2026 HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon

Join us for the highlight event of the season on an iconic course in the heart of Princeton! All proceeds support HiTOPS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides sex education & LGBTQ+ support for young people throughout New Jersey. 

THE HALF MARATHON

• Sunday, November 8th, 2026, 7 AM Start. 
• Iconic course located entirely in the heart of historic Princeton. Run through Princeton Battlefield, Institute for Advanced Study, past the home of Einstein, Princeton University, the Princeton Boathouse on Lake Carnegie Westminster Choir College, Mount Lucas and Herrontown Woods. 
• USATF Sanctioned Grand Prix Event. 
• Receive a commemorative medal, shirt, and bib    
• Packet pickup will be available at Fleet Feet (Princeton Running Company) starting November 7th
• Participants cannot exceed a 13 minute per mile pace.
• Limited field of 1800 runners
• Awards for top 3 (male, female, nonbinary), top Princeton employee (male, female), 5-year age groups from 14 and under to 85+ (male, female)
• Incredible fundraising incentives including a registration refund. 

THE VIRTUAL HALF MARATHON

• You can complete your 13.1 miles at once or cumulatively between November 8th and November 22nd. Miles can be completed at any time during this period and at any place of your choosing. 
• Enjoy our interactive online results tracking that will virtually move you around the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon course. 
• Receive a commemorative medal, shirt, and bib.   
• Packet pickup will be available at Fleet Feet Princeton starting November 5th
• Join our online celebration by sending us your training and finishing #runfies. 
• Incredible fundraising incentives including a registration refund. 

VIRTUAL YOUTH RUN  

• This “Just RUN” event for all young people up to 18 years of age, rewards any distance run between November 8th and November 22nd with a commemorative youth medal. This is perfect way to make this a family or team event.  

We hope that you’ll be a part of our HiTOPS Princeton Half community and run with us this year. Together we can go the distance!

The RACE DAY PACE TEAM is provided by Fleet Feet Princeton. There will be 2 pacers for every 5-minute increment between 1:40 and 2:15. PRC invites you to stop by the store for all your running needs from apparel to nutrition to training.  

Interested in pacing in 2024? Complete this form. Stay tuned about a mandatory meeting on August 5th. 

TRAIN WITH FLEET FEET PRINCETON

Fleet Feet Running Club | Marathon, 10K, 5K Training & More

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE TEAM & RUN FOR SAMMY

Free Official 2026 Event Photos can be found here. (link coming soon)
 
Participant uploads can be found here. 

2025 LIVE EVENT RESULTS

VIRTUAL RESULTS

Current Course Records

2021 Male Record: ALEXANDER ROTH, 23 of Princeton: 1:08:06 / 5:11 min/mile

2022 Female Record: VALENTYNA VERETSKA, 32 of Staten Island: 1:18:06 / 5:57 min/mile

2023 Non-Binary Record: NICHOLAS JOSWICK, 27 of Lambertville: 1:38:28 / 7:30 pace

SCROLL DOWN FOR HISTORIC RESULTS 

Alexander Roth crossing the finish line in 2021 with a new course record.

Caoimhe Kilroy finishing top female in 2021.

Erika & Mo on the 2018 starting line. 

2024 LIVE EVENT RESULTS

2023 LIVE EVENT RESULTS

2022 LIVE EVENT RESULTS

2021 LIVE EVENT RESULTS

2020 Virtual Results

2019 Race Results 

2018 Race Results

2017 Race Results 

2016 Race Results

2015 Race Results

2014 Race Results

2013 Race Results

Click here for Finish Line & Course Photos provided by EP Events.

Click here for Victory Village & Award Photos provided by Shotwell Productions.

Click here for pictures of Rosedale and Ober provided by Volunteer Dino Del Rosario.

2021 RACE PHOTOS

Click here for photos taken by EP Events, the official race photographer. 

Click here for photos taken by Volunteer Qin Zhang @ Mile 5 on the course. 

Free Official 2022 Event Photos

can be found here. 

And even more pictures! This link is compliments of Qin Zhang and her husband, who were located at Autumn Hill. 

Free Official 2023 Event Photos
can be found here. 
 

Free Official 2024 Event Photos
can be found here. 

Participant uploads (including awards) can be found here.

Click the PDF below for the 2024 HiTOPS Princeton Half Guidebook.

This guidebook can be found in print in all race packets as well. 

Free Official 2025 Event Photos can be found here. 
 

Participant uploads can be found here. 

Ronald Lavine, DC (askdrlavine.com) Presents

Control the forces of vertical landing and lateral shift to run more efficiently, prevent injuries, and gain speed.

When you run, you place a huge, repetitive vertical load on your feet, knees, hips and low back. 

That’s already a big challenge for your muscles and joints. 

But that’s not all your body has to deal with. You’re also shifting side to side, as you alternately land on the right and left foot. The lateral shift action challenges the sacroiliac joints, piriformis muscle, hip joint, and iliotibial tract.

Almost all of the overuse injuries that plague runners are due to inadequate control of these two types of biomechanical force. 

Don’t wait for a problem to emerge — be proactive. Join me for an hour-long workshop, sponsored by HiTOPS in November.

You’ll gain an understanding of proper alignment and the patterns of muscle activation that support it. You’ll also learn some simple strengthening exercises to shore up the weak links in these kinetic chains.

You’ll run more efficiently, with less chance of injury and increased speed.

This program is free of charge to the first 20 participants to register. Registration invites will be sent to anyone who raises $500 for HiTOPS. 

Date: Tuesday, November 28th
Time: 6:30PM
Address: 300 Witherspoon Street, Suite 204

Bag drop opens at 6 AM, please arrive by 5:45 AM.so we are ready when participants arrive.

Report to Princeton YMCA, 59 Paul Robeson Place. 

The participants bib will have a tag which they can pull off of their race bib. 

We will provide safety pins at your table for them to pin their tag onto their bag. 

Please place the bags in numeric order (be sure to leave gaps in your layout) so they can be easily retrieved after the race.  

After the race, participants should only be given bags that match their bib number. 

There is an early shift and a late shift. Those on the late shirt are welcome to leave when the bags or gone or the event has ended, and a staff member has come to collect the forgotten bags. 

** It has been suggested to us that when the items left at the start are brought back to Victory Village after the start of the race, bag drop volunteers could sort the pile by colors to make finding items easier when the runners return.** 

Your job on race morning is to direct the runners. Be our eyes and ears on the course. 

Police and trained traffic guards are covering high traffic intersections, so we hope your job is easy.  

In your email, you will receive your location on the course. See the specific instructions for YOUR ASSIGNED location here. 

TRAINING

There will be a zoom training on Saturday, November 1st @ 8:30 AM, then Wednesday, November 5th @ 6:30 PM. If you've attended training before, you do not need to attend again.  You only need to attend one. 

Sat Nov 1 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88021391251

Wed Nov 5

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86929456205

SHIRT / LANYARD PICKUP 

All volunteers are required to wear our volunteer shirt which designates them as a race official. You will also be provided with a lanyard as a quick reference to the emergency protocols reviewed in training. Your volunteer packet can be picked up at Fleet Feet Princeton (formerly Princeton Running Company) during our packet pickup hours. If you cannot pick up during the times below, you can pick up at Victory Village on race morning. Alternatively, please email courtney@princetonhalfmarthon.com for other arrangements.  

Fleet Feet (Princeton Running Company), 108 Nassau Street, Princeton 
Thursday, November 6th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM 
Friday, November 7th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM 
Saturday, November 8th, 10:30 AM to 5 PM 

RACE MORNING ARRIVAL TIME 

For your planning purposes, you will be expected to be at your location on the course no later than 6:30 AM on race morning. Even if you have a location further on the course, you need to be in your spot by 6:30 AM as roads will be closing for the race. 

Upon arrival you will text our Volunteer Coordinator. It’s best to text them your location number and crossroads since they will be getting 40 texts at the same time. Once they know you are all in place, we will start the race. 

Course details can be found here with expected runner times. For example, if you are at mile 10, you would not expect to see runners until 7:50 assuming the fastest runner is going 5-minute pace. Your last runner would come by about 9:20 assuming the cut off time for runners is 14-minute pace. Participants are required to run a 14 minute per mile, and we have 3 locations on the course where we will be stopping them if they’ve fallen far behind.  Our fastest runner to date was 5:11 pace.  Again, even if you won’t see runners until 7:50, you need to be in place at 6:30 so we can start the race. You can stay in your car until about 15 minutes before you anticipate runners.  

