3 events in Congers, New York

The Women’s Distance Festival is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of strength, community, and the power of women supporting women. With every stride, every mile, and every finish line 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.

The Empire State Half Marathon and 5k are on the flattest and fastest road course on the East Coast: Rockland Lake State Park In just a few laps around the lake, just north of the NJ/NY border, you'll walk away with a big shiny medal, a tech race shirt, and hopefully a shiny new personal best!

Follow us on IG: @empirestatehalfmarathon for future updates!

Please arrive before 8am to avoid paying the park admission fee!

Race Schedule

8:00am - 5k Start

8:45am - HM Elite Introductions

9:00am - Half Marathon Start

9:15am - 5k Awards Available

10:00am - Beer Garden Opens

11:15am - Half Marathon Awards Available

Course

The course is a USATF-certified loop around scenic Rockland Lake.

Course Profile

As shown on the Rockland Lake Half Marathon Strava Segment, the course has 135' of elevation over the 13.1 miles. The difference between its highest elevation point (170') and lowest (155') is just 15', making it a pancake flat loop.

Fueling Stations

There are three aid stations with both water and Gatorade along the course.

Elite Athlete Program (EAP)

The EAP provides a complimentary entry, personal water stations, preferred baggage claim, and for some, free lodging. Please email [email protected] your running resume for consideration.

NEW for 2025:

Individual Prize Structure

$500 - Top M/F and top M/F Masters

$300 - 2nd M/F and 2nd M/F Master

$200 - 3rd M/F and 3rd M/F Master

Team Prize Structure

$500 - Top M/F Teams (3/Team)

HM and 5k Medals: 5 Year Age Groups

Top 3 finishers to male/female finishers in 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+

HM AG Winners win ice cream from the Sweet Guy Ice Cream Truck

Bib Pickup

Bibs can either be picked up at Road Runner Sports (Paramus) on Friday evening (5pm-7pm), Saturday morning (10am-1), or at the race site on Sunday morning.

Empire State Challenge Medal

Any runner finishing both the Empire State Half Marathon and the Garden State 10 Miler (or the Empire State 5k) will receive the Empire State Challenge Medal at the conclusion of the Empire State Half.

Lodging

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Nanuet (425 NY-59, Nanuet, NY 10954): 845-623-6000

Element Spring Valley (90 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley, NY 10977): 845-694-8200

Hilton Garden Inn (270 W Route 9, Nanuet, NY 10954): 845-623-0600

The Rockland Road Runners To Infinity & Beyond Halloween 5K will be a fun event for kids and adults. The money raised will go to the Jordyn Seiden Memorial Fund which will benefit kids who struggle with mental illness and intellectual developmental issues.

Race day fun begins at 8:30 AM and includes a Kids Fun Run (separate from 5K), face painting, a pumpkin patch, apple cider, and more.⁣

⁣We encourage you to arrive early so you, your kids, family, and friends can ALL enjoy all the Halloween-themed activities. Plan to be there by 8:30 AM so you don’t miss the Monster Mash warm-up and the East Ramapo Marching Band kicking off the event at 8:45 AM with a march-in to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Registration for the 5k for kids 0 to 9 is free, and for children 10 to 18 will be discounted to $30.