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 to lace up your running shoes for the Empire State Half Marathon and 5K, taking place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the beautiful Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, Rockland. This exhilarating event offers participants the chance to race on the flattest and fastest road course on the East Coast, perfect for those looking to achieve personal bests. Whether you're tackling the scenic 13.1-mile half marathon or the brisk 5K, you’ll be rewarded with a shiny medal, a stylish tech race shirt, and the thrill of crossing the finish line.
The race kicks off bright and early, with the 5K starting at 8:00 AM followed by the half marathon at 9:00 AM. Runners will enjoy a USATF-certified loop around the picturesque Rockland Lake, with three aid stations providing water and Gatorade to keep you fueled and hydrated. Plus, you'll have the chance to compete for individual and team prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be part of a vibrant running community—mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
The race kicks off bright and early, with the 5K starting at 8:00 AM followed by the half marathon at 9:00 AM. Runners will enjoy a USATF-certified loop around the picturesque Rockland Lake, with three aid stations providing water and Gatorade to keep you fueled and hydrated. Plus, you'll have the chance to compete for individual and team prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be part of a vibrant running community—mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
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.
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.
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
