Palisades Half + 6K RESCHEDULED to Sat. 10/3
Full event details below, but keep in mind:
Start/Finish location for both races changed to Ross Dock Picnic Area (~2 mi from original start)
Both races start at 9AM
Arrive by 8:15 AM to park in Ross Dock parking lot and walk to start
Arrive by 7:30 if you need to pick up your bib
There are less water stations than originally planned, bring water if you are concerned
Course Maps are below. Please keep in mind the updated half marathon course is uncertified by USATF NJ and the 6K will take place on pavement.
Race art by Kaitlin Brito
10/3 Course Maps: Half & 6K
Half Marathon Course Advisories
There are three water stations that half marathon runners hit once on the way out and once on the way back. These are located at 2.3 miles, 3.8 miles, 6 miles on the way out and at 8.15 miles, 10.2 miles, 11.7 miles on the way back.
Half Marathon runners will stay on the right side of the running lane to approach the first water station, while 6k runners will begin moving left towards their turnaround at that point.
Half Marathon runners should stay right as they encounter the second water station (3.8 miles) and will return on the other side of that loop on the way back.
At the turnaround (7.0 miles), runners make the first left after the fork and then another left to begin the return south (runners will not go around the entire circle at that junction.)
6K Race Course Advisories
There is only one water station, located right before the turnaround (around the 3.7km mark)
6k runners will begin to split to the left side of the cones approaching the water station:
6k runners that do not stop for water will continue on the left of the cones to the turnaround point and make a left U-turn to begin the return leg
6k runners stopping for water should go to the water station and then make their way back to the left lane, taking care to not obstruct half marathon runners that will continue straight in the right lane
10/3 Information
GETTING TO THE START LINE
BY CAR:
Free parking is available for runners inside Ross Dock Picnic Area. Have your registration confirmation email available to show security when you drive in at the southern park entrance.
BY RIDESHARE:
Direct Rideshares to Ross Dock Picnic Area
NYC SHUTTLE:
A shuttle service will run between Manhattan and the start/finish area in Fort Lee, NJ. Morning shuttles will run every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 AM. Shuttles will pick up in Manhattan at Fort Washington Avenue between W 175 St & W 176 St and drop off in Ross Dock Picnic Area. Return shuttles to Manhattan will run in reverse between the same two locations hourly beginning at 10:30.
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.
Full details for shuttle bus service can be found here.
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:
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 Ross Dock Picnic Area.
ARRIVAL & CHECK IN
HALF and 6K ARRIVAL TIME
Both races will begin at 9:00 AM. Runners should arrive by 8:15 AM at the latest.
If you are picking up your bib morning-of, we strongly encourage arriving by 6:45 AM and no later than 7:30 AM.
PLEASE NOTE: Those who join lines after the times indicated cannot be guaranteed bib assignment in time for race participation. If you pick up your bib the morning of the race, you will not receive your t-shirt until after the race.
SPECTATOR ZONE
Friends and family that wish to attend the race as spectators can gather at Ross Dock Picnic Area where the Finish Festival will take place. Spectators can enter the park after 9:30, 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 RACE
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.
A note on this decision:
Since canceling Sunday’s race, we have heard your feedback and disappointment about our 10/3 rain date 10K. At the time of cancellation, a single scaled down race was the only option we had the capacity and resources to offer safely.
For the last 5 days, our three person organization has worked tirelessly to secure the many resources, staffing, and vendors necessary to put on a full Half Marathon and 6K event on 10/3. Due to lack of availability at Fort Lee Historic Park, both courses have been altered and will now start and finish in Palisades Interstate Park, with parking at Ross Dock.
The intention of this race has always been to bring folks together in our parks and to raise money to sustain these public lands so everyone can enjoy running, walking, hiking, and outdoor recreation within them. It is clearly stated on our website and in the race waiver signed by all participants that if the event is cancelled, registration fees for this race are non-refundable and automatically converted to a donation. This is regardless of whether a rain date is offered or not.
However, our team has put their all into creating an event that not only raises money, but creates an opportunity for new people to discover, enjoy, and connect within our parks. With this at the heart of our mission, we did not want to cancel this event and take away the opportunity to share the parks with all of you.
If you are unable to attend the rain date and would like a donation acknowledgement letter for tax purposes, please fill out this form and our team will be happy to provide it.
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.
FAQ
Why can't we offer deferrals or refunds?
Most of the cost of putting on a race comes before race day. Months ahead, we pay for bibs, shirts, medals, vendors, and other event services, and none of those costs can be recovered if the race is canceled. If we offered refunds or deferrals, we would lose money on the event, and that would take funds away from the parks this race is meant to support. That's why our website and the waiver every runner signs state that if the race is canceled, registration becomes a nonrefundable donation to the Palisades Parks Conservancy.
Why can't we offer credits to other races?
The Palisades Half + 6K is our only race, and we are a three-person nonprofit, not a race company with other events on the calendar. Under our registration terms, your entry fee has become a donation that supports our parks. Instead of a credit, we're offering the full event on the 10/3 rain date. If you can't attend, we're happy to send a donation acknowledgement letter for tax purposes.
Why can't we reschedule the race on a Sunday?
A race day depends on securing medical services, police cooperation, volunteers, staff, vendors, and park access all on the same date. Saturday, October 3 is the date when we could line all of those up.
Why is the race route and start/finish location changing?
Fort Lee Historic Park isn't available in the coming weeks, so we've moved both courses to start and finish in the Palisades Interstate Park (also in Fort Lee, NJ).
Can I transfer from the half marathon to the 6K (or vice versa)?
Yes. You can do so by going to your RunSignup profile, clicking on Manage Registration, and going to the bottom of the page. Click on Transfer to Another Race, and follow the steps accordingly to transfer.
I can’t make the race on October 3, can I transfer my bib to a friend/family member?
Yes. Login to your portal in RunSignup and go to Upcoming Events, click on Manage Registration for the Palisades Half + 6K, click on Transfer Event at the bottom of the page, click on Start Transfer, and fill out the information for the person you would like to transfer your race to.
I can’t make the race on October 3, can I still get my medal?
Our team is still considering options for distributing medals beyond the rain date.
Sign up to Volunteer
We are 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 you can commit to volunteering on race day, please fill out this volunteer form.
Reach out to race@palisadesparks.org with any questions.
Sponsors
Prize Sponsors
Event Partners
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 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!
Please get in touch if you are interested in sponsorship opportunities.
To receive updates on the Conservancy’s events and activities, sign up for our newsletter here.