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YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo

YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
Harrisburg
US
Jeffrey Hayes · CC BY 2.0Paul Vasiliades from Hershey, Pa · CC BY 2.0David Flores · CC BY 2.0Ted Van Pelt · CC BY 2.0Meredith · CC BY-SA 4.0
Race date in 23 days
Nov 8, 2026 Sun
City · Distance
Harrisburg · 42.195km · 21.1km
Entry fee
$126Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenFri, July 31, 2026 ~ Sun, November 8, 2026See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗
Instagram
D-day as of Oct 16, 2026
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
Jeffrey Hayes · CC BY 2.0
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
Paul Vasiliades from Hershey, Pa · CC BY 2.0
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
David Flores · CC BY 2.0
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
Ted Van Pelt · CC BY 2.0
YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race photo
Meredith · CC BY-SA 4.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Organised by the Harrisburg-area YMCA and sponsored by Enders Insurance,

the event includes a marathon, half marathon, four-person relay and marathon walking division.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3
Individual_NegativeRan in 2025 · Finish time 3:25:25
“Second marathon on the books and thought I’d share notes, especially for folks who might be interested in doing Harrisburg.”

The runner experienced the small field, the flat two-lap course, and the support along the Susquehanna River. The runner finished their second full marathon in 3:25:25.

Read the original on Reddit r/Marathon_Training
Ian E. SeniorRan in 2025
“I liked this race much more than I expected.”

While running the 2025 YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Ian experienced a flat 2-loop course course along the river and through parks, a simple expo and friendly volunteers. He slowed pace and walked during the second half, but rated it as a comfortable and relaxed race.

Read the original on philly2goofy
Mary Lou HarrisRan in 2025 · Finish time 5:12
“Having finished last year’s Harrisburg Marathon at 4:57 and this year’s finish at 5:12, that final stretch felt very different.”

Mary Lou completed the 2025 YMCA Harrisburg Marathon in 5 hours 12 minutes, placing 1st in the 70-and-over category. She reported running two laps along the river on course, dealing with cold weather and an energy drop after 21 miles, but continuing to the end and crossing finish.

Read the original on Still a Runner

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

The StClair Channel · Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Marathon

Entry cost $126

until Oct 29, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Walkers – Marathon

Entry cost $126

until Oct 29, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

4-Person Marathon Relay

Entry cost $305

until Oct 29, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Half

Entry cost $106

until Oct 29, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Registration platform RunSignup

Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:30
Time limit14:30
EventStartTime limit
Marathon42.195km07:3014:30
Half21.0975km08:1514:30
not the start line

We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet.

START · FINISH

City Island, Harrisburg, PA

Start · Google Maps
Show more

Held on 8 November 2026, this race starts at Harrisburg Riverfront, passes bridges and parks, and makes two laps through the downtown scenery along the river.

The marathon is 26.2 miles, half marathon is 13.1 miles, and 4-person relay teams divide the same marathon course among them.

The riverfront scenery of the state capital continues around the start and finish, clearly defining the character of the course.

The course is described as fast and relatively flat, making it suitable for runners targeting long-distance times.

The marathon is a Boston qualifier, and all course are USATF-certified.

Held in central Pennsylvania since 1973, it is a leading local race and celebrates 54 years of history in 2026.

Thousands of runners and spectators take part, and a post-race gathering with food and drinks is provided after the finish.

Elevation gain
96 m
Typical race-season temperature: around 5°C (42°F)
Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Bag drop

Finisher T-shirt

Where and when to collect your YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2025 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Bib can be collected the day before the race or on race morning.
The exact location and time for the 2026 edition will be announced in the Packet Pickup information on the RunSignup race page.

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startNo direct bus onto City Island; nearest is downtown Harrisburg via CAT/rabbittransit
  • Transit cardHarrisburg's local bus system (CAT) uses a reloadable CAT Card available at the CAT customer service center…

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

No direct bus onto City Island; nearest is downtown Harrisburg via CAT/rabbittransit

Start/finish is on City Island, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg, PA 17101. No CAT bus route runs directly onto City Island itself. Riders can take CAT buses to downtown Harrisburg, then walk across the pedestrian-only Walnut Street Bridge or Market Street Bridge (roughly 10–15 min) to reach the island.

A paid Park & Ride lot also exists on City Island for drivers.

Map

Getting to the finish

Same as start — City Island

Marathon, half marathon, and relay all start and finish on City Island.

Map

Start shuttle

None identified beyond the pedestrian bridges from downtown.

Transit card

Harrisburg's local bus system (CAT) uses a reloadable CAT Card available at the CAT customer service center or select retailers, though cash fares (~1.75 dollars) are also accepted on board. There is no widespread contactless bank-card tap-to-pay yet.

Most out-of-town runners will find a rental car more practical than relying on CAT for race logistics.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

As the race is on 8 November, check the temperature and wind before the start,

choose a long-sleeve and short-sleeve combination, and prepare an outer layer to remove if you get hot while running.

The marathon starts at 7:30 am, the half marathon starts at 8:15 am, and the course closes at 2:30 pm.

Marathon walkers start first at 6:30 am, so you should check your event and start time again in your registration information.

When choosing accommodation in Harrisburg, prioritize a location that reduces travel time to the start,

and complete your morning transport and parking plans the day before.

On-site participants should check the Packet Pickup time and location in advance and decide whether to rely only on the supplies provided at aid stations or add personal gels.

Participants receive a finisher medal and a cotton hoodie, while virtual participants receive the race packet by mail.

Times are local to Harrisburg. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Rent a car in Harrisburg (EconomyBookings)

Compare rates from various rental car companies, self-drive (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Make reservation after checking price

View on EconomyBookings

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game at Chase Field

$29

View on Klook

Hotels near the YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance start line in

Hotels that make race morning easy

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Cumberland, An Ihg Hotel

Hotel · 4.4km

7.8/10(113)
View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Trip.comClosest to the start lineView on Trip.com

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Rent a car in Harrisburg (EconomyBookings)

Compare rates from various rental car companies, self-drive (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Make reservation after checking price

View on EconomyBookings

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game at Chase Field

$29

View on Klook

Where runners eat in Harrisburg

Eating well is part of the trip

View all →

A meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.

What to see in Harrisburg after the race

Seeing Harrisburg with the medal on

View all →

The city you ran — this time, a little slower.

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Experiences, food and sights are travel products in Harrisburg.

Total cost and budget for YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Harrisburg runners' room

Frequently asked questions about YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance

FAQ
When does YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sun, November 8, 2026 in Harrisburg, PA, United States.

How much is the YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $126.

What is the time limit for YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026?

14:30.

What distances does YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 offer?

Marathon · Half.

What time does YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 start?

The race starts at 07:30.

Where does YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 start?

City Island, Harrisburg, PA.

What is the YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 course like?

Held on 8 November 2026, this race starts at Harrisburg Riverfront, passes bridges and parks, and makes two laps through the downtown scenery along the river.

The marathon is 26.2 miles, half marathon is 13.1 miles, and 4-person relay teams divide the same marathon course among them.

The riverfront scenery of the…

When does registration for YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half, and Relay Presented by Enders Insurance 2026 open?

Registration runs from Fri, July 31, 2026 to Sun, November 8, 2026.

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