Empire State Half Marathon & 5k
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Congers, New York
The Experience
The Empire State Half Marathon and 5k are on the flattest and fastest road course on the East Coast: Rockland Lake State Park In just a few laps around the lake, just north of the NJ/NY border, you'll walk away with a big shiny medal, a tech race shirt, and hopefully a shiny new personal best!
Follow us on IG: @empirestatehalfmarathon for future updates!
Please arrive before 8am to avoid paying the park admission fee!
Race Schedule
8:00am - 5k Start
8:45am - HM Elite Introductions
9:00am - Half Marathon Start
9:15am - 5k Awards Available
10:00am - Beer Garden Opens
11:15am - Half Marathon Awards Available
Course
The course is a USATF-certified loop around scenic Rockland Lake.
Course Profile
As shown on the Rockland Lake Half Marathon Strava Segment, the course has 135' of elevation over the 13.1 miles. The difference between its highest elevation point (170') and lowest (155') is just 15', making it a pancake flat loop.
Fueling Stations
There are three aid stations with both water and Gatorade along the course.
Elite Athlete Program (EAP)
The EAP provides a complimentary entry, personal water stations, preferred baggage claim, and for some, free lodging. Please email empirestatehalfmarathon@gmail.com your running resume for consideration.
NEW for 2025:
Individual Prize Structure
$500 - Top M/F and top M/F Masters
$300 - 2nd M/F and 2nd M/F Master
$200 - 3rd M/F and 3rd M/F Master
Team Prize Structure
$500 - Top M/F Teams (3/Team)
HM and 5k Medals: 5 Year Age Groups
Top 3 finishers to male/female finishers in 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
HM AG Winners win ice cream from the Sweet Guy Ice Cream Truck
Bib Pickup
Bibs can either be picked up at Road Runner Sports (Paramus) on Friday evening (5pm-7pm), Saturday morning (10am-1), or at the race site on Sunday morning.
Empire State Challenge Medal
Any runner finishing both the Empire State Half Marathon and the Garden State 10 Miler (or the Empire State 5k) will receive the Empire State Challenge Medal at the conclusion of the Empire State Half.
Lodging
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Nanuet (425 NY-59, Nanuet, NY 10954): 845-623-6000
Element Spring Valley (90 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley, NY 10977): 845-694-8200
Hilton Garden Inn (270 W Route 9, Nanuet, NY 10954): 845-623-0600
Race Details
Race Day
Sunday, October 4, 2026 · 10/4/2026 09:00
Start Location
Rockland Lake State Park, Congers, NY 10920
Course
Loop
Also Offers
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Registration
Register online — $45
Race Website
Official race information
Race Performance
1:37:11
7:25/mi pace
1:08:48
5:15/mi pace
250
42% female · 62% male
12 states
Avg age: 38
Finish Time Distribution (2025)
1:24:15
Top 25%
2:02:12
Top 75%
Historical Weather
☀
Avg High
71°F
☽
Avg Low
54°F
☂
Precip
0.23 in
🍃
Wind
8.4 mph
More races in New York
The Experience
The Empire State Half Marathon and 5k are on the flattest and fastest road course on the East Coast: Rockland Lake State Park In just a few laps around the lake, just north of the NJ/NY border, you'll walk away with a big shiny medal, a tech race shirt, and hopefully a shiny new personal best!
Follow us on IG: @empirestatehalfmarathon for future updates!
Please arrive before 8am to avoid paying the park admission fee!
Race Schedule
8:00am - 5k Start
8:45am - HM Elite Introductions
9:00am - Half Marathon Start
9:15am - 5k Awards Available
10:00am - Beer Garden Opens
11:15am - Half Marathon Awards Available
Course
The course is a USATF-certified loop around scenic Rockland Lake.
Course Profile
As shown on the Rockland Lake Half Marathon Strava Segment, the course has 135' of elevation over the 13.1 miles. The difference between its highest elevation point (170') and lowest (155') is just 15', making it a pancake flat loop.
Fueling Stations
There are three aid stations with both water and Gatorade along the course.
Elite Athlete Program (EAP)
The EAP provides a complimentary entry, personal water stations, preferred baggage claim, and for some, free lodging. Please email empirestatehalfmarathon@gmail.com your running resume for consideration.
NEW for 2025:
Individual Prize Structure
$500 - Top M/F and top M/F Masters
$300 - 2nd M/F and 2nd M/F Master
$200 - 3rd M/F and 3rd M/F Master
Team Prize Structure
$500 - Top M/F Teams (3/Team)
HM and 5k Medals: 5 Year Age Groups
Top 3 finishers to male/female finishers in 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
HM AG Winners win ice cream from the Sweet Guy Ice Cream Truck
Bib Pickup
Bibs can either be picked up at Road Runner Sports (Paramus) on Friday evening (5pm-7pm), Saturday morning (10am-1), or at the race site on Sunday morning.
Empire State Challenge Medal
Any runner finishing both the Empire State Half Marathon and the Garden State 10 Miler (or the Empire State 5k) will receive the Empire State Challenge Medal at the conclusion of the Empire State Half.
Lodging
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Nanuet (425 NY-59, Nanuet, NY 10954): 845-623-6000
Element Spring Valley (90 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley, NY 10977): 845-694-8200
Hilton Garden Inn (270 W Route 9, Nanuet, NY 10954): 845-623-0600
Race Details
Race Day
Sunday, October 4, 2026 · 10/4/2026 09:00
Start Location
Rockland Lake State Park, Congers, NY 10920
Course
Loop
Also Offers
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Registration
Register online — $45
Race Website
Official race information
Race Performance
1:37:11
7:25/mi pace
1:08:48
5:15/mi pace
250
42% female · 62% male
12 states
Avg age: 38
Finish Time Distribution (2025)
1:24:15
Top 25%
2:02:12
Top 75%