Yosemite Half Marathon
tentative 2024 event: May 11, 2024 | Bass Lake, California
Yosemite Half Marathon
tentative 2024 event: May 11, 2024 | Bass Lake, California
The 2023 event has passed! Check back soon for details on the 2024 Yosemite Half Marathon.
This is a fast, scenic course through the Sierra National Forest just outside of Yosemite National Park! The first 5 miles are a peaceful run through the trees followed by a fast 5 miles downhill. Finish it off with a beautiful 3 miles around Bass Lake. Yosemite is calling!
Get to Know Your Course
The race will be starting at the Pines Resort and running the first 3 miles in counterclockwise direction along the north side of the lake. This is a nice paved road with slight rolling hills. With beautiful lake views the whole time. Around mile 2.25 the course will turn right running along the south side of the lake. First Aid Station will be just before mile 3.
Around mile 4 the course will turn right, taking a slight detour with a short little climb for approximately ½ mile about ¾ of the way up the hill you will turn right onto a dirt forest service road that will take you down a beautiful dirt road with a little downhill descent as turn right back onto the south side of the lake. There will be a full service Aid Station as you turn back onto the road that will include cut up bananas and oranges.
The next few miles will be flat windy roads overlooking the lake. Around mile 8.5 you will make a U-turn heading back along the lake to the finish line. You will pass 3 more Aid Stations along the way. Mile 8.7, mile 10 and mile 12. As you approach the finish line you will take a right into Little Denver Church picnic area. From here the course will cross over a small bridge and finish along the shores of the lake at Recreation Point.
Pavement
You'll be on paved road for the entirety of this course.
The information below does NOT apply to our 2023 Yosemite Half Marathon course.
The information below applies to the original course route, which is currently experiencing winter damage. You may use this info to compare the original course and the 2023 Bass Lake alternate course.
The first 5 miles of our course will start on Fire Rd. You'll run on a dirt trail through the beautiful pines of the Sierra National Forest. There is no steep uphill or downhill here, but expect rolling terrain.
Miles 6-10 are a fast downhill descent on a wide paved road. Then after crossing RD-274 (Malum Ridge Rd) you will reach Bass Lake and turn right on N Shore Road. You will run on N Shore Road around Bass Lake until about mile 12.25. From there you will take a left on S Shore Rd and finish on dirt trail again.
The race will finish at Recreation Point Campground right on the lake! Cool off in the water and enjoy the rest of your day.
Pavement
You'll be on a wide paved road for most of this race.
Dirt Trail
The first 5 miles are on a wide packed dirt trail through the forest.
2023 Course Difficulty
This is information for the alternative 2023 course around Bass Lake.
Factors:
Rolling paved terrain
Training:
We recommend training on paved roads with varied uphill and downhill sections.
Aid Stations (Bring your own cup!)
All aid stations are cup-free so remember to bring your own hydration solution or request a FREE Nathan reusable cup when you register.
Expect about 6 aid stations on the course near mile 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12 (Exact locations vary). A medic will be stationed typically at the aid station at or near mile 9. Aid stations include toilets, water, Gnarly Hydrate, Honey Stinger gels, basic first aid supplies, and sometimes more. Cups are not provided on course to help reduce waste.
Race Day Schedule (Tentative)
All times listed are in Pacific Time.
Friday
10:00 am - Race expo & bib pickup opens
6:00 pm - Race expo closes
7:00 pm - Bib pickup closes
Saturday
4:00 am - Parking lots open
4:15 am - First shuttles load
4:45 am - Bib pickup opens near the start line
5:15 am - Last shuttle leaves from Oakhurst
5:50 am - Runners line up & last call for gear check
5:55 am - National Anthem
6:00 am - Yosemite Half Marathon Begins
8:00 am - Spectator & return shuttles begin from Oakhurst to the finish line (roundtrip)
9:15 am - Awards Ceremony
10:30 am - Finish line cutoff
Arrive early & get ready with us
We encourage runners to arrive early on race morning. Find a parking spot, grab some Summit Coffee or hot chocolate, and listen for updates from our race announcer (they're the one with the megaphone and early-bird energy)!
You have a couple of options for picking up your bib and race packet including at the Race Expo, the start line, or we can mail it to you.
Option #1: Race Expo
Expos are typically held the Friday before the race at Recreation Point. We’ll have our merchandise table set up, so be sure to stop by and say hi!
