Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival
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Event overview
The Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival takes place April 25-26, 2026 in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The festival offers three main events plus a combined option:
- Full marathon
- Half marathon
- 7-mile
- Full Super Two-Fer (half + full)
The full marathon is a point-to-point Boston qualifier with a net downhill of about 700 feet and a steady 0.5-1% downgrade for much of the route. The course uses former rail-trail routes through the Lehigh Gorge and D&L trails. The half and 7-mile races use the final portion of the marathon course on the wide, hard-packed Lehigh Gorge Trail.
Logistics and race details
The festival provides scenic train transportation to the start for the 7-mile and marathon events; a limited number of spectator train tickets are available. Parking options include a premium lot next to the Jim Thorpe Train Station (pre-purchase required) and free off-site parking with shuttle service from Jim Thorpe Area High School. Non-train marathon runners are directed to park at the Route 940 Park and Ride in White Haven.
Time limits are set by event: Half marathon 3 hours 30 minutes; marathon 6 hours 30 minutes. Portable toilets are placed on the trail at specified miles. Cell phone service is limited on the trail; bikers will monitor parts of the marathon course and can alert support teams. Awards are given by overall, masters, and age-group categories. Volunteers receive a race T-shirt and participating organizations may receive a donation. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
