Stupid-Cheap Reg Opens for 2024!!!

Joelle Reeves racing for her third title.

Yes. Yes we are! We are doing stupid-cheap yet again!

After the sloppiest, most muck-filled race we’ve ever done — a race folks will talk about for years —  we’re already looking forward to next year! We refuse to rest on our laurels. Which I think are stuck in the mud in Saxon Woods.

Can I figure out a way to get you more mud next year?

Our results are up!  The free photos are out! And the Race Director’s Recap is up along with a prize for some special people. Yeah, that’s plural this year.

And — this is important!!!! — next year we are moving (for one year only) to September 29th to avoid a conflict with Rosh Hashanah, which falls the Thursday-Friday before and makes pre-race set-up too difficult. (Assuming we get all our permits and yada, yada, yada).  Mark that day down in your best pencil!

And we are doing it for the Stupid-Cheap®©™ price of just $45! Yes, you read that right:

FORTY-FIVE FLIPPIN’ DOLLARS!

Woo hoooooo!!!!!

That’s right: You get the race, the medal, the shirt, the music, the massages, the food, and world-class, can’t be beat, volunteers that would make Norman Rockwell burst with pride. And me.

All for a lousy 45 clams.

Why sell entries for such a Stupid-Cheap®©™ price?

Two reasons:

  1. Those that register a full year in advance do so because they love the race, and that means they’ll tell their friends about it. We’re not shy about this: Word of mouth has always been our best marketing!! (OK, fine, it’s just about our only marketing.)
  1. We know that the best laid plans of mice and runners often slip in the mud, and that many of you won’t be able to make it. Some will be hurt,  injured or ill. Or pregnant. Or have work conflicts. Or be told there’s a wedding for your second cousin twice removed that you’re not allowed to miss because otherwise you sleep on the couch. The one in the storage locker.  But you’d rather race through the forest!  Will you make it to the start line?  It’s like legalized gambling!

Stupid-Cheap®©™ comes with a coupla big, fat bewhiskered caveats, naturally:

  1. It assumes we get our permits from the various municipalities; and
  2. There is, as always, a no-refund, no-exchange policy. Those no-shows are baked into the Stupid-Cheap®©™ price. So if we gave refunds, or allowed deferrals or exchanges, we would have to charge more. And we would also have to find a volunteer to track deferrals and transfers from year to year. Blech. We elect to go with the Keep it Simple theory. Which goes hand-in-hand with Keep it Cheap.

Registration is open for just three days! Roughly. Because I’m not 100% certain when this email goes through the intertubes via one of our sensational volunteers.  We will shut it all down on Friday the 13th, at 11:59 pm.  Will Friday the 13th be a good omen?

Don’t. Screw. This. Up.

Register Here

The rush to register is usually like the Running of the Brides at a bridal gown sale! (And you thought trail running was risky?)

But if you blow this stupid-cheap early registration we will re-open on April 22nd, Earth Day, at an early-bird rate that’s higher. Yet still cheap! Just not Stupid-Cheap®©™! Stupid-cheap is a big discount off regular cheap!

Once again, the registration link is here. Tell your family! Tell your friends! Tell your…oh hell, I gotta get back to my real job….

And we once again thank our wonderful sponsors from this past year’s ridiculously successful race:

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Supporting Sponsors

 In cooperation with:

Race Reviews for Paine to Pain, 2023

OK, this is the part where I collect all the nice things people say about the race and preserve them in one place before they vanish into the vast oceans of internet pixels that pour down on us each day, never to be found again unless we run for public office. (If you want results go here, and photos go here.)

One of the best parts about this are that comments come in from both deeply experienced front runners and rookies alike.

(Comments that came in via email were reproduced with permission.)


I ran my first Paine to Pain today, which was also my first half marathon. It was a lot of fun for me and a wonderful experience. The muddy trail added an extra element of excitement to the run, and encouraged more focus and connection with the trail itself.
I’d like to thank you, and everyone else involved for organizing an event that is no small task, and must require lots of people’s dedication and time.
It was impressive to see the organization and sense of community, before, during and after the race.

Thank you again and I look forward to my second P2P! — Robert Gorman via email

Really great volunteers. Well marked course and the road crossiings were secure, friendly and so positive. Thank you pixies and volunteers. Extra shout out to the Girl Scouts and their peanute butter cookie that got me thru!  Fun beautiful race. Thank you!  — giuli_bene via Instagram

First half marathon and it was a trail race! I finished the @painetopain in just seconds under 2 hours. Had so much fun and can’t wait to go again next year!  — Avi Turkewitz, but he might be biased.