Option #2: Race Morning (not recommended)
We will have limited race morning bib and packet pickup on race morning at the start line. Get there early!
Option #3: Shipped Before the Race ($30)
You can add a shipped bib to your registration until one month before the race by logging into RunSignup, clicking Manage Registration, and Add Ons.
Refunds: Once your package is shipped, you are officially checked in to the race and no longer qualify for our refund, deferment, or transfer options.
Race Expo
Expo Hours: morning-afternoon TBD
Bib Pickup Open: morning-afternoon TBD
Expo Location: Recreation Point Campground (Bass Lake, CA)
We encourage you to attend the race expo in Bass Lake (the same place as the finish line). This is your chance to see the area, pick up your bib packet, and check out merchandise. We'll have a variety of swag from shirts and tanks to our favorite Hydro Flasks and everything in-between.
Please, bring your own bag! Our expos are bagless to help reduce waste.
Race Morning Shuttles to the Start Line
Our start line this year is at The Pines Resort! If you are staying at The Pines, Outdoorsy Yosemite, or a neighboring hotel you can plan to walk to the start line and avoid the race morning shuttles.
Bass Lake Area Shuttle
Serves the Vacation Races Campground, Miller's Landing, and The Forks
Shuttles depart at approx. 4:00am
This is the ONLY departure time. Please arrive early.
Shuttle Pickup: Shuttles will pickup in front of each location listed above.
Service from finish line? Runners only, please confirm transportation options back to your lodging at time of lodging check-in.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING OR DROP OFF AT THE START LINE.
Oakhurst Shuttle #1 - parking available!
Shuttles run from approx. 4:15am - 5:15am
Shuttle Pickup: Behind Yosemite High School (50200 High School Rd)
Service to/from finish line? Yes, beginning at 8:00am. Spectators welcome.
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Please park in one of the lots below and proceed to the shuttle location.
Oakhurst Shuttle #2 - no parking!
Serves the Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn and other walking distance hotels* (Oakhurst, CA)
Shuttles run from approx. 4:15am - 5:15am.
Shuttle Pickup: Parking lot in front of Fairfield Inn
Service to/from finish line? Yes, beginning at 8:00am. Spectators welcome.
*There is no designated race parking here - please use this shuttle ONLY if you are prepared to walk to the shuttle from a nearby hotel. This may also include Hampton Inn Express, Best Western, Yosemite Southgate Hotel, and more.
Race Morning Drop-off
If you are dropping a runner off, please drop them off in the front driveway of Oakhurst Elementary School or at the Jehovah’s Witness parking lot: 50031 High School Rd, Oakhurst, CA. Runners will then walk over to the shuttle loading area behind Yosemite High School.
Shuttles to/from the Finish Line
Looking to get to the finish line? Need to get back to your car after the race? Use these shuttles!
Yosemite High School & Fairfield Inn, Oakhurst
Shuttles running from 8:00am through the afternoon.
Shuttles will make round trips beginning at 8am to bring spectators to the finish line and runners back from the finish line at Recreation Point. Spectators may use runner shuttle parking around Oakhurst and then walk to the shuttle pickup location at Yosemite High School.
Miller's Landing, The Pines, Outdoorsy Yosemite, and The Forks (for runners only)
Limited shuttles from the finish line for runners.
We will also have limited shuttles for runners back to the Bass Lake Area locations (Miller's Landing, The Pines, and The Forks). But we will not be having continuous shuttles for spectators staying in this area.
Spectator Event Access
We welcome spectators to Yosemite this year! However, this is a remote course with limited parking options. Please keep this in mind and help us by following our parking guidelines to avoid traffic jams or missing your runner cross the finish line.
Oakhurst Parking & Shuttles
Highly recommended!
Spectators may use runner parking & shuttles from Oakhurst to reach the finish line. These shuttles begin service to the finish line at 8:00am. Check the Parking & Shuttles tab for full spectator shuttle info.
Despite the extra travel time, this is the simplest and most secure way of finding parking and reaching your runner at the finish line!
Bass Lake Access & Parking
Severely limited and easily congested. Best if you expect your runner to finish before 8:20am.
Because of event traffic control and limited area parking, we highly recommend parking in Oakhurst and taking a shuttle to the finish line. If you do find parking in the limited designated areas near Recreation Point you should expect to walk less than a mile to the finish line.
