9th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE "Fatass" Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges

The 9th Annual Jersey City Hillers FREE "Fatass" Marathon and Half Marathon Course Challenges will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Enos Jones Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. December in Jersey City typically features cold temperatures ranging from 35-45°F (2-7°C), with potential for rain or light snow, so participants should prepare with appropriate winter running gear, layering, and weather-resistant clothing. This unique event offers runners the opportunity to complete either a half marathon or full marathon course challenge on the same day, with the half marathon starting at 9:30 AM and the full marathon beginning at 7:30 AM (with an early start option at 7:00 AM for runners expecting to take more than six hours). The courses showcase Jersey City's distinctive terrain and landmarks, including Manhattan views, notable murals, and historic sites, while presenting significant elevation challenges that test runners' endurance and hill-running abilities.

What distances are available for this event?

• →Half Marathon Course Challenge starting at 9:30 AM (available until 1:30 PM)
• →Full Marathon Course Challenge starting at 7:30 AM (available until 1:30 PM, with early start at 7:00 AM for runners expecting over 6 hours)

What is the cost to participate in this event?

• →Free registration for both half marathon and full marathon course challenges

When is the registration deadline?

Registration closes on December 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Participants must register before this deadline to secure their spot in the event.

Are the courses officially certified?

The courses are not USATF certified, which means the distances are approximate rather than exact for the half marathon and full marathon distances. Runners should be aware that actual distances may vary slightly from standard marathon and half marathon distances.

What elevation gain should I expect on each course?

• →Half Marathon: 1,137 feet of elevation gain
• →Full Marathon: 2,701 feet of elevation gain

What are the highlights of the course routes?

• →Half Marathon highlights: Manhattan views, Jersey City Bear Mural, and Tiger Mart convenience stores positioned along the route
• →Full Marathon highlights: Manhattan views, Bear Mural, Weehawken Cliffs (historic Hamilton duel site), and James Braddock Park (famous for Cinderella Man connection)

How is timing calculated for this event?

Timing uses total elapsed time, which includes any stops at traffic lights. Runners should be prepared for potential delays due to traffic signals along the course, as the routes traverse busy roads with many turns.

What documentation is required to qualify for medals and placement?

To qualify for medal placement, runners must submit official results from a GPS tracking service such as Strava, Garmin, or another similar service that includes a map of the completed course. Alternative proof of completion includes a photo of your watch or phone screenshot showing the recorded time, though this alternative option does not qualify for medal or placement recognition.

What are the course records for the half marathon?

• →Male record: 23:48 (set by Jed Fantastico, Pat Rynkowski, and Kyle Milden on December 8, 2024)
• →Female record: 1:37:04 (set by Sarah Schillaci on December 2, 2018)

What are the course records for the full marathon?

• →Male record: 3:27:21 (set by Jason Teran on December 1, 2019)
• →Female record: 4:03:44 (set by Carmen Ludizaca on December 5, 2020)

What type of medals are awarded at this event?

Unique "metal keys" are awarded as medals to participants who complete the official course and properly submit their results. Medals are only awarded when the full course is completed and results are submitted through the required tracking services.

What safety considerations should I be aware of?

Runners must obey all traffic signals and exercise caution throughout the event, as the courses feature tricky navigation with many turns and traverse busy roads. A waiver is required to participate, which includes COVID-related information.

How are the updated courses provided?

Both courses have been updated and are available on MapMyRun for download. Detailed turn-by-turn instructions are provided, and it is recommended that runners carry these instructions with them during their run to navigate the complex routes successfully.