Empire State Half Marathon & 5k
- Date Sun 4th October 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location Congers, New York
- Price $32.80 - $122.90
- Races 4 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 5km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of running at the Empire State Half Marathon & 5k on Sunday, October 4, 2026, taking place at the picturesque Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, Rockland. This event features a pancake-flat, USATF-certified course that makes it one of the fastest on the East Coast, perfect for both seasoned runners and newcomers looking to achieve personal bests. Participants can choose between the 13.1-mile Half Marathon or the 5k, with the races kicking off at 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, respectively.
Runners will enjoy beautiful views as they loop around the serene lake, and with three aid stations offering water and Gatorade, you'll stay refreshed throughout your journey. Plus, finishers will earn a shiny medal and a stylish tech race shirt, making this event a must for your race calendar. Don’t miss out on the fun, camaraderie, and the chance to win fantastic prizes in various age categories! Arrive early to avoid park fees and join the excitement of a day dedicated to health and community. Follow @empirestatehalfmarathon on Instagram for the latest updates and race info!
Runners will enjoy beautiful views as they loop around the serene lake, and with three aid stations offering water and Gatorade, you'll stay refreshed throughout your journey. Plus, finishers will earn a shiny medal and a stylish tech race shirt, making this event a must for your race calendar. Don’t miss out on the fun, camaraderie, and the chance to win fantastic prizes in various age categories! Arrive early to avoid park fees and join the excitement of a day dedicated to health and community. Follow @empirestatehalfmarathon on Instagram for the latest updates and race info!
Organiser's Description
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, [https://www.strava.com/segments/22105388] 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 [email protected] 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
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, [https://www.strava.com/segments/22105388] 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 [email protected] 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
Races
-
Empire State Half Marathon
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 4th October 2026 (9:00AM EDT)
$64.60
-
Empire State 5k
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 4th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
-
Empire State Challenge (HM & 5k)
Incl. $4.00 Fee
Sun 4th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$54.00
-
Empire State Challenge (Empire HM and Garden State 10)
Incl. $7.90 Fee
Sun 4th October 2026 (8:15AM EDT)
$122.90
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Rockland Lake State Park, 962 S Route 9W, Congers, 10920, NY, United States
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Empire State Half Marathon & 5k