KNOW YOUR LOCATION & PARKING 

Please review and understand the details of your location. 

You should also review the course map so you understand directions that runners will be coming and the times.  

It’s always helpful to understand the locations around you as well so you can best direct motorists. In the event that you were familiar with your location but not the course, the last thing you would want to do is redirect a driver into another stop point.  

This is important for parking too. You want to do your best to park off the racecourse.  

GENERAL THOUGHTS 

Never put yourself in danger in this role. If a car decides to ignore your direction after you’ve told them not to go, there is nothing you can do. There is a story of a race in Princeton where a well-meaning volunteer threw themselves in front of the car. We are not asking you to do that! 

Remember you are a representative of the race. People might be annoyed that their Sunday morning plans are impacted. Be understanding and receptive. Avoid comments like coming out today was a stupid idea. Many of them are trying to get to Sunday morning church and that’s really important to them.

If there is an altercation or an upset motorist, please note the license plate and description of the car by texting yourself or brining a notepad with you. I promise you that Princeton PD and my Monday morning will be much better if we know what complaint calls are coming our way.  

As mentioned, you are our eyes and ears across the 13 miles. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, please call the Princeton PD at 609-921-2100.  For example, an unattended backpack that seems out of place or something that just doesn’t feel right.  

EMERGENCY PROTOCOL 

Participants should be mindful of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. This is a public awareness campaign that encourages people to report suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. If you see something concerning race day, please call 911.  

All volunteers are invited to register for Princeton Nixle Alerts by texting Princeton's zip code 08540 to 888777. This will register you for Nixle alerts which would be the messaging platform we would use for any mass communications to all race participants. If you are not a Princeton resident, please feel free to opt out of the Nixle alerts after the conclusion of the race so you do not receive any unwanted communications or notifications.

In the event a runner is injured or ill, secure the runner to the side of the road and off the course if you can. Determine to the best of your ability if the incident is minor in nature or requires a first responder notification. For example, if a person has a blister and needs a band-aid, this is not a life-threatening situation, and can be advised to stop at the next aide station. 

In the event of an emergency or incident requiring a first responder, we are asking you to call the direct police line at 609-921-2100 or 9-1-1 and report an incident on the Princeton Half Course. We will have emergency response teams on the course, and this will allow for the fastest response time. 

As soon as you are able, return your attention to the race. Should a runner come by and complaining of something but decides to keep going, note their bib and description when possible… either by texting yourself or bringing a notepad with you.  That allows us to follow up post-race.
 
There are 7 stations on the course that all have first aid kits. There is also a sweep van following the race which has a paramedic on board

RACE DETAIL 

The order of cars will be….  
Lead PD Car 
Lead Bike  
First Runner 
Pack of Runners 
Last runner 
Bus with paramedic 
Sweep Police Car 
  
When the sweep police car goes by, your shift is done or almost done. Please see instructions as sometimes you will be asked to remain at your post for additional time so that traffic does not end up directly behind the race.  

See example: #7 – Maxwell & Einstein - Please remain on your post for an additional 5 mins to prevent any vehicles from proceeding east onto Einstein Drive while runners and trail vehicles are still present upon the same while en-route to Olden. 

If you arrive at your location and there are barricades or cones, please use them to help you in your role. Once your role is finished, please place them how you found them upon arrival.  
 
CYCLISTS 

Traffic cyclist will meet and park at the Princeton YMCA (59 Paul Robeson Place) which is close to the start / finish at 6:30 AM. New riders will be briefed by repeat cyclists. We are suggesting that the middle of the pack riders head out to Maxwell prior to the start of the race and fill in around the 8-9 min pace runners and 10-11 minute pace runners. If the road is crowded, cyclists should stay back and wait for the pack to thin so there is no risk of hitting a runner. Ride to the left keeping runners to the right.  
 
DEFER 

All volunteers who had registered for the 2025 race but are deferring to the 2026 race have been marked as deferred in RSU but please plan on reaching out to me when we open registration in 2025 to be sure you are all set. 

ABOVE & BEYOND 

Should you feel so inclined, we welcome you to bring a trash bag with you. We appreciate that Princeton lets us host this critically important fundraiser for HiTOPS. We make our best effort to leave the town as clean if not cleaner than it was before our event.  
  
QUESTIONS? 

Please review your location. Ask any and all questions as race morning is NOT the time to ask. 

 

We are in frequent communication with Township Health Officials. We are the first large event to take place in town since the pandemic and we don't take the permission to produce this in-person event lightly. We are committed to the safety of all who are involved in this event from the participants running to the police officers keeping us safe. We have established a COVID safety plan and posted it on our website. This year will look different than historic races, but at the end of the day, public safety comes first and we are just happy to run! Please review the many impacts from water stops to finish line crowds. 

Please click PDF below for current COVID safety measures as they relate to race day. 

COURSE CYCLIST DETAILS 

Thank you for volunteering to be a course cyclist for the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon. There are 3 roles – lead cyclist, middle of the pack cyclists and back of the pack cyclists. Each has a unique job.  

TRAINING

There will be a zoom training on Saturday, November 1st @ 8:30 AM, then Wednesday, November 5th @ 6:30 PM. If you've attended training before, you do not need to attend again. You only need to attend one. 

Sat Nov 1 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88021391251

Wed Nov 5

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86929456205

SHIRT / LANYARD PICKUP 

All volunteers are required to wear our volunteer shirt which designates them as a race official. You will also be provided with a lanyard as a quick reference to the emergency protocols reviewed in training. Your volunteer packet can be picked up at Fleet Feet Princeton (formerly Princeton Running Company) during our packet pickup hours. If you cannot pick up during the times below, you can pick up at Victory Village on race morning. Alternatively, please email courtney@princetonhalfmarthon.com for other arrangements.  

Fleet Feet (Princeton Running Company), 108 Nassau Street, Princeton 
Thursday, November 6th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM 
Friday, November 7th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM 
Saturday, November 8th, 10:30 AM to 5 PM 

ROLE

Traffic cyclist will meet and park at the Princeton YMCA (59 Paul Robeson Place) which is close to the start / finish at 6:30 AM. New riders will be briefed by repeat cyclists. We are suggesting that the middle of the pack riders head out to Maxwell prior to the start of the race and fill in around the 8-9 min pace runners and 10-11 minute pace runners. If the road is crowded, cyclists should stay back and wait for the pack to thin so there is no risk of hitting a runner. Ride to the left keeping runners to the right.  

In general, the role of a course cyclist is to be our eyes and ears on the course between locations where we have course marshals. Cyclists should attend our course marshal training as all emergency protocols for course volunteers are the same. They should wear a helmet, bright clothing and the race issued volunteer shirt and lanyard on event day.  

The lead cyclists will start the race with the lead police car and serve as the lead bike in the event that the police need to respond to something on the course. The lead cyclists should anticipate riding at 12 MPH as our fastest runner runs about 5 minute pace. The lead cyclists should be very familiar with the course.  Should there be a break in the front back, they will divide and conquer. At 6:50, this cyclist should be near the start line in position ready to go.  

The middle of the pack cyclists can come to the YMCA in the morning but need to be in place at the intersection of Mercer and Maxwell Lane by 7 AM. This is just past mile 2 on the course but the distance is actually shorter from the start line, probably 1.5 miles as you do not do the out and back around Battlefield Park to get to this location. Middle of the pack cyclists should hop in between 8 and 11 minute pace runners. You would likely start to ride between 7:20 and 7:30. There are 2-3 of you so break up accordingly and do not plan to ride together.  The West Drive connection between Springdale Road and Alexander is not a maintained road and has uneven surface and some thick gravel areas.  There is no car traffic so the runners spread to the full width. Ride slowly in this section and stay to the far left if possible.  This area is important for cycle support as there is no other race support or cheering fans in that section. 

The back of the pack cyclist will not actually sweep the race, we have a bus with a paramedic and police car who will serve as official sweepers. Your role is to ride the last mile of finishers. At 6:50, this cyclist should be near the start line in position to follow the last runners as they go over the finish line.  This will be a significantly slower ride so dress warm. Runners are required to run 14 minute pace or ~ 4 MPH.  There is a hard stop at mile 6 and mile 9. Runners who have fallen behind the 14 minute pace will be asked to board the bus at these locations. Should they opt to continue to run, they are told that the road is open to traffic and there is no marshals to direct them. It is not your job to manage participants who opt to continue. At all times you should be ahead of the sweep police car.  

