Empire State Half Marathon & 5k

Race Overview

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 Details

• Certification: The course is a USATF-certified loop around scenic Rockland Lake.
• Elevation: The course has 135' of elevation over the 13.1 miles.
• Flat Loop: The difference between its highest elevation point (170') and lowest (155') is just 15', making it a pancake flat loop.
• Link: Check the Rockland Lake Half Marathon Strava Segment.

Fueling Stations

• Aid Stations: There are three aid stations with both water and Gatorade along the course.

Elite Athlete Program (EAP)

• Complimentary Entry: The EAP provides a complimentary entry.
• Preferred Baggage Claim: Personal water stations provided.
• Free Lodging: Offered for some athletes.
• Contact: 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 Masters
• $200: 3rd M/F and 3rd M/F Masters

Team Prize Structure

• $500: Top M/F Teams (3/Team)

HM and 5k Medals: 5 Year Age Groups

• Top 3 Finishers: For male/female finishers in age groups 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
• Special Prize: HM AG Winners win ice cream from the Sweet Guy Ice Cream Truck

Bib Pickup

• Locations: Bibs can 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

• Eligibility: 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.

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

For more details, visit the official race page: Empire State Half Marathon.