The weather this year was pretty meh since it drizzled on and off the whole race, with more steady rain in the last couple of miles. The temperature, however, was … MORE
The weather this year was pretty meh since it drizzled on and off the whole race, with more steady rain in the last couple of miles. The temperature, however, was pretty perfect for a race and we got to run in Rockefeller State Park which is always a treat. Runners as always received a technical long sleeve shirt and a medal which now features the new Tappan Zee Bridge instead of the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse.
The only negative I would say is that, for us slower folks, the finish area was essentially packed up by the time we rolled in which meant no post race food, etc. and the only photos taken of the race were finish photos. I’m sure the weather had something to do with it as that’s normally not the case.
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A soggy race
The weather this year was pretty meh since it drizzled on and off the whole race, with more steady rain in the last couple of miles. The temperature, however, was … MORE
The weather this year was pretty meh since it drizzled on and off the whole race, with more steady rain in the last couple of miles. The temperature, however, was pretty perfect for a race and we got to run in Rockefeller State Park which is always a treat. Runners as always received a technical long sleeve shirt and a medal which now features the new Tappan Zee Bridge instead of the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse.
The only negative I would say is that, for us slower folks, the finish area was essentially packed up by the time we rolled in which meant no post race food, etc. and the only photos taken of the race were finish photos. I’m sure the weather had something to do with it as that’s normally not the case.
The hills have hills
This race is usually run in March, but was moved to May due to COVID. They offer early packet pickup at Westchester Road Runner in White Plains which was super … MORE
This race is usually run in March, but was moved to May due to COVID.
They offer early packet pickup at Westchester Road Runner in White Plains which was super easy as always. The shirts this year are short sleeved as it was in spring and feature a mask design on the front which is quite amusing. Again, runners could park in the back lot of the high school which is safe and an easy walk to the start/from the finish, the only negative is that it’s at the top of yet another hill which adds insult to injury after you finish lol.
Unfortunately, the race start time was not made earlier as the date of the race was now 2 months later than usual, which meant that it was already quite warm when the race started and, by the time the slower runners reached the stretch on the road with little shade, it was already above 70.
There were 3 water stops on the course that were only a couple miles apart (about a mile between each) and one house had blessedly brought out the hose to spray runners down as we passed upon request. Sufficed to say, by mile 10 I was quite hot and walked a good part of the last 5k of the race…but I wasn’t last, so huzzah!
The medals this year were a nice design featuring the Tappan Zee bridge and, as part of COVID protocol, we were given bags of food/water/goodies at the finish. The plus to being slower is that we got to take multiple bags.
I have to say, I prefer the March date for the temperatures, but it was nice knowing the race would be the course through Rockefeller State Park as there is no snow threat in mid-May. I hope if the race is held later in the year again that the start time is moved up to be earlier than 9:30.
Must love hills
This year's course, like last years, unfortunately did not include the trails in Rockefeller State Park due to the recent snow fall. What this means is, in my opinion, the … MORE
This year’s course, like last years, unfortunately did not include the trails in Rockefeller State Park due to the recent snow fall. What this means is, in my opinion, the course is more challenging and less scenic. You still get a view of the park and views of the Hudson River and new bridge, but it’s just not the same.
One of the worst hills is in the very beginning, but it’s hard to say what hill is the worst as there are so many to choose from. If you pace right, however, you get to pick off those people who’ve fallen victim to those cruel inclines…and what goes up must come down. Some are so bad that you’re better off walking to conserve energy.
The weather was beautiful. Started out chilly, but warmed up quickly since the sun had no clouds to compete with.
The race is quite small (under 700 people) and course support is scant, but some folks come out. Race photos are free (woo) and you get a 25 second video clip of your finish.
Packet pickup is the 2 days before the race at a local running store who offers 20% off at the store with your bib for the weekend. Every year you get a long sleeved tech shirt and this year’s medal was finally different (in the past the medal featured the Sleepy Hollow lighthouse and the only thing that changed was the year on the medal and color of the ribbon. This year, it featured the new bridge as well as the lighthouse).
Post race spread included boxed water, apples, halos oranges, granola bars, and beer (if you had your ID) and there was plenty to go around. I finished with maybe 20 people behind me and they weren’t running low on anything.
Challenging all roads course this year
I ran this race last year as well. Last year, the race course was the usual one involving a few miles in Rockefeller State Park. This year, because of the … MORE
I ran this race last year as well. Last year, the race course was the usual one involving a few miles in Rockefeller State Park. This year, because of the snow, the course was entirely on roads. This made the course hillier and less scenic. There were also quite a few potholes on the roads, making me question if the all roads course was really safer than the trails since most of the snow had melted.
At any rate, Rivertown Runners always puts on a great race. There’s pre-race packet pickup available at Westchester Road Runner or race day pickup. Parking is super easy at Sleepy Hollow High School or the nearby train station (or you can take the train in and walk to the start). There aren’t a ton of water stops, but there are a few and I carry my own water anyway. There isn’t much on course support aside from the volunteers, but the volunteers are awesome and cheer everyone along. As with all Rivertown Runners races, this race ends right after a rather obnoxious hill (which is not very nice after all of the hills on the course).
The shirt is always a nice long sleeved tech shirt. My only real complaint is that the medal is the same exact one every year. The only thing that changes is the year and the color of the ribbon.
Post race, there is water, beer, fruit, granola bars, popcorn, and the Walters hot dog food truck (bring cash). The only thing that’s missing, in my opinion, is chocolate milk, which I’m crossing my fingers they have next year.
I’m not sure I’d do this race again on the all roads course, but since the weather is so unpredictable in March, it’s hard to say what you’ll get unless you wait to register last minute.
The weather this year wasn’t as perfect as last year, but it was still in the 50’s. Just cloudy with the occasional sprinkle of rain so I really can’t complain.
Great local race
I decided to run this race because I didn't get in for NYC and it is local for me. Getting to the race is easy because you can either take … MORE
I decided to run this race because I didn’t get in for NYC and it is local for me. Getting to the race is easy because you can either take the train in and walk to the start or park at the high school where there is ample parking and walk down to the start. The race is put on by the Rivertown Runners and is very well organized. The shirt was a nice long sleeve tech shirt and the medal was also nice.
The weather this year was awesome (though it can be hit or miss in March). The course itself has a couple of brutal hills (one in the beginning and one right before the finish, which is where all Rivertown Runner races end and is just plain mean).
The course itself is nice. You start in town and run into Rockefellar State Park, which has a few hills and great views of the Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge, as well as being pretty in and of itself. You run past a couple of historical Sleepy Hollow sites as well. Once you leave the park, you run through the parking lot of the medical center (which is a sponsor) where EMS has a water table set up. There aren’t too many water stops on the course, so plan to bring your own water. You then proceed along Route 117 up to one of the entrances to the park, which is a long incline. Luckily, once you go up you get to run down it! The rest of the run is mainly through residential areas with a jaunt out to the lighthouse and back. Some locals come out to cheer, but it can get pretty quiet aside from other runners, so plan accordingly.
There isn’t much of a finish area, it’s just the same as the starting area. I just wanted to walk up the huge hill to my car before my legs gave up on me so I didn’t check it out, but they have a good number of porta potties right around the start/finish area.
I was chasing a PR up until the final 5k or so and that last hill killed it for me, but I enjoyed this race greatly and plan to run it again in 2017. The other major perk is that race photos are FREE!