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.
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