Empire State Half Marathon
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Empire State Half Marathon & 5k
The event takes place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, NY (962 S Route 9W, Congers, NY 10920). It includes a half marathon, a 5k, and challenge options that combine the half marathon with the 5k or with the Garden State 10 Miler.
Course, aid and prizes
The course is a USATF-certified loop around Rockland Lake covering 13.1 miles. The course profile lists 135 feet of total elevation over the half marathon, with a highest point of 170 feet and a lowest point of 155 feet. There are three aid stations on course offering water and Gatorade.
Prize money and age-group awards are listed for 2025 and continue for this event: individual prizes for top finishers and masters, team prizes for top teams, and 5-year age-group medals for both the half marathon and the 5k. Additional event awards and a combined Empire State Challenge medal are given to runners who finish qualifying paired events. Top age-group winners in the half marathon receive a post-race ice cream prize from the Sweet Guy Ice Cream Truck.
Logistics
Bibs may be picked up at Road Runner Sports (Paramus) on the days before the race or at the race site on race morning. An Elite Athlete Program offers complimentary entry, personal water stations, preferred baggage claim, and possible lodging for selected athletes. Several nearby hotels are listed for lodging. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
