Course Information

The marathon course is mostly flat, beginning and ending on City Island, a small scenic island in the Susquehanna River.  Runners travel first to the south into historic Shipoke then head north toward Wildwood Lake Nature Park and to the suburban campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).  Over 6 miles of the marathon follows River Front Park along the Susquehanna River.

The surface of the course consists of macadam and fine gravel trails and asphalt city streets.  Giving runners' feet a break from typical solid ground, the closely spaced iron grid work of the Walnut Street Bridge is a welcome running experience (runners may also choose to run on the concrete sidewalk on the south side of the bridge).

Boston Marathon Qualifier

USATF Certification No.PA09034WB. The modified 2010 will be certified as a Boston Qualification course.

Provided on the Course for Runners

• Visible mile markers at each mile (example on Information page),
• Water stations approximately 2 ½ miles apart,
• Cytomax sports drink and gel will be available at many of the water stations, particularly along the 2nd half of the course.

Elevation information

• This is a FLAT course with the exception of the Wildwood Lake area.
• Start and finish are approximately 320 feet above mean sea level (msl),
• Lowest elevation is 310 feet above msl,
• Highest elevation 418 feet above msl (in Wildwood Park),
• Hills are present for a distance of approximately 2 miles through the wooded Wildwood Lake Nature Park.

Link to Elevation Profile of Wildwood Lake Park.