Event Description

Register for the LIVE and IN PERSON Carnival Frolic Half Marathon with this listing. Keep reading for more information! 

If you are looking for the VIRTUAL option, please click here: https://www.active.com/running/distance-running-races/carnival-frolic-half-marathon-virtual-2021

Event details and schedule

Thank you for choosing to support the Carnegie Visual Arts Center by running the 2021 Carnvial Frolic Half Marathon. 

Course Info: 

The Frolic is a USATF certified course. A course certified map with USATF certification number can be found here: https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=AL16017JE 

A zoomable and interactive map of the course can be found here: https://www.milermeter.com/?r=6971551

Timing and course support is provided by River City Runners. More information about the River City Runners can be found here: http://www.naolweb.com/rivercityrunner/

River City Runners will be timing the race based on when you cross the starting line and when you cross the finish line. 

Event Schedule:

Due to COVID safety protocols, the race will start in assigned waves beginning at 7am. The finish line will close at 11:30am. You must complete the course by this time. You will be asked to provide a preferred start time during registration, as well as your estimated half marathon time. You may also list any other participants with whom you would like to start in your assigned wave. River City Runners will take your preferences into consideration and assign you a start wave.

Your start time will be emailed to you beginning one week prior to race day, depending on your registration date. Start times will be issued on a first come/first serve basis, so please register EARLY. If you register the week of the race, your start time will be emailed to you within 24-48 hours of the race start. 

There will be NO late registration at packet pickup and there will be NO race day registration. Please register early. 

Important COVID Information for the Start and Finish Lines:

You must wear a mask or facial covering in the start area until you begin running OR socially distance yourself at a minimum distance of six feet from all other runners. You may remove your mask once you start running and either carry it with you or dispose of it in the trash cans that will be located near the starting line. 

Once you finish the race, please exit the finish line as quickly as possible to ensure safe social distancing for our event staff and other runners. Race results will be posted on line. A virtual awards ceremony will air after the race and posted to social media. A link to this virtual awards ceremony will also be sent in an email to all participants after the race that will include links to race results. All awards will be mailed to participants or may be picked up in person at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center beginning Monday, February 15, 2021 during regular business hours. 

If you are sick or have been exposed to COVID within the 14 days leading up to the race, please do not run the race in person. We will be happy to transfer your registration to a virtual option. Please stay safe and be well and practice measures that will keep other runners and our event staff well also. 

Course Volunteers: 

The course will NOT be staffed with volunteers this year due to COVID restrictions. Please ensure that you KNOW the course. Use the two links above to the course maps to familiarize yourself with the course. Make sure to follow all traffic and pedestrian laws. Most of all, please be safe. The course is run on the Dr. Bill Sims Bike Trail. It is clearly marked and there are push-activated pedestrian crossing signals to ensure safe crossing over Church Street, the busiest road that you will encounter while running. 

For more information on the Dr. Bill Sims Bike Trail, click here: http://www.decaturparks.com/tyfoon/site/accounts/E/2/6/1/3/B/6/E/6/A/file/BikeTrailMap1_1.pdf 

Arrival Info: 

Please plan to arrive close to your assign start time/wave as possible. You will receive an email prior to race day, as well as printed instructions for arrival in your race packet that will include any information on road closures. 

Parking Info: 

There is ample free parking near the start/finish line of the course. As race day approaches, more information regarding road closures and parking will be provided via email, social media posts, and there will be printed instructions included in your race packet. 

BANK STREET WILL BE CLOSED ON RACE DAY. There will no parking or through traffic on Bank Street on race day. There is plenty of parking on Church Street and throughout the neigborhood near the intersection of Bank and Church. 

Waivers and ID: 

Make sure you have completed and signed all race waivers on Active.com and run with some sort of identification. If you encounter an emergency issue on the course, please call 9-1-1. 

What to bring: 

Make sure to bring your race bib if you pick up your packet the day before the event (suggested). Make sure you have your race timing device provided by River City Runners and wear it on the day of the race. You may want to bring your own water bottle that you can run with and any nutritional supplements or gels. You may want to bring a travel-sized container of hand-sanitizer that you can carry with you during the race in case you need to use the restroom in one of the bathrooms located along the course. 

What to wear: 

Watch the weather closely in the week/days leading up to the race. Dress accordingly. Layers are suggested. 

Water Stations: 

Water stations will be provided every 1-2 miles along the course. However, due to COVID restrictions, they will not be manned. They will be clearly marked and will be self-serve. 

Course Bathrooms: 

Multiple porta-potties will be located near the start/finish line and approximately every 3 miles along the course. Please practice safe social distancing while you wait to use the restrooms if there is a line. 

Relay: 

In years past, there have been designated relay exchange points. However, this year, there will be no established relay points. You may pick your own spots at which to change runners. Please coordinate this within and amongst your team. You may use the maps linked above to detremine your exchange location. it may be helpful to use the same location as water stations. Because you are able to pick your own spots to change runners along the course, you may also form relay team of more than four runners. However, the race registration only includes up to four t-shirts and four finishers medal. Relay teams will only be given ONE race bib. The last runner (the runner that will cross the finish line for the team) will need to wear that bib. 

Medals and T-Shirts: 

This year's medal has be redesigned and is unique and extraordinary. All finishers will receive a finisher's medal. All participants will receive a t-shirt. This year's t-shirt is a beautifully designed long-sleeve cotton t-shirt. 

Packet Pickup: 

Packet Pickup will be at hte Carnegie Visual Arts Center on Friday during their regular business hours from 10am to 5pm at 207 Church Street NE, Decatur, Alabama. Packet pickup will be self-serve and on the HONOR SYSTEM. Please only take your packet and any packets that you have been designated by the participant to pick up for them. Your name will be clearly marked on the packet and they will be organized alphabetically. There will be NO late registration at packet pickup. 

You may also pick up your packet beginnig at 6:30am on race day near the steps of the Old State Bank located near the starting line at 925 Bank Street NE, Decatur, Alabama. Packet pickup on race day will also be self-serve and on the honor system. 

Contact: 

You may contact the Carnegie Visual Arts Center directly at admin@carnegiearts.org or 256-341-0562.

The link to the Carnegie's website is: www.carnegiearts.org

The link to the Carengie's Carnvial website is: www.carnegiecarnival.org

You may also contact the race director, Andi Stewart. The Carnegie can provide her contact information upon request. 

You may also contact Jon Elmore with River City Runners by visiting the River City Runners website linked above. 

For more information regarding visiting Decatur, please contact the Decatur Convention and Visitor's Bureau: https://www.decaturcvb.org/

Both the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and the Decatur CVB can make recommendations on places to eat and stay in the River City.