Ruck Around the Lake Weighted Race

Welcome to the 24th annual Sri Chinmoy Marathon, taking place on Monday, August 24, 2026, 7AM around beautiful Rockland Lake in Congers, New York - just 45 minutes north of New York City. This race 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.

Join us on Sunday, October 25, 2026 for the Tenth Annual Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon at Rockland Lake State Park, featuring a scenic, "pancake flat" and fast 2.95 mile loop around the lake. Set a new PR while taking in the beautiful views!

8:00 AM start

Sponsored by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in cooperation with the New York State Parks System.

PERKS & AMENITIES:

Bag check, aid stations every mile, custom race shirts, custom medals for all finishers, and our famous post-race pancake breakfast!

REGISTRATION 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 >>

Prices now include processing fees:

$51.20 through Sep. 28

$59.45 through Oct. 16

$66.65 through Oct. 24, 5PM

No race-day registration. Entries cannot be transferred to another person.

THE COURSE

A scenic paved pathway around Rockland Lake, accurately measured USATF certified course. Start is near Parking field 5, beginning with a 1.3 mile out-and back section along the south end of the lake, then four complete 2.96 mile laps of the lake (clockwise), finishing again near Parking Field 5. For the purposes of lap counting, the initial 1.3 mile section is included in the first lap, the subsequent three complete laps are considered laps 2,3,4.

RACE PACKETS

Choose Packet Shipping when registering ($7.45), to avoid the lines on race day and have your race shirt and bib delivered to your door before the race. Option available for US addresses only, through October 14. All packets will ship out on October 16

For runners that do not choose packet shipping, packet pickup is available at the race site between 7:00-7:45AM.

RACE SHIRTS

Free race shirts guaranteed for all participants registered by October 11.

For participants registered after that date, remaining shirts will be available after the race on a first-come first-serve basis.

Shirt sizes are Unisex or Women's Fitted: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and Unisex 2XL

AWARDS

Half-Marathon - Men's and Women's awards categories:

Under 50: Top 7

50-59: Top 3

60-69: Top 2

70 & over: First Place

Medals for all finishers

Awards ceremony at 10:30 AM

POST-RACE PANCAKE BREAKFAST!

Pancakes are more enjoyable when they're earned, and we're cooking 'em up fresh on race day!

TIME LIMITS

All participants have until 11:15AM to finish the race, which is a minimum average pace of 15 min/mile.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

All participants must be 16 or older on race day.

RESULTS:

Will be posted on our race webpage within 24 hours.

ABOUT US:

From race directors to course monitors, all Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team races are staffed by its own volunteers since the Team’s inauguration in 1977 by its founder and fitness advocate, Sri Chinmoy.

Today, the SCMT organizes over 1,700 races a year in 27 countries across 4 continents, ranging from short kids fun-runs, to marathons to the world’s longest certified road race – the annual Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race (yes, 3,100 miles, it’s not a typo). We love running and putting on races – we hope you enjoy the friendly atmosphere we provide, free of commercial sponsors. Read more >>

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 COVID-19 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 the race giveaways 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.

About The Hook Mountain Ultra began as a physical challenge, but has become an official running event sanctioned by USATF and organized by trail runners for trail runners. In 2025 we had 15 starters, and 0 finishers due to time. Our goal is to organically grow the event while keeping the community group run vibes. This event is for the athlete who wants to test themselves at the 50 mile or marathon distance, needs a qualifier for another event, or is simply looking for an adventure close to home without breaking the bank. You are enough if you start, you are enough if you complete 1 loop or all 4, but only athletes who complete the full 50 mile or 27 mile courses will be listed as official finishers. We will continue to update this registration page with more information leading up to the run. If you have any questions, please email the race director: Phil Germakian at [email protected] Course Description The Hook Mountain Ultra is a 50 mile trail race with approx. 9,700 feet of

