The Yosemite Half Marathon is produced by Vacation Races as part of the National Park Half Marathon Series. Enjoy a fast scenic course through the Sierra National Forest just outside Yosemite National Park! Enjoy a peaceful 5 mile run through the trees, a fast 5 mile descent, and a beautiful …
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The Yosemite Half Marathon is produced by Vacation Races as part of the National Park Half Marathon Series. Enjoy a fast scenic course through the Sierra National Forest just outside Yosemite National Park! Enjoy a peaceful 5 mile run through the trees, a fast 5 mile descent, and a beautiful 3 mile loop around Bass Lake. In May the lake is full and the waterfalls are pumping. There’s no better time to visit.
The first 5 miles of the course will start on Fire Rd and is on a rough terrain trail. There is no steep uphill or downhill here, but it’s not exactly flat either. Miles 6-10 are a fast downhill descent on a beautiful paved road. Then, after crossing RD-274 (Malum Ridge Rd), you will turn right on N Shore Road. You will run on N Shore Road around Bass Lake until about mile 12.25. From there you will take a left on S Shore Rd. The race will finish at Recreation Point.
This race sells out quickly every year. Yosemite is calling. See you there!
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Wonderful Race
Vacation Races always puts on a wonderful event. It seems they think of everything. The race is beautiful and near so many beautiful hiking areas. It was too difficult, a … MORE
Vacation Races always puts on a wonderful event. It seems they think of everything. The race is beautiful and near so many beautiful hiking areas. It was too difficult, a majority of the race is downhill. It gets challenging in miles 10-13 because that is when it is flat. I didn’t expect it to be that much different, but it was. Plenty of aid stations along the way.
Yes, yes and yes!
This course is relatively easy and the best part is the finish line at Bass Lake so you can enjoy nice refreshing dip in the water after your half-marathon. Very … MORE
This course is relatively easy and the best part is the finish line at Bass Lake so you can enjoy nice refreshing dip in the water after your half-marathon. Very well organized race and perfect vacation as always with Vacation Races.
Going down hill!
Very fast down hill course with great views. Vacation races always puts on a outstanding event with great staff and volunteers. It should have been a PR for me but … MORE
Very fast down hill course with great views. Vacation races always puts on a outstanding event with great staff and volunteers. It should have been a PR for me but I was car sick the day before and still dealing with the after effects. Swag is great as always at VR.
It was amazing race very well organised
I think letting a slow runners go 1st was amazing the buses were on time embers hanging around everything I think we needed some heat lamps that was be possible … MORE
I think letting a slow runners go 1st was amazing the buses were on time embers hanging around everything I think we needed some heat lamps that was be possible because it was so cold in the morning but everybody braved the cold in the hot Cocoa and coffee the bathrooms were great and it’s a really put together race the community o Bass Lake Party afterward the race was great too especially Southgate put an amazing party on After the rac s
Great first experience
VR makes you feel as if you’re visiting national park. I loved all the attention to detail from the race guide to the post run meal box. I never felt … MORE
VR makes you feel as if you’re visiting national park. I loved all the attention to detail from the race guide to the post run meal box. I never felt overwhelmed or out of place. It was nice that all I had to worry about on race day was running. VR took care of the rest. It was a great first experience.
Great Medals, Swag, and National Parks!
Biggest race I have participated in since COVID! It was very well stagged and I think they did a great job following CDC guidelines. The only real negative was at … MORE
Biggest race I have participated in since COVID! It was very well stagged and I think they did a great job following CDC guidelines. The only real negative was at packet pickup which VR has already addressed. I came in from KC and loved exploring the area and meeting other runners, plus the medal is awesome!
VR Yosemite Half-Marathon
The race was well organized. Vacation Races always has nice swag and a variety of fun Merchandise for purchase. The course was dirt and paved road. I had fun, as … MORE
The race was well organized. Vacation Races always has nice swag and a variety of fun Merchandise for purchase. The course was dirt and paved road. I had fun, as always.