Thank you!  My favorite day of the year never disappoints!  And I thoroughly and successfully tested my age group award tankard during recovery.  — Ed Dee, 13x finisher, 1st time age group award winner

First ½ marathon trail race. Thank you to @painetopain for organizing such a fun day. And to all the volunteers who came out in support and fed us – thank you! It was a gift to be part of such a memorable day.  __ shmancy12345 – via Instagram

@painetopain thank you for putting on such a great race! — courtneykessler via Instagram

Better Every year. Not me. The Paine to Pain. It was probably the halfway point before I learned to stop worrying and love the mud.  — Seth Goldman, via Facebook

I absolutely love running the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon whenever I can. Can’t thank race director Eric Turkewitz @painetopain and all the volunteers enough for putting together a fantastic race every year. — Wellfleets_finest, via Instagram

Everyone was so helpful and awesome. Best race ever!!  — jo_dileo_lion, via Instagram

@painetopain always has the best barrel of 🐵🐵🐵 in the county. thanks again for another great event! — matthewknight via Instagram

Eric!  Per your usual, superb job!!! Paine to pain turned Xterra. The jumping and navigating the muddy course was at a new level this year! The pink direction flags essential and awesome! Great volunteers- overall a super fun day! Many thanks my friend!! — Caroline, via email

While everyone else was running Chicago and Staten Island, I ran trails in New Rochelle. Beautiful little race, loved the course, mud, puddles and all. Sign up next year, you’ll love it! — Pauline212, via Instagram

This race has everything- musket fires for the start, a colonial fife and drum band, NewRo HS cheer team cheering the runners on, awesome volunteers everywhere, a super cool fun and funny race director who wears a tricorne hat and gives inspiring speeches and shoutouts at the start (that’s why wave 5 is the best- we got to hear them all), unofficial water from a nice dude right before a dusty rocky hill, Girl Scout cookies from very cheerful Girl Scouts at mile 11ish, a random kid in the woods on top of a huge boulder encouraging runners to keep going, massages at the finish (from the race director of the Turkey Trot), a live (non colonial) band at the finish, surprise stream crossings, friendly folks at the medical tent who cleaned out my war wound… oh and mud…. There was some mud.
I can’t express how much I love this race, its runners and its volunteers! (Super happy to also see the sweeper and her adorable pup who kept us going 2 years ago at this race).
Thanks so much to the volunteers, police and other runners for making this run so much fun!  – -Elizabeth Bailey Geib via Facebook

[Reviews still coming in, and this will be update as they do if they say anything nice]

Race Director’s Recap and Prize – 2023

The day before, as Trail Pixies laid the trail. Photo by Lou Klein

The word for the day was “mud.”  Was there a better choice?

Despite downpours the day before, over 600 of you actually showed up to run 13.1 through that muck. But why? You could have slept in, right?

Perhaps because you were able to appreciate more than most that we only go through  life once, and you wanted to make the best of it?  Life is not lived in these pixels but in the real world, and there are no dress rehearsals. And each of you embraced that (as well embracing your inner puddle-stomping child).

I tip my colonial tricorn in your direction.

Powering through all that mud was a woman who now stands in a class without peer. Joelle Reeves of Brooklyn who won this race in 2019, and again in 2022 (in perfect weather conditions), defended her title and became the first ever three-time winner, racing down the home stretch in 1:31:24.  She wins on hardpack; She wins in the mud.  She stands today as a champion’s champion.

Following Joelle to the podium was newcomer Madeline Villalba of Manhattan, followed closely by Lindsay Felling. Felling has now ascended the podium four times, with a silver and three bronzes. (If we actually gave out those kind of medals — but we don’t  because you can’t drink out of a podium medal, so I am instead filling her cupboard with engraved tankards.)

On the men’s side, Seabiscuit Horseman (yes, that is his chosen name, do not blame me), was the very last person to register for this race, punching in just 11 minutes before the clock struck midnight to close this puppy up. And then off he went to power through the mud in a remarkable 1:24:25. Seriously? In those conditions?  A true mudder.  As every other P2P champion knows, Seabiscuit comes back to run as my guest for as long as I remain Race Director.

Leaf-covered boardwalk winding through woods
Photo by 2008 finisher and current Trail Pixie, Heidi Hanley

Seabiscuit was followed to the tape by Hugh Tibbs from London, as in Great Britain.  I believe he is the first international runner to ascend the podium (if we actually had podiums). And taking 3rd was Ian Stowe, who also owns a 7th place finish (2022) and a 4th (2021).  Methinks Ian will be back to try and crack that overall 1-2-3.

While there were many other runners that I’d love to give a shoutout to for plowing through the mud —  including 72-year-old Marty Friedrichs, 73 -year-old Sue Sharkey, 78 year old Ed Lynch and 80-year-old Ramon Escobar – there’s also last year’s 3rd place overall runner Eamonn Sullivan, who is just 20. He had a good lead heading into Saxon Woods, and a volunteer mis-directed him off the course. He ran an extra mile and settled in for 6th overall. While we have no idea how he would have done without that snafu, he will come back again as my guest for as long as I am Race Director, as if he were a champ. Just because I think it’s the right thing to do.

