The Race
The 5th Annual Paine to Pain
Trail Half Marathon
October 14, 2012; Gunshot @ 9 am
Reviews from 2011 event (click)
And now we have race photos (click again!)!
To benefit the trail system (It’s never too late to make a tax-deductible donation.)
THE BEST TRAIL RACE IN THE NYC METRO AREA
Paine to Pain is a giant single loop that winds its way through the woods and trails of several lower Westchester parks. You never run the same trail twice and will spend 90% of your time on dirt (and rocks and roots) in the shade of the woods. Many of the trails are completely hidden from public view and host a wide variety of wildlife including deer, fox, coyote, hawks, owls, heron, wild turkey, rabbit and other critters. 
Reviews: This race has been listed as one of 7 Scenic Half Marathons in the country. And you can read some reviews from last year’s race.
Where: Start at Thomas Paine Cottage, New Rochelle New York. (map) End at New Rochelle High School. (Both at the intersection of North Ave. and Broadview Ave.)
Click map for a larger, printer-friendly version: 
Cost $2012 cost TBD – General Public
$2012 cost TBD – Sound Shore Runners and Multisport Club members and military/veterans
Twin Lakes Park, Eastchester
Registration and Timing: To avoid trail congestion, we will use chip timing and start runners in multiple waves.
Online registration will open around Earth Day, April 22nd.
See our No Refund / No Exchange policy
Minimum Age: Those under 18 need written parental permission. (And frankly, you should also check with your high school athletic coach.)
Risks: This trail has plenty of rocks, roots, stumps and other tripping hazards. There are two stream crossings with stepping stones. The trail is narrow at times and could be crowded as faster runners overtake slower ones. There might be poison ivy, tics, bugs, bees and other woodsy things you find in the great outdoors. Weather conditions may add mud, downed trees and slippery wooden catwalks. We consider these elements to be features of the trail. Whining about trail conditions is strictly prohibited. Boasting is allowed.
Awards: Awards are three-deep in the following categories, for men and women
- Overall
- 16-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
Age group awards are based on chip time. Overall 1-2-3 based on who crosses the finish line first, so if you think you can win this race overall, you should contact one of the organizers.
Shirts/Goody Bags: Shirts and Goody bags are not guaranted to late entrants. Bags and shirts will be distributed to late entrants after the race depending on the number of no-shows that we have. Last year we had enough for everyone. This year? Who knows? Want to make sure you get? Don’t wait until the last minute to register.
Bib/Packet Pick-up: You are encouraged to pick up your race packet in advance at Westchester Road Runner at 179 E. Post Rd. in White Plains, NY on the Friday evening before the race, from 5-8 pm or the Saturday before the race, from 10 am-4 pm. We hope to once again have special promotional items for those that pick-up prior to race day, as this eases the race day crush. And we hate race day crush. Packets will also be available race day from 7:00-8:30 am at Paine Cottage (race start area). Baggage drop will be available at the start and they will be brought to the finish line. Please don’t leave valuables in the bags as we are not responsible for them.
Aid Stations: There are three water/aid stations: Miles 4 (Mamaroneck), 7.5 (Scarsdale) and 10.8 (Eastchester). If you need more water, or supplemental fuel, you better carry it. There will be medical attention at each station, courtesy of Sound Shore Medical Center. There will be toilets at the start, mile 7.5 and finish.
Time Limit / Street Closings Security and volunteers are discharged based on a three hour finish, as timed from the start of the last wave. After that, you’re on your own. Estimated finish times: Approximately one minute per mile slower than a half marathon road race. (Course description and elevations here)
Trash: Please hold used gel packs and energy bar wrappers for one of the trash cans at the water stops. We do not have a clean-up squad to pick stuff up afterwards.
Banned!
- No dogs: Sorry, but they are a tripping hazard on narrow trails.
- No headphones: Sorry, but people must be keenly attuned to those around them that might need to pass on a narrow trail.
Parking: If you are unfamiliar with the area, please click on this page to look at our map of available parking areas.
Public Transit to the race from NYC: It’s easy to do. Click this link for details on getting to the race by train
Best Spectating Spot – Not to worry. We got you covered. Click here for the easiest spectating spot around.
Kids: We don’t have kid races planned yet, but while kids wait for Mom or Dad to come onto the track for the big finish, they have a huge football field to run around on. There are also two ponds in front of the High School that usually have ducks, so bring stale bread if your kids like that kind of thing. In addition, there is a terrific new (handicapped accessible) playground 1/4 mile south of the start on North Avenue next to the Huguenot Children’s Library.
Our 2011 Sponsors:
Municipal:
Private:
- Sound Shore Runners and Multisport Club
- The Turkewitz Law Firm (NYC)
- Westchester Road Runner (White Plains)
- Breaking the Tape Productions, LLC (Mamaroneck)
- Robeks (New Rochelle)
- Weichert, Realtors, House & Home (Riverdale)
- Sound Shore Medical Center (New Rochelle)
- Grabber Warmers
- Clif Bar
- Violight
- Walgreens
- PM Pediatrics
- REI (New Yonkers location!)
- Fairway Market (Pelham Manor)
- Almstead Tree and Shrub (Westchester, CT and NJ)
Please check the blog for updates!
Past results are here. There are some photos on the newly created FacebookPaine to Pain Group site.
Contacts: Might as well go to the contacts page for that, right?
