EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER: We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Palisades Half Marathon + 6K Trail Run scheduled for S...
We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Palisades Half Marathon + 6K Trail Run scheduled for Sunday 9/27 due to dangerous weather conditions. The Palisades Interstate Park has been closed due to extreme storm conditions and we are not able or willing to produce an event that could be unsafe for participants, volunteers, or staff.
We are very disappointed that the race cannot go on as scheduled, our small team has worked for months to make this event special for participants and we are truly sad to see it cancelled. Per registration waivers, we cannot offer refunds or deferrals because we have already paid vendors and purchased supplies for the event.
As an alternative to full cancellation, we are offering a rain date alternative on Saturday, October 3. Because of reduced staff and capacity, the event will be scaled down to a single 10k course from 9am-12pm. The event start/finish line will be moved at Ross Dock Picnic Area. in the Palisades Interstate Park. All participants will receive bibs/t-shirts (if you haven’t picked them up already) as well as a medal.
If you cannot join us on October 3rd, it is possible for you to transfer your bib to a friend or family member. In addition to the steps outlined in the link, if you already picked up your bib, you will need to hand off your bib to the runner.
More details on the course, parking, and shuttle buses will be announced next week.
Just a reminder: The Palisades Half Marathon is a public program of the Palisades Parks Conservancy, a small environmental nonprofit dedicated to stewarding 29 parks state parks in the Hudson Valley. Thank you for understanding.
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The Palisades Half Marathon and Trail Run are back for 2026! Both races will take place on Sunday, September 27th. Registration for both the Palisades Half Marathon and 6K Trail Run are now open.
Both races start and finish at Fort Lee Historic Park. The newly updated USATF certified Half Marathon course includes 13.1 paved miles with stunning views and over 1430 ft of elevation gain along the Palisades ridge. The new 6K Trail Run descends to the Shore Trail along the Hudson River, and climbs up the cliffs through tunnels and rugged crags, before connecting to the Long Path.
Registration for either race includes a free t-shirt and finish medal.
All proceeds benefit the Palisades Parks Conservancy and the network of 29 state parks and historic sites that we serve, from the GW Bridge to the Catskill Mountains.
[NEW] Detailed Course Maps: Half Marathon | 6K Trail Run
Course Overviews: Half Marathon | 6K Trail Run
Strava Event Link | Strava Half Marathon Route | Strava 6K Trail Run Route | AllTrails 6K Trail Run Route
Parking fees are estimated to be between $10 and $20 dollars for the full race day. The race is using externally run parking lots, prices may vary. If you are concerned about parking, we highly recommend carpooling, taking the shuttle, free bicycle valet, or a rideshare.
Direct Rideshares to 100 Central Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ: Streetside drop off - 10 minute walk to Start/Finish
A shuttle service will run between Manhattan and the start/finish area in Fort Lee, NJ. Morning shuttles will run every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30AM. Shuttles will pick up in Manhattan at Fort Washington Avenue between W 175 St & W 176 St and drop off in Fort Lee at Central Ave & Bigler St. Return shuttles to Manhattan will run in reverse between the same two locations every half hour beginning at 11AM.
All shuttles are first-come, first-serve. Runners are advised to leave extra time in case their intended shuttle is full and they must wait to board the next bus.
Bus Schedule: Click here to view a PDF of the bus schedule and drop off/pick up locations
Runners can book shuttle seats through their runsignup profile portal. Spectators who wish to take the shuttle must have their seats reserved by a registered runner through their runsignup profile. Follow the below steps to purchase a shuttle seat add on:
Instructional video here
BY BIKE:
Free Bike Valet will be available at the check-in tent in the Start area inside Fort Lee Historic Park.
ARRIVAL & Check In
Upon arrival at Fort Lee Historic Park, water and restrooms will be available. Report to the registration tent for check-in, race-day bib pickup, bag check, and bike valet.
HALF ARRIVAL TIME
The Half Marathon race begins at 9:00 AM. Half Marathon runners should arrive by 8:00 AM.
If you are picking up your bib morning-of, we strongly encourage arriving by 6:45 AM and no later than 7:30 AM.
6K ARRIVAL TIME
The 6K Mixed Terrain Trail Run will begin at 9:30. We encourage 6K runners to arrive between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM.
If you are picking up your bib morning-of, we strongly encourage arriving by 7:30 AM and no later than 8:00 AM.
There are three options for bib pickup. If you have not already done so, please indicate when you plan to pick your bib up through this form.
ADVANCE PICK UP:
Tuesday, September 22 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM @Fort Lee Historic Park
Packets Include:
Thursday, September 24 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM @Fleet Feet Columbus Circle
Packets Include:
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND YOURSELF, SOMEONE ELSE CAN PICK UP ON YOUR BEHALF BY PRESENTING YOUR FORWARDED RACE REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL. ALL ADVANCED PICK-UP PERKS ARE STILL INCLUDED!
RACE-DAY BIB & T-SHIRT PICK UP
Sunday, September 27 from 6:45 AM at the Start Festival @Fort Lee Historic Park
Friends and family that wish to attend the race as spectators can gather at Fort Lee Historic Park where the Finish Festival will take place. Spectators are encouraged to park in any of the available street parking and garages surrounding the park. A selection of food will be available for purchase by spectators and picnics are encouraged!
We are still actively recruiting volunteers for race day. Our volunteer crews help the race run smoothly by supporting check-in, running water stations, and providing guidance along the course. If friends or family wish to volunteer on race day, please ask them to fill out this form with their information and availability.
The 6K trail run is a new route with a moderately technical and highly mixed-terrain course. Runners will encounter steep and uneven stone steps, rocky switchbacks, stretches of pavement, grass, gravel, and pathways alongside steep cliff drop-offs. Certain sections will require slowing down to a walk or hike and, at times, moving in single file for safety. These areas will be marked with signage, and volunteers will be present to direct runners along the way.
In the summer of 2024, a severe rainstorm in the Palisades Interstate Park caused road damage along the Palisades Half Marathon route. While the area has continuously improved through the intervening years, there are still some remaining sections of uneven and patchy pavement with exposed bricks, bumps, and depressions. The road conditions last for .5 miles between mile marker 3 and 4, and .5 miles between mile markers 9 and 10. This area will be marked by cones and caution tape to avoid the worst damage.
All registration fees for this race are put directly toward the Palisades Parks Conservancy nonprofit's work of protecting, preserving, and enhancing the Palisades Parks. At this time, we cannot offer refunds or deferrals. We understand that injuries, emergencies, and obligations can come up. If you cannot attend the race, you may reach out to race@palisadesparks.org to transfer your registration to another person who can run in your place.
The event will go on rain or shine, in the event of extreme inclement weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the race will be canceled and all registration fees will be converted to donations to support the Palisades Parks preservation work. We appreciate your understanding and your contributions to our small organization!