Please stay out of the way of the runners at all times. If the pack is thick, you can stop and wait for it to thin out. You should be to the left of the runners at all times often trying to keep them to the right as they will start to cross over the yellow line which becomes particularly dangerous at the later parts of the race when we do open the roads for church traffic and there are some blind curves.  

Familiarize yourself with aid stations / bathrooms in our FAQ and course maps. 

TRANSFERS

Participants who registered for our virtual event to secure a spot in our live event should upgrade their registration by following these instructions. 

DEFERRALS

Participants who deferred in 2020 should follow these instructions to secure their spot in our live race. 

Questions or concerns? Email courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com 

 
Runners are always asking other runners for recommendations be it for training tips or treatment of a nagging injury. To support that networking, the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon is creating a runner resource page. All of the professionals listed have been recommended by fellow runners.

This race raises funds to empower youth with sex education, social support and affirming communities. 
Providers on this page have made a $100 donation to HiTOPS to be listed.
____________________________________________________________

Grace Godly, DPM  Running begins with your feet- have yours checked out by a sports podiatrist

Nelson Mandala    Proven coaching expertise to help you get the most from your hard work. 

Elise Blooey, PT    Personalized strength and conditioning programs for runners. HiTOPS Princeton Half Finisher 2014, 2022. 

Quincy Jonas, LMT   Deep tissue massage therapy for runners and other endurance athletes

Below is a list of frequently asked questions from runners. If your question is not listed below, please reach out to courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com, HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon Race Director. 

Safety First

Participants should be mindful of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. This is a public awareness campaign that encourages people to report suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. If you see something concerning on race day, please call 911.  

We also invite all participants to register for Princeton Nixle Alerts by texting Princeton's zip code 08540 to 888777. This will register you for Nixle alerts which would be the messaging platform we would use for any mass communications to all race participants. 

What is the race day schedule?

Sunday, November 8th, 2026

5:30 AM – Race Day Packet Pickup Opens (Available for a donation to HiTOPS)
6:00 AM – Runners Assemble at HiTOPS’ Victory Village @ Princeton YMCA (59 Paul Robeson Place)
6:00 AM – Bag Drop Opens @ Princeton YMCA (59 Paul Robeson Place)
6:30 AM – First Call for Runners to Start Line
7:00 AM – Race Begins
9:15 AM – Award Ceremony at Victory Village @ Princeton YMCA (59 Paul Robeson Place)
9:00 AM – Post-Race Celebration “Kegs & Eggs” starts at Alchemist & Barrister. (Note: Palmer Square entrance closed for construction!)
10:30 AM – Bag Drop Closes

When is Packet Pickup?

 More @ https://runsignup.com/Race/PrincetonHalfMarathon/Page/packetpickup

Where are the results & photos?

Live event results can be found here. (Link to be updated closer to race day)

Free, official race photos can be found at PrincetonHalfMarathon.com > Photos > 2026 PHOTOS

Please share your pictures with us by logging into your RSU account and uploading them here. 

Virtual Runner & Kid Sprint Results

Please submit your results your virtual half marathon results here, youth run results here, and pics here. Note you must be logged into RunSignUp to do this. 

Are there awards?

Every finisher receives a medal. 

Awards for top 3 (male, female, nonbinary). (Not cash)

Top Princeton employee (male, female) will have their name engraved on the Mayor's cup.

Awards for 5-year age groups from 14 and under to 85+ (male, female)

Is there any recommended lodging for runners and spectators?

There are many hotels in the Princeton area. If you are looking to walk to start/finish, The Nassau Inn, The Graduate or The Peacock Inn would be your best options.  

Where should I park? 

Please visit Princeton Parking Authority’s website for available parking places. Princeton has three parking garages in the downtown area that are conveniently located by the start/finish line. However, garages tend to fill up quickly so please arrive early. Also, since the garages are close to the racecourse, there may be times when there is a delay exiting a garage due to a road closure. 

We encourage those who have to leave immediately after finishing to consider parking somewhere outside of the center of Princeton.  If you do park in the garages, we encourage you to enjoy Princeton and refuel after your finish, it might be easier to exit after the roadway closures are removed. There will not be parking at the YMCA. 

Chambers Street Parking Garage will have some restricted access after 6:00am so we ask all runners and their families to arrive prior to 6:00am to park.  Spring Street Parking Garage and the Hulfish Parking Garage will remain open to incoming and outgoing parking.

For people looking for race parking in Downtown Princeton after the race begins, please park in the lots listed above. Be aware of downtown traffic delays – especially between 7:00 and 8:30 AM, when runners will be crossing some of the major entry roads into Princeton – Route 206, Alexander Street, and Washington Road.

Are there pacers? 

The RACE DAY PACE TEAM is provided by Fleet Feet. There will be 2 pacers for every 5-minute increment between 1:30 and 2:30. 

What are my options if I registered but can no longer run? 

The only way to defer to the 2027 race is to volunteer as a traffic marshal on race day until our maximum number of volunteers are reached. Please sign up as a race day traffic marshal here, then email that confirmation to Courtney Newman (courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com) to have your registration deferred. 

Should you wish to transfer your registration to another runner, you can do so until 10/1. Please email Courtney Newman (courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com) with your name, the email address that you used to register for the race, AND the name and email address of the person who will be running in your spot. Upon receipt a “gift transfer” will be created and the person running in your place will be invited via email to register free of charge.

Where does the race start and finish? Is there a finisher’s expo area?

The race will start and finish on Paul Robeson Place in Princeton between Witherspoon and Chambers Street. Race morning, we will setup our HiTOPS’ Victory Village at the Princeton YMCA. 

Is this a USATF Certified Course?

Yes, this course is a USATF Certified Grand Prix Event. Click here to see course.

Can I participate virtually? 

Yes, we have a virtual event that starts November 9th.

Is there a maximum time to finish the course?

Competitors must maintain a minimum 13-minute/mile pace. Participants that are proceeding at a slower pace will be escorted off the course due to the roads being fully open to traffic at scheduled times.

Roads will be opening to traffic at specific times so any runner going slower than that pace will be informed that they are disqualified.  Please keep in mind that at 8:26 at mile 6 and at 9:08 at mile 9, there will be staff to take bibs from runners not meeting the pace requirement. Those reaching mile 11 at 9:25 or after will be directed to the sidewalk to finish.

Participants not meeting the pace at mile 6 and 9 will hear “You are now behind the 13-minute mile pace, and you’ve been disqualified.  The roads are now open to traffic.  For your own safety we ask that you get on the bus.  We can’t make you, but we would appreciate your cooperation. There is water in the bus.  If you choose to continue, you are on your own.  The roads are open to traffic and there is no police protection or course marshals to direct you. If you choose to continue running, please understand that the police must resume the flow of traffic and may stop disqualified runners at various intersections.  A finish line medal will not be available for you today, but you are welcome to come by HiTOPS next week and pick up your medal.”

This policy is strictly enforced for the safety of our runners.

Can I wear warm clothes to the start?

Yes! We have a team of volunteers to bring your warm gear back to Victory Village for you to pick up after the race. Look for the picnic table with a large pile of clothing. Please note that any gear not picked up before 10:30 AM will be donated. If you call us on Monday looking for your favorite hoodie, we cannot help you. 

Who are the race organizers and what does the race support?

The Princeton Half Marathon is organized by and support HiTOPS. HiTOPS is a Princeton, NJ based 501(c)(3) organization that provides adolescent sexual health education and support. For over 30 years, HiTOPS’ services have reduced health risks, promoted healthy relationships, and built inclusive communities. The programs of HiTOPS include age-appropriate sexual health education, professional trainings, and LGBTQ Youth Groups and mentoring. For more information about HiTOPS, please visit hitops.org.

Are walkers allowed to register and run in the Princeton Half Marathon?

Yes, as long as walkers maintain the minimum 13-minute/mile pace.

Are runners allowed to take strollers and/or dogs on the course?

No.

Are wheelchair-competitors allowed to compete?

Because the course contains an off-road dirt section, wheelchair competitors are not allowed to compete.

Is Princeton Half Marathon a road course?

This course is primarily a road run.  Less than 10% of the course is on paved/unpaved trails and non-maintained roads. These areas may present challenges such as mud, rocks, uneven surfaces and holes.  Please remain alert for these types of obstacles, as well as for other runners around you in narrow trail conditions.