This entire day, of course, was not devoted simply to the frontrunners.  I hope you know me better than that.  My guiding sense of how to direct this race was always governed by New Rochelle’s two most famous people:  Thomas Paine and Norman Rockwell. If they ever met, and decided to put on a race, this is what I hope it would look like.  Fifes and drums. Cheerleaders. Boy Scouts. Girl Scouts. Great food. A local running club that cares about doing the best it can. And everyone treated as special. Every. Single. One.

We can’t do that alone, of course, and still make this affordable to everyone. Because that stuff takes money and donations.

So before I tell you who won the Race Director’s Prize this year, I hope you will first appreciate that we are underwritten, in part, by benefactors, some of whom provide cash, and some of whom provide services.

And this includes new-coming sponsors The North Face and RXR Realty.  It also includes Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital at the finish line and Empress EMS out on the course. Finish Line Physical Therapy and Breaking the Tape Production.

Logistical assistance came from our only 15-year sponsor, Westchester Road Runner of White Plains.

Food and drink came from The Fresh Market, AJ Burgers, The Smokehouse Tailgate Grill, Beechmont Tavern, Neri’s Bakery (cookies!), Pepsi and Athletic Brewing.

Professional PT too over one of the water stops and NeverStop Moving 365 kept kids running around like crazy at the finish line.

And those tunes you heard?  Fifes and drums by Erik Lichak and rocking the finish was Artie Tobia.

Communications (ham radio operators out on the course and with me the whole time) were provided by the Westchester Emergency Communications Association.

Additional awards and swag provided by Nathan Sports and Dr. Bronners.

Website assistance by Arunwithaview Media, and additional physical therapy by Tony’s Kneaded Touch.

 Whew!  That’s a lot of moving parts to put this thing on!  And then there’s the volunteers…

 While runners see many of the volunteers on race day – shirts, medals, registration, intersections, aid stations, food, merch —  you don’t see all that goes on behind the scenes beforehand to make this race special. The phone calls, the permits, the tents, the meetings, and the begging.

Volunteers, ahh, yes. Without them, events such as this (are there any others like this?) simply wouldn’t happen.

And that brings us to the Race Director’s Award, sometimes given to runners and sometimes to volunteers, but always given out in my absolute discretion as Grand Poobah.  Who’s going to overrule me?  (Insert maniacal laugh.)

On Saturday, it poured. But rain or not, the trail had to be set with hundreds of hot pink flags. We live in a world that has mud, and that mud must be flagged for by runners. Who’s gonna do that? You….I’m sorry, my mind is a bit fried at this point.

Answer: That muddy path though the woods was going to be flagged by our dedicated team of Trail Pixies. Braving the slop, out they went into the woods in the pouring rain to slowly plant their markers, and then reappear to sweep them up so that we leave behind nothing but footprints. Deep, deep, footprints.

And so, while I usually give the award to a single person who has done something special,  usually  for the benefit of others, this time I give it to eight.

The following volunteers all come back as my guest next year:  Nina Steinberg as Chief Trail Pixie, along with her Associate Pixies: Lou Klein, Stephen Herzberg, Heidi Hanley, Darlene Vallar, Judy Rubin, John Cannistraci and Bea Weinberger.

Because a non-profit running club like NewRo Runners can’t put on a race without volunteers. It just doesn’t happen.

Race Results are here.

Photos are available here.

Race reviews are here.

— Eric

Price Increase after Aug 17!

The race is coming! The race is coming! Woo hoo!!

Of course it’s hot out there, it’s August!  But it won’t be August much longer.

Pretty soon the cool dry air of fall will bring on the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon on October 8th!!!  Woo hoo!!!

And this is the most important part of why I write:  At this moment, the price for this race is just $55!  (Woo hoo again!) Ridiculously cheap, I know. But it goes up to $65 when the clock strikes 12:01 am Friday, August 18th.  (Register here)

Don’t screw this up and pay more! And don’t let your friends screw this up. Pass them this post! Or print and send by carrier pigeon.  A very fast carrier pigeon.

And off we go with a few quick updates…there will be a test at the end…

1.          Price Increase:
You opened this email after the 17th?  Tough noogies — serves you right for ignoring my missives. (Registration link) Sign up now to avoid the pain. Get it? I know, I’m good.

How does NewRo Runners put on a race this awesome at such a stupid price? First off, we don’t get paid. Not even me. Call it a labor of love, or a third child. Whatever you call it, this baby is non-profit.  Net proceeds go into the trails or local charities.

2.         It Doesn’t Happen Without Sponsors:
The second reason P2P is financially accessible to the whole community?  We have great sponsors that help defray the costs with money, services, safety and logistics.

