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Pennsylvania > Capital Blue Cross Harrisburg Half Marathon & 2-Person Relay
Harrisburg, PA • Sunday, September 8, 2013 • Course Map
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A beautifully scenic course that unfolds almost entirely along the banks of the Susquehanna River forms the backdrop for runners at Pennsylvania's Capital Blue Cross Harrisburg Half Marathon, which marks its 17th annual running in the late summer of 2013.
Organizers say the race has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, reaching more than 1,000 runners, walkers and relay team members in 2012, a big jump up from the 100 or so runners who completed the race's inaugural running in 1997.
Of course, it's easy to see why the race has attracted such a following when you get a look at the route, which starts and finishes on Harrisburg's City Island, which lies smack in the middle of the Susquehanna and is linked to the mainland by bridge. After starting off and making a loop around the island, runners cross the Walnut Street bridge and then make a turn toward the right, where they head along the riverfront trails that parallel South Front Street.
Runners hit the race's first turnaround point just after the mile 2 marker, south of Sycamore Street, and then turn around and head northward along the river. This long stretch of the race winds several miles up along the riverbanks, through Harrisburg's Riverfront Park, a linear park whose lovingly manicured gardens, brick plazas, gazebos and river overlooks have made it perhaps the city's most popular outdoor park.
The course continues winding northward all the way up to the Estherton and Windsor Farms neighborhoods, where runners reach the turnaround and make a few turns through the city streets just south of Interstate 81. After making the turn off North Front Street and onto Montrose, 6th Street and then 2nd Street, runners head back onto Front Street for the last few miles of the race, which take them back along the route they've just run toward the finish line back on City Island.
Thanks in part to its location along the river, the course is mostly fast and flat and features paved surfaces throughout. Runners can expect a few uphill and downhill stretches, particularly at the start and near the finish of the race, as the bridge crossing back and forth from City Island will involve some hills. Runners can also expect to encounter some rolling hills around the middle sections of the course, between mile markers 6 and 9.
Race Weather & Climate
Located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in southern Pennsylvania, just over 100 miles northeast of Philadelphia, Harrisburg typically experiences mild to moderately warm weather conditions in the late summer and early fall.
In September, average monthly temperatures range between 57°F and 76°F, while rainfall totals average just over 3.6 inches for the month. On the day of the race (Sept. 8), the average low is 59°F and the average high is 78°F.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Harrisburg Half Marathon
Starting Time
7:15 AM - walkers
8:00 AM - runners and relay participants
Fees
$50 for the individual half marathon, if registered by June 30, 2013
$60 between July 1 - August 31
$75 between September 1 - 8
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late summer 2013 running of the Capital Blue Cross Harrisburg Half Marathon or 2-person Relay race, register online at RaceIt.com.
Official Race Website
www.harrisburgymcaraces.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Pennsylvania's annual Harrisburg Half Marathon or Relay? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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