Race Overview

 The 35th annual running of the Nittany Valley Half-Marathon will be on Sunday, December 2nd in State College, Pennsylvania!
The race starts at 10 AM. Walkers will start at 9 AM.

Half Marathon Course

The 13.1 mile course begins & ends on the Penn State campus, touring through rolling countryside, along scenic Spring Creek and through quaint Houserville.

Course: ​Race day headquarters, parking and the start line are at the Snider Ag Arena. The Snider Ag Arena has indoor bathrooms as well as port-a-potties.

​We have a detailed course map with elevation profile. The course will be well-marked by signage and volunteers.
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The finish line is across the street from the start, at the Centre County Visitors Center.
Please note that we ask spectators and runners to park at the Ag Arena so that the Visitors Center remains a safe area for all of our runners as they finish.

Time Limit: The course will be closed at 1:30 pm. All runners must complete the course in 3.5 hours.

Traffic: Most of the course is open to traffic; therefore, you must follow applicable Pennsylvania highway laws (please keep to the shoulder, be attentive to other road users, etc.).

For the safety of all of our runners, strollers/baby joggers and dogs are not permitted on the course.

Water Stops: Water will be available at the following locations:
  • Mile 3.4 (after the turn onto Fox Hill Rd)
  • Mile 6.3 (At the intersection of Fox Hill & Rock Rd)
  • Mile 9 (In the neighborhood of Sterns Crossing)
  • Mile 11.7 (At the base of Orchard road, the final climb)
  • Finish Line & Ag Arena post-race celebration
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Walkers: New for 2018 we are offering the option to complete the half-marathon as a walker! Walkers will start at 9 AM and follow the same course at the runners. They will have 4.5 hours to complete the course. For walkers only, we are offering an award for the first finisher in each age group.
Start Line: Snider Ag Arena
800 E Park Ave, State College, PA 16803
​“Then came the middle of the course and the big downhill after it — I knew it’s bad but just couldn’t resist full speed — followed by the series of ups and downs that made me feel like I was on a trail event, without the mud, and then came the last mile of ascending, that was a good slap on my happy, downhill running face.” 
​                                                        - Veselin Lefterov from Bulgaria

Awards

  • Top 3 in each Age Group: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
  • Top 6 in each Age Group for 15 and under, 16-19
  • The Hill Challenge Award for the fastest male and female to the top! Award = time uphill/total time.
  • Average Jane and Joe Awards for the runner finishing in the middle of their gender.​
  • Youngest and Oldest runners will receive a special gift from Rapid Transit Sports.
  • ​For walkers only, we are offering an award for the first finisher in each age group.
  • All runners & walkers who pay +$10 for a finisher's medal will receive it at the finish line.​

Packet Pickup

Back by popular demand! We will be offering multiple options for packet pickup.
  • Friday November 30th: 6-8am at Fitology, 12-2pm and 5-7:30pm at Appalachian Outdoors.
  • Saturday December 1st: 3-4pm at the Penn Stater
  • Sunday Decemeber 2nd, Starting at 7am Race Morning: Ag Arena

Check your email and our facebook page for more information.

Spectator Tips

We have some recommended spots for optimum spectating! Signs and cowbells are always encouraged!

​Parking is available around the Ag Arena. From the start near the Ag Arena you can see the runners pass the first corner... then it is an easy walk across the street to the Finish line.

The Best Spectator Spots:
  • Start line at Ag Arena
  • Hemlock Hill neighborhood (off of Fox Hill Road)
  • Sterns Crossing neighborhood (adjacent to Trout Rd)
  • Entrance to Spring Creek Park
  • Finish line at the Visitor's Center (Please note that we ask spectators and runners to park at the Ag Arena so that the Visitors Center remains a safe area for all of our runners as they finish.)