Healing Half Marathon & 10K
White Plains, NY
- Half Marathon, 10K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Healing Half Marathon course will once again be on the beautiful Bronx River Parkway. A fantastic course along the quiet closed Parkway that is a great race for experienced and first-timers alike! We will continue to have the Half Marathon Walkers Category this year. Walkers will start 30 minutes … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 06):
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
| H (°F) | 71 | 65 | 80 | 72 | 70 |
| L (°F) | 50 | 61 | 63 | 49 | 47 |
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Nice local race
The weather this year was perfect. Field seemed smaller in years past, probably because they don't advertise enough in my opinion. Packet pick up was oddly on a Wednesday this … MORE
The weather this year was perfect. Field seemed smaller in years past, probably because they don’t advertise enough in my opinion.
Packet pick up was oddly on a Wednesday this year, but race morning pick up is always available. This year’s shirts were purple, which was a nice break from the drab colors of the past 3 years (green, black, and grey). The medals now change every year, even if the shirt design really doesn’t, and this year’s medal included a spinner in the middle.
Course is the same out and back along the Bronx River Parkway, which isn’t too challenging, though not flat (the worst hills are in the second half), with water stops about every 2 miles or so. There is also a 10k option.
Post race spread included bananas, 3 types of apples, water, chips, and everyone got an egg sandwich if they so desired.
Nice local race
This race has become part of my annual calendar because it's well organized and close by. The race offers packet pickup at the local New Balance Store, this year on … MORE
This race has become part of my annual calendar because it’s well organized and close by.
The race offers packet pickup at the local New Balance Store, this year on the Thursday before the race, as well as on race day at the race. I had no issue picking up a packet for a friend. The registration fee included a long sleeve tech shirt (that’s usually in more masculine colors and unisex sizes) and a pretty nice medal (this year’s was larger than in years past).
The course is an out and back on the Bronx River Parkway so it’s pretty and you run by streams, woods, and the Bronx River Trail itself seeing other runners and cyclists go by. The race offers an early start 30 minutes before the general half start for “walkers,” but anyone can start early (you just won’t qualify for awards as if you would win anything needing to start early) and otherwise has a time limit of about 3:30.
At the finish, they offered cookies, apples, pretzels, water, and had a food truck offering runners a free waffle or breakfast sandwich. I was, however, disappointed that there was no chocolate milk this year as the milk last year was delicious.
The only thing I really don’t like is that you have to pay for parking. There’s a large lot at the race start/finish, but it’s a $10 fee to park there. Otherwise, you could park at the train station and walk (not a very short walk), but you’d have to pay for parking there too for about $1/hour.
Nice local race
This race is an out and back on the Bronx River Parkway. This means two main things. 1. you know what you're in for on the way back and 2. … MORE
This race is an out and back on the Bronx River Parkway. This means two main things. 1. you know what you’re in for on the way back and 2. it’s sort of scenic. There are some hills, but only one that’s particularly “bad,” plus coming into the finish involves a long downhill (woo downhill!).
You can pick up your packet day of the race or before the race at a local spot like the New Balance Store. After the race, each runner gets a free grilled cheese from a food truck (and it was a yummy grilled cheese at that), apple cider donuts, and Hudson Valley chocolate milk (which was also delicious).
Plus, since it starts/ends at the County Center, it’s super easy to park on site (though you have to shell out about $5) and not too bad a walk from the White Plains train station. It’s also along the Bronx River trail so if you want to add on miles before/after the race, that’s very easy to do.
It’s also back of the pack friendly as you can start 30 minutes early with the walkers (you just won’t qualify for awards). Registration comes with a long sleeve tech shirt and each year the medals have become higher quality.
Flat, closed course
This race was formerly named the Westchester Medical Center Running Festival. Genesis Adventures, the race organizer, changed the name to better reflect that the race is held to benefit the … MORE
This race was formerly named the Westchester Medical Center Running Festival. Genesis Adventures, the race organizer, changed the name to better reflect that the race is held to benefit the West Chester Medical Center Foundation.
This is a pretty, easy, out-and-back course on the Bronx River Parkway. The parkway is closed to traffic for the race so runners have the full road. The course goes out 6.5 miles and then turns around to come back on the other side of the parkway. This is a great opportunity to race on a road that would otherwise not be open to pedestrians. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and unique experience! It’s amazing to see the stone arch bridges you drive under and have a chance to really look at them and be amazed by the construction and design.
The volunteers and aide stations are great. There are little to no spectators due to the nature of the course but the race crew is very enthusiastic and encouraging.
Race walkers have an early start option (no runners allowed and no eligibility for awards).
There are a few nearby parking options (bring money to pay for parking). I parked at the County Center parking lot.