And joining the P2P family this year as a top end sponsor: The North Face! And we again have the generous personnel support of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital at the finish line and Empress EMS at our aid stations. Orange Theory of Mamaroneck will return this year to commandeer the first water stop to make sure you’re hydrated and Finish Line PT will be there to help your sore body at the finish. And, for the 15th race in a row, Westchester Road Runner will help with the logistics of pre-race bib distribution. And those are just a few that help make this race, at this ridiculous price, a reality.

And for those feeling guilty leaving the kiddos at home while you run…bring them!  At the Finish Line Festival, they can enjoy fit-tastic activities with another new sponsor, NeverStopMoving365, a team of youth movement specialists. They will have equipment set up for ages 3 – 13 to explore, play and practice while they wait for their family to finish.

Looking for a home near the trail?  Century 21 Marciano will once again be there to point out how you can roll out of your bed and onto these trails!

3.         Registration:
I never know from year to year exactly how many runners will show up, but we usually get 700+. This year we already have over 600 registered. Want to know why this info is so important?  We need to know within the next week how many shirts and medals to order!  We don’t want to come up short and the Grand Poobah certainly doesn’t want a bunch of excess at P2P Global HQ.  Mrs. Poobah would not be happy. Trust me.

And then there’s the food that we must order. Oh yeah. We aim to provide the best post-race food for any race in the country. (I have modest ambitions.)

So the earlier we know, the better for all.  And the cheaper for you. Win-win. Don’t delay registering. Don’t delay telling your friends.  And don’t get stuck paying a premium for registering late.

Lastly, there will be no in-person registrations! That’s gone the way of the floppy disk.

4.         Volunteers:
The shirts, medals, live music, free photos, exceptional food, and great trail are all great. But not only are sponsors critical, races don’t happen without volunteers. And our first-in-class volunteers – we get about 200 each year – can now start signing up!  See that link? Yeah, that’s the place to go. Pick the spot you want while it’s early!

We need you!

5.         P2P Preview
Every year we do a preview of the race, where you can come and run with our guides. Not a race!  This year it is Sunday, September 24th. Details here.

6.         Chicago
It has come to my attention that the Chicago Marathon is the same day as P2P. And they refuse to move it for me. So, if you were trying to decide if you wanted to run there to be a small fish in a big pond, or stay here to be a big fish in a small pond, remember this:  October 8th is also the date the Great Chicago Fire started in 1871.  Do you really want to be there for that anniversary?

Final notes for those who’ve never run Paine to Pain and are toying with the idea: This is the most fun, best organized, and dollar-for-dollar finest foot race in the New York metro area. Ask any friend or frenemy who has run it! Feel free to read the comments of others if you think I might be a tad biased as I sit here typing in my Race Director’s colonial tricorn hat.

The link to register is here!

Paine to Pain Preview

NewRo Runners, the group that organizes the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon, will host our 2023 Preview of the course on Sunday, September 24th at 8:00 am. Woo hoooo!

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early so that we can start promptly.

All runners are invited to join us, whether you’re signed up for the race or not, and whether you want to run the full monty or just a section (see below).

This is not a race, but simply a guided running tour of the P2P course, which NewRo Runners does  as one of our regular weekend group runs.

We usually get 50-75 people and we usually have about 10 trail leaders since there are no flags on the course.  If you know the course and can lead, please email me privately.

We will have multiple groups – which we coyly designate as fast, medium and slow, because tall, grande and venti didn’t seem right.  The groupings will generally (and very loosely) be:

  • Fastest – Training for 3:30 marathon or faster (or 1:40 ½-marathon)
  • Medium – Training for 3:30 – 4:15 marathon (or 1:40 – 2:10  ½-marathon)
  • Slower – Training for 4:15-5:00 hour marathon (All runners should be capable of running a 2:30 half marathon on the street – please, no walkers.)

Distancing between groups of runners will happen naturally as speedier runners take flight. Leaders will pause at major junctions so others in their groups can catch up.

There are no fees, no services, and you don’t have to be a member of NewRo Runners to join us. We do this once a year as one of our  weekly group runs,  and invite others to join us so we can show you our little runners’ playground.

Just send me an email, tweet (@PaineToPain), Instagram message (@PaineToPain) or mention on our Facebook page, so that I have a sense of how big our crowd will be, and let me know which group you think you might run with. You can always change groups on the spot, or mid-run if you don’t like the teeny, tiny, tiger-striped shorts of the guy in front of you.

Important!!  We do not meet at the starting line for P2P! We start, instead, at the trailhead for the Leatherstocking Trail. This is at the corner of Pinebrook Boulevard and Hillside Crescent in New Rochelle. (See map) There is parking available on Hillside Crescent.

