Big Bear SquaTCh South

A.M.

• First 100 people to register will receive a t-shirt.

• Age group medals will be awarded to the top 3 male and female times in each age group:

• 15 and under

• 16-19

• 20-29

• 30-39

• 40-49

• 50-59

• 60-69

• 70+

• This is a rain or shine event!

• Race map will be uploaded closer to the event*

crossed, we are helping advance the vital work of the Center for Safety & Change, whose mission is to support, shelter, and provide services to victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes.

This year’s theme, TOGETHER WE RISE, captures the true spirit of the Women’s Distance Festival. It reminds us that when we come together—lifting each other up, standing side by side, and moving forward as a community—we create real and lasting change. Every participant, volunteer, and supporter plays a role in building a safer, stronger, and more equitable future for all.

The Women’s Distance Festival began as a powerful movement. Created by the Road Runners Club of America, the event originally served as a protest against the lack of long-distance racing opportunities for women. As recently as the 1980 Olympics, it was widely believed that women could not compete at distances greater than 1500 meters—less than one mile. In response, the first Women’s Distance Festivals were held in July 1980 across the United States, running parallel to the men’s marathon at the Moscow Olympics.

The Rockland Road Runners brought the Women’s Distance Festival to our community in 1988, and it has since grown into the largest Women and Girls 5K in the tri-state area.

Join us for the 38th Annual Women’s Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 AM at Rockland Lake State Park. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual race option will be available from Sunday, July 12 through Sunday, July 19.

Come experience the energy, strength, and determination of hundreds of women and girls moving forward together. Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or cheer from the sidelines, you are part of something bigger.

Lace up your sneakers, show up with your community, and remember: when women support women, TOGETHER WE RISE.

Warwick, NY. This exciting event features a USA Track & Field Certified 5K course (certified in 2023), offering a fast and accurate route for all participants.

Race Details:

Start Time: 8:30 AM

Start Format: Self-seeded start from the official START/FINISH arch

Timing & Scoring:

Overall winners are determined by gun time

Age-group awards are based on chip time

Professional Timing: This event is chip-timed by Second Wind Race Timing

🚨 Please note: Early starts are NOT permitted for any participants, including runners and walkers. 🚨

Don’t miss this opportunity to race on a certified course and be part of a historic event!

their families. Founded by caregivers and patients, the Foundation provides up-to-date information, educational resources, and a supportive community to help individuals and loved ones navigate the challenges of this ultra-rare disease. It fosters connections among patients, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to raise awareness, share experiences, and improve quality of life through conferences, outreach, and advocacy.

is a Boston Qualifier.

THE COURSE:

A beautifully scenic, flat and fast USATF certified 2.95 mile loop around the shores of Rockland Lake. Just shy of 9 laps = Marathon. All runners’ laps scored.

AMENITIES:

Free parking (if in by 8AM), premium aid stations every mile, included custom race shirt, custom medals for all finishers, full medical support, post race vegetarian meal.

REGISTRATION AND FEES:

Want to race this one for FREE? It's easy - register here on RunSignup, then refer friends and family to earn your registration back! How it works >>

All prices now include processing fees:

$66.65 through June 30

$76.95 through July 31

$87.25 through August 21, 5pm

Entries cannot be transferred to another person.

SHUTTLE BUS FROM MANHATTAN

Sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving!

Our dedicated shuttle bus service from Grand Central Station, Manhattan direct to Rockland Lake is available for an additional fee of $38 roundtrip per person. The option is available during the registration process.

5:00 AM departure, return by 2:30 ~ 3PM. You must purchase shuttle seats in advance (no race-day walk-ups, sorry). The shuttle is open to non-participants as well - you can purchase additional seats for friends / relatives. Shuttle seats only (without race registration) can be purchased anytime on our RedPodium Registration page. Please note that you must finish the Marathon in less than 6 hours in order to sign up for the shuttle.

RACE START

Race start is at 7:00AM SHARP. Strictly no early starts.

All participants, including late starters, will be timed from the actual gun time, regardless of the runner's actual start time. Please allow at least 7 minutes before the race to walk from the number pickup area to the race start. The race clock starts ticking for everyone at 7AM!

RACE PACKETS

Choose Packet Shipping when registering ($7.45), to avoid the lines on race day and have your shirt and bib delivered to your door before the race. Option available for US addresses only, through August 13.

For runners that do not choose packet shipping, packet pickup is available at the race site between 6:00-6:45AM.

RACE SHIRTS

*Race shirts guaranteed for all participants that register by July 31. Shirt sizes are Unisex or Women's fitted: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and Unisex 2XL. We will do our best to provide shirts for runners who register after July 31, but no guarantees - register early!

AID STATIONS

There will be three aid stations on the loop, approximately one every mile. All will have water and electrolyte drink. The main aid station, next to Race-Day Central, will have fruit, chips, snacks, etc.

AWARDS

Men and Women's awards categories:

Under 50: Top 7, 50-59: Top 3, 60-69: Top 2, 70 & over: First Place.

Custom medals for all finishers

Awards ceremony 12:15 PM.

VEGETARIAN MEAL

Served starting at 11:30AM. There will be some vegan options as well.

TIME LIMIT

7-hour cutoff (2:00 PM), strictly enforced. 1:15PM is the latest any runner can begin their final lap. No early starts.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Runners must be 18 or older to compete.

RACE RESULTS

Will be posted on our race website within 24 hours.

EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY

We live in uncertain times. If we are forced to cancel this event owing to circumstances beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

New or modified regulations/restrictions imposed by park officials or city or state governments;

Unsafe conditions in the park, such as severe weather conditions;

the event will be converted to a virtual one. Registered participants will still receive race shirts and finisher medals in the mail upon completion of the virtual race, and trophies will be mailed to winners as per the awards breakdown above.