The following areas are where spectators may park near Bass Lake:
- Designated day-use parking areas near the finish line along Rd 222 (access before the road closure)
- The corner lot of Rd 274 and Rd 222
Reminder: Rd 222/Southshore Road will be CLOSED during the hours of the race. Unless necessary, tou're safest option is to park in Oakhurst and take a shuttle to the finish line. You and your runner can then head back to Oakhurst via return shuttle and get lunch in town :)
The most convenient (and fun) place to stay during race weekend is our Vacation Races Campground! It is located at Recreation Point Campground, where our finish line and race expo will be. You can reserve a spot during registration or by modifying your race registration in RunSignup later on.
You can sleep in your car, bring a tent or hammock, or rent a tent from us for an additional fee. RVs and trailers are not allowed. This is a large group campsite without individual fire pits, tables, etc. Plan to share space and get to know your fellow runners!
Reservation Info
*Your tent must be packed up and returned by
9:00 am on Sunday! This is a strict check-out time.
Campsite Details
*Damage due to neglect and failure to return your tent at check-out may result in an invoice to cover repairs or replacement.
Campground Pricing
Reservation Type | Flat Rates |
|---|---|
Campsite Only (bring your own tent) | $50 |
Campsite + 4-person Tent Rental | $100 |
Campsite + 6-person Tent Rental | $130 |
Getting to the Start Line
There is one shuttle from Recreation Point to the start line and all campers are expected to use it. You will not need a return shuttle, as the finish line is located at Recreation Point! Since you'll arrive early to the start line, you may start the race with an earlier wave than your assigned color wave.
As nature lovers, we are committed to keeping our events sustainable and managing negative impacts on the environment. Our goal is to send less than one bag of actual “trash” to the landfill after each event. We have managed to meet this goal at events with over 3,000 participants!
Here's how you can help us:
CUP-FREE RACING
Single-use plastic is a huge source of waste at any public event. We have reduced that impact by making our events "cup-free".
What does that mean for you?
Coolers of Water and Gnarly Hydrate (electrolyte drink) are available at all aid stations, but cups will not be provided on course or at the finish line. In order to stay hydrated, we ask you to bring one of the following:
1. Reusable water bottle
2. Nathan reusable cup - These light-weight cups fold into a pocket or waistband. Request one when you sign up to run!
3. Hydration pack - These are refillable backpacks meant for running that allow you to access fluid via a built-in straw.
Stay hydrated on course with a reusable cup!
ZERO WASTE CONTAINERS
You can help us reduce trash by sorting disposable items into the appropriate container.
You’ll notice three containers at our events:
Please avoid putting organic waste and compostable items in the wrong bin. It gets gross to sort through.
Results
Visit RunSignup for race results. Runner times are available ~20 minutes after you finish the race. Keep in mind, the results are not official until all runners have crossed the finish line, and have been reviewed by the event director.
Due to the rolling start for the Yosemite Half, all awards will be based on chip time. This means it is possible to cross the finish line before someone else in your category while still finishing with a slower time than them. Please be patient while we verify finishing times on race day.
Top Finisher but missed the awards ceremony? You can request to have your place medal shipped to you!
Got questions about your placement? Please email timing@runsum.com.
Photos
Race Photos
Race photos are available the Friday following the week of the race. We will send out an email when they're posted to the album as well as place the link below. This year we are offering race photos FREE to all our runners!
Award Ceremony Photos (Legacy)
You can find a link to any available award ceremony photos below:
Share your experiences with us!
Be sure to use #YosemiteHalf in any photos you post from the race or your adventures exploring the park so we can share in the fun with you!
Exclusive Yosemite Half Marathon merchandise is available in our online store.
GET INVOLVED
Support Our
Park Communities
Fundraise for your chosen race and your registration fee could be waived. All funds go to Wander Project to support efforts in and around the communities that host our events.
New this year, YOU choose whether the funds you raise support a WP community partner or an organization that matters to you!
Volunteer with Us
Our amazing volunteers help runners at the race expo, finish line, merch tent, and beyond! Join us for a 3-4hr shift and earn a $50 or $100 credit towards a future race.
Pro-tip: Volunteer at the expo and run the next day OR ask a friend to volunteer and "gift" you the credit (or use it themselves!)
HOW TO PREPARE
