Run 4 The River Half Marathon

Experience the vibrant fall season with the Run 4 The River Half Marathon, set to take place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, starting at 8AM sharp. This thrilling race offers runners an exhilarating downhill course along the Empire Trail from Rotterdam to Schenectady, New York.
The event is organized in collaboration with Nark Running Strategies and ARE Event Productions, alongside support from Schenectady County. The entry fees are tiered based on registration dates: $50 until January 1st, $65 through March 15th, $75 from March 16th to May 15th, $85 from May 16th to July 15th, and finally $95 up until race day.
The course begins at Mabee Farm in Rotterdam and concludes at Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady. Participants can park at both the start and finish locations or opt for a shuttle service offered by organizers. The bus will run from 6:45AM to 7:20AM, providing transportation from the finish line back to the starting point for $10 per person.
A gear check facility is available at the race's outset, offering runners bags large enough to carry shoes and a change of clothes or other small items. These will be transported directly to the finish area post-race.
Race packets can be picked up on Thursday from 4:30PM to 6PM at Nark Running & Strength in Albany. On Friday, packet pick-up is available from 6AM to 1PM and again from 4PM to 6PM at the same location. Alternatively, runners may collect their race packets between 7AM and 7:45AM on Saturday morning directly at the start line.
Elite athletes who have achieved qualifying times since January 1st, 2020 can register for free. Female qualifiers must meet a standard of 18 minutes in the 5K or under one hour twenty minutes for the half marathon; male qualifiers need to complete a 5K in less than fifteen and a half minutes or be within an hour eleven minutes at the half-marathon distance.
Awards will go to the overall top three finishers, each receiving $300, $200, and $100 respectively. Additionally, age group winners from nineteen years up through seventy and beyond in ten-year increments will also receive awards.
For an extra layer of peace of mind, runners can purchase insurance for their registration fee at a cost of $12. This ensures full refunds (excluding the additional charge) if cancellation is requested before September 3rd at midnight; no reasons are required to be provided.
The Run 4 The River Half Marathon promises not just an exciting run but also a lively post-race celebration featuring live music and entertainment, making it a memorable event for all participants.