Nittany Valley Half-Marathon Adds New Features for 34th Edition

The 34th annual Nittany Valley Half-Marathon is making changes and adding some new excitement.

This year’s race will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, and will feature a new course route; new categories for ages 19-and-under, including a relay team division; music provided by The B94.5 FM; a cheering section in the Lemont neighborhood of Stearns Crossing; and prizes for the Average Joe and Average Jane — the exact middle-of-the-pack finishers. Embroidered winter running beanies will be given to the first 500 entrants. 

All proceeds from the race benefit Centre Volunteers in Medicine, which serves and advocates for the the medically-underserved in Centre County. More than $50,000 has been raised for CVIM through the race, and for every dollar raised, CVIM provides $3.09 in services.

“Our goal is to increase the donation to the beneficiary — Centre Volunteers in Medicine,” said Katrina D’Anca, NVHM race director. “At the same time, we want to create a memorable experience for our runners.”

The 13.1-mile race begins at the corner of Fox Hollow Road and Park Avenue and winds through Benner, Patton and College Townships, before finishing at the Centre County Convention & Visitors Bureau center.

After the race, participants, supporters and volunteers will be invited to the award ceremony inside Snider Ag Arena. A post-race celebration will begin at 2 p.m. at Bill Pickles Taproom, 106 S. Allen St., with a free beer coupon for all participants age 21 and older.

Registration for the half-marathon is $35 per runner until Wednesday (Nov. 1). After that, registration is $45 up to and including race day. Team registration is $45 for the two-person team until Nov. 1; after that, team registration is $50. An optional, additional fee of $10 per person for a custom finisher’s medal also is available. Only runners age 19 and under may participate in the two-person relay category.

D’Anca said the redesigned course route is the result of a survey of participants in last year’s race, who indicated they wanted “to eliminate a gravel double-loop at the start of the course and wanted a course that was easier for friends and family to watch the race.”

For registration and additional information, click here.

See the course map here.

Stay up to date through the Nittany Valley Half Marathon Facebook page.