Beautiful Course
Vacation Races deserves a huge thank you for their dedication to the running community and their willingness to tackle the logistical challenges of safely hosting an in-person event during the … MORE
Vacation Races deserves a huge thank you for their dedication to the running community and their willingness to tackle the logistical challenges of safely hosting an in-person event during the time of COVID. This was my first time running this particular course but not my first half marathon or first Vacation Races event and, consistent with prior experience, the VR team did a fantastic job organizing and communicating the details around this event. They apologized for aspects of the bib pick up process that did not go as smoothly as planned, due to state/city COVID permitting requirements but, honestly, I was so thankful for the opportunity to participate that I didn’t mind the minor inconvenience of the wait time.
On race day, shuttle buses took runners to the starting area where there were warm and cold beverages, gear check, and plenty of porta-potties. To prevent crowding at the starting line, runners were pre-assigned a shuttle bus pick up time and a race start time based on anticipated finish time but, upon arrival at the start, runners had the option of starting and were not required to wait for their assigned time. This worked perfectly! There was no crowding and crossing the starting line by myself was like entering a gate to a running, tree-lined path paradise. Fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery, squirrels and birds, some uphill and lots of downhill. The last few miles near and around Bass Lake are rolling hills. I slowed down significantly at that point because my legs didn’t know what to do after having so much fun on the downhill stretches but a better trained runner could easily have achieved a PR on this course. The finishers medal is beautiful and is consistent with the overall design of other VR events. After taking a few photos, hopping a shuttle back to town was easy and convenient. Overall a great experience!
Excellent HM For First Timers
Bib Pickup: A little hectic; however, VR did an excellent job doing their best with what they had. Additionally, they admitted their mistakes and apologized for the long wait times. … MORE
Bib Pickup: A little hectic; however, VR did an excellent job doing their best with what they had. Additionally, they admitted their mistakes and apologized for the long wait times. I love the transparency!
Race Day: Parking and the shuttles went extremely smoothly; it’s about a 45-minute shuttle ride from the parking area to the start line (not bad at all). The actual race and the course were perfect, and the scenery was stunning. It’s a quick course with a large downhill portion towards the second half.
Post-Race: The medals are among the best I’ve ever seen! You can tell they put a lot of detail into it.
This was my first VR event and HM, and it couldn’t have been a better experience. I look forward to participating in future VR races!
Great Race ... Strange Shuttle
As far as race course, scenery and swag ... This race had it all. This was my first half marathon official race and I felt confident and proud of my … MORE
As far as race course, scenery and swag … This race had it all. This was my first half marathon official race and I felt confident and proud of my finish time.
The only reason I may give this a low score is because the shuttle organization was a bit of a mess. After running the race I went aboard the shuttle that said it will take me to Yosemite High School where I parked my car. We arrived there but only to randomly turn around and go down the street to a store … I was fortunate to have my girlfriend pick me up but I never understood why we drove to the actual shuttle drop off only to drive off somewhere else entirely. I am not sure the shuttle drivers knew what or where they were suppose to go …
Uphill and Quads on Fire
This race is not in Yosemite. This is also some trail but mostly road running. There are several uphill sections and the last 3 miles are rolling to the finish … MORE
This race is not in Yosemite. This is also some trail but mostly road running. There are several uphill sections and the last 3 miles are rolling to the finish line. The packet pick-up was a disaster. We waited in line over 2.5hrs to get our packet. The finish line food boxes weren’t that delicious. I would have like an option for a food truck for purchase or something. It’s an early morning and early start which I liked. I probably wouldn’t do that race again as it’s not actually in Yosemite.
More uphill than anticipated
Thankfully we were allowed to start before our 9am start time, because it got HOT within the first hour. The first three miles and the last 3 miles consisted of … MORE
Thankfully we were allowed to start before our 9am start time, because it got HOT within the first hour. The first three miles and the last 3 miles consisted of more uphill sections than I had anticipated. The first 4.5 miles were on a pretty sandy and rocky trail, which required caution to avoid sprained ankles. The scenery was nice, but not the amazing views of Yosemite proper. There really didn’t seem to be any medical support along the way, but the volunteers were extremely nice and supportive and had much needed bandaids for us! As a first time half marathoner in my 50’s, I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but we had a good time and are looking at other upcoming races.
Great Race
This was my foest time running the race and I REALLY enjoyed it. Communication from Vacation Races was top notch from the pre race information to the packey pick up … MORE
This was my foest time running the race and I REALLY enjoyed it. Communication from Vacation Races was top notch from the pre race information to the packey pick up issues. Even with the Covid safety requirements they had to follow the race qas very well done. The scenery can’t be beat and the medal is awesome.
