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Pennsylvania > Nittany Valley Half Marathon
State College, PA  •  Sunday, December 2, 2012  •  Course Map

   

 
First run in 1984 as part of the final running of the Nittany Valley Marathon, the Nittany Valley Half Marathon has since blossomed into one of the region’s most popular road races, drawing several hundred runners each year -- more than 730 crossed the finish line in 2011 -- to an event that typically enjoys beautiful weather and enthusiastic spectators cheering participants on.

The race, which is open to both runners and walkers, remains open to traffic throughout the event, so participants need to be aware of their surroundings as well as the two-hour, 45-minute time limit for the event. The terrain for the half-marathon is a mixture of paved roadways and gravel surfaces along both suburban and rural roads, and unfolds across mostly flat ground for much of the course – though certainly not all of it.

The total elevation change throughout the 13.1-mile course amounts to roughly 300 feet, and includes some seriously challenging hills. There is a long and steep downhill immediately after mile 7 known as the Red Rock Ravine, two difficult uphill stretches right after miles 9 and 10, and what race organizers describe as a “final, soul-crushing” uphill just before the race finish line. As the event’s website puts it, “this is where the praying starts.”

Needless to say, heed the race organizers’ helpful hints not to start out too fast and to keep pace with fellow runners who share your own comfortable speed, to help make sure you don’t run out of gas for the last brutal mile of the race.


Race Weather & Climate

The weather in this central Pennsylvania town can vary widely in the last weeks of fall. Though average area temperatures for December range between 24°F and 37°F, the weather can be much warmer in State College at this time of year. Also come prepared for wet weather, as precipitation averages about 2.84 inches for the month. On the day of the race (Dec. 2), the average high is 41°F and the average low is 28°F.


Course Map

View the race route map for the Nittany Valley Half Marathon


Fees

$25 for the half marathon


Registration

To reserve your spot in the early winter 2012 running of State College's Nittany Valley Half Marathon, register online at Active.com.


Official Race Website

www.nvrun.com



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