End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler
- Date
- October 24–25, 2026
- Distance
- 26.2 Road Closed Rambler Challenge · 17.1 Tunnel Traveler Challenge · Half Marathon - Saturday & more
From the Organizer
End of the Road Half Marathon (October 24–25, 2026 · Waterfall, PA) is one of Pennsylvania’s most unique fall races. Choose the Half Marathon or 4 miler and run through two long, dark tunnels on the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, surrounded by peak autumn foliage.
Looking for an October race that’s unlike anything else in the state? This event takes runners deep into history along a stretch of highway bypassed in 1968 and untouched by cars for nearly 50 years. The course blends five miles of tunnel running with rolling rural roads and stunning mountain scenery.
Not ready for 13.1 miles? If you’ve run a 5K before, the 4 Miler is the perfect next step. It’s approachable for newer runners, fun for walkers, and still gives you the full thrill of racing through the famous abandoned tunnels. Curious what it's like to run through the tunnels? Watch our End of the Road Half Marathon & 4 Mile preview video with footage from 2024 participant, Natasha.
Race Options:
- Half Marathon – Saturday or Sunday (choose your day)
- One Tunnel 4 Mile – Sunday
- Two-Day Challenges:
- 26.2 Road Closed Rambler – Half Marathon Saturday + Half Marathon Sunday
- 17.1 Tunnel Traveler – Half Marathon Saturday + One Tunnel 4 Miler Sunday
- Run through 5 miles of tunnels – a headlamp or flashlight is required
- Limited field sizes each day for an uncrowded course
- Official pacers for both Half Marathons to help you hit your time goals
- Movie Night on the Turnpike Saturday evening (The Addams Family in 2025)
- Host hotel near the start/finish that hosts packet pickup (book early—sold out last year)
Now in its eighteenth year, this race has welcomed runners from across the U.S., raising funds for The Old PA Pike’s efforts to turn the abandoned turnpike into a permanent greenway for runners, walkers, and cyclists.
Be part of one of Pennsylvania’s most talked-about October races—and one of the most memorable courses you’ll ever run.
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
61°
Typical Low
41°
Chance of Rain
33%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Raystown Lake 2, 18 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Waterfall, PA
Elevation
850 ft
Nearest Airport
AOO
Altoona Blair County Airport · 18 mi
Major Hub
IAD
Washington Dulles International Airport · 88 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
138
Days to train
- Race
- End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler
- Date
- October 24–25, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Waterfall, PA
WALK FOR LOVE
32 miles away
Solstice 5k/10k
10K · 5K
29 miles away
250th celebration 5k/1 mile walk
5K
22 miles away
Great Appalachian Valley Race: Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
Half Marathon · 10K · 5K
29 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 End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler?
- End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler is a running race held in Waterfall, Pennsylvania on October 24, 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 End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler?
- Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Waterfall, Pennsylvania at 3005 Pump Station Rd, Waterfall, PA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Miler
Oct 24, 2026