Join the Enders YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half & Relay! This race has been a staple in the Harrisburg area since 1973! The queen-mother of all running events in the greater central Pennsylvania area, this Boston qualifier has been affectionately dubbed the “Mini-Boston” — not just in being a stepping stone …
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Join the Enders YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half & Relay! This race has been a staple in the Harrisburg area since 1973!
The queen-mother of all running events in the greater central Pennsylvania area, this Boston qualifier has been affectionately dubbed the “Mini-Boston” — not just in being a stepping stone to one of the most prestigious races in the country, but because Harrisburg’s heart comes alive as thousands of runners and spectators cheer you on throughout the course all the way to the finish line. This fast, flat marathon winds through urban street, forested paths, across bridges, and through natural features unique to Pennsylvania’s capital city on the river.
The Harrisburg Marathon is always the talk of the town come November, so join us all downtown for a celebration of runners, PRs, and community! After you finish the race, join us for our post-race gathering, where you can fuel up, have a drink, and relax the way winners do.
Support the East Shore YMCA
This race is part of the Harrisburg YMCA Race Series – a series organized and supported by the East Shore YMCA!
A donation to the East Shore YMCA helps individuals in the Harrisburg community grow and thrive through our many programs and services. Give today for better education, a stronger mission, and a better community.
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Scenic course, good organization
I didn’t have very high expectations for this race, but my oh my was I pleasantly surprised. The course was beautiful — the Susquehanna River is gorgeous and the city … MORE
I didn’t have very high expectations for this race, but my oh my was I pleasantly surprised. The course was beautiful — the Susquehanna River is gorgeous and the city of Harrisburg is surrounded by mountains. This year had a record number of runners — 1,500 between the three races — and although there weren’t too many spectators, the course being a double-loop gave the illusion of a larger race. The organization was perfect: there were plenty of porta potties and fire pits at the start line, the race began exactly at 7:30, and there were more than enough volunteers to direct traffic and hand out water/Gatorade (and there were water bottles, which I really appreciate). There are free photos taken at the finish line. This was my eighth marathon — because it was so flat, I PR’d — and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to BQ, soak in beautiful scenery, or have an enjoyable race.
Great local, small, flat marathon
This is a very nice small local marathon. With any race you need to know the details ahead so you can get it in your mind that you got this!!! … MORE
This is a very nice small local marathon. With any race you need to know the details ahead so you can get it in your mind that you got this!!! Yes there can be brutal winds by the river! I loved the tail winds and looked forward to that on the second loop to blow me along the river! Yes, there are enthusiastic spectators! But, NO not like the big marathons so expect none and they will totally blow you away! Flat course that I actually loved since its scenery changes… expect horrible scenery and you will love it! I loved that I got to see other runners and the river throughout the course. They actually had pacers which is unusual for a local small marathon! The convenience of staying at the hotel and walking a block or two to the start was great. Nice cafe for coffee afterwards was fantastic! Awesome local restaurants were close! Loved the new course and not having to run through the city. Know ahead it is 2 loops and know that your mind is in a different place second loop! I loved traversing the bridges back and forth and the two loops you knew what to expect…! So cool to run the loops and bridges and broke up the monotony of road running! I honestly thought I’d hate the 2 loops and so many runners were complaining at the start… which as a runner you know not to put that negative crap in your head??? Over all I loved this race! It’s no frills as you have to carry your own gels and there was plenty of water. Also very pleased with the clean and convenient porta potties. Seriously this is a fantastic marathon. I’d say the only negative is having to run on concrete for some miles and I expected a regular hoodie for the 50th… though overall pleased with my thin hoodie! Oh my I forgot to add the little trail section was a fun surprise as well as the fireball guy! I can’t imagine doing a Fireball shot though I had fun listening to his fireball song blasting and seeing other runners happily stop for a shot! Next year he should keep track of numbers and give prize to the runner who guessed how many runners took a shot! All in all a great event…the relay was cool too! If you are running the marathon…consider bringing 4 friends and have them do the relay!!! Excellent execution Fleetfeet and team! I think I may have to run this again! Not sure why this doesn’t have 4,000 runners!!!!
