New Paltz Winter Survivor Series

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We are shamelessly copying the Onteora Runners Club Winter Series with an alternative series for people who are too lazy/busy to drive to Kingston.

Here’s how it’s going to work: we have defined a local course for each of the next five weeks (Starting today, Feb. 3). Participants run the course anytime during the week—Monday through Sunday—and submit their time to Mark Eisenhandler by email no later than Sunday evening.

At the end of the series, we will tally and share the results and you will enjoy a warm feeling for having survived the very coldest running imaginable! 

Here’s the schedule:

WeekCourseDistance
Feb 3 – Feb 9Plains Road Roll2 miles
Feb 10 – Feb 16Old Ford Hillbuster3.3 miles
Feb 17 – Feb 23Old Kingston O & B3.5 miles
Feb 24 – Mar 2Kleine Kill Killer5 miles
Mar 3 – Mar 9Hour of Truth60 minutes (submit distance instead of time)

Again, you can run the course at any point during the week, but if you’d like to do it with some other runners, a group of club members will be running the courses together on Tuesday mornings.

The course for week one begins at the driveway of the New Paltz Rural Cemetery and runs south on Plains Road to the end of the pavement at the intersection with the rail trail, then returns to the start. Here’s a course map.

The course for week two is a hilly figure-eight south of New Paltz that features Forest Glen Rd., Bridge Creek Rd. Old Ford Road and River Park Drive. Here’s a course map.

If you want to be part of the group run for week two, we will meet at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11 at the Steve’s Lane Wallkill Valley Rail Trail parking lot in Gardiner for a warm up and a group “race.”

We will update this post with maps and meeting points for subsequent weeks soon.

2025 Club Membership Renewals

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It’s time to renew your Shawangunk Runners club membership—still just $20 for the calendar year for an individual or a family (of up to 5 runners). And club membership gets you free entry to our popular summer series and our indoor track workouts.

Starting this year, we are switching our membership processing to RunSignup, a platform that is easier to use and offers better integration will race registrations and results. When you click the button below, you will be prompted to match your membership to an existing RunSignup profile—which most of you should have from previous event results—or create a new one. In future years, you will have an option for a more seamless (or even automatic) renewal.

2025 Club Membership

Indoor Track is Back!

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Shawangunk Runners is once again hosting a series of Friday night workouts at the indoor track in the SUNY New Paltz Athletic and Wellness Center. 

For nine consecutive Friday evenings, starting January 17 and running through March 14, a group of up to 25 runners will be granted access to the indoor track for an organized speed workout prepared by Coach Mike Barnow and led by Mark Eisenhandler. The Jan. 17 session will run from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. All subsequent workouts will run from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.

Since we will be sharing the facility with students and other members of the college community, the SUNY Athletic Department has asked us to comply with these requirements:

  1. Facility access will be limited to a single roster of names for all nine weeks (a standing list, not one that changes each week)
  2. Per the college liability policy, the program is open to adults only (no one under 19 may participate or attend).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Access to the building for the entire series will be limited to the 25 runners whose names are on the roster at the security desk. Slots on the roster will be allocated to the first 25 people who sign up using the form below—then registration will be closed. So please don’t take a slot unless your schedule permits you to attend regularly. 

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After the Leaves / Josh Feldt Memorial Half Marathon

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Lake Minnewaska in the fall

Sunday, November 24, 2024, Minnewaska State Park Preserve

The After the Leaves / Josh Feldt Memorial Half Marathon is simply spectacular—we run around two pristine glacial lakes and along the Shawangunk Ridge, which affords views into five states. We now have a much better staging area and improved parking. Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s groomed, unpaved carriage trails are perfect for running. The Shawangunk Runners Club strives to keep running affordable for all, which explains the low entry fee of $30.The park charges a $10 per car parking fee so carpooling saves you money and parking spots for others.

Register Now

$5 DISCOUNT FOR CLUB MEMBERS: Login to your Shawangunks Runners Club account and select “Club Race Calendar” to register for $25 with the discount.

