THREE GREAT RACES — ONE HISTORIC EVENT
APRIL 25-26, 2026
The Gettysburg Festival of Races is the combination of three historic races in one single weekend! Come and race just outside the hallowed grounds of the Gettysburg battlefield. Our course winds through beautiful wooded back country roads, past fields, and farms, and crosses the historic Mason-Dixon line into Maryland and back.
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Choose your challenge: the Gettysburg North-South Marathon, the Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon, or the 2L Race Services 5K.
Saturday, April 25th, will feature our popular health and fitness expo, with plenty of local vendors, from 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
2L Race Services 5K Spots remaining: 498
Price changes in 21 days 9 hours-
The 2L Race Services 5K course consists of scenic rolling hills and is the perfect place for a PR (personal record). The race begins and ends at the Eisenhower Conference Center, guiding you through the picturesque rolling back roads of southern Adams County.
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Register for 2L Race Services 5K$44.70
$40 + taxes & fees
Now registering Jun 26 – Aug 30 -
$47.37
$42.50 + taxes & fees
Aug 31 – Oct 4 -
$50.04
$45 + taxes & fees
Oct 5 – Nov 8 -
$55.38
$50 + taxes & fees
Nov 9 – Dec 6 -
$60.72
$55 + taxes & fees
Dec 7 – Jan 31 -
$66.06
$60 + taxes & fees
Feb 1 – Apr 26
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Blue-Gray Half Marathon Spots remaining: 1487
Price changes in 21 days 9 hours-
The Gettysburg Blue-Grey Half Marathon begins and ends at the Eisenhower Conference Center. After leaving the complex and turning left onto Emmitsburg Road, the course winds through the picturesque, hilly back roads of southern Adams County. It crosses the historic Mason-Dixon Line before reaching a turnaround point in Maryland.
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Register for Blue-Gray Half Marathon$82.08
$75 + taxes & fees
Now registering Jun 26 – Aug 30 -
$87.42
$80 + taxes & fees
Aug 31 – Oct 4 -
$98.10
$90 + taxes & fees
Oct 5 – Nov 8 -
$108.78
$100 + taxes & fees
Nov 9 – Dec 6 -
$114.11
$105 + taxes & fees
Dec 7 – Jan 31 -
$119.46
$110 + taxes & fees
Feb 1 – Apr 26
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North-South Marathon Spots remaining: 499
Price changes in 21 days 9 hours-
The Gettysburg North-South Marathon is a Boston-certified course that begins and ends at the Eisenhower Conference Center. After leaving the complex and turning left onto Emmitsburg Road, the course winds through the picturesque, hilly back roads of southern Adams County. It crosses the historic Mason-Dixon Line before reaching a turnaround point in Maryland. This is a two-loop course, with the first 13.1 miles shared with the Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon.
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Register for North-South Marathon$98.10
$90 + taxes & fees
Now registering Jun 26 – Aug 30 -
$100.77
$92.50 + taxes & fees
Aug 31 – Oct 4 -
$119.46
$110 + taxes & fees
Oct 5 – Nov 8 -
$124.79
$115 + taxes & fees
Nov 9 – Dec 6 -
$130.13
$120 + taxes & fees
Dec 7 – Jan 31 -
$135.47
$125 + taxes & fees
Feb 1 – Apr 26
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FAQ
Can I qualify for the Boston Marathon at the Gettysburg North-South Marathon?
- Yes. The Gettysburg North-South Marathon course is certified according to USATF (PA22010NP) standards allowing you to qualify for Boston. Once our race results are made official, we forward them directly to Boston’s registration department. Click here for more information about Boston qualifying.
How will the race be timed?
- We will have disposable bib chip timing provided by Run Rhino Run to ensure fast and accurate results for all competitors.
Is there a course time limit?
- Yes. The course will remain open for 6 hours. For marathon runners, that is ~ 14:00/mile, so unless you can walk VERY fast, it is a run-only event. The half marathon also has 6 hours which makes it very walker friendly. The 5K technically has a limit of 5:45. At that 2:00 pm, we will begin breaking down aid stations and packing up the timing, but we try to keep the medals out and food and drinks available as long as possible.
Do you allow deferrals, transfers, or refunds?
- We do not allow refunds. Requests for deferrals and transfers will be evaluated on an individual basis. Runners can change their event (dropping down if injured, behind on training, etc.) until the day before the race. We do allow participants to purchase refund protection that will cover the cost of their entry if they cannot attend due to one of the listed reasons.
Can I register on race day?
- If a race is not sold out, we will have race weekend registration.
Are the roads completely closed to traffic?
- No. Portions of the course will have roads closed, while other areas will be open to light traffic on back-country roads. A combination of police officers, park rangers, and certified flaggers will direct traffic and runners to ensure your safety.
Do you allow headphones?
- Headphones are strongly discouraged but not banned. Headphones present safety concerns for yourself and, more importantly, the other runners around you. Having a safe course is one of the top priorities. If you elect to wear headphones, we encourage you to use them in such a manner that you can hear surrounding sounds (traffic control personnel, vehicles, volunteers, and other runners). All participants who choose to wear any form of headphones assume all responsibilities and risks.
Do you allow baby joggers, strollers, or pets on the course?
- Unfortunately, our course is not closed to traffic, so we cannot allow baby joggers or strollers. These present safety concerns for yourself and, more importantly, the other runners around you. Having a safe course is one of the top priorities for all our participants.
- Pets are not permitted in any of the Gettysburg Festival of Races events.
Does each race have a cap on the number of participants?