Will cars be on the road as runners run?

We will make every effort to prevent cars from being on the course through holding up traffic at points on the course. However, participants must be aware of local traffic. There is always the possibility of cars pulling out of driveways and making it on to the course.  Please follow the directions of all public safety officials, course marshals, and markers.  Additionally, runners must remain to the right of the road to avoid accidents.  When making left hand turns, runners must make them sharp.

Can runners wear headphones?

Runners are strongly advised not to wear headphones while racing.  With unpredictable trail conditions and the importance of remaining alert for other runners and traffic, it is important for runners to hear all activity around them. We also ask that runners do not listen to music through a speaker that would impact the experience of other participants. 

Will there be an area to drop off clothing?

We will have a bag drop in our Victory Village at the Princeton YMCA.

Will every runner receive a medal?

Yes, every finisher receives a medal.  The top three overall male, female and non-binary runners receive awards, as well as the top three finishers in each age group for male and female. Awards are in 5-year increments from 14 and under to 85+.

 If the race is cancelled due to weather or an Act of God, how will I be notified? Will I receive a refund?

Princeton HiTOPS Half Marathon is a rain or shine event. If the event is cancelled, HiTOPS will make every effort to notify all registered runners via the email address provided during registration. Due to reasons beyond the control of the Princeton HiTOPS Half Marathon and HiTOPS, the Princeton Police or Town of Princeton may cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances, severe weather or other reason. If the event is cancelled, there will be no reimbursement or deferment of registration fees.

Where are the water stops? Will there be anything on the course besides water?

We strongly encourage race participants to carry their own hydration and nutrition to reduce our environmental impact.

Runners will find water at 7 locations along the course. On course nutrition will be GU Watermelon Energy Chews and GU Caramel Macchiato Energy Gel (Caffeine). 

• Mile 2.75 Einstein & Olden (Bathroom)
• Mile 5.25 Boathouse (Bathroom) + FLEET FEET NUTRITION
• Mile 6.5 Wiggins Street
• Mile 8 Rollingmead Street (Bathroom)
• Mile 9 Smoyer Park + FLEET FEET NUTRITION
• Mile 10 Stone Hill Church (Bathroom)
• Mile 12 Mt. Lucas & Jefferson

Where are the bathrooms located?  Are there any on the course?

All bathrooms in the start / finish area will be at the Princeton YMCA. 

There are 4 locations on the course with 2 units each. See above FAQ about water stations. 

When will I receive my swag for fundraising? 

Our fundraising incentives can be found here. 

Fundraising runs through November 15th. Registration refunds will be handled immediately upon request by emailing Judy Walker. Fundraising swag will be ordered at that time and mailed directly to your home. Judy Walker will reach out to you to confirm your prizes, sizes and shipping address. JWalker@hitops.org

What is Kegs & Eggs?

Back by popular demand, the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon Runners Fest "Kegs & Eggs" will take place at The Alchemist & Barrister. All runners and race spectators are welcome to come and enjoy the best post-race celebration in the industry! 

Muscles starving for protein? We’ve got that covered with eggs, sausage, and bacon. Need to restore all those carbs you burned? Nothing beats breakfast potatoes. Combine that with celebratory drink specials, music, and giveaways, The Alchemist & Barrister is the place to be! 

All runners received discounted entry with their race bib. $12 for runners, $16 for spectators. CASH ONLY! 

Do I need to be a registered runner to participate in the race?

Yes. We require all runners to be registered through RunSignUp.com, and to have completed all waivers prior to participation. Registered runners are required to wear the race bibs in the interest of safety. If you are not registered, you will be asked to leave the course. You must wear your bib throughout the race. The bib is a confirmation of race registration and gives you access to the entry chute, finisher’s medal and food, and can identify you in case of an emergency.

What’s the race etiquette?

If you are running in a group, please do not run more than two across.
Show appreciation to the volunteers. They are an integral part of the event and it wouldn’t happen without them!
If you need to stop either to tie a shoelace, please watch for other runners and move to the side of the road before stopping.
When approaching a water table, move to the side, grab your drink then KEEP MOVING. Do you best to put all waste in the cans provided. 
When finishing the race, be sure to keep moving through the finish chute. There will likely be lots of runners coming up behind you and we don’t want to block their way!

Below is a list of frequently asked questions from runners. If your question is not listed below, please reach out to courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com, HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon Race Manager.

What is the race day schedule?

5:30 AM – Race Day Packet Pickup Opens (Available for a donation to HiTOPS)
6:00 AM – Runners Assemble at HiTOPS’ Victory Village
6:00 AM – Bag Drop Opens
6:30 AM – First Call for Runners to Start Line
7:00 AM – Race Begins
9:15 AM – Award Ceremony at Victory Village

9:00 AM – Post-Race Celebration “Kegs & Eggs” starts at Alchemist & Barrister.
10:30 AM – Bag Drop Closes

When is Registration Packet Pickup?

Registration packet pickup will take place 3 days prior to the race. Packet pickup will be available race morning for a donation to HiTOPS. More @ https://runsignup.com/Race/PrincetonHalfMarathon/Page/packetpickup

Is there any recommended lodging for runners and spectators?

To be updated. 

Where should I park? 

Please visit Princeton Parking Authority’s website for available parking places. Parking garages tend to fill up quickly, and access from the garages closest to the Start/Finish area may be delayed as sections of town are still closed for the event.There are parking garages located in downtown Princeton; however please be aware that because of their location along the race course there may be extended exit times from the garages due to road closures.  We encourage those who have to leave immediately after finishing to consider parking somewhere outside of the center of Princeton.  If you do park in the garages, we encourage you to visit our Kegs and Eggs and refuel after your finish, it might be easier to exit after the roadway closures are removed.

Chambers Street Parking Garage will have some restricted access after 6:00am so we ask all runners and their families to arrive prior to 6:00am to park
Spring Street Parking Lot will remain open
Hulfish Parking Lot will remain open to incoming and outgoing parking

For people looking for race parking in Downtown Princeton after the race begins, please park in the lots listed above. Be aware of downtown traffic delays – especially between 7:00 and 8:30 AM, when runners will be crossing some of the major entry roads into Princeton – Route 206, Alexander Street, and Washington Road.

What are my options if I registered but can no longer run? 

The only way to defer to the 2020 race is to volunteer as a traffic marshal on race day until our maximum number of volunteers are reached.

Should you wish to transfer your registration to another runner, you can do so until 10/15. Please email Courtney Newman with your name, the email address that you used to register for the race, AND the name and email address of the person who will be running in your spot. Upon receipt a “gift transfer” will be created and the person running in your place will be invited via email to register free of charge.

Where does the race start and finish? Is there a finisher’s expo area?

The race will start and finish on Paul Robeson Place in Princeton. Race morning we setup our HiTOPS’ Victory Village in Hinds Plaza which is the place for pre-race stretching, announcements, post-race results and our medal ceremony. Click here to see course.

Is this a USATF Certified Course?

Yes, this course is a USATF Certified Grand Prix Event. Click here to see course.

Can I participate virtually? 

Yes, read more.

Is there a maximum time to finish the course?

Competitors must maintain a minimum 14-minute/mile pace. The maximum time to finish the 13.1 mile course is 3 hours, 4 minutes. Participants that are proceeding at a slower pace will be escorted off the course due to the roads being fully open to traffic at scheduled times.

Roads will be opening to traffic at specific times so any runner going slower than that pace will be informed that they are disqualified.  Please keep in mind that at 8:26 at mile 6 and at 9:08 at mile 9, there will be staff to take bibs from runners not meeting the pace requirement. Those reaching mile 11 at 9:25 or after will be directed to the sidewalk to finish.

Participants not meeting the pace at  mile 6 and 9 will hear “You are now behind the 14 minute mile pace and you’ve been disqualified.  The roads are now open to traffic.  For your own safety we ask that you get in the van.  We can’t make you but we would appreciate your cooperation. There is water in the van.  If you choose to continue, you are on your own.  The roads are open to traffic and there is no police protection or course marshals to direct you. If you choose to continue running, please understand that the police must resume the flow of traffic and may stop disqualified runners at various intersections.  A finish line medal will not be available for you today but you are welcome to come by HiTOPS next week and pick up your medal.”

This policy is strictly enforced for the safety of our runners.

