Half Marathon races near Mount Ivy

The Ridgefield Road Fest begins at the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield in Ridgefield, Connecticut, offering three road-race options: a half marathon, a 7-miler, and a 5K. This October running event features distances of 21.1 km, 11.3 km, and 5.0 km. The course provides runners a choice between a half-marathon effort, a middle-distance road race, or a shorter 5K. The Iris Fund benefits from the 5K, and the series is celebrating its 50th anniversary, adding local history to the event.

The Moreau Half starts and finishes at the beach inside Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, New York, near Old Saratoga Road. It is a late-October trail race of roughly 14 miles, with about 2,700 feet of climbing packed into winding, technical singletrack. This is not a road half with dirt underfoot; the organizers warn that it is not meant for beginners, and many runners should plan on taking about twice as long as they would for a road half marathon. The course is fully marked, with one aid station at Bonita Lake around six miles in, and race-day logistics are simple: park entry is free and parking is near the beach.

Veterans and active duty military receive a special paper-registration offer for the InFirst Bank Veterans Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay, which includes discounted pricing and a complimentary T-shirt. The event is based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Pre-race packet pickup occurs on a Saturday in late October, with race-day pickup on Sunday morning at Saylor Park. The Indiana Road Runners Club organizes the race, which raises funds for local veterans, integrating the military theme into its name and registration process. Participants can select the marathon, half marathon, or relay. The event offers course details, aid station information, and a trail map. The marathon holds significant competitive value, having previously served as the Road Runners Club of America Pennsylvania State Championship race. Overall male and female winners, as well as winners in the 40+ and 60+ age groups, are state champions. Race photos are distributed via John Swauger and the Indiana Road Runners Club, and historical results are available online.

The Merry Christmas Run is a Christmas-themed group run held in New York City’s Central Park. Participants can choose from 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances, as well as a Family 1 Mile Fun Run. The event begins in the morning and accommodates both runners and walkers. The setup is straightforward: there is no chip timing, no required equipment, and participants may optionally self-track using apps like Strava, RunKeeper, or Nike Run. The course begins and ends within Central Park, with the specific course map provided to participants. This is a smaller, private run with limited wave sizes, meaning entries close once each wave is full. Runners who miss out can join a waitlist or opt for the virtual race. The event is open to all paces and ages, although minors must be accompanied by a guardian. Registration includes race merchandise, such as a shirt for U.S. participants, a finisher medal, and a towel or similar giveaway.