Hellbender Half Marathon
Bear Gap, United States • 23 Aug 2026
Hellbender 5k and Half Marathon - Bear Gap, PA
The event includes two trail races held at the Route 54 parking area in Bear Gap, within the Roaring Creek Tract of Weiser State Forest. Both races follow out-and-back courses that run along the reservoir lakes inside the park and start and finish at the Route 54 parking area between Elysburg and Mount Carmel.
- Half Marathon: 13.1 miles
- 5K: 3.1 miles
The half marathon course is described as mostly fast and flat and takes runners along the shores of the park lakes. The race field is limited to 300 participants because of parking restrictions; past editions sold out (2024, 2025, 2026). There is no race day registration and no wait-list.
Entries include a race shirt, a finisher medal, and a post-race meal as part of the entry fee. Falcon Race Timing and the RCVCA are involved with the event to promote clean water in the forest and the Roaring Creek watershed, and proceeds help benefit RCVCA. The race can only be accessed from the Route 54 side of the park; the start and finish are at the Route 54 parking area in Bear Gap, PA. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.