Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk

Sponsors

This event provides the organization’s largest source of revenue for maintaining the trail. We hope you will continue your support of this all-volunteer group who is out on the trail every weekend keeping it safe and accessible. 

We hope you will consider signing up now or making a donation to help us maintain this important resource throughout the season.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY, APRIL 10.  Your registration must be fully processed by that time. 

Location

Start and finish are at the Boston Trailhead of the Youghiogheny River Trail, part of the Great Allegheny Passage. The trailhead is located at 1902 Donner Street, Elizabeth Township, PA 15135 (GPS Coordinates 40 18.6482 N 79 49.6905 W).
From Route 30 follow Route 48 South, or, from Route 51, follow Route 48 North.

Course

The course is a level crushed limestone surface, USA Track & Field certified, with marked miles. Aid stations will be located every 2 miles and will provide basic first aid, water, and Gatorade. Energy gels will also be provided at the turn for the Half Marathon. EMS will be on-site for medical emergencies.

PLEASE NOTE: THE ½ MARATHON COURSE WILL OFFICIALLY CLOSE AT 1PM. NO SUPPORT SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER THAT TIME.

Timing and Results

Racers will once again be Championchip timed by Runners High and results posted on www.runhigh.com. The MarathonPacing.com Pace Team will be back to pace runners in the Half Marathon; see www.marathonpacing.com/boston.

Awards

Medals will be awarded the top 3 overall and age group finishers, male and female. An open division will award medals for the top three finishers and will include those who identify as nonbinary or prefer not to select gender. Finisher medals will be given to those completing the Half Marathon.

The Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5K is proud to be a USATF certified race. In accordance with USATF rules, participants who receive assistance of any kind during the race are disqualified. Therefore, awards will be given only to participants who have completed the entire course on their own.

Event Shirts

All Half Marathon participants registered by Sunday, March 23rd by midnight, will receive a long-sleeved, technical fiber t-shirt. 5K participants will receive a short-sleeved cotton t-shirt. Shirts will not be available for participants registering after March 23, 2025.

Activities

Music, food, and refreshments will be provided following the race.

Weather

Races will take place rain or shine. There is no rain date. If safety reasons necessitate a cancellation, notification will be posted on our website by 5:00 a.m.

Parking

There is limited parking at the Boston Trail Head. Participants may instead park at the Boston Spectrum and walk up the trail to the start line. The Spectrum is located at 6001 Smithfield Street, Elizabeth Township, PA 15135 (GPS Coordinates 40 18.7975 N 79 49.3278 W). Runner belongings can be stored at the trailhead during the event.

Packet Pick-up

Packet pick-up is 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on race day.

REGISTRATION FEES

Half Marathon $45 until March 23rd at midnight. Fee increases to $50 after March 23rd.

5K Run/Walk $30 until March 23rd at midnight. Fee increases to $35 after March 23rd.

All proceeds from this event benefit the all-volunteer Mon/Yough Trail Council which maintains the Allegheny County portion of the Youghiogheny River Trail, part of the Great Allegheny Passage.