

Reading Hospital Road Run
The Reading Hospital Road Run offers a fast, flat loop through West Reading's parks and neighborhoods.
Race Date
Oct 18, 2026
Location
West Reading, PA
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Location
- West Reading, Pennsylvania
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 5K, 1 Miles
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Not listed
- Finishers on record
- 936
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Reading Hospital Road Run, first held in 2021 and now in its fourth edition, is a growing fixture in West Reading, PA. This chip-timed half marathon, alongside a 5K and 1-mile fun run, is hosted by The Friends of Reading Hospital and takes place in October.
The course is a loop starting and finishing at the iconic clock tower, winding through parks and residential areas south of the hospital campus. With minimal elevation change, it's designed for speed, making it a potential PR course. Runners can expect typical race-day temperatures in the comfortable 45–65°F range.
While the median field size is around 241 finishers, the event has seen growth. Approximately 16% of participants return each year, and the race draws runners from about six states. Participants receive a short-sleeve wicking shirt if registered by September 15th, and awards are given for overall and age-group winners.
Race-provided description
Loyalty Registration for past participants is open from November 1 - December 31, 2025. You must have registered using the same RunSignup account to register early for the best pricing. General registration opens on January 1, 2026. Come Run with Us! The 2026 Reading Hospital Road Run, hosted by The Friends of Reading Hospital, will include our standard in-person event distances of 1/2 marathon and 5K races and 1 mile fun walk/run to be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The deadline to get a guaranteed shirt is September 15, 2026. 1/2 Marathon 8:00am 5K 8:05am Both distances will be chip-timed. The course will start and finish in front of the iconic clock tower and will loop around the park and neighborhoods south of the hospital campus. All participants will receive a short-sleeve wicking race shirt (must register by September 15th to be guaranteed your size). 5K awards will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers overall as well as in the following age groups: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70+. 1/2 Marathon awards will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers overall as well as in the following age groups: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+. There will be pacers for the half marathon with information available at https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/westreading/about/reading-hospital-half-marathon-official-pacers 1 Mile Fun Walk/Run - 10:30am This untimed event will start on Spruce Street at 6th in front of the clock tower and finish on 6th directly in front of the clock tower at the hospital.
Logistics
Race Day
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Start Time
8:00 AM
Giveaway
Race Shirt
Start Location
420 S. Sixth Avenue, West Reading, PA, 19611
Course Info
Course Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Scenery
Urban
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
Quality Score
Standout614 years running
~241 finishers a year
growing or steady
16% returning runners
3 timing sources
runners from 6 states
winner 1:10:15
typical high 65°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
45°
Afternoon (High)
65°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.1"
Precipitation
11 mph
Wind
65%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 936 finishers actually crossed the line across 4 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
936
Median time
2:04:16
Latest turnout
267
States
16
Turnout by year
2021–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Reading Hospital Road Run?
The Reading Hospital Road Run is held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
Where does the Reading Hospital Road Run take place?
It takes place in West Reading, Pennsylvania.
What distances does the Reading Hospital Road Run offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 5K, 1 Miles.
Is the Reading Hospital Road Run course flat and good for a PR?
The Reading Hospital Road Run is a ultra-flat, loop course course.
How many people run the Reading Hospital Road Run?
HalfRuns has finish records for 936 runners who have completed the Reading Hospital Road Run.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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