3 walking 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.

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