What a Paine

Registration for the third annual Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon on Oct. 2 is now open.

 


 

The single-loop 13.1-mile race race follows the Colonial Greenway Trail through New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Eastchester and Scarsdale. Approximately 12 of the miles are on a dirt path. Starting time is 9 a.m. at  Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, and the race finishes with a quarter-mile run down Flandreau Road to New Rochelle High School and a finish on the track.

 

Warning: the race can be tricky.

 

The route takes runners over rocks, roots, streams and stones. The trail is narrow in places, and it can get muddy and slippery.

 

But it can also be extremely rewarding.

 

Last year’s second-place finisher, Matt Patrick of Larchmont, may have put it best.

 

"When you feel like you’re going to puke with six miles to go and still finish with a big smile on your face, that’s the mark of a good event," he said.

 

Race director Eric Turkewitz says feedback from the past two races has been tremendous.

 

"They love it," he said. "It’s such a welcome relief from running on the road, with all the traffic. It’s a wonderful race track."

 

In the inaugural race, 50 runners took part on extremely short notice. In 2009, 237 runners registered and 191 finished. This year, Turkewitz is hoping for 350 runners.

 

The entry fee is $35 until Sept. 1., and $45 after that date. Members of the the Sound Shore Runners and Multisport Club get a $10 discount.

 

Register at http://www.active.com/running/new-rochellenone-ny/paine-to-pain-trail-half-marathon-2010.

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