UPDATE 5/15/20: Bird-in-Hand Fire Company (organizer & beneficiary of this event) is monitoring the virus situation closely. Being first responders, we’re making every effort to be as up-to-date as possible. As of right now, planning continues to hold the event as scheduled. If the event is not able to be held as scheduled, then each registered participant will be given multiple options including refund, deferral, and possibly other options as well.

We’re still several months away from race weekend, too soon to make any formal decisions. Once we get to about 3 months out from the races, we will likely be posting additional information and updates. If you have any specific questions, please contact info@bihhalfmarathon.com and our race director will get back to you promptly!

Experience a Race Like No Other.
Experience Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon.

September 12, 2020

Old-world practices. Lush countryside. Hard-working people.
All these things and more make BIH Half a special experience. But some things can’t be described – like the sense of community that follows well after you cross the finish line.

Be a part of our community. Run Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon Sep 12, 2020.

Half Marathon

$95 now until sold out. Registration includes tech shirt and Friday evening bonfire/s’mores party and post-race picnic. Sells out early – sign up today! Sorry, no race day registration for the Half.

5K Run

$30 until 8/15/20. $35 from August 16 through sell out date. 5k race day registration is permitted (if not sold out) from 11am-6pm. Includes tech shirt and Friday evening bonfire/s’mores party and post-race picnic. Shirts only guaranteed for pre-registered runners.

Fire Company Challenge

The Hand-in-Hand Fire Company challenges you to run two races – 5K on Friday evening and Half Marathon on Saturday morning! Show your strength and earn a bonus premium item, which in the past has been a hat or long-sleeved shirt. $120 now until sold out. Registration includes everything from both races at a discounted rate.

Why Run BIH Half?

Voted the #3 “Can’t Miss Half Marathons in the Country” by active.com!

Learn more about our course and race day activities.

Take a Piece of Our Community Home

Horses put a lot of miles on their shoes — just as runners do. Our coveted horseshoe medal reflects our course and community.

From Our Runners

This was an absolutely amazing race experience! It has gorgeous scenery running through Amish farmland and truly unique finishers medals plus a free picnic for runners and guests afterwards. The people are so kind and welcoming. If you like to travel to races, this one is definitely a must-do!- Runner from Roswell, GA

I ran this race in 2015 and glad I'm returning this year - fantastic! Your info notes to runners are THE BEST and most humorous of all the other runs - keep it up!!! Great rules, fun weekend, and some of the friendliest locals we've ever met anywhere. Love it!- Pete Peters, Georgetown, TX

Yeah, you can go and it's a challenging race, if that's all you are looking for it to be. But if you open your mind and your heart and just for a few hours (or more than a few, if you're me) let yourself be a part of the community you are running through, it becomes so much more.- Runner from East Longmeadow, MA

Thank you to our event sponsors:

12 Water Stations

We’re always prepared to keep you hydrated and safe. Water, sports drink and rest stations are staged throughout the course staffed by community families including 6 located in authentic Amish one-room schoolhouses. Ice buckets and sprinklers can also be found throughout the course on exceptionally hot race days.

1800 Horseshoes

Or 450 horses, depending on how you look at it. Named among Runner’s World magazine’s Top Ten Race Awards in the USA, each of our horseshoe medals are completely authentic. These medals are designed to reflect our community and our course – hardworking, unique and a step back in time.

0 Wires

Rolling hills, grazing cattle, horse-drawn buggies — it’s hard to say which view is the most celebrated on the BIH course. Many runners are wowed when they enter “The Valley of No Wires”, an area of Lancaster County completely off the grid and experienced by few outside the Plain Community.

1000s of Road Apples

“Drett net nei” Don’t step in it! When running through Lancaster County it’s smart to look down occasionally to avoid stepping in a road apple left behind by horses pulling buggies. Our one-of-a-kind Road Apple Award celebrates runners who finish both the BIH Half and Garden Spot Half Marathons.

1200 Plates of Food

Carb up before the race and join runners and locals alike for a Pizza & Pasta Meal on Friday night from 4pm-8pm. Family and friends are welcome too! Pre-register with race registration and don’t pass up the shoofly pie!

800 Homes Protected

For over 100 years, unpaid volunteers of Hand-in-Hand Fire Company have protected the Bird-in-Hand community. All proceeds from these races and surrounding special events support the fire company. Your participation ensures that help will arrive in the case of an emergency our local businesses and families. And for that we proudly call you our friend.

Experience a Race Like No Other. Experience Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon.