Empire State Half Marathon & 5k
- Date Sun 11th October 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location Congers, New York
- Price $38.10 - $122.90
- Races 4 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 5km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of racing at the Empire State Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday, October 11, 2026! Set in the picturesque Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, Rockland, this event features a flat and fast course that is perfect for runners looking to set personal records. The Half Marathon kicks off at 9:00 AM, following the 5K start at 8:00 AM. Both races offer participants a chance to earn a shiny medal, a stylish tech race shirt, and the thrill of competing on a USATF-certified loop around the scenic lake.
With a total elevation gain of just 135 feet over the 13.1 miles, runners can enjoy a pancake-flat course that is ideal for all skill levels. There will be ample aid stations providing water and Gatorade to keep everyone fueled along the way. Plus, don't miss the chance to celebrate your achievements with awards for top finishers and a lively beer garden opening at 10:00 AM! Whether you're a seasoned runner or new to the sport, this is a can't-miss event on the East Coast racing calendar. Be sure to arrive early to avoid park admission fees and follow @empirestatehalfmarathon
With a total elevation gain of just 135 feet over the 13.1 miles, runners can enjoy a pancake-flat course that is ideal for all skill levels. There will be ample aid stations providing water and Gatorade to keep everyone fueled along the way. Plus, don't miss the chance to celebrate your achievements with awards for top finishers and a lively beer garden opening at 10:00 AM! Whether you're a seasoned runner or new to the sport, this is a can't-miss event on the East Coast racing calendar. Be sure to arrive early to avoid park admission fees and follow @empirestatehalfmarathon
Organiser's Description
THE EMPIRE STATE HM & 5K: OCTOBER 11, 2026
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 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
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 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
Races
-
Empire State Half Marathon
Incl. $5.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 11th October 2026 (9:00AM EDT)
$85.80
-
Empire State 5k
Incl. $3.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 11th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$38.10
-
Empire State Challenge (HM & 5k)
Incl. $7.00 Fee
Sun 11th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$107.00
-
Empire State Challenge (Empire HM and Garden State 10)
Incl. $7.90 Fee
Sun 11th October 2026 (8:15AM EDT)
$122.90
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Rockland Lake State Park, 962 S Route 9W, Congers, 10920, NY, United States
Empire State Half Marathon & 5k
