York Marathon and Half Marathon

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Whether you are aiming for a Boston Qualifying time or are running your first long distance race, the York Marathon and Half Marathon is a fast-paced chip-timed event hosted by the Arthur J. Glatfelter Branch YMCA.  

The race begins at the Arthur J. Glatfelter Branch YMCA, 90 N. Newberry St, York, PA 17401 and ends at Lafayette Plaza in the heart of the City of York. The flat course begins on city streets and transitions to the York County Heritage Rail Trail for the remainder of the race. The trail race surface is compacted crushed stone, ideal for running.

Registration closes on April 30, 2026.

RACE START/HEATS

Marathon:  

6:00 am - Group start

6:10 - 6:30 am - Rolling start; Runners can cross the start line at any time during this period

Half Marathon:

7:00 am - Group start

7:10 - 7:30 am - Rolling start.  Runners can cross the start line at any time during this period

1:00 pm - Race Course Closes  

*** Runners must pass Brillhart Station by 11:45 am to make it to the finish line by 1:00 pm. ***

An ATV is available for transport for those who don't make the close time.

START/FINISH

The race begins at the Arthur J. Glatfelter Branch YMCA, 90 N. Newberry St, York, PA 17401 and ends on W. Market St near the Colonial Courthouse, York, PA 17401, in the heart of the City of York. 

COURSE

The flat race course begins on city streets and transitions to the York County Heritage Rail Trail and ends at Lafayette Plaza.  The trail surface is compacted crushed stone.  This is a USATF certified marathon course.  Marathon Map   Half Marathon Map

AGE DIVISIONS

Male and Female (24 & under) (25-29) (30-34) (35-39) (40-44) ( 45-49) (50-54) (55-59) (60 -64 ) (65-69) (70 & over)

AWARDS

Overall Male and Female Winner plus Male and Female Age Division 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers. All runners will receive a finisher medal. Runners registered by April 15, 2026 are guaranteed a moisture wicking short-sleeved race shirt.

Finisher medals will be distributed at the finish line.  

There will not be an award ceremony.  Winners can pickup their awards at the YMCA of the Roses Welcome Desk after 12:00 pm.  Runners who cannot stay to pick up their awards can provide a mailing address for shipment.  

WATER STATIONS

Water stations provide water, Gu gels are located every 2 miles along the course.

Gatorade flavor: Lemon-Lime.  Gu flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate Outrage and Raspberry Lemonade

RACE ROUTE SAFETY 

Runner safety is a priority!  Wright, a professional traffic safety company will man all intersections along the race route.  YARS, FCC licensed amateur radio operators who focus on emergency communications, will be on the trail to provide communication to emergency medical crews and to race coordinators.  WellSpan Sports Medicine will provide 4 first aid tents manned by physicians and their team: 3 tents on the course and 1 at the finish line.

TOILET FACILITIES

Restrooms are available inside the YMCA.  Portable Toilets are located at the race start, the finish line and approximately 2 miles apart on the out and back race course.

PACERS

Pacers are not provided for either the half or the full marathon events.

PLEASE NO JOGGING STROLLERS

The York Marathon and Half Marathon is a small race and the Rail Trail does not have the space for jogging strollers.  Thank you for understanding this policy.

PLEASE NO DOGS

The City of York's policy is no dogs at city events, therefore we cannot allow dogs on the race course.  (Much to the dismay of the dog-loving Race Director)

PACKET PICK UP

90 N Newberry Street, York, PA 17401

Please bring ID

Friday, May 1 (12:00 pm - 7:00 pm)

Saturday, May 2 (11:30 am – 7:00 pm)

Sunday, May 3 (5:00 am - 7:30 am)

Arthur J. Glatfelter Branch YMCA Parking is available in the YMCA lot located off Clarke Avenue, adjacent to the Y building. Please enter the building through the back entrance from the parking lot. 

**If you live in York or will be in the area Friday or Saturday, we request that you please get your packets during regular Packet Pickup hours, to prevent crowding on race day.  

RACE DAY PARKING

Free parking is available at the Susquehanna Commerce Center, 221 W. Philadelphia St, York, PA.  Parking is located between the start and finish line, 1 block from each point.

BAG CHECK

Bag check is available at the Member Service Desk of the YMCA.  Bags will be checked by Bib number.

SHOWERS/LOCKER-ROOM USAGE

Locker-rooms are available for runner use.  Please do not store your items in the locker-room, as we cannot guarantee item safety.  Bring your own towels and supplies, as we no longer supply such items 

POST RACE FOOD

Food and beverages will be offered at the race finish line: sandwich wrap, fruit, salty snacks, chocolate milk, iced tea and lemonade.

DEFERRALS/TRANSFERS

Runners registered for the marathon may change to the half marathon, however a refund for the price difference will not be issued.  Injured or ill runners may defer their race registration to the May 2027 race provided the Race Director is notified by April 25, 2026.  Race registrations may not be transferred to another individual.  Deferrals may not carry over to a second year. 

For those runners using a deferral registration from the May 2025 race, the 2025 registration must be used by February 28, 2026.  This provides you with priority registration.  

SPECTATORS

Refer to the Heritage Rail Trail Interactive Map for parking areas and directions to each site.  Parking for the race start and finish is available at the Susquehanna Commerce Center, 221 W. Philadelphia St, York, PA.  

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS/RECREATION

The York County Convention and Visitors Bureau provides a great list of hotel accommodations and other recreational activities in our county.  Check out the website for restaurants, lodging and other fun things to do in York.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Please share your excitement for the race on social media and tag us @YorkYMCA.  Join our new Facebook Race Group to share photos, comments and questions.  YorkYRaces.  Use the following hashtags and we will repost your photos!  #YorkYMCA #YorkYMarathon #YorkYHalfMarathon