York Marathon
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York Marathon and Half Marathon
The York Marathon and Half Marathon is a chip-timed running event hosted by the Arthur J. Glatfelter Branch YMCA. The event features two primary distances:
- 26.2 Miles (Marathon)
- 13.1 Miles (Half Marathon)
The course is designed for speed and is USATF certified, serving as a Boston Marathon qualifier. The route begins on the city streets of York, Pennsylvania, starting at the YMCA on North Newberry Street. It then transitions onto the York County Heritage Rail Trail, where the majority of the race takes place. The trail surface consists of compacted crushed stone. The finish line is located at Lafayette Plaza near the Colonial Courthouse in the center of the city.
Participants have access to water stations approximately every two miles. These stations provide water, Gatorade, and Gu gels in various flavors. Professional traffic safety personnel man the intersections, and medical support is available through first-aid tents positioned along the course and at the finish line. Portable toilets are located at the start, at the finish, and at two-mile intervals along the route.
The event includes several age divisions for male and female runners ranging from 24 and under to 70 and over. While there is no formal awards ceremony, top finishers in each category can collect awards at the YMCA desk. All participants receive a finisher medal, and those registered by mid-April are provided with a moisture-wicking race shirt. The course remains open until 1:00 pm, with a specific cut-off point at Brillhart Station.
Event Details
The race is a small-scale event with specific policies regarding equipment and animals. Jogging strollers are not permitted due to the narrow width of the Rail Trail, and dogs are not allowed on the course per city policy. Bag check services and locker-room facilities, including showers, are available at the YMCA. Post-race refreshments such as sandwich wraps, fruit, and snacks are provided at the finish line. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
