Palisades Half Marathon + 8K Trail Run in Fort Lee, NJ experience and scenery

Palisades Half Marathon + 8K Trail Run

Home » Races » New Jersey » Fort Lee » Palisades Half Marathon + 8K Trail Run
Date

Sep 21, 2025

Starting Time

9:00 AM EDT

Course

Trail-Road

Fees

$105

Location

Fort Lee

Participants

100-500

Terrain

Challenging

Environment

Forested, Urban, Riverfront

Temperature
High: 73°
/ Low: 60°
Perfect For:
Beginner Friendly
Destination Race
Well Organized
Charity Race
BQ
Overview

Set for Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Palisades Half Marathon & new 8 K Trail Run invites runners to explore the scenic cliffs of the Palisades Interstate Park, with stunning Hudson River views and Manhattan skyline glimpses from Ross Dock Picnic Area in Fort Lee.

Course Highlights & Experience
The half marathon takes participants on a 13.1‑mile paved loop along Henry Hudson Drive, climbing more than 1,200–1,600 ft as it winds atop the Palisades ridge. Expect a mix of punchy hills and sweeping vistas—a true urban-nature hybrid run. For trail lovers, the 8 K offers a rugged outing over rocky shore trails, the Long Path, and cliff ascents through mixed terrain.

Shuttles from Manhattan make this an easy NYC meet-up, and limited parking/reservations ensure a smooth start/finish at the parkside venue. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and local runners alike, all proceeds fund the Palisades Parks Conservancy, preserving 29 parks from the George Washington Bridge to the Catskills.

Runner Feedback
A recent Reddit thread noted:

“The race has serious views and elevation gains… 13.1 paved route with 1,600+ ft of climbing along the cliffs”
And a LinkedIn post reflected on the course’s dramatic gain and NYC prep value .

Course Description

Both races will take place on Sunday, September 21st. Join for a stunning 13.1 mile paved run over 1200 ft of elevation along the Palisades ridge, or experience the rugged cliffs with a shorter 8 kilometer mixed-terrain adventure run along the shore trail, the Long Path, and the rocky cliff climbs in between.

Both the Palisades Half and 8K will begin and end at the Ross Dock Picnic Area in the Palisades Interstate Park in Fort Lee, NJ.

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