Hellbender 5k & Half Marathon

Race Overview

• Date: 2026-08-23
• Location: Route 54 Parking Area - Weiser State Forest, Bear Gap, PA
• Participants: Sold out at 300 participants due to parking restrictions
• Prior Sell Out Dates:
  • 2026: sold out on May 31
  • 2025: sold out on June 4
  • 2024: sold out on June 30

Registration Information

• No Race Day Registration: No wait-list. Please do not email asking to get into the race or join a wait-list. It will not be allowed.
• Registration Time: 7am
• Half Marathon Start: 8:00am
• 5k Start: 8:30am

Race Details

• Packet Pickup: Race morning starting at 7am.
• Course Closure: Race course will close at Noon.
• Included: Race shirts, finisher medals, and a post-race meal for all participants.
• Proceeds: Benefit the RCVCA to promote clean water in the state forest and surrounding Roaring Creek Watershed.

Race Location

• Venue: Route 54 Parking Area (Located on PA RT 54 between Mount Carmel and Elysburg)
• Tract: Weiser State Forest - Roaring Creek Tract
• Address: Bear Gap, PA 17824
• Access: Entrance is 3.5 miles west of the intersection of Route 54 and 61: 4.3 miles east of intersection on Route 54 with Route 487. (Lat 40.8213, Long -76.4922)

About the Hellbender

• Species: Named after the native aquatic salamander known as the hellbender.
• Habitat: Requires healthy, pristine, unpolluted streams and creeks to survive.
• Conservation: The race aims to benefit many species, including the hellbender, which has seen a decline due to urbanization.
• Course: Both the 5K and half marathon follow out-and-back courses starting and finishing at the Route 54 parking area.

Course Description

• Terrain: Fast and flat through the Roaring Creek Tract.
• Scenic Route: Winds along the reservoir lakes inside the 9,000-acre park.
• Location: Lies between the small towns of Elysburg and Mount Carmel.
• Region: Part of the Weiser State Forest in the ridge and valley region of eastern Pennsylvania.

More Information

• Website: Hellbender 5k & Half Marathon