Choose the Half Instead
Harrisburg Marathon was a nice small race but coming from large races like Marine Corps Marathon and Richmond Marathon, I wasn't prepared for the vast difference. Roads are not closed … MORE
Harrisburg Marathon was a nice small race but coming from large races like Marine Corps Marathon and Richmond Marathon, I wasn’t prepared for the vast difference. Roads are not closed for this race, so they make do with with what is available/safe to run. This course doubles up on one 13.1 route made up of multiple out-and-back stretches. The course has two bridges but you cross them EIGHT TIMES. There are virtually no crowds on the course and garbage cans are few and far between aid stations, so I was carrying trash for a lot of the race. On plus side is that this course is EXTEREMLY FLAT and there is a beautiful 2.5 mile stretch right along the river. I think if you go into it knowing that you can’t rely on crowds and the scenery doesn’t change much, it could be a great race for those looking to PR on a fast & flat course.
Run along the river
Drove up from Virginia the day before. Small expo, didn't spend much time there. We found an AirBnB close enough that I got my warm-up in running to the start. … MORE
Drove up from Virginia the day before. Small expo, didn’t spend much time there. We found an AirBnB close enough that I got my warm-up in running to the start. Nice scenery, flat, out and back course. Nice meal waiting at the finish line. Easy race to PR.
Beautiful course!
I signed up for this one knowing little about it other than it was within 200 miles of the race I was doing with a friend on Saturday so I … MORE
I signed up for this one knowing little about it other than it was within 200 miles of the race I was doing with a friend on Saturday so I could pick up a double for the weekend. A friend later told me that she had run this one a few times and that it was a beautiful (and thankfully) fairly flat course with just enough hills to keep you honest. Thankfully, they had packet pick-up the day of, which it seemed many people took advantage of. The course starts on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River. After a couple of miles on City Island, the course follows along some of the beautiful trails along the river front. The trees were still displaying their fall colors on this crisp, Autumn morning. The sun was out in full force with nary a cloud in the sky making it a picture perfect day. The course also followed along one of the riverfront neighborhoods with homes that looked to be built in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, including the Governor’s mansion. If you are looking for a scenic run that will make the miles click by easily as you take in all the scenery, this is a good one!
Good race to PR
To be clear, I've only done this race as a relay participant, but I live near Harrisburg and run the entire course frequently. This was the first time I've participated … MORE
To be clear, I’ve only done this race as a relay participant, but I live near Harrisburg and run the entire course frequently.
This was the first time I’ve participated in a relay and it was a lot of fun.
You can pick up your packet the day before or the morning of the race. Parking is ample on City Island and this the where the race begins and is a short walk from where it ends. You get a nice sweatshirt, which I like. I have enough polyester running shirts.
The course was changed in 2015 for the better. It used to run through Wildwood Park, which has many short, steep hill that came at mile 20+. This has been eliminated. Now the entire course is basically flat. It runs along the riverfront, through the city and a short section on crushed gravel. Overall support is great, adequate aid stations and traffic control (although not all roads are completely closed). Relay exchange points are easy to navigate and there is an ankle bracelet that is transferred. The finish line was also moved to 2nd street within the city, which provided a more festive atmosphere. There was enough food, with bagels, fruit, sandwiches, drinks, cookies.
The medal is nice. Relay participants get the same medal only a smaller version, which I think is proper.
If you are looking for a flat course, well run race (they’ve been doing it for 40+ years), small in size (about 1,000 runners), with easy logistics, this is a great race to consider.
UPDATE: 2018 I ran the full marathon this year. Still highly recommend it. Flat, easy course. There are some lonely spots where there are very few spectators, but that’s not a big deal for me. The finish line is now in the city (not on the island) and it is really nice. Lots of spectators now. Businesses are open so on a nice day, there are people milling around. Food is provided to runners by Panera: bagels, sandwiches, chips, mac n cheese. The finisher medal is really nice. They’ve done a great job incorporating city scenes and buildings into the medal. Great job to the race officials!