Palisades Half Marathon + 6K Trail Run

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE:

We are closely monitoring the forecast for Sunday, 9/27, and the potential for a powerful coastal storm affecting Palisades Interstate Park.

At this time, the Palisades Half Marathon + 6K Trail Run will proceed as planned. Race directors will make a final weather decision by 3 p.m. on Friday, 9/25. Updates will be shared via email, social media, and our website.

This event is rain or shine, but the safety of all participants is our top priority. If serious inclement weather is expected, we may need to reroute the trail course or cancel the event entirely. In the event of a weather-related cancellation, we will do our best to postpone the race to a future date.

Per the event registration waiver: All entry fees are non-refundable. We reserve the right to postpone or cancel the event due to circumstances beyond our control such as a natural disaster or emergency or as required to protect the safety of participants and staff. No refunds will be issued under these circumstances.

Whatever happens with the weather, every registered participant will still receive their race shirt and finisher medal. If the race can't go forward as planned, we'll share pickup details. Thank you for your understanding and for supporting the Palisades Parks Conservancy.

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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

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GETTING TO THE START LINE

BY CAR:

Please note that there is no parking for runners inside Fort Lee Historic Park. The following parking options are available on a first-come-first-serve basis:

Primary Parking Locations

Hudson Lights Parking Garage: 15 minute walk from the Start/Finish Area.

Fort Lee Municipal Garage & Lot at 231 Main Street: 20 minute walk to the Start/Finish Line.

Additional Parking Options (smaller lots)

Fort Lee Municipal Lot at 95 Main Street

Fort Lee Municipal Lot at 1622 Gerome Avenue

Metered street parking is available throughout Fort Lee

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.

BY RIDESHARE:

Direct Rideshares to 100 Central Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ: Streetside drop off - 10 minute walk to Start/Finish

NYC SHUTTLE:

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

Sign In to RunSignUp

Go to your Profile

View your events under Upcoming Events

Click Manage Registration next to the registration that you are editing.

Click Add-On menu item located on the top OR left of Race page

Edit the quantity of the Add-On that you would like

Click Continue

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.

BIB/T-SHIRT PICK UP

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:

Bib and US grown cotton t-shirt

Energy gel and gummies

Printed course maps

Bib number will be entered in a raffle to win a free Nuataaq water bottle

Thursday, September 24 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM @Fleet Feet Columbus Circle Packets Include:

Bib and US grown cotton t-shirt

Energy gel and gummies

Printed course maps

Bib number will be entered in a raffle to win a free Nuataaq water bottle

A discount at Fleet Feet when you pick up your bib and shirt

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

Half Marathon participants must be in line by 7:30 AM.

Trail Run participants must be in line by 8:00 AM.

PLEASE NOTE: Those who join lines after the times indicated cannot be guaranteed bib assignment in time for race participation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you pick up your bib the morning of the race, you will not receive your t-shirt until after the race.

ONCE AGAIN: We strongly encourage participants to arrive on the earlier side to avoid long lines.

SPECTATOR ZONE

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!

PRIZES

HALF MARATHON

Top three overall finishers; Men & Women: A new pair of select running sneakers courtesy of Fleet Feet

1st place Finisher in each age category; All genders: Nuataaq Water bottle

Top three in each age category; All genders: One year free subscription to AllTrails Plus, courtesy of AllTrails

6K TRAIL RUN

Top three overall finishers; Men & Women: Trail Shoes courtesy of Hoka

Top three in each age category; All genders: One year free subscription to AllTrails Plus, courtesy of AllTrails

VOLUNTEERS

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.

COURSE ADVISORIES 6K TRAIL RUN

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.

HALF MARATHON

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.

CANCELATION, REFUND & TRANSFER POLICY

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 [email protected] 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!