Who are the race organizers and what does the race support?

The Princeton Half Marathon is organized by and support HiTOPS. HiTOPS is a Princeton, NJ based 501(c)(3) organization that provides adolescent sexual health education and support. For over 30 years, HiTOPS’ services have reduced health risks, promoted healthy relationships, and built inclusive communities. The programs of HiTOPS include age appropriate sexual health education, professional trainings, and LGBTQ Youth Groups and mentoring. HiTOPS is located at 21 Wiggins Street in Princeton, NJ. For more information about HiTOPS, please visit hitops.org.

Be sure to check out our GOOD RUNNER program. Any participant who raises $250 for HiTOPS will have their marathon registration fee refunded in full. Click here to start your charity page for HiTOPS!  

Is there a Military / First Responder discount? 

There sure is! For all the miles you’ve gone helping others… we want to thank you by offering $1 for every mile of our race. Any active or retired military, fire, police, and EMS can take $13.10 off their registration. Use the Code: HERO131  To be eligible, please show your service ID at packet pickup.

Sacrifice is often shared by the family, so the Princeton HiTOPS Half Marathon is proud to extend this discount to any family members who wish to join their HERO on the course. To the selfless men and women who work to keep us safe on race day and every day… THANK YOU!

Are walkers allowed to register and run in the Princeton Half Marathon?

Yes, as long as walkers maintain the minimum 14-minute/mile pace.

Are runners allowed to take strollers and/or dogs on the course?

No.

Are wheelchair-competitors allowed to compete?

Because the course contains an off-road dirt section, wheelchair competitors are not allowed to compete.

Is Princeton Half Marathon a road course?

This course is primarily a road run.  Less than 10% of the course is on paved/unpaved trails and non-maintained roads. These areas may present challenges such as mud, rocks, uneven surfaces and holes.  Please remain alert for these types of obstacles, as well as for other runners around you in narrow trail conditions.

Will cars be on the road as runners run?

We will make every effort to prevent cars from being on the course through holding up traffic at points on the course. However, participants must be aware of local traffic. There is always the possibility of cars pulling out of driveways and making it on to the course.  Please follow the directions of all public safety officials, course marshals, and markers.  Additionally, runners must remain to the right of the road to avoid accidents.  When making left hand turns, runners must make them sharp.

Can runners wear headphones?

Runners are strongly advised not to wear headphones while racing.  With unpredictable trail conditions and the importance of remaining alert for other runners and traffic, it is important for runners to hear all activity around them.

Will there be an area to drop off clothing?

Yes, from 6:00 to 10:30 AM, there will be a bag drop. Bag drop will be at Gloria Nilson & Co located at 33 Witherspoon Street.

Will every runner receive a medal?

Yes, every finisher receives a medal.  The top three overall male and female runners receive awards, as well as the top three finishers in each age group. Awards are in 5 year increments from 14 to 85+.

 If the race is cancelled due to weather or an Act of God, how will I be notified? Will I receive a refund?

Princeton HiTOPS Half Marathon is a rain or shine event. If the event is cancelled, HiTOPS will make every effort to notify all registered runners via the email address provided during registration. Due to reasons beyond the control of the Princeton HiTOPS Half Marathon and HiTOPS, the Princeton Police or Town of Princeton may cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances, severe weather or other reason. If the event is cancelled, there will be no reimbursement or deferment of registration fees.

Where are the water stops? Will there be anything on the course besides water?

There are 8 water stops on the course.

~ Mile 1.2 on Mercer Street * Water Only
~ Mile 2.75 @ Einstein & Olden  * Water & Shot Bloks, Bathrooms
~ Mile 5.25 @ Boat House * Water Only, Bathrooms 
~ Mile 6.5 on Wiggins   * Water, Wegmans MVP, Shot Bloks
~ Mile 8 on Rollingmead Street * Water Only, Bathrooms 
~ Mile 9 @ Smoyer Park * Water, Shot Bloks
~ Mile 10 @ Stone Hill Church * Water, Bathrooms
~ Mile 12 @ Mt. Lucas & Jefferson  * Water & Wegmans MVP

Where are the bathrooms located?  Are there are on the course?

There are 3 locations near the start line.

24 units, 1 ADA, 3 wash stations on Sylvia Beech Way (Behind the Library)
7 units @ The Arts Council of Princeton (102 Witherspoon Street)
5 units, 1 ADA @ Dorthea House (120 John Street)

There are 4 locations on the course with 2 units each.

Institute for Advanced Study (between Mile 2 & 3)
Water Stop #3 @ Boat House
Water Stop #5 on Rollingmead Street
Water Stop #7 @ Stone Hill Church

Will there be post-race massage?

You bet!

What is Kegs & Eggs?

Back by popular demand, the Princeton HiTOPS Half Marathon Runners Fest “Kegs & Eggs” will take place at Alchemist & Barrister. All runners and race spectators are welcome to come and enjoy the best post race celebration in the industry!

Muscles starving for protein? We’ve got that covered with eggs, sausage and bacon. Need to restore all those carbs you burned? Nothing beats breakfast potatoes. Combine that with celebratory drink specials, live music and giveaways, Alchemist & Barrister is the place to be!

The “All You Can Eat Buffet” for runners and spectators. All runners received discounted entry with their race bib. Runners can enjoy the buffet for $9 and their biggest fans can join them for $12. Bud light, Michelob Ultra, Victory Golden Ale and Bud Light Platinum bottles will all be $4. Bloody Marys and Mimosas available for $5.

Do I need to be a registered runner to participate in the race?

Yes. We require all runners to be registered through RunSignUp.com, and to have completed all waivers prior to participation. Registered runners are required to wear the race bibs in the interest of safety. If you are not registered, you will be asked to leave the course. You must wear your bib throughout the race. The bib is a confirmation of race registration and gives you access to the entry chute, finisher’s medal and food, and can identify you in case of an emergency. Additionally, the race bib includes tear-off tags for use at a bag drop and Runners’ Fest.

What’s the race etiquette?

If you are running in a group, please do not run more than two across
Show appreciation to the volunteers: Say Thank You to the folks handing out your water cups along the route or passing out your finisher medal – they are an integral part of the event and it wouldn’t happen without them!
If you need to stop either to tie a shoelace, please watch for other runners and move to the side of the road before stopping.
When approaching a water Table, move to the side, grab your drink then KEEP MOVING. You may drop your cup to the side of the road as close to the table as possible.
When finishing the race, be sure to keep moving through the finish chute. There will likely be lots of runners coming up behind you and we don’t want to block their way!

Thanks for your sponsorship of the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon. Below are the items we need from you to promote your support of our race. 

Upon signing the contract, please send your full color logo in JPG or PNG format to be added to the race website. ​

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Logos for the race shirt must be sent in one color .ai or .eps format by October 1st. ​

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Logos and advertisements for the race guidebook must be 300 DPI or higher and sent in PDF, JPG, PNG or TIFF format. Dimensions are 5″ x 8″ for full page, 5″ x 4″ for half page, 5″ x 2″  or 2.5″ x 4″ for quarter page. The submission deadline of ad is October 1st.

All art should be sent to courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com. 

2026 RACE SWAG

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR FUNDRAISING TOOL BOX

2025 fundraising rewards include a registration refund, a $50 Gift Card to Fleet Feet and/or choice of  half marathon swag. 

RAISE $250 - CHOOSE ONE PRIZE

RAISE $500 - CHOOSE TWO PRIZES

RAISE $1000 - RECEIVE ALL THREE PRIZES

Fundraising runs through November 30th. Registration refunds will be handled immediately upon request by emailing Judy Walker. Fundraising swag will be ordered on December 1st and mailed directly to your home. Judy Walker will reach out to you to confirm your prizes, sizes and shipping address.  JWalker@hitops.org

 CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FUNDRAISER NOW

Your job is critically important as we are required by the town to ensure that all runners are off the roads who cannot complete a 14-minute mile.   

There are 2 hard cuts on the course where runners will be advised to board a school bus and return to the start. There is also one soft cut off where runners will be advised to move to the sidewalk to the finish.  

One team should cover hard cut off 1 and soft cut off 3, one team should cover hard cut off 2.  

Hard Cut #1 is at mile 6 which is on Washington Road.
 
Specifically, mile 6 is 3 feet north of the northern concrete pillar by the road just north of #70 Washington Road “Center for Jewish Life” on the right and 36 feet north of lamp post 85XX on the right. 

