Pre-Race FAQ for 2026
If you’re registered for this Sunday's Paine to Pain, this answers all your questions, though some of you will refuse to read to the end and send me questions anyway. There are 25 points. Because I trimmed it. Stop whatever else you are doing:
1. Bib Pick-up: We strongly encourage runners to pick up bibs and shirts prior to race day at Westchester Road Runner, 179 E. Post Road in White Plains:
Friday: 4 - 6:30 pm (do not show up at 6:29)
Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm
You may also pick up for someone with your same last name or address.
Your bib number is here. Please have it with you at pick-up.
In addition, Westchester Road Runner is offering 20% off non-sale clothes and 10% off non-sale shoes, at the time you pick up. The store will also donate old running shoes to charity. Rule of thumb: If you haven’t worn them in a year, donate.
2. Start Time: Wave 1 starts with musket shots at 9 am sharp, unless the muskets misfires again and I have to holler “Go!”
We anticipate ~650 runners. So please leave ample time for parking, bib pick up if you haven't already claimed it, port-o-potties, bag check and schmoozing. Arrive early. Don’t be “that guy” frantically demanding last minute attention.
3. Wave Starts: Five waves, three minutes apart.
You can drop back to a later wave to run with friends but can't jump forward. We know your assigned wave from your chip.
Overall 1-2-3 is gun-timed; Age group awards are chip-timed.
Some runners in later waves are faster than those in earlier ones. This is deliberate, as it fills gaps between the waves, spreads the field, and allows everyone to run their best race.
4. Number transfers are not permitted. Veteran P2Pers remember that if you attempt to transfer, a kitten will die.
Each year we sell a ton of bibs at deeply discounted prices but know many folks won’t be able to use them due to injuries or life events. We do this because it’s fun, keeps the race affordable, and gives us information on how many shirts/medals to order and how much finish line food to have. We bake those no-shows into the price and the logistics of the race.
Additionally, if you transfer a number you foul up the results and could deprive someone of an award.
5. Shirts are guaranteed to those who registered by September 1st. If you don’t get a shirt at check-in, you can pick one up after the race on a first come, first serve basis at the NewRo Runners tent.
6. Late Registration: There is none. Registration closed October 6th. Please tell your friends who ask, so that we don't have to. We’re kinda busy at the moment.
7. Drop-off location: The corner of North Avenue and Broadview.
8. Parking is available in the two high school lots and some streets. The lot in front of the school will fill up early. The lot behind the school on Clove Road is quite large and has a walkway bringing you past the front of the school toward the start.
Don’t even think about parking on Broadview, as that is the race course. Click here for a printable map of the parking areas, which you can click again to enlarge. Consider carpooling to alleviate congestion.
9. Public transportation from NYC: Easy-peasy. Click this link.
A taxi from the station should cost about $8-9. We expect many NYC runners, so keep your eyes open to share a taxi and hook up with others. Your hook up mileage may vary.
Or use our Facebook group to see if you can meet other runners.
10. Baggage Drop is available just steps from the start. You can check one bag, which will be brought to the finish. Please don't leave valuables in the bags, as we are not responsible for them.
Emotional baggage may not be checked. Even our volunteers have their limits.
11. Course Markings: Our Trail Pixies expect to lay down over 500 bright pink marking flags with our logo. Some people will insist on ignoring the flags and run off course anyway. Free souvenir flags for your potted plant or front lawn will be at the NewRo Runners tent.
12. Toilets: Porto-potties at the start and the 7.5-mile mark (Saxon Woods golf course). The high school locker rooms at the finish will be available for toilets and showers.
13. Water/Medical: Medical attention and water will be available at three spots mid-race: Miles 4-ish, 7.5-ish and 10.8-ish. Carry supplemental water, sports drink or food if you want (and carry trash to next aid station). EMTs from Empress EMS will be at the aid stations.
14. Mid-Race Drop-Out: If you get injured, or are too exhausted to finish, check in with a course volunteer. If you tell the police you’re injured they will call an ambulance to take you to the emergency room, not the finish line.
15. The course closes: Sweepers discharge police and volunteers while running at a three-hour pace out of Wave 5. If you get behind the sweepers you are on your own (but we’ll leave the flags in place so you won’t get lost). We estimate finish times for middle-of-the-pack runners will be your regular 1/2 marathon pace plus an extra 13 minutes to account for the terrain.
16. Post-Race: We should have massage therapists, lots of good food (meat, vegetarian and vegan, as supplies last) and live music. Check it out:
AJ’s Burgers (New Rochelle)
Smokehouse Tailgate Grill (New Rochelle)
Polpettina (Eastchester)
The Fresh Market (Scarsdale)
Neri’s Bakery (Port Chester)
Wykagyl Bagels (New Rochelle)
Athletic Brewing Company
Artie Tobia (for the live tunes!)
A medical station staffed by Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital will be inside the school, to the left of the locker room doors.
Therapists will be on hand to assist with post-race therapy, massage, stretching or hydration from:
Finish Line PT
Tony’s Kneaded Touch
Vital Stretch
North End Fitness
Protocol Health
Mt. Sinai Physiolab
17. Children: NeverStopMoving 365 will be there to exercise your kids on the football field while they wait for mom or dad to come chugging down the home stretch.
18. Ultra Runners! Want to run a "warm up lap?" Each year a few hearty souls do a lap before the race. Email me if interested.
19. No Dogs. We love dog’s and their happy, wagging. They are the darlings of social media, though cats believe otherwise as they feign indifference. Sadly, we don’t make the rules for the school grounds. That means Tucker, Princess and Snoopy have to stay home, unless they are guide dogs.
20. Volunteers: This event is produced by NewRo Runners. Our entire race committee, myself included, is volunteer. We expect 200+ volunteers on race day. (And we can always use more.) Please be nice to them as they are working hard. Kissing volunteers is permissible -- but strictly subject to age restrictions and consent.
21. Free Photos: We once again have free professional photos for download, suitable for social media. Hopefully you’ll get the shot that makes you look fabulous. Wear your bib on the front! (Higher res photos will be available for purchase if you want to print one for an actual wall.)
22. Merch! We will have some P2P items for sale at Westchester Road Runner and at the finish line. The stuff was wildly popular the last few years. Net proceeds go toward keeping the registration fees as low as possible so that even those of modest means can participate. Available: Beanies (red and blue), enamel camp-style mugs, hats and visors, tie-dye P2P shirts (without year), and car magnets. Also, “vintage” race tees. While supplies last.
23. 10 Year Club: If this is your 10th completion of Paine to Pain, come see me after the race for a P2P towel.
24. Costume Contest: Yes, we are doing a costume contest this year. Why? Because we feel like it. Winner gets a free ride to a future P2P.
25. Donations: Runners get a lot for a low price. It’s because of sponsors, volunteers and some folks donating a few extra bucks to keep the race cheap for those of more modest means. You can donate here if you want, and yes, we are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt group and you’ll get a letter for the tax man.
Feedback: We started with 50 people in 2008. And this year someone in the middle of the pack will be our 10,000th finisher.
The vast majority of our runners learned of the race by word of mouth. We encourage feedback regarding the event to know what works, and what doesn’t. And we continue to rely on word of mouth as our main means of marketing. So, if you enjoy the race and the festivities, we encourage you to tell your friends and post your pictures.
Good luck out there on Sunday!