Registration is online only. We have a maximum limit of 300 runners (please carpool and save money). The park charges a per-car parking fee of $10, not a per-person fee. This race typically sells out.  There are awards for the top 3 finishers in all standard 10-year age groups, refreshments, and a finisher’s gift for all finishers.  There is chip timing. The race will start at 11:30 am, with packet/bib pickup beginning at 10:30 am. We must be off the trails by 2:15 pm, so for people who can’t meet the 2-hour and 45-minute race cut-off time, we will have an early start time at 11 am – giving people an extra half hour to finish. If you can’t reasonably finish with a time under 3:15, this race is not for you. 

Register Now for Great Fall Races

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Fall is here, which means great running weather in Ulster County. Here are details about five upcoming races, all of which are well-organized, affordable, and raising money for important local causes. Sign up today, and we will look forward to seeing you at the races!

2024 Towpath Run 6K
Accord Community Center, Accord, NY
Sunday, Sept. 29, 9:15 a.m.

This point-to-point race follows Towpath Road for 3.75 miles from Alligerville to Accord across rolling hills and passing beautiful views of the Catskills and Peters Kill creek. Proceeds go to support Little Ones Learning Center, a free, nonprofit early literacy program in Accord. Registration is just $18 through Sept. 25.

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Rosendale Runs Half Marathon
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Rosendale, NY
Sunday, Oct. 13, 8:30 a.m.

The Rosendale Runs Half Marathon is back, with a new course, and new partner! Starting at the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail trailhead on Binnewater Road, the 13.1 mile race is now completely off road (90+% rail trail with two short footpath sections on Williams Lake and Mohonk Preserve property). Amenities include t-shirts, chip timing, abundant refreshments, raffle prices, finishers medals, and custom awards for age-group winners. Proceeds go to support the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, the nonprofit that works to improve, protect, and maintain the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail for public use and enjoyment. Registration is just $30 (sign up by Sept. 22 to get a shirt).

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Capital to Capital 5K
O&W Rail Trail, Kingston, NY
Sunday, October 20, 10:00 a.m.

The Rotary Club of Kingston commemorates the anniversary of the Burning of Kingston with this family-friendly race on the newly upgraded O&W Rail Trail. The 3.1 mile point-to-point course runs from Uptown Kingston to Old Hurley, honoring the over 2,000 Kingston residents who fled along a similar route in 1777 when British soldiers burned their city to the ground. This year’s event is raising money and awareness for veterans in need of service dogs. Race features chip timing, age group awards, hand-crafted finishers medals and shuttle bus transportation back to the starting area. Registration is $25 for adults (children 12 and under are free).

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UlsterCorps Zombie Escape 5K
Williams Lake, Rosendale, NY
Saturday, October 26 11:30 a.m.

Now in its 14th year, the annual Zombie Escape run showcases 3.1 miles of beautiful trails at Williams Lake—while passing zombies and other spooky surprises hiding in the woods, tunnels and caves! All proceeds go to support UlsterCorps countywide volunteer programs. The entry fee (adults $25, 17 and under $20) includes a free t-shirt and a specially themed race medal.

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After the Leaves/Josh Feldt Memorial Half Marathon
Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY
Sunday, November 24, 11:30 a.m.

This unforgettable race features 13.1 miles of carriage trails that pass two pristine glacial lakes and climb high up the Shawangunk Ridge to offer views into five states. In addition to the spectacular course, runners get refreshments, chip timing, unique handcrafted awards and a commemorative beer glass. Registration is just $30 ($25 for Shawangunk Runners members).

Register Now

Rosendale Runs Half Marathon

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Rosendale Runs returns with a new course and a new partner: Wallkill Valley Land Trust!

