Blog

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:
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@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)

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)

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!!!

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 Burgers; Beechmont Tavern; Smokehouse; The Fresh Market; Athletic 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.

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

NewRo Runners, the group that organizes the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon, will host our annual Preview of the course on September 25th at 8:00 am. 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 (@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 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

Nothing says dog days of summer like temps in the 90s, eh?  But don’t worry, even if you can’t get up at 5 am to run, you’ve still got time to train! It will get cooler! Promise!

Race Day is October 9th — Columbus Day Sunday. (Or Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday, as preferred by an increasing number of folks. Also, John Lennon’s birthday.)

And off we go with five quick updates…

1.         Price Increase:

Can you believe this race is still so cheap?! Really, just $55 right now, but it goes up August 16th!  You opened this email after the 15th?  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 puppy is non-profit.  Net proceeds go into the trails or to local charities.

2.         It Doesn’t Happen Without Sponsors:

The second reason P2P is easy on your bank account? We have great sponsors that help defray the costs with money, services, safety and logistics. Last year Salomon and New York Presbyterian – Sports Performance Institute were major financial sponsors. And we again had the generous personnel support of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital at the finish line and Empress EMS at our aid stations. Orange Theory of Mamaroneck commandeered the first water stop last year and will return this year to make sure you’re hydrated. And, for the 14th time, 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 a third reason the price is so cheap? The vast majority of our “marketing” is simply word of mouth. A few lame social media messages is the rest.  We count on you to tell your friends and running club members. (Hint, hint.)

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 500 registered. Want to know why this info is so important?  We need to know by mid-August 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 on this.

And then there’s the food. 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.  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 dinosaur.

4.         Volunteers:

The shirts, medals, live music, free photos, exceptional food, and great trail are all terrific. But not only are sponsors critical, races don’t happen without volunteers. And our first-in-class volunteers have already started to sign up.  See that link? Yeah, that’s the place to go.

We need you!

5.         Vaccination:

Last year we had mandatory covid vaccination.  <insert exhausted me screaming at virus>  We still don’t know if we will require it this year. It is currently part of registration, because we can always loosen rules afterward but can’t tighten them once someone’s registered.

The answer will depend on local health guidance, which as we all know, changes frequently with each new wave and variant. We’ll make that call after Labor Day, after consulting the ghost of Tom Paine.

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.

So on October 9th, let’s Come Together to celebrate John Lennon’s birthday in style. Imagine what a great day it will be. Don’t Let Me Down.

The link to register is here!

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
Eric @ Paine to Pain dot com

Real job (Where I put on my lawyer face):
The Turkewitz Law Firm
228 East 45th Street – Suite 1110
New York, NY  10017
212-983-5900
Eric @ TurkewitzLaw dot com