Black Diamond Express Half Marathon & 5K
Sun, Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT
- Type
- Run
Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).
Race feel
Experience a scenic run on the Lehigh Valley Trail while supporting the Mendon Foundation's land preservation efforts.
- Scenic
- Competitive
- For a Cause
Scenic
Competitive
For a CauseThe Black Diamond Express Half Marathon & 5K invites you to run a flat, scenic out-and-back course along the historic Lehigh Valley Trail in Mendon, NY. This event supports the Mendon Foundation, a local land trust dedicated to developing and maintaining the trail system. Participants can choose between a live race or a virtual option, enjoying the beauty of the resurfaced trail sections while contributing to a meaningful cause.
What to expect
- Enjoy a flat, scenic out-and-back course along the historic Lehigh Valley Trail, with newly resurfaced sections.
- Receive a long-sleeved shirt or mug, plus refreshments and healthy snacks post-race.
- Half Marathon finishers earn collectible ceramic medals; 5K finishers receive collectible ceramic lapel pins.
Standout details
- Benefits Mendon Foundation
- Flat, scenic Lehigh Valley Trail course
- USATF Certified Half Marathon
- Collectible ceramic finisher swag
Perks & features
- USATF Certified
USATF CertifiedFrom the public listing; confirm on the official site.
Distances & registration
4 optionsUse the official signup link above for all distances.
5K
2 options · closes Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT
3mo 22d 18h 51m leftVirtual 5K
Closes Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT · From $32.80
General entry
Closes Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT · From $32.80
Half Marathon
2 options · closes Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT
3mo 22d 18h 51m leftGeneral entry
Closes Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT · From $59.30
Virtual Half Marathon
Closes Aug 23, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT · From $59.30
Summaries use public event text. Confirm schedule, fees, and rules on the official page before you sign up.
Past race snapshot
What the field usually feels like
A plain-English read from past public results. It is helpful context, not a prediction.
Crowd
Small field
102 13.11 Miles finishers in 2025. A quieter race where the pack may spread out more quickly.
Typical finish
2:13:06
Think middle-of-the-pack, using chip time when available.
Competitive feel
Lively front
The faster end moves well, but the race still has room for everyday runners. Front-group read: 1:36:01.
People mix
Balanced mix
About 50% women and 50% men among finishers who listed gender.
Quick read
For the 13.11 Miles in 2025, this looks like a small field: 102 finishers are represented here. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 2:13:06. The quicker front of the field averaged about 1:36:01. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.
Show the year-by-year numbers
| Distance | Year | Finishers | Typical | Average | Front 10% | Fastest M / W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.11 Miles | 2025 | 102 | 2:13:06 | 2:17:24 | 1:36:01 | 1:29:49 / 1:26:07 |
Last summary update: Apr 29, 2026
From the organizer
Black Diamond Express Half Marathon & 5K — To benefit the Mendon Foundation - Mendon, New York's local land trust and developer/maintainer of the Lehigh Valley Trail in partnership with the Monroe County Parks Department.
(Including virtual option, with option to complete race within one week after race day.)
Sunday, August 23, 2026 • Lehigh Valley Trail, Rt. 251, Mendon, NY
Half Marathon Starts: 8:00am 5K Starts: 8:20am
Course: Flat, scenic out & back course along the historic Lehigh Valley Trail
Additional sections of the Lehigh Valley Trail have been resurfaced!
Start & end location: Mendon Youth Baseball Fields ( https://goo.gl/maps/8ZoNAryJ95q )
Half Marathon course is USATF Certified - NY17052JG
Includes
Long sleeved (unisex) t-shirt OR mug guaranteed to the first 150 (combined) by Sunday, August 2nd. (Once sizes are gone after August 2nd we are out of shirts!) Refreshments and healthy snacks. Collectible ceramic medals for Half Marathon finishers, collectible ceramic lapel pins for 5K finishers. Once again, we are offering Virtual Half Marathon and 5K events! Run the distance within a week after the live race date, and we will mail your selected t-shirt or mug, and a medal (HM) or lapel pin (5K). You can download the race certificate post race and enter your time on the website. Awards
Half Marathon: Top 5 (non virtual) Male & Female Cash or Gift awards; plus collectible Race Water Bottles for top 3 in age groups 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ All Half Marathon finishers will receive our beautiful, collectible ceramic finisher’s medal! 5K: Top 5 (non virtual) Male & Female Cash or Gift awards; plus collectible Race Water Bottles for top 3 in age groups 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ All 5K finishers will receive our beautiful, collectible ceramic lapel pin! Official Site & Frequently Asked Questions
Please visit: https://mendonfoundation.org/black-diamond-express-races/ for more detailed information and answers to your Frequently Asked Questions .