First State Half Marathon
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First State Half Marathon & 10K : Event overview
The First State Half Marathon & 10K takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Newark, DE. The event center is listed as Deer Park Tavern at 108 West Main Street, Newark 19711. The program includes two race events:
- First State Half Marathon
- First State 10K
Registration shows reduced current prices: half marathon listed at $79 (previous $109) and 10K listed at $49 (previous $79). Prices increase after December 31, 2025.
Course, logistics and services
The routes run through Newark town, neighborhoods and paved trails. The course is USATF certified (DE22001JLW) and course maps are provided. The race has a 3.5 hour course time limit and a sweeper will maintain that pace. There will be three on-course water stations, with two locations visited twice; station locations include Devon Drive/Bradford Lane, Apple & Sunset Road, and the turnaround on Barksdale Road.
Porta-potty locations are posted for the Deer Park Tavern check-in/post race area, the start/finish parking lot, near mile 2.5 (also at mile 10.5), near mile 4.5 (also near mile 9), and at the Barksdale Road turnaround. A gear check is provided; bags must fit in a normal grocery bag.
Amenities, awards and partners
Runners receive a custom race bib, finisher medal (color-changing in the sun), and post-race food, drinks and entertainment at Deer Park Tavern. The half marathon entry includes a performance long sleeve shirt and hat (gender specific until March 7, then unisex); the 10K includes a gender specific T-shirt (then unisex after March 7). Awards are given overall, overall master, and top three in age groups from 19 & under through 70 & over. The charity partner is the Friends of Fusion Foundation. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
