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.
$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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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!
Monday, July 8: “Undercliff/Overcliff”: 4.7 miles, West Trapps Entry, Mohonk Preserve
Monday, July 15: “Patterson’s Pellet”: 3 miles, Lake Minnewaska, Minnewaska State Park Preserve ($10 per car parking fee)
Monday, July 29: “Lou’s Run”: 4.3 miles, Spring Farm Trailhead, Mohonk Preserve
Monday, Aug. 5: Award Ceremony/Rail Trail Fun Run: Garvan’s Gastropub, New Paltz
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.
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.
We have some fairly big news. For the first time in four years, our club has secured permission to resume our traditional Friday night winter workouts at the indoor track in the SUNY New Paltz Athletic & Wellness Center.
For nine consecutive Friday evenings, starting January 26 and running through March 22, a group of up to 25 club members will be granted access to the indoor track for an organized speed workout prepared by Coach Mike Barnow and led by Mark Eisenhandler. Sessions will run from 5:30 to 6:45 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:
Facility access will be limited to a single roster of names for all nine weeks (a standing list, not one that changes each week)
Per the college liability policy, the program is open to adults only (no one under 19 may participate or attend).
As a sanctioned club activity, all participants must be current members* of Shawangunk Runners. (Most memberships expire at the end of December, so if you haven’t renewed recently, your membership may have lapsed.)
Access to the building will be limited to the 25 club members whose names are on the roster, so please don’t sign up unless you can commit to attending the majority of the workouts.
For renewals, use the “Login” button to access your account (use the “Login Help” button if you need to retrieve your credentials). New members use the “Join” button.
Once you are logged in, click the “Club Race Calendar” link in the menu bar to access the registration page for “Friday Night Indoor Workouts.” Registration is free.
Slots on the roster will be awarded to the first 25 people who sign up and then registration will be closed. So once again, please don’t take a slot unless your schedule permits you to attend regularly.
We hope to see you there!
*Club membership is only $20 for individuals or families for a calendar year. Memberships also get you free entry to our 5-week New Paltz Summer Series and $5 off our other events. It also gets you a one-week earlier registration window for our popular Solstice Run and After the Leaves Half Marathon, which often sell out. Use this link to join.