There is one water fountain along the way, inside the Saxon Woods Golf Club, which has bathrooms as well, and is at the 6.8-ish-mile mark.

Your options are:

  • 5.6 miles — Out and back on the Leatherstocking trail, which is marked.
  • 10 miles — Stay with the group through Saxon Woods until we head south down the Hutchinson River Trail (after passing the golf course) and then bail out on Pinebrook Boulevard at mile 8-ish.  This is the same street we started on, but two miles to the north. Then just run on Pinebrook (going left) back to the start. There are no turns to make after leaving the group.
  • 13+  —The full monty. As an extra bonus, instead of running the Broadview hill at the start of the race, you get to run it at the end when you are tired.

Please let me know if you will be able to join us.

Eric @ PaineToPain.com

Registration for 2023 is Now Open!!!!

And ……we’re off and running….!!!  Registration is now open!!   Race date is October 8th!!! [Register here]

And yet again the Early Bird discounted price is just $50!!!  Yes! Just! Fifty! Bucks!

Forget all that crap you heard about inflation! We laugh in its eyes! Bwaaa, hahahaaa!

But that Early Bird price is only good through the end of May.  So tell your friends and don’t screw this up!

What do you get for half a Benji?  The best 1/2 marathon this side of the Mississippi! Great shirts! Medals! Photos! Live music! Food! 200 incredible volunteers! Girl Scout cookies!  Post-race massage! Me! (Just not in the biblical sense; Mrs. Grand Poobah may not approve.)

And who else starts their race with a gunshot from a colonial musket? They made the British run, didn’t they?

Is NewRo Runners an awesome club, or what!?!

And bonus!  On October 8th, way back in 1919, there was the first ever round-trip, transcontinental air race, with 63 planes!  5,400 miles! The winner finished in three days and 21 hours. Running Paine to Pain should be a comparative cake walk! (P2P not liable for dropped cakes…must add to the disclaimer.)

Now with that complete non-sequitur dispensed with, we have five pieces of news!!!

1.         As with last year there is no longer a vaccination requirement due to the enormous success of the program. (Yay science!) (Policy here).

2.         Registration opens tomorrow!  For one of the great trail races in the whole galaxy! About 90% of this course is in the cool shade of the trees, just four short train stopsfrom midtown Manhattan!
Is the run any damn good?  In my completely unbiased opinion as Founder, Race Director and Grand Poobah for all 14 prior years, it’s an even better than Cannonball Run!  Yes, it’s that good!
Read the reviews from 2022! Or 2021!  Or 2019! Or 2018! Or 2017! Or 2016! Or 2015! Or 2014! Or 2013! Or 2012!

3.         Camping on site! In order to assist out-of-town runners, and a dearth of cheap hotel rooms, we are arranging overnight camping right at the staging area! Limit of 30 campers, at just $15/head with the money going to the Thomas Paine Cottage.   To participate, when registering, answer “yes” to the question, “Do you want to purchase an onsite camping permit for the night before the race?” To  learn more, see our camping rules.

4.         Activities for Kids! (First Year!):  Thanks to the generous sponsorship of NeverStopMoving365, we will for the first time have kids’ activities right by the finish line, on the field inside the track at New Rochelle High School. Kids can play with their families while they wait for finishers! There will be organized activities, too! (stay tuned…)

5.         Paine to Pain is part of the Trail Mix Series!! Read all about six great trail races at that link.

Can I get a Hallelujah?

And thank you once again to last year’s top sponsors:
▪   Westchester Road Runner
▪   Montefiore New Rochelle
▪   Empress EMS
▪   NewRo Runners

Eric Turkewitz
Founder, Race Director, Grand Poobah
(Mrs. Poobah threatened divorce over use of Race Overlord or Darth Turkey).
Paine to Pain Trail 1/2 Marathon
Westchester County, NY
PaineToPain.com
Daytime phone: 212-983-5900
Instagram: @PaineToPain
Facebook: Paine To Pain
(Notice a social media pattern?)

Real job (Where I put on my lawyer face):
The Turkewitz Law Firm
43 West 43rd Street, Suite 271
New York, NY  10036
212-983-5900

Stupid-Cheap Registration Opens for 2023!

Inflation you say? We stick a gooey running gel in thine eyes as we briefly open registration for 2023 at the same initial price as last year!

But first, the Paine to Pain 2022 race is in the books! The results are out!  The thousands of free photos are out! The Race Director’s prize awarded! Race Reviews are going in! And people are gently fondling their race medals and shirts!

And now  … registration has just opened for Paine to Pain 2023, with a tentative date of October 8th! Put it in your calendar now!

Woo hoooooo!!!!!

And we are doing it for the Stupid-Cheap®©™ price of $40! Yes, you read that right:

FORTY FRIGGEN DOLLARS!

