From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
America's Fastest Half!
Registration for the fastest half in the country is officially live on October 1, 2025! Grab your spot, because the race will be limited to the first 500 who register and we expect the event to fill up fast.
The race will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026 on the world-famous Rockland Lake State Park half marathon course, which has become the go-to destination for runners looking to chase fast half marathon times. The event will feature two waves, pacers, individualized bottle service, and controlled conditions designed to help you race under the best conditions possible. Hundreds of runners have PR'd at this event -- now it's your turn!
All registered runners will get a 2026 Project 13.1 hat from Fractel as well as a full catered breakfast with muffins, fruit, eggs, waffles, and more. Visit our website to learn more.
A Race Series Designed by Runners, for Runners
In 2021 we created the McKirdy Micro Marathon series to help athletes run a personal best and qualify for the Boston Marathon or beyond. At the time, we were just coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic where opportunities to run fast times were limited and motivation to continue training was difficult with no races on the calendar.
In 2023, we took the same concept and applied it at an elite level, hosting a race for athletes targeting the USATF Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard (OTQ) or the Olympic Standard. Many “on the cusp” athletes find they have limited options for races that are both fast and will provide the support they need to run their best.
Athletes from all over the world came to participate in a small localized race with the potential for massive impact. When the day was done:
48 athletes ran under the 2:18:00/2:37:00 OTQ Standard
More OTQs came from our race than any other race in 2023
Our race produced 2 Olympians
69% of the finishing athletes ran a personal best
85% of the finishing athletes ran their second fastest lifetime marathon
Moving forward, we are expanding the series to bring The Micro race experience to athletes of all abilities over multiple distances! We hope you’ll come run your fastest marathon with us.
Hosted at Rockland Lake State Park, this course is a 2.94 mile looped course measured by World Athletics "A" certifier, Jim Gerweck. Certification.
Marathon: USA-2023-071
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A Race Series Designed by Runners, for Runners
In 2021 we created the McKirdy Micro Marathon series to help athletes run a personal best and qualify for the Boston Marathon or beyond. At the time, we were just coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic where opportunities to run fast times were limited and motivation to continue training was difficult with no races on the calendar.
In 2023, we took the same concept and applied it at an elite level, hosting a race for athletes targeting the USATF Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard (OTQ) or the Olympic Standard. Many “on the cusp” athletes find they have limited options for races that are both fast and will provide the support they need to run their best.
Athletes from all over the world came to participate in a small localized race with the potential for massive impact. When the day was done:
48 athletes ran under the 2:18:00/2:37:00 OTQ Standard
More OTQs came from our race than any other race in 2023
Our race produced 2 Olympians
69% of the finishing athletes ran a personal best
85% of the finishing athletes ran their second fastest lifetime marathon
Moving forward, we are expanding the series to bring the McKirdy Micro race experience to athletes of all abilities over multiple distances! We hope you’ll come run your fastest marathon or 10K with us.
Hosted at Rockland Lake State Park, this course is a 2.94 mile looped course measured by World Athletics "A" certifier, Jim Gerweck. Certification.
Marathon: USA-2023-071
10k: USA-2023-275
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The Hook is a long-standing community half-marathon known for its challenging hill climb in the last few miles. This year’s Half will again start and finish at the Rockland Lakes North Parking Lot (Field #1) by the Pavilion. This year for the first time in the Hook Half history we will have pacers!
We are also incorporating a 10K race, as there are not many local 10K races. Like the Half, it will start and finish at the North parking lot. Unlike the half, this will be a fairly flat course with two loops around Rockland Lake.
This race benefits Meals on Wheels a local organization that been improving the quality of life for aging Rockland County residents for over four decades. Everyday they provide fresh and nutritious meals to older adults, while the daily visits provide a vital safety check and friendly conversation that reduces loneliness and isolation.
Achilles International is a global organization that endeavors to transform the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. Their main program focuses on running, where they bring hope, inspiration and the joys of achievement to all. They empower the disability community by breaking down barrier to race start lines, and all the way to crossing the finish line.
7:30 AM Half Marathon Race Start
7:40 AM Kids Fun Run
8:00 AM 10K Race Start
The Hook Half Marathon and 10K in an inclusive event for all runners, regardless of race, religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. All are welcome to participate, and we look forward to seeing you on 12th April!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.