It is with much difficulty that we share with you the 25^th Annual Air Force Marathon in-person event scheduled for September 16-18, 2021 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has been transitioned to a virtual event. More information about this decision can be found on the event update page and you will also find an FAQ page below with answers to your questions. From the entire team at the Air Force Marathon, we thank you for your continued support over the past 25 years and counting!

2021 FAQs

2021 AFM FAQs (PDF)

If I am already registered, how do I select my option for 2021?

1. Visit your participant dashboard and sign in to your Race Roster account using the same email you registered with in order to make your selection.
2. Click “Edit Registration” on the right.
3. Select your option.
4. Click “Save & Exit” to submit your change. 

   If an option is not selected before the deadline of Sunday, August 29 at 11:59 p.m., registrants will automatically be entered into the 2021 virtual Air Force Marathon event.

I have selected an option but now I have changed my mind. Can I update my selection?

Yes, you may update your selection as many times as you’d like within your participant dashboard on Race Roster as long as your final selection is made by Sunday, August 29 at 11:59 p.m. which is deadline to make your selection. Follow the steps below to update your current selection:

1. Visit your participant dashboard and sign in to your Race Roster account using the same email you registered with in order to make your selection.
2. Click “Edit Registration” on the right.
3. Select your option.
4. Click “Save & Exit” to submit your change.

What is a virtual race?

A virtual race allows participants to complete the race anytime and anywhere. You may run or walk the race distance at your own pace. You choose your own race day and your own starting line, whether it’s a treadmill, your neighborhood, or a park trail.

How does a virtual race work?

If you choose the virtual race option, simply complete your race distance any day and any where. After you finish, upload your finish time to the results page. We will attempt to have in-person pickup for local participants to pick up their bib, patch, race shirt, and finisher’s medal. For non-local participants and those unable to pick up in-person, we will mail your bib, patch, race shirt(s), and finisher’s medal(s) beginning in October. If you have not uploaded your results, your items will still be mailed to you.

If I participate virtually will I still receive my bib, race shirt, commemorative patch, and finisher’s medal?

Yes, of course! We will attempt to have in-person pickup for local participants to pick up their bib, race shirt, commemorative patch (if selected) and finisher’s medal in September. For non-local participants and those unable to pick up in-person, we will mail your bib, race shirt(s), and finisher’s medal(s) beginning in October.

Do I have to run my virtual event on the third weekend in September?

The great thing about a virtual race is you get to choose your very own race day! 

Will there be a route set up or do I get to choose my own route?

You will choose your own route for the virtual event. We ask that you do not use any of our race day routes as these are not pedestrian safe without the usual street closures and safety assistance with traffic.

How do I track my distance and time my race?

You are going to be on the honor system for completing your race. However, we will be asking participants to upload their finish time so we can have a results page. If you would like to track your distance and time there are many apps you may download for free such as runcoach, Strava, and RunKeeper, Garmin, Fitbit, etc. It’s helpful to map out a route ahead of time too. Don’t forget to share your “finish line” photos on social media using the hashtag #FlyAFM so we can see your smiling faces!

Will I receive my additional premiums for participating in a Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge Series virtually?

Yes, you will receive a finisher medal for each event, race shirt, race bib, as well as the special Challenge Series gift (Air Force Marathon medal rack) and Challenge Series spinning finisher medal.

If I participate in the virtual race, will my status as a STARS runner by honored?

Yes, no matter what option a STARS participant chooses this year we will continue to honor your status as a Stars participant. Thank you for your unwavering support these past 25 years!

Will there be awards for the virtual event?

As everyone will be on the honor system and submitting their own finish times, we will not be offering awards for the virtual event.

Can I qualify for Boston Marathon if I choose to race virtually?

Unfortunately, since you will be creating your own routes that will not be certified, you will not be eligible for Boston Marathon qualification.

What If I purchased additional race weekend experiences?

You will receive a full refund if you have purchased one or more of the following race weekend experiences; Breakfast of Champions ticket, Gourmet Pasta Dinner ticket, Race Day Packet Pick-up, Photo Package, and/or Pro Package ticket. Please be patient with our team and you should receive your refund by the end of September at the very latest.

I purchased a photo package with my race registration. Will I receive a refund?

Yes, you will receive a refund if you have purchased a photo package with your registration. Please be patient with our team and you should receive your refund by the end of September at the very latest.

I registered to race virtually already. Do I need to do anything?

You do not need to do anything. You are all set to continue to race virtually. You will still receive a race bib, race shirt, optional complimentary commemorative patch, and finisher’s medal. Once you complete your race, we encourage you to upload your finish time to the results page (link posted soon) but it is not required to receive your race packet.

I registered to race through my job because my company is a corporate running partner. What are my next steps?

If you have registered to race through your company as a Corporate Running Partner, please contact your company directly to find out what your next steps are.

I registered to race through a charity partner. What are my next steps?

If you have registered to race through a Charity Partner, please contact that charity directly to find out what your next steps are.

I was registered to volunteer this year. Do I need to do anything?

If you have registered to volunteer, there is nothing you need to do at this time. Our team may reach out to you via email in the near future if any volunteer opportunities become available.

I am an elite athlete who received a complimentary race entry. Can I defer my registration to a future year?

Unfortunately, no. All elite athletes will need to reapply for elite status in future years. The process to apply will remain the same.

