The Harrisburg Marathon was the 129th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 107th largest in 2022.
Last year 21.1% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 16.3% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Harrisburg Marathon the 49th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 81st highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 99.07 ranks it as the 187th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 9th fastest course in Pennsylvania.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Harrisburg Marathon a PR Score of 99.07. This PR Score ranks it as the 136th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 7th fastest in Pennsylvania.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Harrisburg Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 348 feet (106m) Min Elevation: 295 feet (89m)
This is a very nice small local marathon. With any race you need to know the details ahead so you can get it in your mind that you got this!!! Yes there can be brutal winds by the river! I loved the tail winds and looked forward to that on the second loop to blow me along the river! Yes, there are enthusiastic spectators! But, NO not like the big marathons so expect none and they will totally blow you away! Flat course that I actually loved since its scenery changes, expect horrible scenery and you will love it! I loved that I got to see other runners and the river throughout the course. They actually had pacers which is unusual for a local small marathon! The convenience of staying at the hotel and walking a block or two to the start was great. Nice cafe for coffee afterwards was fantastic! Awesome local restaurants were close! Loved the new course and not having to run through the city. Know ahead it is 2 loops and know that your mind is in a different place second loop! I loved traversing the bridges back and forth and the two loops you knew what to expect. So cool to run the loops and bridges and broke up the monotony of road running! I honestly thought I'd hate the 2 loops and so many runners were complaining at the start- which as a runner you know not to put that negative crap in your head??? Over all I loved this race! It's no frills as you have to carry your own gels and there was plenty of water. Also very pleased with the clean and convenient porta potties. Seriously this is a fantastic marathon. I'd say the only negative is having to run on concrete for some miles and I expected a regular hoodie for the 50th… though overall pleased with my thin hoodie! Oh my I forgot to add the little trail section was a fun surprise as well as the fireball guy! I can't imagine doing a Fireball shot though I had fun listening to his fireball song blasting and seeing other runners happily stop for a shot! Next year he should keep track of numbers and give prize to the runner who guessed how many runners took a shot! All in all a great event - the relay was cool too! If you are running the marathon-consider bringing 4 friends and have them do the relay!!! Excellent execution Fleetfeet and team! I think I may have to run this again! Not sure why this doesn't have 4,000 runners!!!!
Very convenient. Get there 30 minutes before the start, pickup bib and run. Highest ratio of porta potties to participants of any event. All turns marked/manned. Very pretty. Basically flat.
I stayed south of town in a cheap motel. Plenty of parking on city island.
CB's review of 2019 Harrisburg Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I stayed at the Hilton that offered a marathon deal and was a quick walk to the start. There were plenty of bathrooms and plenty of volunteers at the aid stations which were every 2-3 miles and every aid station offered Stinger gel too. The course is "pretty" flat but not pancake flat by any means. A few small hills and a few slight up/downhill gradients. Nothing that will tear up your quads. The course is interesting so you won’t get bored, and has a few sharp corners and turns. It didn't feel crowded at all. Good crowd support. Was able to PR and BQ. Would recommend. This was my 4th marathon.
Race Tips
There were pacing groups if you like to use them. The course is relatively similar from beginning to end so don't worry about huge hills. There is one hill at mile 25 coming up from the river walk back to the road, but it is quick. An easy PR course.
Hilton and Radisson offered special discounts to marathoners.
JY's review of 2016 Harrisburg Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Loved this marathon! Course is interesting with some small hills and enough turns to keep you engaged - a beautiful course. Awesome crowd support for a smaller race (this crowd was loud and the signs were hilarious!). Fun finish line (crowds on restaurant row). Don't go in thinking it's completely flat but the hills are quick and manageable. I absolutely loved this race and city (stayed at Crowne Plaza- very short walk from start/finish).
Race Tips
There are small hills and a sharp turn with a small hill at mile 25ish. Manageable but go in knowing they are there.
Pacers were amazing- 3:25 pacer was very calm, comfortable and steady (thanks, Bill!).
I got to City Island at 6:50. By 6:55, I had my bib and sweatshirt and was back to my truck. It was more convenient than most 5ks. No race shirt (thank God because I have about 50 of them), just a nice thick sweatshirt. My first marathon sweatshirt. I parked about 200 feet from the starting line and walked over at 7:55 for an 8:00 start. Sure beats waiting around in the cold like at Philly.
The course is pancake flat. The only part I didn't like was running on gravel for a mile or so through the woods. There was a headwind from mile 11 to 18.
I didn't have to carry gels because nearly every water/Gatorade stop had Stingers. I tried hitting every tangent and wound up with 26.26 miles. The shortest marathon that I have ever run. The finish was right in the middle of town and they provided sandwiches, fruit, coffee, hot chocolate, potato chips and bagels from Panera Bread.
The convenience of this race trumps Philly. I will definitely run this marathon again.
