams.

Get ready – you are about to be treated like an elite runner!
Bring bottles filled with your (preferably non-performance enhancing, non-alcoholic) drink of choice, and marked with your bib#. (Bib numbers and marking instructions will be available a few weeks before the race.)   Tables of 25-30 bottles each will be available along the route, (see the course map) based on last bib digit.

Table #1    bibs xx01,xx11, xx21, …xx91
Table #2   bibs xx02, xx12, xx22, …xx92

…

Table#10 bibs xx10, xx20, xx30, … xx90

Know your bib#, know your table location, and volunteers at each table will help insure you get the right bottle.

Bottles will be single use and runners may submit up to 7 total bottles (3 bottles are provided in your packet). Runners are not required to participate in the Elite Water Bottle amenity and there is still one Aid Station with water and Gatorade approximately every 1.5 miles.

Packet pickup will be available race eve and race morning. Check out Packet Pickup page for details.

Yes! April and September mornings on the Fox River can be cool, (average mid 50’s) so gear check will be available near the starting line to keep you comfortable right up to the starting gun.

Absolutely.  Our medals have a familiar yellow / blue / silver theme and are always a big hit.  All finishers will get a medal regardless of whether or not you meet your qualification goal  (but we hope that you do!) as long as you finish within the 4:30:00 time limit.

No, the size and purpose of the race make Boston qualification your award.  There will be a $50 cash award for the top Male and Female.

Yes, entry includes a gender specific long-sleeve shirt in a familiar blue and yellow style that you will be proud to show to your fellow runners.

Yes! Post-race massage is returning to the BQ.2 Marathon Races.

Yes. Not Spring BQ, but Fall BQ, YES! Besides their Last Chance 26.2 finisher medal, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 year Fox Valley Marathon Races finishers can pick up their multi-year Endurance Medal at the finish village Endurance Award tent, and 5 year finishers can also get their 5th year Quarter-Zip at the tent.  Any fall Fox Valley Marathon race any year makes you eligible, so if you were not an official Fox Valley finisher last year, this year’s fall BQ.2 will start your streak so running Fox Valley next year will get you a 2-year medal.

Deferrals are available as follows …

• Spring BQ.2 runners can defer to Fox Valley Marathon for no charge
  • Must contact info@bq2races.com by 3/01
• Fall BQ.2 runners can defer to the following year’s Spring Chance BQ.2 for a $40 charge
  • Must contact info@bq2races.com by 8/01
  • Note,  your qualifying time and race window must qualify you for the spring race.