You will see a mile sign hanging on a 10-foot pole. Runners must get past this point by 8:26 to continue in the run.  Please be in place by 7:20 AM as to not get in the way of the front runners but you can stay in your car until 8:15 – although we’d love you to get out sooner and cheer. The lead runners will be coming by at 7:25. A bus will meet you here for any runners who stop to safely return to the start. 

Hard Cut #2 is at mile 9 on Snowden near the entrance of Smoyer Park. 

Mile 9 is on Snowden before Van Dyke. It is 90 feet before utility pole 62189PT on the left and house number 595 on the right. 595 Snowden Lane 

 You will see a mile sign hanging on a 10-foot pole. Please be in place by 7:30 AM as to not get in the way of the front runners but you can stay in your car until 8:55 – although we’d love you to get out sooner and cheer. The lead runners will be coming by at 7:40. Runners must pass this point by 9:08 to continue in the run. A bus will meet you here for any runners who stop to safely return to the start. 

Soft Cut #3 is at mile 10.8 which is 516 Mount Lucas Road.

Please be in place by 9:00 AM  but you can stay in your car until 9:15 – although we’d love you to get out sooner and cheer. The lead runners will be coming by at 7:50.  At 9:25 please begin directing runners to the sidewalk for a qualified finish. There is no bus here.  
 
WHAT TO SAY / DO @ Both Hard Cut Offs #1 & #2 

You are now behind the 14-minute mile pace and you’ve been disqualified.  The roads are now open to traffic.  For your own safety we ask that you get on the bus. We can’t make you but we would appreciate your cooperation. There is water in the bus. If you choose to continue, you are on your own.  The roads are open to traffic and there is no police, no emergency services and no course marshals to direct you.   

Should they load the bus please tell them a finishers medal will not be available for you today but we will get one to you post-race. Please do not cross the finish line upon returning to Victory Village as it will mess up timing for those who completed the race.  

Text the bib numbers of those who boarded the bus to Courtney @ 908-872-0217 when you are done.  

Please note that several of the eliminated runners refuse to make eye contact with our pace officials and ignore them. In fact, in some years no one boarded the bus at all but we have to do this as part of our commitment to the town and commitment to runner safety. While all cut offs are important, allowing people to continue past hard cut #2 was extremely dangerous as we have significant church traffic in an area with blind curves. Please do the best you can to let them know that it is not safe to continue. 

WHAT TO SAY / DO @ Soft Cut Off #3 

Direct runners with gesture, posture and words.     
Roads are opening.  Stay on the sidewalk all the way to the finish. Listen to the instruction of the race officials. Stay on the sidewalk!  You are almost there.   

OTHER THOUGHTS…
 
Please familiarize yourself with the course 

All participants have been warned of these hard cutoffs and will be reminded again at the race so you should not be surprising anyone. 

Please arrive  early to your locations as the front of the pack runners (~ 5 min pace) will be arriving at these locations long before your hard cut off times. There will also be traffic and road closures. Be sure to park in an area that is not in the way of the race participants – side street not on the race course, etc. 

Upon arrival, please send me a text @ 908-872-0217 and let me know you are in place so I know that it is taken care of. As you can imagine, I will have several texts coming in so be sure to identify yourself and your role in the event. Example: “NAME – Hard Cut 1” 

There will be 2 buses on the course. One will be a sweep bus following the race, the other will be meeting you at your hard cut #1 and hard cut #2 to pick up your lagging runners. 

If there is an emergency, please try to call 609-921-2100 which is the Princeton Police Department. 911 is okay too, the other is just faster as they have emergency response people all over the course. The sweep bus will have a PARAMEDIC on it.   

Please confirm before race day that you fully understand this role.  

The last runner will be followed by a yellow bus and police car.  

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of your shift. Leave yourself time to find parking. 

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, please report to Fleet Feet Princeton,108 Nassau Street, Princeton. On Sunday, it will be at the Princeton YMCA, 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton. 

There are two roles in registration - checking participants in and supporting those who are checking participants in.

All volunteers who are comfortable using an app need to download the check-in app to their phone prior to arriving. 
Apple: RaceDay CheckIn on the App Store (apple.com)
Android: RaceDay CheckIn - Apps on Google Play

Once the app is downloaded, please load the Princeton Half Marathon and standby for our password. 

Upon arrival, we will show you how to use it - or you can read the PDF below!

For those supporting registration check in, the volunteer checking participants in will yell back to you the swag that corresponds to the registration - be it a shirt or added swag - and your job will be to grab that, so the line keeps moving quickly. 

Your shift is done when the next volunteer is trained. 

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE RACE DIRECTOR

courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com or call 908-872-0217. 

** All virtual packets will be shipped on November 4th. ** 

NOTE NEW LOCATION IN 2026

Prerace Packet Pickup will take place @ OHM Fitness, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton

• Thursday, November 5th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM

• Friday, November 6th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM

• Saturday, November 7th, 10:30 AM to 5 PM

Yes, you can pick up a friend's packet or send a friend to get yours. :) 

If you paid for race day packet pickup, you can still pick up at OHM Fitness at any time. 

IF YOU ARE PICKING UP FOR A GROUP, PLEASE EMAIL THE LIST OF NAMES TO Courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HAVE THEM READY FOR YOU. 

Race Day Packet Pickup will take place @ Princeton YMCA, 59 Paul Robeson Place starting at 5:30 AM. 

Those wishing to pick up race morning should purchase race day packet pickup. This can be done during registration or post-reg by following these instructions. 

 

There is no participant parking at the YMCA as it's reserved for race staff and emergency services. Also, the race starts at 7 AM, no exceptions. Late participants will not be permitted to start which is why we encourage picking up your packet in advance. 

FIND ALL THE RACE DAY DETAILS HERE

Runners who have already registered for the race can defer their registration to the 2021 HiTOPS Princeton Half Event or convert to this year’s virtual run. Runners who choose this year’s virtual run can donate the price difference to HiTOPS or receive a credit towards next year’s race.

Click here for complete instructions.

Enjoy our list of 2-13 repeat participants through 10/24/25

The HiTOPS Princeton Half supports the work that HiTOPS does to foster strong and healthy young people of all identities by providing inclusive and youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ support for youth throughout New Jersey. 
 

We’re counting on your help to deliver another successful fundraising effort this year! 

With an easy-to-create peer fundraising page, you can help support HiTOPS while making your run even more meaningful!  

HiTOPS is a Princeton, NJ based 501(c)(3) organization. Proceeds from sponsorships, registration fees, fundraising efforts, and donations benefit HiTOPS. Learn more at HiTOPS.org.

Runners are always asking other runners for recommendations be it for training tips or treatment of a nagging injury. To support that networking, the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon is creating a runner resource page. All of the professionals listed have been recommended by fellow runners.

This race raises funds to empower youth with sex education, social support and affirming communities.
Providers on this page have made a $100 donation to HiTOPS to be listed.

** check back later, since additional practitioners are still being incorporated into the listings **
For more info, email Dr. Ron Lavine, askdrlavine@gmail.com, who is helping to coordinate this effort for HiTOPS. 

____________________________________________________________

Dr. Ron Lavine Hands-on treatment and rehab exercise to help athletes achieve ambitious goals. Since 1981. HiTOPS Princeton Half Finisher ’20, ’21, ’223

Calma Therapy  Ana Varona, MA, LMT, offers bodywork therapies for comfort, recovery, and injury prevention.

Princeton Occupational Therapy & Myofascial Release Katerina Kucerova Roeser, MSOT, CLT I am a John Barnes-trained myofascial release therapist. I also specialize in cupping and am a certified lymphedema therapist.

Activcore Physical Therapy We offer 1 on 1  55 minute physical therapy sessions with customized evaluation and intervention of the whole body utilizing a variety of modalities including redcord, dry needling, manual therapy and physical therapist guided exercise to determine and treat the source of pain or injury to restore each client to their active lifestyle. HiTOPS Princeton Half Finisher ’17

Leonard Ershow, DC. Highly experienced Sports Chiropractic Physician and former age group triathlete who served as the team chiropractor for USA Track and Field and other USA national teams as well as at several national US T&F National Championships and Olympic Trials.

