A beautifully scenic course that unfolds almost entirely along the banks of the Susquehanna River forms the backdrop for runners at Pennsylvania’s UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Half Marathon and Relay, which marks its 26th annual running this year.
Organizers say the race has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, reaching more than 1,000 runners, walkers and relay team members in recent years, 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.