Why sell entries for such a Stupid-Cheap®©™ price?

Two reasons:

    1. Those that register a full year in advance do so because they love the race, and that means they’ll tell their friends about it. [Hint. Hint.] We’re not shy about this: Word of mouth has always been our best marketing!! (OK, fine, it’s usually our only marketing. And it’s not like we have a press agent.)
    2. And we know that the best laid plans of mice and runners often skitter astray, and that many of you won’t be able to make it.Some will get hurt. Or injured. Or ill. Or pregnant. Or be told there’s a wedding for your third cousin twice removed that you’re not allowed to miss because your Great Uncle Sam (who you really don’t like but are too polite to say) might be there. Will you make it to the start line?  It’s like legalized gambling!

This comes with the same two big, hairy caveats we have each year, of course:

    1. It assumes we get our permits from the various municipalities for that date; and
    2. There is, as always, a no-refund, no-exchange policy.

That’s right: You get the race, the medal, the shirt, the music, the massages, the food, more food, yet more food, and world-class, can’t be beat, volunteers that would make former New Rochelle resident Norman Rockwell burst with pride.  And maybe even mile 11-ish Girl Scout cookies again! Norm would like that!

(Not-so-random thought: If Norman Rockwell and Thomas Paine put a race on, what would it look like? If you answered P2P you have uncovered my super-secret stategery!)

Registration is open for just three days! Did you get that?

Just. Three. Friggen. Days.

Register Here

The rush to register each year is like the Running  of the Brides at a bridal gown sale! (More dangerous than trail running!)

But if you blow this stupid-cheap early registration — and many of you will because you can’t help yourselves — we will re-open on April 22nd, Earth Day, at our usual early-bird rate of $50. Still cheap! But not stupid-cheap! Stupid-cheap is a big, hairy discount off regular cheap!

And we once again thank our wonderful sponsors and supporters from this past year’s ridiculously successful race:

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Supporting Sponsors

and in cooperation with

 

 

Eric Turkewitz
Race Director, NewRo Runners

Paine to Pain Trail 1/2 Marathon
Westchester County, NY
painetopain.com
Daytime phone: 212-983-5900

Eric @ PaineToPain.com
Twitter: @PaineToPain
Instagram: @PaineToPain
Facebook: Paine To Pain
(Notice a social media pattern?)

Real job:

The Turkewitz Law Firm
228 East 45th Street – 17th Floor
New York, NY  10017
212-983-5900

www.TurkewitzLaw.com
Eric @ TurkewitzLaw.com

Race Reviews for 2022

Photo by Rob Cummings

As always, I put up reviews of the race here so that they are saved for posterity instead of being lost in the endless system of tubes that, I am told, make up the internet. Or at least, I post them if they are good.

And as they come in, this page is amended, revised,  supplemented and otherwise improved. Comments that come in via email are, of course, only posted here with permission.

So without further ado:
———-

Thanks so much for putting on a terrific race yesterday; it was my first time participating and it was a TON of fun. I will definitely be back! (Nora Carroll, 3rd place overall women)
I ran Paine to Pain yesterday for the first time, and it was an absolute joy. All of the logistical stuff was great, from the clear and abundant pre-race information to the nice finish area. The course was fabulous; well-marked, a variety of terrain, and wonderful volunteers at the key turns.  It is a minor miracle that one can assemble a race that is over 90% trail so close to NYC.
And the wave starts are genius. I tend to start slow and get faster as a race goes, in the 8-9 minute/mile range, so have always run into issues with traffic in other trail races. Here, after the first mile or so, I was completely free to run my own race, and I got my trail-half PR out of it.  My friend, who is far faster, also had nothing but good things to say.  He loved ending on the track — that was very cool.
A huge thank you to you and the volunteer crew for putting this together, and I can’t wait to come back next year. (Kevin Schlottmann, via email)

@painetopain awesome race! Will be back next year! (Greg Barthelemy via Instagram)

Didn’t break any records, but this was my fifth time running and the trail never gets old. Congrats to all the runners and to Eric for another successful race.  (KC Choi via Facebook)

Incredibly grateful for @painetopain! It has become a tradition for @kissmycooly this being our 2nd year. It was a gorgeous day with phenomenal people.  We highly recommend registering! (Adrian Ochoa via Instagram)

I completed my 6th Paine to Pain Half marathon. My favorite trail run 🙂Thank you Eric Turkewitz and all the volunteers for creating a memorable running adventure:-) Thank you NewRo Runners for your motivation and Inspiring achievements!!! (Carl Reid via Facebook)

This was the best and hardest race! Thank you so much Matt Lewis for helping me get there from NJ and all of the organizers!
Great day and great people! (Michelle Pollitte via Facebook)

That was a different race but I did it; half marathon 17 in the books. The hardest half marathon course I ever did. I survived it and I didn’t fall so that a win, win. This is the race I needed to get back on track for @nycmarathon. (Bushwickrunner via Instagram)

Easily the best race I have EVER been part of (and I am not saying that because I literally crossed thru over my own backyard – my dogs barking and all –  which is a far cry from the Verrazzano Bridge).  From the ease of bib pickup to the fun finish I could not have had a better race experience.

