245 Sherman Ave., Hamden CT
Saturday, May 24th, 2025
🏃♂️ Our 14th Annual Event!
We are starting at 7am this year to beat the heat!
🏞️ The Course
- Challenging & Picturesque: Our Half Marathon course is challenging and picturesque as you run through the backcountry of Hamden.
- Rail-Trail Sections: The Half Marathon runs on the Rail-Trail for the first 2 miles and the last 2 miles offering a bit of flat, shady ground to enjoy.
- Traffic Management: Roads are open to traffic, but we have police at intersections as well as volunteers along the course.
- USATF Measured: Half Marathon Course & 5K.
The 5K is 100% on the rail-trail for a flat and fast finish. No cars.
Hamden's longest running Half Marathon & 5K and by far, the best!
- Aid Stations: Aid stations at miles 2.5, 4.5, 6.5, 8.5 and 10.5 stocked with Poland Spring Water & Gatorade Endurance.
- Porto-Lets: Porto-Lets at the Start / Finish as well as Miles 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5.
- Elevation Info: Half Marathon course including elevation (STRAVA)
- 5K Elevation: 5K course including elevation (STRAVA).
🧑🤝🧑 The Entrant Stuff
- Swag: Men's and Women's cut Short Sleeve Tech T-Shirts for all entrants.
- Finisher Medals: Custom 3" Finisher medals for all Half Marathon Finishers.
- Finish Line Food: Poland Spring Water, Gatorade Endurance, fresh bagels, and bananas at the finish line for all Finishers.
- Awards: Custom awards for the top 3 Men and Women overall and in every 5 year division for the Half Marathon and 5K (From 5 years old to 80+).
FREE Downloadable Race Photos and Finisher Certificates by EliteFeats.
⏱️ Timing and Results
- Transponder Timing: Transponder Timing and Results for your gun time and your net time. (Awards based on gun time).
- Results Notifications: Results will be live streaming as well as emailed and Texted to you once you finish.
⏰ Cutoffs and Early Starts
- Half Marathon Cutoff: Half Marathon Time cutoff is 3:30. Please do not sign up if you can't do a HILLY 3:30 Half.
- Early Start Required: Those who plan to run a 2:30 to 3:30 Half Marathon MUST start at 6:30am.
- Exceptions: Early starts are only for those who will do a 2:30-3:30 range half marathon. You will be DQed if you start early and finish faster than 2:15.
🏅 What is a Race Series Streaker?
Since 2014 we have offered a challenge to all who would like to accept. Finish all 3 of our 2025 Half Marathons (The Savin Rock Marathon counts too) and we give you a FREE custom Shoreline Sharks Race Series Streaker Hoodie.
- Marathon Dates: 1. 3/29/2025 The Savin Rock Marathon or Half Marathon 2. 5/24/2025 The Hamden Hills Half Marathon 3. 9/13/2025 The Gulf Beach Half Marathon.
- Registration: Finish all 3 and you’ve got it! We will be handing the Hoodies out at the Rail Trail 10K on 10/4/2025, the Shoreline Turkey Trot 5K on 11/27/2025 or you can pick it up from us in North Haven.
- Email Confirmation: Make sure to email Streaker@ShorelineSharks.com when you finish all 3 with your size (unisex S,M,L and XL).
📜 The History
- 2011: The inaugural race started and finished at the very top of the QU York Hill Campus and was the hilliest Half Marathon & 5K in CT.
- 2012: We changed the course to start and finish on Sherman Ave thereby eliminating York Hill.
- 2022: The courses are now USATF Certified, and we altered the Half Marathon route to avoid a few tricky spots.
- 2023 & 2024: Another perfect day and an amazing group of athletes compete, some every year as this race is a Hamden Tradition.
💰 Pricing Structure
- Before Race Day: 11/16/2024 - 12/31/2024: Half Marathon $70, 5K $30.
- Early 2025 Rates: 1/1/2025 – 5/21/2025: Half Marathon $75, 5K $35.
- Race Day Pricing: 5/24/2025 Race Day: Half Marathon $80, 5K $40. Race day: Cash, Checks, Venmo only. No cards on race day.
🔄 Transfer & Deferral Info
- Registration Transfer: You may TRANSFER your registration to another athlete until 4/24/2025 for $25.
- Entry Deferral: You may DEFER your entry to the 2026 Race until 4/24/2025 for $25.
- No Refunds: NO REFUNDS /NO EXCEPTIONS. Please do not email asking for an exception for any reason.
📅 Race Day
- Date: Saturday 5/24/2025.
- Time: 5:30am: Registration / Bib and Shirt Pickup Opens, 6:30AM: Half Marathon Early Starters begin, 7:00am: Half Marathon Starts, 7:15am: 5K Starts.
- Venue: New Haven / Northampton Railroad Canal Line Parking Lot, 270 Sherman Ave. Hamden, CT.
- ID Required: Bring photo ID.
✈️ Travel and Hotel Accommodations
- Air Travel: Hamden, Connecticut can be accessed easily from Bradley International Airport, JFK International Airport, and LaGuardia International Airport.
- Hotels: The closest hotels to stay in for the Hamden Hills Half Marathon are:
Starting Line Map
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