NewRo Runners: Irvington Woods - Westchester's Hidden Gem (Plus Weekend Routes 4/12 & 4/13)
In This Issue:→ A hermit's grave & a muddy adventure→ Weekend routes: Manor Park & Coffee Lab→ Meet Jackie+ Lou Klein updates
From the Sole of My Shoe: More Than Miles in Irvington Woods
“You’ll pass the grave of Johann Wilhelm Stolting, a man who slept in his own coffin and bathed in the Saw Mill River.” Not your typical pre-race briefing, but at 9am on a dreary Sunday in Irvington Woods, this peculiar piece of local lore jolted me awake. You don’t always get a history lesson alongside a report of course conditions. But then, this was no typical road race; it was the second running of the 4 in the Forest at the Irvington Woods, hosted by PLT racing.
"We started PLT Racing to share our love of the outdoors with the community," Dean, one of the organizers, told me when I admitted I'd never heard of Irvington Woods. Along with fellow organizer Gerry Sullivan—himself a fearsome trail racer and father of Eammon Sullivan, nicknamed "the Beast" and undefeated in the 2024 Trail Mix Series—they're on a mission to showcase these hidden paths. "There's some great trails in Westchester hiding in plain sight," Dean added. This race is an opportunity to spread the word about Irvington Woods, and other locales being featured in upcoming PLT races (Westmoreland Sanctuary in Mount Kisco being another one.) It certainly doesn’t hurt when your route has some neat backstory to go with it.
After the gun went off, 65 participants trotted along the gravel path out of the back soccer fields on the Irvington Middle/High school campus that led to the woods. Spring trail racing has so far lived up to the hype—like my experience at Mudders, a deluge the night before ensured that Irvington would require total focus. A misstep could ruin the rest of the season. Indeed, some folks twisted ankles on merciless roots and rocks. Between careful footfalls, I made mental notes to look up more about these woods later. They would turn out to be one of Southern Westchester’s largest preserved forest areas, protected through a 40-year conservation effort by the Village of Irvington.
Eventually, at about the 2 mile mark (I think), I approached the grave. Nestled at the bottom of a hill near the Saw Mill Parkway, I confess I didn’t stop to admire it. I was feeling the burn and ready to be out of the woods and in dry clothes. But, if I were a hermit, I couldn’t want for a better final resting place; secluded, difficult to find, Stoltin must have been pleased.
More rocks, more roots, away I went. Just when I thought I had the finish line to myself, a flash of movement caught my eye. Another runner materialized from the shadows, surging past me in the final stretch. My legs found one last gear, but it wasn't enough—seems Irvington Woods wasn't done surprising me yet.
Curious about Johann William Stolting, the Hermit of Irvington? Read his story in this 1885 New York Times piece: 103628135.pdf History bonus: Stolting’s neighbor, Cyrus Fields, who’s mentioned in the article, laid the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean in 1858.
We're Looking for Writers!
Got a story to tell? We want to hear it! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Race Reports & Reviews
Your first 5K experience
That marathon that didn't go as planned
Local race reviews and tips
Personal Running Journey
How you found your running groove
Comeback stories after injury
Balancing running with work/family
Community Stories
Running friendships that changed you
Local running spots you love
Seasonal running challenges
Fuel & Food
Pre-race meal favorites
Post-run recovery recipes
Hydration tips and drink recipes
Meal prep for busy runners
No writing experience needed—just bring your voice and your story. Contribute once or regularly, whatever fits your stride.
Questions? Email us with WRITING in the subject line: info@newrorunners.org
Caught on the Run
Klein Family Updates
New Care Calendar System We've consolidated all support calendars into one central system to better serve Lou, Leah, and Ava. Please note these important changes:
Access the new calendar here: Support for the Klein Family
All support activities from April 1 forward will be on this calendar
Need help with the calendar? Contact Jenna:
Text: 203-540-4832
Another way to support Lou is to lace up on May 4!
The 2025 Cinco Di Mile race has chosen to support Lou Klein and his family by donating a portion of this year's race proceeds to their ALS journey.
Race Information & Registration →
As always, Lou's GoFundMe remains active for those who wish to contribute. Support Lou →
NewRo Social Scene: Running & Beyond
Coming Up in Spring
• April 19: Pinebrook Clean-up Run
• May 4: Cinco de Mayo Run & Monthly Welcome Run
• May 13: Tuesday Speedsters Potluck
Want to help plan events? Email Sophia Okeke (write SOCIAL in the subject line) at info@newrorunners.org
Weekend Routes
Saturday, April 12 | 7:50 am
Where: Memorial Park parking lot, Larchmont
Memorial to Manor Park & Back 📱 Download Route (Click on the arrow icon in upper right corner for download options)
Stage 1: Quick Loop (3.9 miles)
Exit lot → RIGHT on Myrtle
LEFT on Chatsworth, cross Boston Post Rd (becomes Monroe)
Follow Monroe to Woodbine
LEFT on Woodbine to Ocean
RIGHT on Ocean (becomes Magnolia, bears right)
Sharp LEFT onto Park
Enter Manor Park—gather for picture by gazebo!