5 miles of downhill tough on knees
First off I’d like to say that Vacation Races is first class. There were some issues picking up bibs but I’m sure they’ll be addressed. The shuttles were on time. … MORE
First off I’d like to say that Vacation Races is first class. There were some issues picking up bibs but I’m sure they’ll be addressed. The shuttles were on time. The race started with 5 miles through the woods and it was beautiful, followed by 5 miles of downhill on a paved road, and then 3 miles around the lake to the finish line. I’ve had 2 surgeries on my right knee and this amount of downhill was tough for me. Downhill is much tougher on the knees. The scenery was gorgeous, however, with the race finishing at Bass Lake. I would highly recommend this race: any race that Vacation Races puts on will be a awesome experience, if this one isn’t your cup of tea. The medals are beautiful. And if you are fortunate to place in the top 5 of your age group, or place in the race overall, they will send you a beautiful place medal. The race tech shirts are also beautiful. The race gave me a chance to run and make memories with family which is all I can ask from a race. After the race there is Yosemite National Park to explore. It was, all in all, a great experience and fun time.
Beautiful!
Incredibly awesome scenery. Starts on soft dirt forest road and transitions to paved road - all downhill! Ends with a couple of miles around Bass Lake neighborhood to the finish. … MORE
Incredibly awesome scenery. Starts on soft dirt forest road and transitions to paved road – all downhill! Ends with a couple of miles around Bass Lake neighborhood to the finish. Cool off in Bass Lake at the finish.
Fantastic race, beautiful & organized
This was my first half marathon, I just started running for this race. It was very well organized, I received lots of information. As a first timer I felt more … MORE
This was my first half marathon, I just started running for this race. It was very well organized, I received lots of information. As a first timer I felt more confident because they provided lots of information. The course was well marked, lots of aid along the way. Announcers at the start and finish spoke very clearly. Staff at the swag area were so happy and kind. The volunteers along the way were awesome. The portable potty’s ran out of to along the trail (9 mile) so I’ll pack some with me for next race (just in case) and I’ll bring Tylenol in my bag as well, by mile 10 I was hurting. Overall very great experience for my first race. I would definitely recommend it for anyone.
Beautiful scenery
This was my first time doing a vacation race. The course is beautiful set, I jog/walk without music listening to the birds what a great experience. My quads were on … MORE
This was my first time doing a vacation race. The course is beautiful set, I jog/walk without music listening to the birds what a great experience. My quads were on fire by the time I got to the bottom of the hill, making the last part around the lake, take longer than anticipated. I would love to be able to come back to this race. We totally loved being able to race and vacation at the same time. Looking at other locations now. My daughter was the one that found out about these races.
First half is top-notch!
The first half was truly top-notch, sunset poking through the trees, rocky landscape all around as well. The second half (campground, pavement, roads) not as great and the race production … MORE
The first half was truly top-notch, sunset poking through the trees, rocky landscape all around as well.
The second half (campground, pavement, roads) not as great and the race production could use work in re shuttle bus direction signage at the parking lots and a challenging bib pickup, but it was so great the organizers acknowledged.
Great race and a nice course.
It was quite cold at the start before sunrise. Very pretty course. Train for downhill running; that five miles down a mountain is no joke! This race was well organized. … MORE
It was quite cold at the start before sunrise. Very pretty course. Train for downhill running; that five miles down a mountain is no joke! This race was well organized. I felt very well supported and taken care of as a runner. Definitely would recommend. My only complaint: with the starting waves, they had the very slowest runners go first, followed by the fastest running group. I found this to be be very discouraging, being apart of the slowest group, to be passed by all the super fast runners. And I felt that we were also in their way. I don’t understand how the waves were assigned at all.
Stoked to do it again!
Had a blast with my first Yosemite Half Marathon! Beautiful area! Gorgeous course! There is a good bit of downhill on this course so really bend your knees!!! And then … MORE
Had a blast with my first Yosemite Half Marathon! Beautiful area! Gorgeous course! There is a good bit of downhill on this course so really bend your knees!!! And then enjoy soaking your body in the cold Yosemite river!!