The medal is unlike any in my collection; I love the uniqueness of it. And the race shirt, WOW, so comfy I plan to wear it dare it say doing something other than running.  (Tara R. via email)

I ran my first Paine to Pain this past weekend.  It was AMAZING (I’m sure you know that). I really think a lot of credit must be given to the girl scouts at mile 11ish.  Without them I would have thrown myself into the pond and called it a life.  They told me I could do it, and by golly I did. I would hate to know what would happen if I disappointed a Girl Scout!!!

Until next year…  (Allyson Fricke, vi email)
Yesterday was my third Paine to Pain, first since covid.   I want to thank you.  I love this race, probably my favorite.  It’s much more than just running or just a race, it’s also about the people and the great energy you bring into the event. (Sara Parrode via email)

What a perfect day for a trail race!

Every year I look forward to this event, and every year I look for the “stupid cheap” rate sign-up so I can get the best deal in town!!  Amazing trail, the best food, shirt and metals you can get for the price.

Thank you so much for all you do to make P2P an epic adventure.  Rain or shine, I make the trip from Brooklyn to New Rochelle to be a part of the action.  Special thanks to all the volunteers that make it all possible.

Already looking forward to next year. (Mark Wellman via email)

Race Director’s Report (And Prize!) – 2022

Matt Baffuto at mile 6 on his way to shattering the course record. Eamonn Sullivan, who took 3rd, behind him.

I figured I was hoarse and coughing this morning after the race due to all the yelling I did. Maybe I shivered at night afterward  because we didn’t turn the house heat on yet? Sadly, that is not the case. I think you know where this is going, and it has nothing to do with coming up positive on a pregnancy test.  Just the other kind. If you were in close contact with me over the weekend, particularly indoors, keep an eye out for symptoms. And I apologize in advance if I inadvertently made anyone ill.

Now on to the race (and then the Race Director’s Prize). We had clear skies and temps in the high 40s to low 50s. Perfect running weather. No mud; My rain dance didn’t work.

And by the looks on your faces at the finish line, and the comments you made about it being “perfect,” I sensed that you were grateful for the rain dance failure.

For those that missed the champs crossing the finish line — almost all of you — we had not one repeat winner, but two.  That’s never happened before.

On the men’s side, defending champion Matt Baffuto crushed the course with a time of 1:15:16 —  a 5:45 pace!!! This bested the prior record of 1:17:54 held by 2019 champ Patrick Dooley (and runner-up this year), lopping a full two and one-half minutes off the course record.  Noteworthy that in coming in 2nd, Dooley also bested his prior record. Wowsa!

Following in 3rd, and just 14 seconds off the prior course record pace, was 19-year-old newcomer Eamonn Sullivan, who won the Leatherman’s Loop this past April.

On the women’s side, 2019 champ Joelle Reeves returned to claim her second crown, being one of only three women to ever crack the 1:30 barrier — and she has now done it twice. Lindsey Felling was runner-up, this being her third time on the podium and newcomer Nora Carroll grabbed third.

Was there any bigger story than the extraordinary accomplishments of those who took the overall podium?

Yes, yes there were.  You may not realize this, but we seemed to turn out a record number of volunteers this year. I have been blessed with outstanding volunteers.  You know this because you saw them.

You want a little peak into the kinds of things we need help with to put on this race? Designing shirts and medals, distributing them, placing (and removing) 13 miles of flags, registration and wave assignments, start/finish line set-ups, food coordination and set-up, tents and tables, placement of about 200 volunteers on race day, a treasurer to pay the bills, sending emails (our marketing!), three aid stations with water and medical (thank you Orange Theory and Girl Scouts!), transporting baggage, personal runner announcements as you approach the finish, music, municipal permits, four police departments, parking and signage, communications and results.

And food. Oh yes, and the food.  We are grateful to those that donated food so that you have something more than what other races give you. In this case, we had:

AJ’s BurgersBeechmont TavernSmokehouse; The Fresh MarketAthletic Brewing; and Amrita.

Let’s be realistic. There is no way anyone can put on a race like this  at such stupid-cheap prices without community support. (OK, there are none like this, but if there were.)

The numbers just don’t work. And that includes not just food donations, but the EMTs from Empress EMS, the wonderful staff of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital and the therapists from Finish Line Physical Therapy.

And it includes financial support from Rye Subaru, New York-Presbyterian Sports Performance Institute and newcomer to P2P, Century 21 – Marciano. (Looking for a home near the trails?) And, of course, for 14 years running, the premier running store in Westchester, Westchester Road Runner.

