Race director Eric Turkewitz raises his hat at the start line.
And the reviews, like the rain, are starting to pour in from varied sources. (Photos here, results here, recap here) Often they come by social media, and sometimes via email (only used with permission). Let’s see what folks had to say about this year’s edition that started with musket fire in a drizzle and ended with a steady rain:
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I love running the Paine to Pain trail half marathon every year. As it gets harder with every trip around the sun it is a reminder that I’m growing older but not up. — Wellfleet’s Finest, via Instagram
18 years strong, and what a way to celebrate! A race defined by grit and perseverance with mud, hills, rain, and a few streams along the way.
It was raining hard, but we were running harder. A reminder that sometimes the toughest miles make the best memories and it’s not how you start, but how you finish. Huge thank you to @painetopain for hosting the 18th annual race and delivering another unforgettable experience. A challenging yet beautiful course and a tradition worth keeping. Until next year! — Inwood Run Club via Instagram
Such an awesome event!! First timer and I absolutely loved it. Well organized, the NICEST and most supportive volunteers, great trails, and a host you can tell is truly passionate about the event! I’ll definitely be back. — Neal Mortimer, via Facebook
thank you 🙏🏻 and thanks for putting on a great race as always! — flow_to_fit-yoga, via Instagram
@painetopain She is a rockstar and thank you for an amazing race and experience. We love running this race and always highly recommend it. Looking forward to next year.— kyakuma99, via Instagram
the most fun trail half ever …rain or shine — katuhland via Instagram
this race was such a blast. 💥 @painetopain 🫶🫶🌻 ~950ft of vert 📈 I really pulled back and soaked in the energy of the forest… i had so much fun that the last 200m of 13.1 miles felt fun to sprint hehe! cheered on by & celebrated with @oldmanrunclub squad ~ — jennybeansfoods via Instagram
Kudos painetopain on an awesome 18th event! — Bobby Asher, 2014 Champion and 2026 age group podium, via Threads
Thanks for all the time and effort you put into making Paine to Pain happen every year! I'm also grateful for the multitude of volunteers that make the event so successful and reasonably priced. I was really sucking wind after crossing the finish line on Sunday and didn't get to properly thank you, but wanted to follow up to properly tell you that you do a fantastic job. Your passion, dedication, comprehensive and witty website monologues, and overall effort certainly don't go unappreciated. — P.J. Massey, via email
13.1 miles of hills, rocks, roots, mud, and relentless rain. Tough course, soaked from head to toe, and somehow still a whole lot of fun!
Another Paine to Pain in the books. See you next year (hopefully with less rain)! Until then…Happy Running! 🏃♀️ — Runner 0034, via Instagram
🏃🏽♀️ I had the privilege of bringing greetings at the 18th annual @painetopain trail run!
↳ 940 registered runners 🙌🏽
↳ Runners from more than 15 states 🗺️
↳ The farthest came all the way from Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦
↳ 13.1 miles of gorgeous trails connecting New Ro to southern Westchester 🍂
I’ve run this course, so I know these runners are in for a tough but beautiful treat! 💪🏽 I’m grateful to Eric Turkewitz and @newrorunners for bringing this to our community. — New Rochelle Mayor, and P2P Veteran, Yadira Ramos-Herbert, via Instagram and Facebook
Yesterday, I did the Paine to Pain trail half marathon again with about 650 other runners. Brutal! Almost 2 inches of rain fell while I was out there, making the trails muddy, slippery and dangerous. About 15 runners just dropped out.
Rocks, roots, steep hills and wet leaves made the wooded course a challenge. Being a bit exhausted and probably somewhat brain dead, I finished ….and the kind Race Director awarded me first place in a new race category…80-99. I think he felt pity on the sopping wet old man running through the finish line.
I received a finishers medal, nice blue shirt, ample and tasty food (of course) and a nice beer mug for coming in 1st. One and only, btw I am not sure how many other runners over 80 years old will show up on a rainy day in future races, but I can confirm that this event, rain or shine, is awesome. Well organized, value packed, and beautiful. — Ed Lynch, 81-year-old victor in new age group category, via Facebook
I wanted to congratulate you on a terrific race on Sunday. I know how much thankless work goes on behind the scenes, it appeared so seamless and well organized, but I’m sure it was quite a challenge to pull it off. — Brian Hennessy, via email
Although I've been running more than ever, I still don't always think of myself as a "runner". Yet there was something so very delightful about running hard (for me!) on muddy trails this past weekend.
Exhibit A: the absolute joy on my face finishing the Paine to Pain trail half marathon last weekend. Soggy weather but still all smiles.
Thanks @ericturkewitz for organizing an awesome race (and the free race photo)! I've already signed up for next year in hopes of returning and running again. — Nadiasfieldnotes via Threads
If you live near NYC and enjoy running, it's a fun race – a loop course on trails in lower Westchester. Wave starts are cued by musket shot. RD @ericturkewitz.bsky.social announced pre-race that one of the runners this year was a descendant of Aaron Burr, "But we're not giving him a musket." 🤌 — Dan Kleinman, via Threads
If you’re a jogger or runner who loves nature trails like me, you’ll want to put the “Paine to Pain” race on your bucket list. Last Sunday, I had a blast volunteering as a photojournalist along the trails.
It was my first time taking this project on, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I loved embedding myself in the wilds of Westchester, and it was so inspiring to watch people persevere across the challenging terrain even in the rain (shout out to Patrick Baldwin). This is a tough race, but everyone out there proved they’re far tougher. Here’s a snippet of what I captured: — Charli Leevongcharoen, Emmy-winning producer, on LinkedIn, with video.
Paine to Pain Half Marathon lived up to its name! 🌧️🏃🏻♀️ Five parks, tough inclines, rain, an elevated heart rate, and moments when I wanted to quit. This race humbled me…Doing hard things doesn’t always feel great in the moment—but crossing that finish line knowing I kept going sure does. 💪🏅 — Race_Nancy via Instagram, with reel.
#PainetoPain Trail Half Marathon. Easy trip to New Rochelle, fun, unique, small town, well organized race! 💯 recommend. — LauraSackler, via Instagram