Learn All About the race here!
Packet Pick Up for All Events!
Friday, Sep 11, 11am – 8pm
Pick up race packet, bib number, and timing chip at the starting line tent located at 338 N. Ronks Rd, Bird-in-Hand, PA. Race packets must be picked up on Friday before the races.
Parking
Across from Bird-in-Hand Family Inn
2727 Old Philadelphia Pike
Parking is available on a nearby farming field. Some areas may be uneven or muddy during rainfall. Please allow plenty of time to park and check-in. Gear check is not available but access to parked vehicles is quick and easy.
Picnic
Saturday, Sep 12, 10am – 12pm
Join us for this free celebration for runners and their families, volunteers, and members of the Bird-in-Hand community. Enjoy delicious BBQ chicken, grilled sausages, and all the fixings followed by cake and ice cream. It’s a fun time of camaraderie and community!
Tentative Schedule
*We recommend arriving no later than 1 hour prior to race start time to guarantee access to the parking area, so we can close the road.
Friday, September 11, 2026
- 11 am – 8 pm – Race Expo & Packet Pick-up for all events
- 4 – 8 pm – Pre-Race Pizza & Pasta Party
- 6:10 pm – Kids Fun Run
- 6:30 pm – 5K Race
- 7:30 pm - 9 pm – Bonfire/S'mores Party
Saturday, September 12, 2026
- 7:30 am – BIH Half Marathon
- 10 am – 12 pm – Community Picnic
Parking
Half Marathon Horseshoe Finisher Medals
The Horseshoe Medal is designed to reflect our course and community – hardworking, unique, and a step back in time. Horses put a lot of miles on their shoes – just as runners do. This inspired an Amish firefighter to collect authentic horseshoes from local farriers to award our runners. The finished medals are hung from leather collected from local harness shops that serve the Plain Community. Every shoe has been worn by an actual horse within a few miles of Bird-in-Hand and each medal is unique in size and shape. Bringing home a BIH Half Marathon Horseshoe Medal truly means you’ll bring home a piece of our community.
Shirts
Half Marathon and 5K runners will receive shirts available in unisex and women’s sizes. Kids Fun Run runners get a one-size youth t-shirt.Shirt guaranteed only if registered by mid-August.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
Registration & Packet Pick-up
When does registration for the Half Marathon and 5k start?
Registration for next year’s race opens on our website several weeks after this year’s racing events. Our race is always held on the weekend after Labor Day.
Can I register on the day of the race?
For the 5K, we accept day-of-race registrations if there is still space available. We now do the same for the Half on the day BEFORE the race (Friday) until sold out. On-site registration is cash or check only.
Do I have to register at the same time for the 5k and Half Marathon to get the Fire Company Challenge premium item?
No. If you end up running both races, we will have record of that for you.
Where can I find registration coupons?
Registration coupons (including Military discounts) are not offered. All proceeds from the races and race events benefit Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, a fully non-paid volunteer organization. Thank you for supporting our community!
How early should I arrive for the races?
We recommend no later than 1 hour prior to race start time to guarantee access to the parking area, so we can close the road.
Is there a race rain date?
No. This is a rain or shine event. In case of severe weather, please check the website, Facebook, and your email for announcements.
Must I come to the Registration Tent on Friday to pick up my Half Marathon packet?
If you have elected for Saturday packet pick-up at the time of registration and paid the $20 fee for this option, then you do not need to come to the registration tent on Friday. If that is not the case, then you must come on Friday.
Can someone else pick up my race packet for me?
Yes. And they don’t need anything special to do so.
Can I have my race packet mailed to me?
No, we do not mail the packets. They are not assembled until a day or two before the race, so there is no time to mail them. Plus there are concerns about lost or delayed packets and the possibility of the timing chips being damaged in transit.
Race Information
Where is gear check?
We do not have gear check. Everyone is parked fairly close to the start / finish lines. You’ll be able to get to your vehicle faster and easier than to a gear check area.
What is the elevation gain?
The marathon elevation gain is 556 ft.
Is the course certified?
The Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon is a USATF-certified course. The certification code is PA23008NP. To view the course certificate and a detailed course map, please visit this page.
Are strollers allowed?
Yes, but please be aware that both the 5k and Half Marathon courses have sections that are not paved. However, they are passable with a stroller. We do ask that everyone with a stroller start all the way at the back to aid in a smooth, safe start for everyone. We also ask that you be very careful when passing.
What are the age group brackets for awards?
For the Half Marathon and the 5k, we have the following Male and Female Categories: 12 & under, 13-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
What hotels and attractions are close to the race grounds?
See our Area Attractions & Lodging page for a list of activities for all ages and a few nearby lodging properties.
Where can I get the race results?