The Shawangunk Runners, in conjunction with the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, present the Rosendale Runs Half Marathon. Come experience breathtaking scenic views around every bend in the midst of the fall foliage. A mostly flat course that is 93% on an unpaved but well-groomed rail trail with two short sojourns off the rail trail to add a little spice and provide just enough challenge to offer a sense of accomplishment.​

The Town of Rosendale, in upstate New York, just 90 miles from NYC, provides a beautiful venue for its 6th Half Marathon. Come visit the charming and quirky Village of Rosendale, once the home of the world-famous Rosendale Cement Company and now a thriving center of the arts. 

Run across the trail that made the National Rails to Trails Conservancy’s top ten- list of most “iconic rail trails”. You will cross over the 146-year-old historic Rosendale Trestle bridge, sitting 150 feet above and extending 900 feet across the Rondout Creek. When it opened in 1872, it was the highest-span bridge in the United States. The race will take you along scenic lakes and through a “cave” at the Williams Lake Project. Come experience the dramatic scenery of the enchanting town of Rosendale that helped build the Brooklyn Bridge with its natural limestone cement.

All proceeds go to the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, whose mission is to improve, protect, and maintain the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail for public use and enjoyment. The event has a cap of 300 starters.  Online registration $30.

Gender-specific t-shirts are guaranteed to all who register by September 22. There will be plentiful refreshments, raffle prizes, a finisher’s medal, and unique awards in all standard 10-year age groups by Christopher Regan. 

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Summer Series Week Two

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192 adults and 37 kids braved the heat on Monday night and headed to Minnewaska to compete in week two of the Shawangunk Runners Summer XC series, an out-and-back race to Patterson’s Pellet.

As a special one-time treat, runners were able to cool off in the lake following the race (thanks to an order from Gov. Hochul to extend swimming hours at state parks in response to the heat wave.)

Results are online here.

We’re back at Minnewaska on Monday, July 22 for the Blueberry Run. Registration for the remainder of the series—two more races and a rail trail fun run—is still open at this link.

See you on the trails!

Summer Series Update

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The first week of our Summer Series had a great vibe.

181 adults and 34 kids participated in Monday’s Undercliff-Overcliff run, the traditional kickoff to the Shawangunk Runners Summer Series.

Results for week one are available here, and if you haven’t yet signed up for the rest of the series, there are still some slots available—see this page for details.

DON’T MISS OUT: Iconic Summer Racing Starts This Week

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Two of the longest-standing running events in the entire Shawangunk region happen every July. These local, grassroots running events have each lasted more than half a century—they must be doing something right!

Marbletown Road Run: July 4

Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m., will be the fifty-second running of the Marbletown Road Run. This Independence Day tradition is 2.3 mile point-to-point race from the Kripplebush Firehouse to the Marbletown Elementary School. Register in-person from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the school (12 Pine Bush Rd, Stone Ridge), then warm up with a jog down to the firehouse before the 9:00 a.m. start. See this page for details.

New Paltz Summer Series: July 8 – August 5

Since 1974, Shawangunk Runners has hosting a summer series to showcase some of the great running opportunities on and around the Shawangunk Ridge. This year’s 51st series features four spectacularly scenic courses—ranging from 3 miles to 4.7 miles—on the carriage roads of Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park. The summer series is limited to 250 registrants, so don’t delay!

Bib pickup each week starts at 6 p.m. Informal children’s half-mile and one-mile runs kick off at 6:45, with the adult race immediately following at approximately 7 p.m. Visit this page to register.

Summer Solstice Run for 6/19/26 is POSTPONED

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Hi, Everyone. Given the National Weather Services heat advisory for Wednesday, 6/19, of extremely high temperatures and humidity (along with an air quality alert), the Shawangunk Runners have decided the most prudent course of action is to postpone the race. It is a difficult decision to make, but it is not worth the risk/danger associated with these kinds of weather conditions. We are concerned that if anyone gets into trouble on the course we could not provide aid in time. No race is worth a person’s life. We are tentatively rescheduling to Wednesday 6/26. All registered runners have been sent an email with details about opting to run the new date, receive a refund, or consider your fee a donation to the Lou Gross Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In addition, a limited number of registrations are available for the June 26 date (for those that did not register for the run tonight). Sign up at this link.