HARRISBURG, PA – The Hershey Harrisburg Region welcomed more than 3,700 runners from across the country for three race events in November. From high school athletes to seasoned runners hoping to qualify for the nation’s most prestigious marathon, participants covered every age group and skill level.

PIAA Cross Country State Championships | Hershey, PA | Nov. 1, 2025
More than 1,600 runners from 390 Pennsylvania high schools ran the Hershey Parkview Course, known for its mix of flat and hilly terrain on the site of a former golf course. Winding through wooded areas and open fields and within earshot of the roaring roller coasters at nearby Hersheypark, this premier course is known for its iconic views and scenic beauty in Hershey, the Sweetest Place on Earth®. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) is the governing body for high school sports in the state. The PIAA has hosted the Cross Country State Championships in Hershey since 2001.

NIRCA Cross Country National Championships | Hershey, PA | Nov. 8, 2025
More than 1,600 athletes from 65 U.S. collegiate running clubs ran the Hershey Parkview Course. (See above for course details.) The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) is the national governing body for collegiate running clubs. NIRCA hosts a variety of events for its approximately 150 collegiate running clubs including cross country, road running, and track and field championships. NIRCA hosted its National Cross Country Championships at Hershey Parkview Course in 2024 as well. The event also includes an Open 6k inviting members of the community to tie up their laces and run the course.

Enders YMCA Harrisburg Marathon | Harrisburg, PA | Nov. 9, 2025
This year’s event reached record registrations with more than 1,500 participants. The Boston Marathon-qualifying course is known for its mostly flat terrain and low elevation terrain where personal bests are often achieved. The course winds through Pennsylvania’s Capital City with gorgeous views of the riverfront, historic architecture lining city streets, and forested paths. The race starts and ends on City Island which is walkable to local hotels and features ample on-site parking. The Harrisburg Area YMCA annual race series includes a marathon, half marathon, 5k, mile and more held in
locations in Harrisburg and Hershey. The YMCA Harrisburg Marathon, Half & Relay has been held for over 50 years and attracts over 1,000 runners from across the country. It is in its sixth decade of Boston-qualifying events.

The Sweet Spot for Runners
With more than 9,200 hotel rooms and easy access to Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), Amtrak’s Keystone Route, and proximity to over 40% of the population within 500 miles, the Hershey Harrisburg Region is well poised to welcome large-scale race events. Beyond the run, participants enjoy the region’s sweet attractions like Hersheypark (group discounts are often available), Hershey’s Chocolate World (the free Chocolate Tour Ride is a must), Hershey Bears professional hockey (pending schedule), and more. In Harrisburg, runners enjoy down time where there’s a small city feel with big city amenities like dining, museums, and live music. A free tour of what is often considered to be one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the country is a must-do while in town.

For more information on these courses and other versatile venues available in the Hershey Harrisburg Region, please visit www.hhsportsandevents.com.

Email: cortney@hersheyharrisburg.org
www.hhsportsandevents.com

*About Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority (HHSE) HHSE is committed to promoting sports tourism and events initiatives in the Hershey Harrisburg Region, forging mutually beneficial partnerships with new and existing clients, supporting locally produced events to expand audiences, and driving economic development as it relates to sports and events tourism. HHSE is a division of Visit Hershey Harrisburg, which serves as the official non-profit partnership-based Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Dauphin and Perry counties located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.