Hands-on House Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Saturday, September 30, 2023 • Lancaster, PA • Course Map

Nestled in the heart of the southeastern corner of the state, in what is known most famously as the Pennsylvania Dutch country, the town of Lancaster in 2023 plays host to the 19th annual Hands-on House Half Marathon, 10K & 5K, a road race sponsored by the local children’s museum of the same name.

The area lives up to its billing with everything visitors might expect — from covered bridges and horse-drawn carriages along scenic, winding roads to the markets and galleries along the area’s historic streets and villages.

More than 1,000 runners and walkers have crossed the finish line in both races combined in recent years, including 400 to 500 finishers in the half marathon alone.

The 13.1-mile course for the race begins and ends at the Hands-on House Museum, and starts with a moderate uphill stretch for the first mile, followed by 4 miles of flat terrain over paved country roads.

The course takes runners along several rural Dutch country roads, past a picturesque schoolhouse and through one of the area’s signature covered bridges.

Around the midpoint of the race the course brings more challenging hills, quite a few of them matched by challenging downhill stretches.

The final 4 to 5 miles of the race are comparatively flat, and the race finishes on a stretch of unpaved road leading up to Landis Valley Museum. There will be stations with water and diluted sports drinks. Goodies, fruit and pretzels will be provided at the finish.

Runners on the course at the Hands-On House Half Marathon in Lancaster, Pa. (Courtesy Hands-On House Children’s Museum)

Race Weather & Climate

Located just east of the Susquehanna River in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 70 miles west of Philadelphia, Lancaster typically sees its rainiest month of the year in September, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 34°F (in 1986) and as high as 99°F (in 1980).

On race day (Sept. 30), the average low is 51ºF and the average high is 72ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Hands-On House Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

8:00 AM

Fees

$60 – $85 for the half marathon
$45 – $60 for the 10K
$30 – $40 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Hands-On House Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

handsonhouse.org

Comments

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