elevation gain! Our course is trail running heaven offering big climbs, exposed ridges, winding singletrack, scenic river views, runnable gravel, and steep descents! The 50 mile event is intended for experienced ultra runners. If you are new to ultrarunning, please consider our 27 mile Mountain Marathon! The 50 mile course begins with a 4 mile out and back to spread out the field before entering the singletrack trail, followed by four consecutive 11.5 mile loops that gain 2,431 feet of elevation per loop. The 27 mile marathon option has approx. 4,900 feet of elevation gain! It begins with the same 4 mile out and back, followed by two consecutive 11.5 mile loops that gain 2,431 feet of elevation per loop.11.5 Mile Loop Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/14437500324Each loop starts and finishes at the Nyack Beach State Park trailhead, and begins with a 1.6 miles climb to the summit of Hook Mountain. Starting from the trailhead parking lot, you run North along the Hudson River on

the bike path trail for 2 miles, then return. On the return you will make a right turn at AS#1 onto the Summit Trail (White Blaze), stay to the left at the first junction to continue up. After about 1 mile this trail ends, and make a sharp right turn onto the Long Path Trail (Aqua Blaze), which you follow up and down along the top of the Palisades ridge line. At about 3.8 miles in, you will come to AS#2 and the only road crossing on the loop (Landing Road). Go across it and continue on the Long Path Trail (Aqua Blaze) for an additional 2.7 miles. At about 6.5 miles into the loop you will turn right off the Long Path onto the Treason Trail (White Blaze) down to the river. This is a technical and steep 1/2 mile descent back down to the river trail. When this trail ends, turn right onto the gravel bike path, and you will see AS#3. Leaving the Aid Station continue South 4.5 miles back to the start and AS#1. Repeat this loop 3 more times for 50 Milers and 1 more time for Marathoners, and you are

finished! Congratulations! There is a 14 hour cut-off time, because the fun has to end sometime. This decision is to keep you safe, so nobody is out running ridges in the dark. If you don’t finish within 14 hours you will be counted as a DNF. 50 Milers will also have a 7-hour cut-off at mile 27. Aid Station There will be 3 aid stations set-up on the 11.5 mile looping course that you will pass every 3 to 4.5 miles. Aid Station #1 will be set-up at the start of the loop along the River Trail. 50 Milers will pass this aid station 4 times at miles 4, 15.5, 27, 38.5. Marathoners will pass this aid station 2 times at miles 4 and 15.5. Aid Station #2 will be set-up 3.8 miles into the loop when the Long Path Trail crosses Landing Road. 50 Milers will pass this aid station 4 times at miles 7.8, 19.3, 30.8, 42.3. Marathoners will pass this aid station 2 times at miles 7.8 and 19.3.Aid Station #3 will be set-up 7 miles into the loop when the Treason Trail ends at the River Trail. 50 Milers will pass

this aid station 4 times at miles 11, 22.5, 34, 45.5. Marathoners will pass this aid station 2 times at miles 11 and 22.5.All aid stations will be stocked with water, sports drink, and energy gels. You can store your own personal drop bag at Aid Station #1 as well. Please label your bag clearly with your race number. There is also a water fountain, and bathrooms nearby at the Nyack Beach parking lot.Crewing: is allowed at Aid Station #2 Only, due to parking limitations. Please abide by parking signs along Landing Road. Address in Google Maps for AS#2:88 Landing RoadValley Cottage, NY 10989 Parking & Lodging In 2026, we have partnered with the Marydell Retreat Center to help us with race day parking and overnight accommodations for race participants. Their parking area is a quarter mile from the Nyack Beach State Park entrance. There will be signage to direct you to the parking area on race day morning. If needed, you can call them to reserve lodging for the weekend of Sept. 18-20. Cabins

that sleep up to 4 adults with a private bathroom can be reserved for $95/night. Their information: Marydell Faith & Life Center640 North Midland AvenueUpper Nyack, NY 10960845-358-5399Website: www.marydell.org Event's current local time: 4:33 AM ET