Princeton Sports and Family Medicine At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., the experienced medical care team uses a patient-first practice plan to help every individual become and remain healthy. The sports medicine providers and physical therapists work together to provide comprehensive care for patients in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

RUNF.I.T Natalie is a running coach, personal trainer, and LMT. She works with athletes of all ages in the discipline of endurance training. She offers 1:1 coaching along with online training. She hasn't run the Princeton Half yet, but was the 1:55 pacer last year!!

John Frank, PT, MSPT Running Rehabilitation Specialist John Frank has been a physical therapist since 1995 and was a competitive runner in high school and college (UNC Chapel Hill). He draws on his experience as a runner to identify musculoskeletal imbalances that plague runners; and giving them corrective exercises to get them back to the road of recovery. His office is located at 1225 State Road, Princeton and you can reach him @ 609.430.7880.

We invite you to be a part of the 14th Annual HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon on November 8th. This is Princeton’s largest annual running event benefiting HiTOPS. The event includes a live half marathon, a virtual half marathon and a run for youth. All sponsors enjoy connecting with a positive, health-oriented event that attracts enthusiastic participants.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $300 to $20,000. See full package by clicking PDF below. 

We are always open to your creative combination of our sponsorship offerings so that your business can maximize the benefit of supporting the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon. Reach out to have a chat. 

Committed sponsors can view artwork needs and deadlines here. 

Interested in sponsoring? 
Email Judy Walker @ jwalker@hitops.org or call 856.693.4407

BEFORE RACE START

Please arrive at the start line on Paul Robeson Place by 6:45 so that you are in place before the start of the race.  

Before your arrival all the post-race water, medals and tables will be unloaded onto the sidewalk.  

Once the race goes off, please gather all the garbage and clothing left on the start line and take them to Victory Village to garbage cans and lost and found table.  

Then you will work with the race production team to pop up tables and set up all the post-race water and medal tables. Water tables will first for the runners, then the medal tables.  
 
RACE FINISH LINE 

Please arrive at the start line on Paul Robeson Place by 8 AM. Our course record is 1:08 so it will start hopping as soon as you get there. 
 
Greet finishing runners with water. 

Greet finishing runners with medal.  

Direct them to Victory Village for post-race refreshments.  

Keep crowds from closing in on finish line before and after the finish line.  

Keep runners moving through the finish line so they are not injured by next runner sprinting to the finish.  

Even as a volunteer, it’s easy to get excited and want to creep up to give them their medal. Give runners space to come to you.  

2022 Course Marshal Training Details

COURTNEY (Race Director): 908-872-0217
CLARE (Vol Coordinator): 609-422-6767

SHIRT / LANYARD PICKUP

All volunteers are required to wear our volunteer shirt which designates them as a race official. You will also be provided with a lanyard as a quick reference to the emergency protocols reviewed in training. Your volunteer packet can be picked up at Fleet Feet Princeton (formerly Princeton Running Company) during our packet pickup hours. If you cannot pick up during the times below, please email courtney@princetonhalfmarthon.com for other arrangements. 

Fleet Feet (Princeton Running Company), 108 Nassau Street, Princeton
Thursday, November 10th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM
Friday, November 11th, 10:30 AM to 7 PM
Saturday, November 12th, 10:30 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, November 13th, 5:30 AM (Victory Village @ 59 Paul Robeson Place)

RACE MORNING

For your planning purposes, you will be expected to be at your location on the course no later than 6:30 AM on race morning. Even if you have a location further on the course, you need to be in your spot by 6:30 AM as roads will be closing for the race.

Upon arrival you will text our Volunteer Coordinator, Clare Millington, at 609-422-6767. It’s best to text her your location number and crossroads since she’ll be getting 40 texts at the same time. Once she knows you are all in place, we will start the race.

Course details can be found here. The PDF at the bottom of this link shows expected runners times and will help you know how long your volunteer detail will be. For example, if you are at mile 10, you would not expect to see runners until 7:50 assuming the fastest runner is going 5-minute pace. Your last runner would come by about 9:20 assuming the cut off time for runners is 14-minute pace. 

CYCLISTS

Traffic cyclist will meet and park at the Princeton YMCA (59 Paul Robeson Place) which is close to the start / finish at 6:30 AM. New riders will be briefed by repeat cyclists. You are the eyes and ears between course marshals. You also play a critical role in the early / late part of the race where there are larger gaps in runners who could get lost. 

GENERAL TIPS

* Park out of the way of runners when arriving at your location. Runners will stay to their right throughout the course. 
* Know a bit about the spot ahead of you and behind you so that you are informed if motorists ask questions, We try our best not to send frustrated drivers to the next street just to get stopped again. The race will be over by 10:05 AM if anyone asks.
* Speak kindly as a representative of HiTOPS and Princeton. It's Sunday morning, many residents are going to church which is incredibly important to them. We do all we can to inform people about the race, many people wake up surprised by it. 
* If someone is upset or there is an altercation, please jot down the license plate / name and tell Courtney about it. It's helpful for Princeton PD and HiTOPS to be ahead of complaints coming our way. 
* If you find barricades and cones at your location, use them to help you in your position. Return them to where you found them before leaving your post. 
* It is not your job to stop a car. You can follow the direction provided to direct motorists, but you are never to put yourself in danger to stop traffic. 
* If you see something suspicious, be it a bag, backpack, person, anything, call our emergency number. It is not your job to investigate. 
* If a runner needs help, assess the situation. If you are not sure, call our emergency number. As soon as you are able to, please return your attention to the race. It's helpful to jot down the bib number and details of any runners with issues and send them to Courtney. This allows us to track the runners progress and completion of the race. 
* All aid stations have first aid kits. 
* Emergency response teams are around the course. A paramedic is on our sweep bus. 
* 2 motorcycles and 1 police car will lead the race. The last runner will be followed by a sweep bus and then a sweep police car. You can leave your post when the sweep police car passes unless your post says to hold traffic for a few more minutes.
* We welcome you to bring a trash bag with you and clean up your area before leaving. It is our hope to leave Princeton cleaner than we found it after the race. 

STATIONS

 Runners will find water at 7 aid stations along the course. All will have water and first aid kits. See notes below for the location of bathrooms, MVP and nutrition. 
 
• Mile 2.75 Einstein & Olden (Bathroom)
• Mile 5.25 Boathouse (Bathroom, Nutrition from Fleet Feet Princeton)
• Mile 6.5 Wiggins Street (Wegman's MVP)
• Mile 8 Rollingmead Street (Bathroom)
• Mile 9 Smoyer Park (Nutrition from Fleet Feet Princeton)
• Mile 10 Stone Hill Church (Bathroom, Wegman's MVP)
• Mile 12 Mt. Lucas & Jefferson

DEFER

All volunteers who had registered for the 2022 race but are deferring to the 2023 race have been marked as deferred in RSU but please plan on reaching out to me when we open registration in 2023 to be sure you are all set.

THANK YOU
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR EVENT!!!

The HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon is pleased to be a part of the USATF NJ Grand Prix Series of races.

Please arrive at Victory Village at 7 AM or just before. 

Your job will be to convert Victory Village from sending the runners off to welcoming them back. 

The Village will be almost empty. Start loading the post-race food (bananas, granola bars, etc.) from under the tables on the basketball court and begin filling the tables. Participants should be able to access the tables from both the left and right. 

At 7:30 AM, the hot pretzels will be delivered. Help carry them to the tables and using gloves begin to break them apart so runners take just one. 

During your time, please do your best to ensure the post-race food is only consumed by participants. It is not an open buffet for spectators of the race. 

Volunteers from bag check will be sorting the clothes left at the start line. If you are free, you can assist here. 

Please arrive at 10 AM at The Princeton YMCA, 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton. 

Your job will include some lifting as we will be breaking down the start/finish area and victory village. 

This may include unloading the trucks that have cleaned up the 7 water stops on the course, stacking rented tables, helping vendors load their items into their cars, etc. 

Support the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon Virtually!

Already have plans race day? Don’t live locally? Want to walk instead of running? Volunteering race day?

Virtual participation is easy. Simply choose where and how you want to complete your 13.1 HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon miles.  You can hit the trail, the treadmill, or the park, your choice.  Plus, you can choose to complete your 13.1 miles using a combination of smaller distances or one 13.1 effort.  

Plus, all Virtual participants are included in our GOOD RUNNER fundraising program that offers you the chance to earn back your registration fee, when you raise $250 for HiTOPS. 

Complete your miles before our official race day and email us your running log.  Once all participants have crossed the finish line on race day, we’ll mail your Virtual HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon T-shirt and finisher’s medal!

