Sunday, November 13th, 2016
Ready for the race of a lifetime?
The Aspire Harrisburg Marathon will take you on a thrilling journey through beautiful Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Our fast, flat course is a Boston qualifier that’s sure to give plenty of runners a great PR!
We completely reimagined the Harrisburg Marathon event in 2015 and were met with rave reviews from new runners and seasoned marathoners alike. Dubbed as a “mini-Boston” this energetic race filled Second Street with people cheering, music playing, the energy of what has been called “Restaurant Row” as runners of our completely redesigned course round their way onto Second Street towards the new finish line at Locust.
In 2015, we completely redesigned our Marathon course so we could better integrate the city into the fun. We’ve added new sections that showcase some of Harrisburg’s landmarks like Fort Hunter. We’ve introduced two scenic bridge crossings to integrate our friends on the west shore of the Susquehanna. The crescendo of the new Marathon though, was to move the final mile and finish line right down Second Street to Locust Street —the epicenter of the downtown scene.
Not running? Come to the Downtown Marathon Red Block Party!
Don’t miss the second annual Marathon Red Block Party sponsored by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District! We redesigned the Harrisburg Marathon course to integrate the event with the community that hosts it. Celebrate our “mini-Boston” and cheer on finishers in a huge downtown celebration!
RACE COSTS
Runners and walkers
- Registrations opens to February 29th – $55
- March 1st to March 31st – $60
- April 1st to April 30th – $65
- May 1st to May 31st – $70
- June 1st to June 30th – $75
- July 1st to July 31st – $80
- August 1st to August 31st – $85
- September 1st to September 30th – $90
- October 1st to October 31st – $95
- November 1st to November 8th (close of online registration at 11:59pm) – $95
- Registration will also be available during packet pick-up, cost is $100
Relay Teams (teams of 4)
- Registrations opens to February 29th – $180
- March 1st to April 30th – $190
- May 1st to June 30th – $200
- July 1st to August 31st – $210
- September 1st to October 31st – $220
- November 1st to November 8th (close of online registration at 11:59pm) – $240
- Registration will also be available during packet pick-up, cost is $250/team
- Master’s Teams must have a combined age of 160
Paper registration forms:
**There are NO refunds**
PACKET PICK UP
Runners and Relay Teams may pick up their packets at any of the following times. Walkers must pick up their packets prior to Race Day. You may also pick up a packet for a friend!
Packet pick-up times:
Friday, November 11th – TBD, 5-7:30pm
Saturday, November 12th – Carousel Pavilion on City Island, 11am to 4pm
Sunday, November 13th – Carousel Pavilion on City Island, 6am to 7:45am
START
6:30AM – Walkers start on City Island
8:00AM – Marathon & Relay Team Runners start on City Island
All participants should be at City Island or their relay exchange point at least 30 minutes before their start time.
TIMING
The race will be timed by Integrity Sports. Official results will be available on the Integrity Sports website following the race. Official time for Boston Marathon Qualification will be Chip Time. Split times will be called at multiple locations along the course. Time clocks are also placed at various locations on the course.
RELAY EXCHANGE
Relay teams of 4 will be eligible for awards. Categories include All Male, All Female, Mixed, Male Masters, Female Masters, Mixed Masters, and All 50+. The top team in each category will receive awards.
- Master’s Teams must have a combined age of 160
Teams of 2 and 3 are welcome but will not be eligible for awards.
The first relay exchange will be on the upper level Greenbelt Path about 300 yards south of the Market St Bridge, under the railroad bridge, across Front Street from the Harrisburg Hospital.
The second and third relay exchanges will be at the PA Dental Association, which is located at 3501 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Distances:
- Leg 1 – 8.2 miles
- Leg 2 – 5.4 miles
- Leg 3 – 7.9 miles
- Leg 4 – 4.7 miles
Relay teams also receive relay-specific finisher medals.
PACERS
We are excited to welcome back the pacing team from MarathonPacing.com!
