HalfRuns
10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges.

10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges.

Jersey City Hillers: a free, self-timed half where the hills — not the clock — are the point.

Race Date

Dec 6, 2026

Location

JERSEY CITY, NJ

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Location
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi)
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Not listed

Highlights

Good For

Good Value

Atmosphere

Low KeyLocal CommunityBare Bones

The Experience

Now in its tenth year, the Jersey City Hillers Marathon and Half Marathon is the rare race that costs nothing and asks plenty. There is no entry fee, no USATF-certified line to chase, and no promise that the 21.1 kilometers measure out to the meter — just a hand-built course through the streets of Jersey City and a stubborn community that keeps showing up for it.

The hills are the headline, and the organizers say so plainly: the point "is not just the distances but also the HILLS." It's an urban circuit of downtown streets and climb after climb, run on pavement, threaded past traffic lights that don't pause for anyone. The rules insist you keep your watch running, so your official time is total elapsed time — stops and all. Navigation is part of the game: carry the turn-by-turn directions, and expect a course the organizers themselves call tricky.

Because it's self-timed, runners submit Strava or Garmin files to be placed; run it well and the reward is one of the race's "wonderful metal keys." It's a no-frills, everyone-pitches-in affair — cold air, hard climbs, and a finish that feels earned rather than staged.

Race-provided description

We have updated both courses on MapMyRun which you can download. They are not USATF certified courses, so they are not EXACT as far as the half and full marathon distance goes.We also have new very detailed turn by turn instructions below. It is recommended that you carry them on your run. If you want to qualify for a medal and be placed (yes we will have our wonderful metal keys again), you will need to email your results from Strava, Garmin, or another similar service with a map to jchillersgroup@gmail.com so we know that you ran the official course.  The point of the races are not just the distances but also the HILLS.Marathoners that will take longer than 6 hours may start at 7am.If you do not email us a link to your results and map, you can take a photo of your watch, or screenshot of your phone, and we will record your finish time, but we will not place you or award a medal.You must NOT stop your watch if you are caught at a light - Our course records are legit for these courses, including stops.  We will use the "total elapsed time" from your run tracking service to determine your official time and placement.You must sign our waiver which includes COVID information. You must pay attention to all traffic signs - For those who have done our course before, you know how tricky our course is, be careful!  Our Half Marathon Course. Half marathon course: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3420629224 Link to Turn By Turn Instructions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sxZbR8iDa214p6MW2mF8Eq3-24xtWCcH/view?usp=sharing RunGo turn instructions - https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/uXCTrus5NB Our half course is a half marathon length.  You will have a good shot at a course PR, especially if it is your first time, but you will probably NOT have your PR for a half marathon--unless it is your first. You will climb 1,137' of elevation, some steep hills. You will have amazing views of Manhattan and see Jersey City's fab Bear Mural. There are Tiger Mart convenience stores listed in our directions, and there are gas stations along the route.  The course records are: Jed Fantastico, Pat Rynkowski, Kyle Milden 23:48 (M) Sunday, December 8, 2024 Sarah Schillaci 1:37:04 (F) Sunday, December 2, 2018

Full Course - Marathon  Full course: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3423260443 Link to Turn By Turn Instructions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lDbcL4_lIsfVkVbUhxrx6nwQDRE2o9A-/view?usp=sharing RunGo turn instructions - https://routes.rungoapp.com/route/RM3KmNbyTk Our full course is Marathon length (close enough for a fatass).  We are challenging our friends to run our full route.  You will have a good shot at a course PR, but you will probably NOT have your PR for a marathon--unless it is your first. You will climb 2,701' of elevation, some very steep hills. You will have amazing views of Manhattan, Jersey City's fab Bear Mural, the Weehawken Cliffs (Hamilton duel fame) and turning around in James Braddock Park (Cinderella Man fame). Our course has lots and lots of turns.  We need you to be super careful when crossing the roads, some are one way, and a lot are busy, so please obey the traffic signals.  Be aware you will NOT make the full course without getting stuck at least one light! The course records are: Jason Teran 3:27:21 (M) Sunday, December 1, 2019Carmen Ludizaca 4:03:44 (F) Saturday, December 5, 2020

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, December 6, 2026

Start Time

9:30 AM

Start Location

Enos Jones Park, JERSEY CITY, NJ, 07302

Directions

Course Info

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Scenery

Urban

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Hilly

Course Map

Quality Score

Methodology
Heritage0/20

first year

Size0/15

no finisher counts yet

Momentum3/5

small race — neutral

Loyalty0/20

needs a few years of results

Course & details5/15

4 timing sources

National draw0/10

no finisher data yet

Front-pack speed0/5

no winner time yet

Weather5/10

typical high 47°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

35°

Afternoon (High)

47°

Cool conditions — dress in layers, perfect for fast times

0.0"

Precipitation

14 mph

Wind

66%

Humidity

Frequently asked

When is the 10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges.?

The 10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges. is held on Sunday, December 6, 2026, starting at 9:30 AM.

Where does the 10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges. take place?

It takes place in JERSEY CITY, New Jersey.

What distances does the 10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges. offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles).

Is the 10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges. course flat and good for a PR?

The 10th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges. is a hilly, loop course course.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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