Registration for the 5th annual running of the Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon opened yesterday, April 22 ands sign-ups have already started to pore in.
The race starts with a gun shot at 9 AM on Sunday October 14th, at the Thomas Paine Cottage at the corner of North Ave. and Broadview Ave. in New Rochelle. Registration is available on active.com.
Funds are being raised for trail maintenance and improvements. Last year we raised $5,000 for this purpose, inclusive of net proceeds from the race and voluntary (tax-deductible) donations.
Who knew the race would grow so fast in popularity? In 2008, 50 local runners showed up on short notice to dedicate our new trail system. We followed with 192 the next year, then 304 (sold out!), and last year 485 (with wave starts and chip timing). In a very short time we’ve become one of the most popular trail races in the northeast. Why? Because it’s a great racetrack, that’s why.
And registration can still be done for $45 if you register early. After June 1st it goes to $50. Want to wait until September 1st? Then the fee is $55. Want to wait until you can check the weather forecast because you’re a bit on the wimpy side? Then you pay the top rate (if space is still available) of $60. But don’t worry, it all goes to a good cause. And your humble organizers still do this on a 100% volunteer basis.
There is a $10 discount for paid Sound Shore Runners and Multisport Club members, for paid NewRo Runners members and for active military or veterans (thank you for your service), good before September 1st.
Westchester County and the local municipalities maintain the beautiful Colonial Greenway trail that hosts Paine to Pain, but due to shortages of both cash and manpower, we are helping out. You can donate on active.com when you register or on our donation page. Donations are tax-deductible and will go into a dedicated trail maintenance account. Yes, we know this is redundant of the third paragraph, but we’re trying to make a point.
To see what improvements have taken place in the past, and what we hope to do in the future, please see: Trail Improvements, Past and Future on the Paine to Pain website. If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to Sound Shore Runners Club and mail it to:
Matt Lewis, c/o Colonial Greenway Trail Donations, 70 Center Av, Morristown, NJ 07960
Age group awards will be based on chip timing. Overall 1-2-3 will be based on first across the finish line.
Of course, a race this size doesn’t run itself. With the potential for 750 runners this year (and more waves than last year), we need 100+ volunteers. If you (or a friend, spouse, kid, sibling, neighbor or other fun-loving sort) are interested in helping out, please email Greg Stern.
If you or your company would like to be a race sponsor, please let me know as soon as you can.
Think dirt.
do you need volunteers? I’m running a Half the week before, and don’t want to push it too much. Also, do you plan a trail check run. I’d like to see the course in September sometime.
do you need volunteers?
Always. I will contact you via email and put you in touch with Greg Stern, our volunteer coordinator.
Also, do you plan a trail check run.
Yes. I will make sure you are on the P2P mailing list to get word of the run, which will likely be Sept 23.
Wondering if a practice run has been scheduled this year? Thank you!
I hope that there will be and plan to announce one after Labor Day.