Trail Runners Go the Distance for Good

February 07, 2022
Don Weise, Director of Donor Advising
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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Trail Runners Go the Distance for Good

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This fall, hundreds of enthusiastic runners participated in trail events ranging from 2 to 26.2 miles.

From smooth carriageways in Rockefeller and the Ramapos to singletrack trails in Sterling Forest, these venues are helping runners connect with the Trail Conference and our mission.

2nd Annual Sterling Furnace Half Marathon and 7-Miler

Organized by Trail Conference Board member and race director Charlie Gadol, this run passed through Sterling Forest’s “hole in the doughnut,” an exceptionally beautiful 575-acre section in the heart of the forest, which was preserved with the Trail Conference’s help in late 2006. This masterfully built, moderately hilly trail network is a joy to run, walk or bike; it is currently being expanded to provide even more options for exploration. Proceeds from the race are being shared with the Trail Conference and the Friends of Sterling Forest. Look for this race to return in spring 2022!

MRCC Trail Conference Fall Back 5K Run and 3K Walk

Returning to Trail Conference Headquarters on a crisp November morning, this Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce event gave the community a chance to try out trail running and learn about the Trail Conference. Held on a mix of wide, level trails and some roads, the event benefitted the Trail Conference and will also return in the spring of 2022.

Pocantico Hills Marathon

This exceptionally hilly marathon was held to benefit both the Trail Conference and Friends of Rockefeller State Park. The lands, which were donated by the Rockefeller family to New York State Parks, featured grazing livestock amid a pastoral backdrop of fields and forests. According to race organizer Charlie Gadol, this race is slated to return again in the fall of 2022.

Trail Conference Trail Runs

Join us for free, monthly, non-competitive runs highlighting places where the Trail Conference builds and maintains trails. This fall, we explored Harriman, Ringwood, and Jockey Hollow, and also previewed the Sterling Forest and Rockefeller racecourses. These “flex runs” offer two pace and distance groups to accommodate various ability levels. To learn more, join our Facebook group, Trail Conference Trail Runs, or find our runs on the events page.