October 11th, 2025. The Half Marathon & 8K will start at 8:00 a.m. Kids will start immediately after the Half Marathon and 8K runners have passed. We will be offering virtual options for all races as well that must be run on your own between 9/10/2025-10/10/2025. The virtual race must be run on the official Salem Half Marathon course.

You can register online by clicking here. Virtual registration will remain open through Friday, October 10th. Registration will also be available at Packet Pick-Up. No discount codes will be accepted at walk-up registration.

To see the prices please click here. Entry fees are non-refundable. This means once we have received your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. Race insurance is available in the checkout process for an additional fee. You may switch races at no cost except for the difference in price for races. You will have the option to defer your race entry for the next year for a $10 fee if you cannot participate.

Yes, race day registration is open from 6:30-7:30am on race morning for an additional fee. We highly encourage advanced registration and picking up your packet on Friday.

If you are signed up for the race and want to switch to the other please click here. This will take you to the registration page where you will need to log-in. Once logged-in you can switch to either races. Deadline to switch races is 10/8/2025.

Yes, for a $10 fee, you can defer your entry to next year. The deferral deadline is midnight on October 10.

For instructions on how to defer your race or how to claim your deferral, click here. Deadline to defer registration is 10/8/2025.

The race will be run rain or shine. For the safety of our participants we will only cancel the race for natural causes, terrorists attacks, interstate closures, or other things that would put the safety of the runners or spectators at risk. If we have to cancel an event we would defer your entry for the following year or give you the option to run virtually.

Packet Pick-up will take place Friday, October 10th at the Salem Farmers Market from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. as well as Saturday, October 11th from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. A photo ID is required to pick up your race packet. You may pick up the race packet for ONE other pre-registered runner provided you have a copy of their photo ID. Virtual runners may pick up their packets at the Salem Parks & Recreation office starting on October 13th or choose to have it shipped for an additional $5.

Yes, provided that person presents a copy of your photo ID.

Yes, we will have a bag check at the Farmer's Market. Please label your bag with your bib number.

The start/finish is at the same place on Main Street in Salem right in front of the Farmer's Market, close to the intersection with Broad Street.

Yes, we have lots of porta-potties at the start/finish, and at least 2 porta-potties at each aid station.

Sorry, but no, for the safety of all participants, strollers and dogs are not allowed on course. They are welcome in the spectator areas!

Yes. 3.5 hours is the time limit for both the half marathon and 8K. This time limit is set to ensure timely reopening of streets. All participants will be required to maintain paces to keep up with the course closure time. Participants who do not meet cutoffs will be re-routed on a shortened route to finish the event before the cutoff. Participants who get re-routed will not be elegible for age group awards.

The use of headphones is strongly discouraged for your safety and the safety of other runners. Many of the roads will still be open to local traffic. You should be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Yes, six water stations will be along the course, two of which you will pass twice. All water stations will serve Gatorade at the first table(s) in BLUE/GREEN cups and water at the second table(s) in WHITE cups. Gu is offered at the 4th station (about mile 6.2) for the half marathon.

All participants who register prior to September 12 will recieve a long sleeve technical shirt. Participants who register after the shirt deadline can select a shirt from our limited supply of overstock shirts, first come, first served. We try our best to have a shirt for everyone. All finishers receive a medal for their respective race distance.

• 8K Course:

  Tyler O'Brien of Vinton, VA, 26:11 (2019)
  Alyssa Vassallo of Roanoke, VA, 31:00.75 (2021)

• 2024-Present Half Marathon Course:
  Male: Michael Craig of Lynchburg, VA, 1:17:05.58 (2024)
  Female: Anna Battiata of Roanoke, VA, 1:33:37.8 (2024)
  
  
• 2016-2023 Half Marathon Course:
  Male: Daniel Jaskowak of Blacksburg, VA, 1:10:16 (2018)
  Female: Carolyn Yang of Arlington, VA, 1:26:04.83 (2019)

Yes, proceeds from the race benefit local charities. Over the course of nine years the Salem Half Marathon has donated over $23,000 to local charities. Also, we have several water stations along the course that can be sponsored by local businesses. If businesses sponsor a water station part of the sponsorship goes back to the charity of their choice. In return the charity must be able to work the water station.