- Yes:
- Gettysburg North-South Marathon: 500 Runners participants
- Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon: 1500 participants
- 2L Race Services 5K: 500 participants
Does the race course travel through the Gettysburg Battlefield?
- Sadly, the event can no longer travel through the Gettysburg National Military Park. Park Management instituted a new policy in 2022 that officially bans all races of any kind. We fought as hard as we could to get them to change this policy, but in the end, they dug in and were unwilling to change. The new route which travels through southern Adams County and crosses the Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland is wooded and beautiful.
Are finisher medals given out?
- We will have medals based on the event logo for all finishers of the Gettysburg North-South Marathon and the Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon.
- There are no finisher medals for the 2L Race Services 5K.
Will I need my race bib tickets for the post-race party?
- Yes, your bib gets you entry to the post-race party. Your bib has a tear tag (ticket) on it for the food tent and entitles you to one free beer (must be 21+).
Is there same day packet pick up?
- Yes, but there is a late pickup fee of $20.
Can I have my race bib and swag shipped to me?
- Yes, you can pay $10 to have your packet shipped to you up until ~3 weeks prior to race day.
How can spectators watch and support participants?
- Because of the rural nature of our course, spectators are not allowed on the course. There is no where for vehicles to park without going onto private property (not allowed) or parking on the side of the road and creating dangerous conditions for the runners.
- The only exception to spectators on the course is to volunteer at an aid station. We do need volunteers working aid stations to supply runners with water and gatorade. This is a great opportunity to see your friends/family run, while also helping the overall experience for all the participants. If you're interested in volunteer, please visit our Volunteer page to see all volunteer opportunities or email Jen Gaynor.
Awards & Swag
All registrants receive the following swag:
- Finisher shirt
- A goodie bag with items donated by sponsors
- Chip timing provided by 2L Race Services
- Fluid stations with water and electrolyte beverage every 1.5-2 miles
- Finishers medal (marathon & half marathon only)
- Commemorative pint glass for all participants
- Free digital finisher photos
- Digital Finisher’s Certificate
- Post-race food and beverages including a beer garden for participants 21+
Awards will be given to the top 3 overall male and female Finishers in all three race distances, as well as top finishers in the following age groups:
Marathon: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+
Half Marathon: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70+
5K: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Awards will be given to the top teams for male, female, and co-ed divisions in all three race distances.
Marathon / Half Marathon Map (Marathon is 2 Loops)
5K Map
Teams
Whether you are part of a running club, a corporate group, or a team of friends, this is a perfect chance to showcase your group's spirit and endurance as part of a Men's, Women's, or Co-Ed team!
Private Tent
- 5 largest teams will receive a private 10x10 tent in the festival area
- cut off will be April 1st so that event can plan for teams
Post Race Refreshment Delivery
- 3 largest teams will receive post race beer and food delivered to their private tent, making their post-race even better!
Pre-Race Happy Hour
Enjoy a team happy hour the night before the race. Location TBD.
*All teams must have a minimum of 10 members to receive perks
How to Join or Create a Team
Participants can register for any race and have the option to either create a new team or join an existing one. Teams must consist of a minimum of three runners and the score of each team will be determined by the finishing positions of its top three runners. Individuals can choose one of the following divisions to compete in: Men’s, Women’s, or Co-ed.
Charity Fundraising
The Gettysburg Festival of Races is thrilled to support the charitable work of the Warrior Canine Connection. Participants who fundraise the minimum amount for Warrior Canine Connection will receive a FREE race entry.
Warrior Canine Connection is a national non-profit that enlists recovering Warriors in a therapeutic mission of learning to train Service Dogs for their fellow Veterans in need. WCC Golden and Labrador Retriever services dogs complete approximately two years of training to help Veterans with mobility loss, hearing or vision loss, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, anxiety or depression.
Since its founding in 2011, WCC has supported the recovery and rehabilitation of 9,000 wound Veterans around the country and placed 140 assistance dogs with wounded Veterans and Military Families. All of WCC's programs and services - to include placement of its highly-skilled Services Dogs - are provided at no cost to Veterans and Military Families. For a sneak peak at the organization's future service dogs, you can view Warrior Canine Connection's 24-Hour Puppy Cam on their website.
Fundraising Requirements
- Fundraise a minimum of $500 will get a FREE entry into the Gettysburg North-South Marathon
- Fundraise a minimum of $250 will get a FREE entry into the Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon
- Fundraise a minimum of $100 will get a FREE entry into the 2L Race Services 5K
- 100% of the funds go directly to Warrior Canine Connection - a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model to help recovering Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other
- Offer is limited to the first 20 entrants across all distances
Event schedule
- Sat, April 25, 2026 1:00 PM - Packet Pickup / Health & Fitness Expo @ Aspire Hotel Ballroom
- Sat, April 25, 2026 6:00 PM - Pasta Dinner @ Aspire Hotel Ballroom
- Sun, April 26, 2026 7:00 AM - Race Day Packet Pickup / Health & Fitness Expo @ Aspire Hotel Ballroom
- Sun, April 26, 2026 8:00 AM - Gettysburg North-South Marathon & Blue-Gray Half Marathon begins
- Sun, April 26, 2026 8:15 AM - 2L Race Services 5K begins
- Sun, April 26, 2026 8:45 AM - 2L Race Services 5K Awards Ceremony
- Sun, April 26, 2026 10:00 AM - Blue-Gray Half Marathon Awards Ceremony
- Sun, April 26, 2026 12:00 PM - North-South Marathon Awards Ceremony
Contact information
- Event contact
- Jay Nevans
- Phone
- 865-300-6722
- Website
- Visit website