Click here to see the Pace Team Lineup
HOST HOTEL
We are excited to announce the Hilton in downtown Harrisburg is back as the host hotel again for 2016! The beautiful downtown Hilton (1 N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101) is only TWO blocks past the finish line and a little over 1/2 mile from the start on the Market St Bridge.
The Hilton is offering late checkout of 3pm on race day for all runners who reserve a room with the Marathon block. Space is limited, so book early. Registration for the Marathon hotel block ends when the block reaches capacity OR on October 13th.
Click here to book your room at the Hilton for $114/night
SHUTTLE SERVICE
No shuttle services are provided. The walk to City Island is approximately 1/2 mile from the Hilton Hotel, the host hotel for the 2015 race. All lanes from the East Shore (Downtown Harrisburg) to City Island on the Market Street Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for the start of the race, approximately 7:45AM to 8:15AM.
DEFERRALS
If you are unable to participate in the 2016 Harrisburg Marathon you may defer your entry to the 2017 event. The fee to defer is $20. The last day to defer is Monday, November 7th at 11:59PM. Click here for information about how to defer your entry.
PARKING
The most convenient place to park is on City Island. This is where the race begins. The finish is at the intersection of 2nd St/Locust St, which is about a 1/2 mile walk back to City Island across the Walnut St walking bridge.
RACE ROUTE AND AID STATIONS
Click here to see the new 2016 Marathon course! (MapMyRun version)
Click here for a Printable Marathon Course Map
Restrooms will be located at the start and finish areas, and along the course.
Water stations are located approximately every 2 1/2 miles. The first nine miles of the course will have water, then each aid station after that will have water, sports drink, and gel. The sports drink will be Gatorade (Frost Glacier Freeze) and the gel packs will be Honey Stinger, assorted flavors.
PINNACLE MEDICAL TENT
The Pinnacle Health Medical Assistance Team will be on hand at the finish line and throughout the course. If you need any medical assistance, Pinnacle Health has you covered!
OTHER INFORMATION
A Clothing Drop-Off Area is provided inside of the Carousel Pavilion on City Island. Please label your drop-off bag with your race number. An aluminum space blanket will also be provided to each runner at the finish line. The Harrisburg East Shore YMCA at Front & North Streets will be open to runners to shower and change from 10:30AM to 4:00PM, please bring your own towel.
Food and refreshments will be provided at the finish line.
COURSE CLOSURE
Volunteers will be released from their stations based on a 13 minute pace and the finish line will close at 2:00PM. We cannot guarantee that you will find water or food after the course is closed. If you do not think you can complete the course by 2:00, please ask a water station volunteer to arrange for an assistance vehicle.
AWARDS AND MEDALS
All individual race participants will receive a finisher’s medal at the finish line.
Awards are distributed based on “Overall Open” and “Masters” (40+) male and female categories. This includes awards for male and female top 3 overall as well as top 3 male and female masters (40+).
Age group awards span from 19 and under through 65-69 and over in 5-year increments. There will also be a 70+ category. We The top 3 finishers in each age group will receive an award. Top Relay Teams in each category will be given awards as well. No duplication of awards. Awards are distributed based on the gun timing results. The awards ceremony will be adjacent to the finish line in downtown Harrisburg starting at approximately 12:00PM.
Relay teams of 4 will be eligible for awards. Categories include All Male, All Female, Mixed, Male Masters, Female Masters, Mixed Masters, and All 50+. The top team in each category will receive awards.
Separate finisher medals will be given to both relay teams and runners.
Q and A
Is there a minimum age limit?
The minimum age for a participant in the Harrisburg Marathon is 15 years old for full marathon participants and 13 for relay participants.
Can I transfer my race bib to someone else?
Yes! Click here for how to transfer your race bib.
See below for special, custom e-coupons from Dicks Sporting Goods!
2015 Results and Pictures
RESULTS – click here to view 2015 Marathon Results page
PHOTOS – click here to view 2015 Marathon photos
CONTACT
Please submit questions to Tom at tom.gifford@ymcaharrisburg.org