The Race

Paine to Pain Logo

The 6th Annual Paine to Pain

Trail Half Marathon

October 6, 2013 — Gunshot @ 9 am

“These are the trails that try men’s soles.”

–Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, December 23, 1776 (sort of)

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Registration is now open!

Results, reviews, and write-ups from 2012 race.

Paine to Pain is a giant single loop that winds its way through the woods and trails of five different 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.

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 the map for a large printer-friendly view of the race track.

Registration Fee Register here! (this includes the service fee for our primary registration company, NYC Runs):

$50 Enthusiasts Discount: April 22 until May 31. For those who will rearrange their schedule to run this puppy.
$55 Runners Rate: June 1 through August 31st.
$60 Dilly-Dalliers Rate: Sept. 1 until we close e-registration on Monday, September 30, at midnight.
$65 Wussies Penalty Rate: Last minute sign-ups for those needing to first check the weather forecast, so they don’t get their little shoesies muddy (if space is still available).

There is a $10 discount, good through August 31st, for military members (both active duty and veterans) as well as NewRo Runners. 2012 volunteers can take an additional $10 off through August 31st as well, by mailing in this PDF form.

Please remember that this race is a fund raiser to improve the trails.

See our No Refund / No Exchange policy. It tells you why we do what we do. And this is the race cancelation policy. Do they both suck? Yes. But at least we can explain why we do what we it.

Run for Team Hole in the Wall: In addition to raising money for the trails, we are also pleased to associate ourselves this year with The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, created by Paul Newman so that children coping with serious illnesses could have a special hideout where they could simply be kids. In the words of one young camper, “I love it here. Sometimes you think being so sick gives you limits, but the Camp helps you try anything.”

Once you register for the race, you can visit this link to join Team Hole in the Wall. There is no fundraising commitment, but runners who raise $250 or more for Camp will receive a custom dri-fit Team Hole in the Wall running jersey and other benefits.

Registration and Timing: Registration opens once again on Earth Day, April 22nd. You can register on NYCRuns (unless you’re taking the 2012 volunteer discount) or you can send in a PDF form with your check. To avoid trail congestion,we will start runners in multiple waves. (See: Chip Timing and Seeding for 2013)

Minimum Age: Those under 18 need written parental permission. (And frankly, you should also check with your high school athletic coach.)

Risks: There are plenty of risks of running this event that we like to consider features of the trail and the race. Whining about trail conditions is strictly prohibited. Boasting is permitted. You should read about some of the risks here.

Catwalk Risks: The Leatherstocking Trail (miles 0.75 – 3.6) has a number of wooden catwalks, whose condition varies with their age and the weather. Boards can become damaged in storms, or simply be jarred loose by other runners. They are also very slippery when wet. Please stay in the center of these walks and do not pass while on them. Bide your time. Cool your jets. You will have more than ample opportunity to pass other runners in safer spots.

Course Records: Men’s record, Matt Walsh (2011), 1:21:35. Women’s record, Deanna Culbreath (2012), 1:31:42. Course records for all age groups, in case you think you can snag one, are here: Course records and data.

Photo courtesy of Sport-Memories

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 is 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.

Team awards: Teams must have a minimum of four runners. If you have more (up to six), we take the top four. Our six categories are:

Men’s Open
Women’s Open
Co-Ed Open (top two of each flavor)
Master’s Men (all runners 40+)
Master’s Women (all runners 40+)
Master’s Co-Ed (all runners 40+)

Team Name/Shirts: Please remember that we will have a lot of kids at the finish line, so your team name/shirt should have at least a colorable PG explanation. More here: Team Event.

Shirts: Tech shirts are guaranted to those registering before September 8th. Shirts will be distributed to late entrants after the race depending on the number of no-shows that we have. The last years 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 strongly 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 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 their stuff before race day, as this eases the race day crush. And we hate the 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 right by the start line, and bags will be brought to the finish. 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 (Saxon Woods golf club house, Scarsdale) and 11 (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 garbage up off the trails.

Banned!

No dogs: Sorry, but they are a tripping hazard on narrow trails and not permitted in the finish area either.
No headphones: Sorry, but people must be keenly attuned to those around them that might need to pass on narrow trails.

Parking: If you are unfamiliar with the area, please click on this page to look at our map of available parking areas.

Public Transit 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 have a one mile kid trail race that will start at the track/field behind the school (where the P2P finish line is) and then use the trail around the twin lakes in front of the High School. A parental waiver must be signed for this. Younger kids will be running on the track/field (no waiver needed). Announcements will be made at the start of P2P. There are no fees for these fun runs.

Our 2013 Sponsors: as of April 23, 2013

Gold