I received a complimentary race entry from a sponsor of the race. Am I eligible to defer my registration?

Unfortunately, no. If you received a complimentary race entry from a race sponsor you will need to secure a new complimentary race entry into future races and re-register. Please contact your company POC if you have any further questions.

If I register for the virtual event, can I run the distance across multiple days?

We highly encourage you to run your event distance in one day and at one time just like you would on race day but we completely understand a virtual race will not have the same support (restrooms, hydration, gels, etc) as you would race weekend. Do the best you can with what you have to work with!

If you are participating in one of the Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge Series, you may run the 5K event distance on one day followed by the 10K and half marathon/marathon an hour later on the very next day just as you would race weekend if you’re up for the challenge. Or you may run each of the three event distances on separate days because again we understand a virtual race will not have the same support (restrooms, hydration, gels, etc) as you would race weekend.

How do I request a refund?

You will be able to request a full refund (race registration and products) through your Race Roster account. Follow the steps below:
1. Visit your participant dashboard and sign in to your Race Roster account using the same email you registered with in order to make your selection.
2. Click “Edit Registration” on the right.
3. Select your option.
4. Click “Save & Exit” to submit your change.

If an option is not selected before the deadline of Sunday, August 29, registrants will automatically be entered into the 2021 virtual Air Force Marathon event.

By what date do I need to make a decision by?

You must select the option that best fits you by Sunday, August 29 at 11:59 p.m. If you do not select an option and allow the deadline to pass, you will automatically be entered into the 2021 virtual Air Force Marathon event.

I was registered for the in person event and would like to transfer to a different virtual event distance. What are my next steps?

If you were registered for an in-person event and would like to choose to participate virtually in a different event distance please follow the step-by-step instructions below.

1. Visit your participant dashboard and sign in to your Race Roster account using the same email you registered with.
2. Click “Edit Registration” on the right.
3. Select “Please switch my entry to the virtual race” option. If you skip this step you will not receive your 30% off promo code for use on a 2022 Air Force Marathon event.
4. Click “Save & Exit” to submit your change.
5. Once you are back to your participant dashboard, select “Transfer” and then select “Transfer to new subevent”.
6. Choose the new event you would like to transfer to in the dropdown and click “Start transfer”.
7. Continue to move through the registration questions.
8. If you purchased additional products during your original registration, be sure to select them again when filling out your new registration. Your original payment will carry over.
9. Finish the registration process and you will then receive a confirmation email confirming your transfer.

Cost for all race transfers is the difference between the price you originally paid and the current price of the distance you’re transferring into. If you’re transferring into a distance that costs less than what you already paid, you will not be charged (no refunds for the price difference).

If you used a promo code for your original registration, the transfer cost will not be accurately reflected. Please email us at usaf.marathon@us.af.mil for special instructions.

Current Pricing:
Marathon – $115
Half Marathon – $105
10K – $55
5K – $40
Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge Series (half marathon) – $190
Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge Series (full marathon) – $200
Tailwind Trot 1K Kids’ Race – $25

I purchased engraving for my finisher’s medal. Will I still receive an engraved medal?

If you have purchased engraving for your finisher’s medal the Air Force Marathon team will email you in September to see if you would like to continue with the engraving or you may request a refund at this time.

If I choose to defer my race registration, which years could I race?

September 16-17, 2022
September 15-16, 2023
September 20-21, 2024

The $15 deferral fee is waived if you choose this option. Please note that you will not be automatically entered into the 2022, 2023, or 2024 event and you must register yourself with a promo code that will be provided in December. All race weekend experience products (Breakfast of Champions tickets, Gourmet Pasta Dinner tickets, Race Day Packet Pick-Up, Photo Packages, and/or Pro Package tickets) will be refunded. All other products that were purchased and can be shipped (challenge coin, sunglasses, coffee mugs, hats, etc.) will still be sent to all participants who chose to defer.

What are my next steps after I choose to defer my race registration to 2022, 2023, or 2024?

If you choose to defer your registration to a future Air Force Marathon race weekend, you will need to reregister for the year you intend to participate.
We will email you this December with a unique promo code to use during your 2022 race registration process.
If you do not use this unique promo code during your 2022 race registration, you will be emailed a new promo code in 2023 or 2024.

All race weekend experience products (Breakfast of Champions tickets, Gourmet Pasta Dinner tickets, Race Day Packet Pick-Up, Photo Packages, and/or Pro Package tickets) will be refunded. All other products that were purchased and can be shipped (challenge coin, sunglasses, coffee mugs, hats, etc.) will still be sent to all participants who chose to defer.

Can I give away my race registration to an Airman?

Yes, you may gift your race entry back to the Air Force Marathon who will in turn gift it to a military member for the 2022 race. By selecting this option you will also receive a 30% discount to any 2022 Air Force Marathon race.

How can I register for the Air Force Marathon virtual events?

You may register for the 2021 virtual events here. We are offering a virtual event for every distance (marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, Tailwind Trot 1K Kids’ Run, and Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge Series, Marathon Relay)

I am having trouble logging into my race roster account. Who should I contact?

If you are having issues logging into your Race Roster account or need your password reset please contact Race Roster’s customer service team directly at 1-855-969-5515.

Don’t see your question above?

Contact us here and we’d be happy to answer your question!