Live (preliminary) results will be on RunSignup and final official results will be posted to
www.BIHHalfmarathon.com after the event.
Where can I see photos from the events?
There will be a link on our race homepage www.bihhalfmarathon.com
or you can visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/PA
/BirdInHand/BIHHalf
/BirdInHand/BIHHalf
When posting your own photos, please use #bihhalf and #bih5k.
5k
Do all 5k finishers get a medal?
No. Finisher medals are only for the Half Marathon.
Is there a time limit for the 5k?
Yes, 1 hr. 15 min. Please keep in mind this is an evening race in an area without streetlights. Once darkness falls, it is very dark here, and even more so on a cloudy night.
Are walkers permitted in the 5k?
Yes, but please see the note below about an evening race with no streetlights.
Half Marathon
What are your Half Marathon pacer groups?
Our pacer groups are: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40
Is there a time limit for the Half Marathon?
Yes, 4.5 hours. This is a comfortable walking pace for most folks.
Are walkers permitted in the Half Marathon?
Yes, provided they can complete the course within the 4.5 hour time limit.
Family & Community Picnic
May I have someone accompany me on the course on a bicycle as my coach / support person?
No. Only registered runners are permitted on the course. This is for safety reasons and due to portions of the course being closed to vehicular traffic, which includes bicycles. In addition, the roads we use are fairly narrow, with no shoulder. There is no room to have additional persons or vehicles on the course.
Can my family watch me at the finish line?
Yes! We have large areas along both sides of the finish chute where families can cheer for their runners.
I’m bringing my family. Is childcare provided, or someplace safe for my kids to wait while I’m running?
Childcare is not provided. You will need to make your own arrangements for supervision of your children.
Where & When will the Pizza & Pasta Dinner take place?
The Community Picnic is held from 10am to noon in the large tent next to the start/finish line. It is the same tent used for packet pick up.
Are advance tickets required for the Pizza and Pasta Meal?
No, you may just walk in and pay at the door! Cash and checks are accepted right up to the time the dinner is underway, so please join us!
May my family join me at the Picnic?
Absolutely! We would love to meet them. The Picnic is for runners, their families, race volunteers, and community residents who support us throughout the year.
Where are the spectator viewing spots along the course?
There are no spectator viewing points along this course. We are running through an active farming community. Roads are narrow, with no shoulder, and there are no parking lots along the way. In addition, portions of the course are closed to vehicles, and we try to keep the number of vehicles on the road to a minimum for everyone’s safety and enjoyment of the scenery. If you’d like to keep track of family/friends who are running, feel free to download the RaceJoy app which will allow you to follow their progress around the course.
Sponsorship & Support
Are the Half Marathon & 5k events a fundraiser?
Yes. The Half Marathon, 5k, and Kids Fun Run are a major source of funds for the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, a volunteer organization that provides the Bird-in-Hand community with excellent fire protection.
How do I become a sponsor of the Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon weekend?
Contact Ivan Stoltzfus, 717-341-0297 or Dave Blank, 717-725-2252.
What are other ways that I can support the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company?
We welcome visitors to come back for our Chicken Pot Pie Dinner in February and Chicken BBQs on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, plus our Lancaster County Carriage & Antique Auction in June. If you are local, volunteers are always needed to fill firefighting, administrative and service positions.
More than 2,000 runners from around the world come to be a part of BIH Half. Discover a community known for its old-world practices and hard-working people. Explore hidden corners of Lancaster County not often seen by those outside the Plain Community. Absorb the unmatched beauty of the “Valley of No Wires.” Come to be challenged, inspired, and pushed to your limits. Come to join the community of Bird-in-Hand.
Hand-in-Hand Fire Company
Learn more about the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company and how you can stay involved all year long.
From The Runners
What do people say?
What a great experience! From the perfect organization to the scenic course, this is one to run! Furthermore, it’s wonderful to see a community really working together to serve a better good – the fact that all proceeds support a volunteer fire company is outstanding.
Runner from Kutztown, PA
I loved everything about this race!!!
Where do I start??? I loved everything about this race!!! I’ve done several half marathons all over the Eastern United States and BIH is definitely one of the best! I thought the communication leading up to the race was great. Everything from packet pick-up to parking was handled smoothly and efficiently. Other highlights included a hot air balloon launch at the start, a beautiful course, an awesome, handmade horseshoe medal and a delicious community post-race picnic. If you’re looking for a unique running experience, I highly recommend this race!
Runner From Orlando, FL
You put smiles on my face.
Thank you to the organizers (the long, detailed pre-race emails were on point). Thank you to the very many volunteers that made sure we were safe. Thank you to the pacers, you guys are truly inspiring. Thank you to the Amish children that were so excited about handing us water and cheering us on. You put smiles on my face.
Anonymous