2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon
- Date
- September 26, 2026
- Location
- Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY
- Distance
- 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon
From the Organizer
IT'S BACK!! The Leaf Peeper Half Marathon is making it's much anticipated return!
LAST DAY TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE THE RACE SHIRT: Friday, September 4th at midnight.
LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THE RACE: Friday, September 25th at 12:00pm noon.
RACE START TIME: 7:30 AM
CHECK IN TIME: 6:30 AM (check in will close 15 minutes before the run starts)
LOCATION: Yama Park, Cortland, NY
PARKING: Parking is available at the park.
COURSE: The half marathon will start near the pavilions at Yaman park and loop behind the lake, then head back towards the playground and onto the road as it goes down East River Road to a turn around and repeats back to the starting line.
There will be day of registration this year. Cash Only!
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
67°
Typical Low
45°
Chance of Rain
39%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Freeville 1 Ne, 9 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Cortland, NY
Population
17,465
as of 2023
Elevation
1,148 ft
Nearest Airport
ITH
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport · 16 mi
Major Hub
SYR
Syracuse Hancock International Airport · 36 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
110
Days to train
- Race
- 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon
- Date
- September 26, 2026
- Location
- Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY
Coming Up
More Running races near Cortland, NY
2026 Viking 5K-A Memorial Run for Captain Michael "Buzzy" Andersen
5K
Less than a mile away
Marathon's 5K Run for the Scholars
Marathon · 5K
12 miles away
The Gingerbread 5k
5K
Less than a mile away
Y We Ride: Cortland and Ithaca YMCA Bike Tour
9 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon?
- 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon is a running race held in Cortland, New York on September 26, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon?
- Saturday, September 26, 2026 in Cortland, New York at Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the 2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
2026 Leaf Peeper Half Marathon
Sep 26, 2026