Get Inspired to Participate Virtually!

“I ran/walked 13.1 miles over a week, logging 2.5 miles per day over 5 days and .6 on Day Six!”

“I did the virtual marathon as part of Team Leo. It was so much fun and a great motivator to get me to the gym! I plan to keep tracking my miles even though I completed this. Thank you for the opportunity!”

“I love having this option! I knew my body wasn’t ready to beat the minimum pace requirements for the HPHM. The virtual run allowed me to participate in a great event at my own pace. Hopefully next year I’ll be fast enough for the real thing! I also really enjoyed that the virtual race option gave my family, who live out of state, a chance to participate in a fitness goal together- and support HiTOPS at the same time!”

“I ran my Princeton Virtual Marathon in the middle of the NYC Marathon! I chose to still support the HiTops Princeton Organization even though I could not be there at the race.”

“IT WAS SO HARDDDD but we did it!”

Thank you so much for volunteering to help with the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon. We could not do it without you! 

If at any time you can no longer fill your role, please let us know immediately by emailing courtney@princetonhalfmarathon.com. 

Please review the details of your volunteer role on race day and ask questions BEFORE race weekend!  The specific instructions below will detail your start time and start location. Those working near the start / finish and Victory Village will be permitted to park at the YMCA. This lot is closed to race participants. 

VOLUNTEER SHIRT & EMERGENCY PROTOCOL LANYARD

Please swing by Packet Pickup or Victory Village race morning to pick up your volunteer race shirts which helps participants know you are a safe person on the course. For those picking up race morning, please leave ample time to get to your location before the start of the race. In some cases, water stop shirts will be picked up by the captain so please coordinate with your team. 

EMERGENCY PROTOCOL 

Participants should be mindful of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. This is a public awareness campaign that encourages people to report suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. If you see something concerning race day, please call 911.  

All volunteers are invited to register for Princeton Nixle Alerts by texting Princeton's zip code 08540 to 888777. This will register you for Nixle alerts which would be the messaging platform we would use for any mass communications to all race participants. If you are not a Princeton resident, please feel free to opt out of the Nixle alerts after the conclusion of the race so you do not receive any unwanted communications or notifications.

In the event a runner is injured or ill, secure the runner to the side of the road and off the course if you can. Determine to the best of your ability if the incident is minor in nature or requires a first responder notification. For example, if a person has a blister and needs a band-aid, this is not a life-threatening situation and can be advised to stop at the next aide station. 

In the event of an emergency or incident requiring a first responder, we are asking you to call the direct police line at 609-921-2100 or 9-1-1 and report an incident on the Princeton Half Course. We will have emergency response teams on the course, and this will allow for the fastest response time. 

As soon as you are able, return your attention to the race. Should a runner come by and complaining of something but decides to keep going, note their bib and description when possible… either by texting yourself or bringing a notepad with you.  That allows us to follow up post-race.
 
There are 7 stations on the course that all have first aid kits. There is also a sweep van following the race which has a paramedic on board.

BE IN THE KNOW

Familiarize yourself with aid stations / bathrooms in our FAQ and course maps. 

ROAD CLOSURES

Roads will be closing in the area of the race so please arrive at your location as directed, often by 6:30 AM. 

SPECIFIC ROLES

Course Cyclists 

Start / Finish 

Water Stops

Pace Officials

Course Marshals 

Packet Pickup

Bag Drop

Victory Village Tear Down

Victory Village Setup

STOP DETAILS

Stop #2 - Active from 7:15 to 8:00 AM - Mile 2.75 - HAS BATHROOM - Corner of Einstein Drive and Olden Lane across from Earle Lane

Stop #3 - Active from 7:25 to 8:45 AM - Mile 5.25 - HAS BATHROOM - Shea Rowing Center, 70 Faculty Road

Stop #4 - Active from 7:30to 8:45 AM - Mile 6.5 - Wiggins Street, Kimball Funeral Home on the corner of Hamilton Ave

Stop #5 - Active from 7:35 to 9:00 AM - Mile 8- HAS BATHROOM - 18 Rollingmead Street

Stop #6 - Active from 7:45 to 9:30 AM - Mile 9 - Entrance of Smoyer Park on Snowden Lane

Stop #7 - Active from 7:50 to 9:40 AM - Mile 10 - HAS BATHROOM - Stone Hill Church, Herrontown Road (set up across from church on same side as portable toilets)

Stop #8 - Active from 8:00 to 10:15 AM - Mile 12 - Corner of Mt. Lucas and Jefferson Road

Set -Up 

All the supplies that you need will be delivered to the location before you arrive.  Upon arrival, please set up the 3 tables at your location on the left side of the road spaced about 10 feet apart.

Place the lawn signs so they are facing the runners and visible to them as they approach the table. 

Open the cups and half -fill them from the large jugs. You do not have to put out all the cups at once but be prepared to restock as needed. If you are earlier on the course (stop 2, 3, 4 & 5) you can expect the runners to still be packed together and deplete your supplies quickly. If you are later on the course (stop 6, 7 & 8) you will have time to restock between runners, and we strongly suggest that you do not open all your supplies. Cleanup is much easier for our race crew if the unused supplies are unopened. We expect around 25% of the runners will be carrying their own water. 

Set up the garbage cans, also spaced, on the left side past the table for participants to dispose of their cups. Give them some distance to drink while running before disposing of them. Remind participants that garbage cans are up ahead in hopes that they use them. Inevitably some will throw them to the side. When possible, please pick up any cups that could cause another participant to trip.  

*** Water Stop 3 & Water Stop 6 - Please place nutrition packs on one of your tables for runners to grab. You don't need to open all the boxes and can restock as needed. 

There are rubber gloves, garbage bags and a first aid kit in a bag at your station. 

Please ensure that the water stop is ready by the race start 7:00 am as it may be difficult to get to the location once the roads have been closed for the event.  Once ready please have one person text the volunteer coordinator "Water Stop (YOUR NUMBER) ready"

During the race 

Handout water or energy drink or energy shots to the runners by holding the cup at the BOTTOM.  Yell out what you have: “WATER! WATER” and let the runners come to you. Be careful not to creep out onto the course to give runners their water: stay close to the curb and let runners come to you if they want water. 
 
After the last runner 

Once the trailing police vehicle and cyclist have passed your station behind the last runner the clean-up can begin.  Be sure your area is clean of litter, you’ll want to walk about 100 feet up the road and check both sides of the road, lawns, and gutters.  When finished, stack remaining water, tie up all garbage and fold tables. A crew will be by to pick them up after the race.    

The duration of each water station is dependent upon your location on the course. The slowest pace allowed is 14 min per mile. 

Parking 

If you are driving to the location, please be sure not to leave your car obstructing the course or blocking a private driveway. If possible, park on a side street nearby to your station. Please consult the course map to get an idea of what is around you. 

Clothing 

Please dress for the weather! The event goes on rain or shine and being at a water-table you may get wet from spilled water or energy drink. There will be Volunteer Race Crew t-shirts at the water station, please put these on over your warm clothing. Your volunteer shirt helps to identify you and lets runners know that it is safe to take water from you.  

Calls of nature 

There will be port-a-potties located at three water stations (Mile 2.75: Einstein & Olden; Mile 5.5: The Boathouse Washington/ Faculty Road; Mile 7.8: 18 Rollingmead Street; Mile 10.2: Bunn and Herrontown Road). These are prioritized for runner use but can be used by volunteers if there are NO runners visible and pre and post-race.  

Video of water stop set up for guidance 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za6L_oOriJk
  
 

A few things about safety 

See course here

Know where the next bathroom is on the course should a runner ask. See FAQ

Each water stop will have a first aid kit should a participant need a band aid or something simple.  

We have a paramedic on a bus riding behind the race.  

We have a minimum of two ambulances in the start / finish area to respond to needs on the course.  

It is not your job to give medical advice but rather alert proper people. If a runner seems to be in distress but continues to run, note their bib number / description and text Courtney @ 908-872-0217.  

It’s okay to call 911, it works well, we just are encouraging the use of the 609-921-2100 number as we have the emergency officials who would respond to an incident answering that line.  

In today’s world, we ask for everyone to remember the See Something, Say Something motto. Please call the emergency number for any unattended bags upon your arrival at your location and/or anything that does not feel right.  

Please do not put yourself in danger for the event. (Stepping in front of cars to stop them, etc.)