We also had communications, both online with a brand new and enthusiastic webmaster, Arun with a View Media, and on the trails with the ham radio operators from the Westchester Emergency Communications Association.

So yeah, a lot of people and sponsors  involved!

And now I have to pick one person from the staggering number of runners and volunteers to award the coveted Race Director’s Prize, given in my absolute and dictatorial discretion (<insert maniacal laughter>).

The award started when a runner turned a cartwheel coming down the home stretch, and has gone in the past to those who assisted injured runners, blocked cars trying to come onto the course, or simply inspired others.

Each of the last three races Lucille Renwick has acted as sweeper along with Scout. She encourages those in the back of the pack, keeps them going, and exemplifies everything about the spirit of the race. She is, based on the reports I get from others, the epitome of joyful enthusiasm while out there.

And so, by the powers vested in me, by me, because there’s no one to overrule a Grand Poobah, I award Lucille this prize (free entry into next year’s race.) Of course, since this is a different kind of volunteer — one who sacrifices her own race so that others can run —  she wasn’t paying to begin with. So if she elects to volunteer again next year in the same capacity, she may gift her free entry to any friend or relative she chooses.

Race date for next year is October 8th, once again falling on Columbus (Indigenous Peoples) Day weekend!!!!

And now, if you will excuse me, I will attempt to treat myself with chocolate chip cookies.  Because why not?

One last thing. Watch this lovely video of the race from Breen Brothers:

Paine to Pain 2022 from Breen Brothers on Vimeo.

One month to Go (And 7 Things to Know)

With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, we’re now just five weeks to Paine to Pain. It’s update time! Please. Read. To. The. End!

1.  There will be no in-person registration:  Online only!!  This worked really well last year as we avoided the chaos and congestion that our volunteers previously dealt with at bib pick-up. Keep It Simple works, so it’s now permanent.

Tell your procrastinating friends not to delay.  Register here.

And if you’re thinking Hakuna Matata, and you have no worries about this, we hope you enjoy spectating.

2.  Vaccination: Due to the high rates of vaccination (especially among runners), the substantial decrease in severe illness, and that the event is outdoors, we are suspending the vaccination requirement.  Let’s all hope that no funky new variants come down the pike.

3.  The Paine to Pain Preview is Sunday, September 25th at 8 am. Come join NewRo Runners for a course check. You don’t have to be signed up for the race to participate. There are no fees.  Do a short version or the full monty. The run is self-supported, and running guides will lead various pace groups. In order to accommodate shorter runs, the race will not start at the P2P start line. Details are here.

4.  Free photos! You read that right, we’ll once again have professional photographers on the course and then and we’ll give you those hi-res digital photos for nothin’. Nada. Zero. Zip. Zilch. More free!!! Woo hoo!!! We’ll try to catch you covered in mud if we’re lucky enough to get rain.

5.  We are again planning 5 waves. Why? We want you to run your best race, and not get stuck in traffic on single-track. While overall 1-2-3 is based on gun-time off the first musket shot, everything else is chip-time.  No need to crowd!

6.  Ultra Runners – Interested in running 26.2 on race day? If you’d like to do a “warm up lap” before the race, shoot us an email. (The warm-up lap is not a race, not timed, unsupported and will still be dark when you first set off. These are features, not bugs. The bugs are on the trail.)

7.  Volunteer Sign-up is well underway! As every runner knows, races don’t happen without volunteers. Period. If you aren’t running, we need you! (Online sign-up at this link)

Also, we welcome back Westchester Road Runner of White Plains, sponsoring this race for the 14th consecutive year! Bib pick-up will start there Friday before the race, from 5-8, and we’ll have some P2P merch for sale.

And if your injuries on race day are more hard core than muscle fatigue – and let’s hope that isn’t the case – Empress EMS will be out there on the course again at the three aid stations and Montefiore New Rochelle will be waiting for you with open arms at the finish line medical tent!

We’re lining up food and other sponsors as we type!! We’re excited!!  And when I say “we” I mean me!  But I hope it’s you too!

Race day is my favorite day! That’s why I use so many exclamation marks!!!

— OK,  my favorite day after my anniversary.  And wife and kids’ birthdays.  I’m required by law to say this. Hi honey! Did you get to the bottom of this long email I just sent to several thousand of my nearest and dearest?

Eric Turkewitz
Founder, Race Director, Grand Poobah
(Mrs. Poobah threatened divorce over use of Race Overlord or Darth Turkey.)
Paine to Pain Trail 1/2 Marathon
Westchester County, NY
PaineToPain.com

Real job (Where I put on my lawyer face):
The Turkewitz Law Firm
228 East 45th Street – Suite 1110
New York, NY  10017