In order to ensure a safe and smooth start procedure, the field of participants at the Salzburg Marathon and the Salzburger Sparkasse Half Marathon is divided into four starting blocks. A harmonious process of thousands of running enthusiasts in a short period of time is best achieved if the runners register for the appropriate starting block according to their performance expectations. This is requested when registering and is mandatory; a circle in the corresponding color is marked on the start number.
- Starting Block 1 - Color green (Performance expectation: under 2:50 hours at the marathon, under 1:25 hours at half marathon)
- Starting Block 2 - Color orange (Performance expectation: between 2:50 and 3:30 hours at the marathon, between 1:25 and 1:45 hours at half marathon)
- Starting Block 3 - Color red (Performance expectation: between 3:30 and 4:00 hours at the marathon, between 1:45 and 2:00 hours at half marathon)
- Starting Block 4 - Color blue (Performance expectation over 4:00 hours at the marathon, over 2:00 hours at the half marathon & all start runners at the relay marathon)