From every continent, all over the world at the very same time, someone will be running with you! Join a truly global community of fellow runners in a free, non-commercial event that celebrates the joy of running, with the challenge of a race! Share your local experience with a world-wide audience of fellow runners in the Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon, Zen Run 10K, and "Kick the Couch" 5K road race!





Welcome to the Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon FAQ page. We hope that you can find the answer to your question here, but if your question isn't here then it should be! Chances are that others have the exact same question as you, so don't hesitate to email the Race Directors.

Email the Race Directors at wwhalf.com if you need more help, or have other questions, and they will get back with you as soon as possible.

You are also invited to use the Forum located on the WorldWideHalf.com website as an alternate resource.

1. What is the Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon Challenge?
2. How long is a Half Marathon?
3. How long is a 5K?
4. What does it cost?
5. How do I sign up?
6. How do I train for the challenge?
7. What do I need for the challenge?
8. What are Teams? Can I my own?
9. What's a Virtual Goody Bag?
10. How do I register my finishing time
11. Where else can I learn about the PWWHM?
12. When do I have to run the half marathon or "Kick the Couch 5K" to be included in this event?

1. What is the Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon Challenge?
The Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon is a free, non-commercial event where anyone and everyone is invited to register, train and run with us in the spirit of friendship. This unprecedented event is for runners of all abilities. New runners who are just starting out are invited to sign up, train and run a five kilometer event (Kick the Couch 5k) with new runners all over the world who may never have thought it possible to rise off the couch and experience an active way of life.

2. How long is a Half Marathon?
Not so long that you wouldn't be able to finish it. If you must know, it's 13.1 miles (or 21.1 Kilometers for those who use a more proper measuring system!) But really, it's not that far.

3. How long is a 5K?
A mere 5,000 meters, or only 3.1 miles...again, this isn't far...you could do this in your sleep! (But don't try that...you'll want to be awake to savor your success!).

4. What does it cost?
How much do you have? Actually...with taxes, and a small "pizza" fee....the price for the PWWHM comes to a grande total of: nothing. (It's free, we just want you to run with us).

5. How do I sign up?
Just as you would any other race: you register. The good news is that you don't have to wait in long lines, or send in any envelopes with a check! You can do it all online at the PWWHM website. Instructions on how to register are available on the registration link.

6. How do I train for the challenge?
The best way to train is to follow a training program. And guess what, if you don't know where to find a training program we have some excellent training programs that you can use. And if you are using the fantastic BuckeyeOutdoors as your training log program, you can import one of our pre-made training program right into your BuckeyeOutdoor account, it's that easy! You, of course, have to do the labor intensive part of the actual training and be careful running is addictive. We highly, HIGHLY recommend that you find a training partner, whether it's someone running next to you or someone online or the community message board, you will have much richer training experience!

7. What do I need for the challenge?
Most local laws require some minimum attire to be out in public, so perhaps some clothes. Shoes are a good option, but if you run barefooted, we'd love to hear about it. You will need a course as well. If you decide to run a sanctioned event, then the course is laid out for you. If you are a Do-it-Yourselfer, you can create a route using BuckeyeOutdoors (see, we told you it was fantastic) and share it with the world if you chose.

8. What are Teams? Can I create my own?
Teams are ways for you and your fellow runners to train for and compete together as a group, within the PWWHM. Teams can be running clubs, local gyms, or friends who intend to run the event together in person; or a team can be a "virtual" one of like minded friends across the world, who want to denote the fact that they are doing this "together" despite the miles between them.

9. What's a Virtual Goody Bag?
At some events, sponsors and other groups donate products, samples, literature and these are all tossed into a bag that you pick up at check-in. That's a Goody Bag. Well, we want the PWWHM to be like any other event and so we have our Virtual Goody Bag. Anyone who would like to share what they do, offer a discount on their products to participants, promote a race or event of your own, give encouraging words to other entrants, reveal your marriage proposal, submit your Running Manifesto, whatever... you can do it here! Sometime before the event, we will announce how and where you will be able to download PDF file containing the Goody Bag.

The Deadline for submissions will be September 30th 2007. We can accept just about any file format that you have, so just send it to goodybag@worldwidehalf.com!

10. How do I register my finishing time
First you have to take a picture of your watch, prepare copies in triplicate... no wait. You will enter your own finishing times online through the website. Details for doing this will be more specific when the interface is active. Needless to say, it will be very painless and you will be able to create and print your Official Finisher's Certificate to frame and hang where everyone can see your wonderful achievement.

11. Where else can I learn about the PWWHM?
There are a number of blogs, website and podcasts that will be discussing the PWWHM, what follows is a partial list (and please, email the race directors if you know of any others that we can add to this list).

Running from the Reaper
Gravity at 1053'
Phedippidations

12. When do I have to run the half marathon or "Kick the Couch 5K" to be included in this event?
The "race results" database will be open to race entrants starting on October 4th and ending at 12:00 PM UTC on October 20th. To be able to enter your race results into the Phedippidations World Wide Half and "Kick the Couch 5K", you'll need to meet the following requirements:
  • Run an officially sanctioned half marathon or 5K road race between the dates of Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 21st.
  • Run an unofficial or personally local run on your own (or with a group of friends) on the weekend of Saturday October 13th or Sunday October 14th.
The race (and the results entry page) closes at 12:00 PM UTC on Monday, October 22nd, so you'll want to enter your time in as soon as possible to be listed in the race results.