Run through Manor Park, exit at Park Ave
RIGHT on Park (becomes Larchmont)
RIGHT on Palmer
LEFT on Chatsworth, over bridge to Myrtle
RIGHT on Myrtle back to Memorial Park
Stage 2: Extended Route (6 miles) 📱 Download Route (Click on the arrow icon in upper right corner for download options)
Follow Stage 1 to Manor Park
Continue to Park Ave
Sharp LEFT on Park to Beach
LEFT on Helena to Pryer Lane
LEFT on Pryer Lane to Pryer Manor
Quick RIGHT on Pryer Manor (becomes Dillon, uphill to Boston Post Road)
LEFT on Boston Post Road to Stonelea
RIGHT on Stonelea (bears right at Palmer, becomes Petersville)
Follow over I-95 (becomes Potter) to Fifth
LEFT on Fifth to Pinebrook
RIGHT on Pinebrook to lake
Sharp RIGHT at lake onto Barnard to Huguenot
Bear RIGHT on Huguenot to Chatsworth
RIGHT on Chatsworth to Myrtle
LEFT on Myrtle to Memorial Park
Sunday, April 13 | 7:50 AM
Meeting Point: Coffee Lab Roasters, 493 New Rochelle Road, Bronxville (Chester Heights)
Free Sunday parking available on Oregon Road
Post-run coffee at one of Westchester's best roasters!
Choose Your Distance: 3, 4.4, 8.5, or 11.8 miles
3-Mile Wilson Woods Loop 📱 Download Route (Click on the arrow icon in upper right corner for download options)
Head EAST on New Rochelle Road
RIGHT onto Hutchinson Boulevard (0.2 mi) - Caution: Hutch access road
Veer LEFT under bridge (0.7 mi)
Cross Lincoln Avenue to Wilson Woods Park Road
Turn around at park end (1.5 mi) or explore park path by wave pool
Return same route to start (3 mi)
4.4-Mile Mount Vernon High Loop 📱 Download Route (Click on the arrow icon in upper right corner for download options)
Complete Wilson Woods Loop (3 mi)
Continue on New Rochelle Road
LEFT on California Road (3.1 mi)
Pass Mount Vernon High School to Route 22 (3.7 mi)
Turn around, return to New Rochelle Road (4.2 mi)
RIGHT to Coffee Lab (4.4 mi)
8.5-Mile Mill Road Extension 📱 Download Route (Click on the arrow icon in upper right corner for download options)
Follow Mount Vernon High Loop to California Road
Continue on California to Mill Road (6.2 mi)
RIGHT on Mill Road, cross bridge (stay right)
RIGHT on North Avenue (6.5 mi)
RIGHT on Eastchester Road (8.5 mi)
RIGHT on Pelhamdale Avenue
Return to start (9.7 mi)
11.8-Mile "California the Hard Way" 📱 Download Route (Click on the arrow icon in upper right corner for download options)
Follow California Road past Mill Road
RIGHT on Lakeshore Drive (6.9 mi)
RIGHT on New Wilmont Road (7.8 mi)
Continue straight onto Fenimore as New Wilmont veers right (8.4 mi)
LEFT on North Avenue (9.0 mi)
RIGHT on Eastchester Road (10.6 mi)
RIGHT on Pelhamdale Avenue (11.5 mi)
Return to start for well-deserved coffee! (11.8 mi)
Your Weekday Running Menu
Because two weekend runs are never enough...
Speed Work: Weekly Fast Pass
Tuesdays | 6:15 PM | Eastchester HS Track
Ready to unleash your inner speedster? Every Tuesday, coaches Cheryl Broas and Claire Mayer turn track night into your secret weapon for stronger running.
Questions about speed work? Reach out: info@newrorunners.org
Trail Junkies
Trail Run this Friday, April 11 | 7:00 AM
Meeting Point: Equestrian Center parking lot at Twin Lakes Parks
Address: 992 California Rd, Eastchester, NY 10709
Directions from North Ave: Left on Mill → Left on California → First left into parking lot
Route Options:
• Base Route: ~4 miles out-and-back through Nature Study Woods to Colonial Greenway sign (Flandreau/Webster)
• Extended Option: Add ~2 miles around Reservoir #3 to Colonial Greenway sign at Mill
New to trail running? Questions about the route? Reach out to Stephen at slherzberg@aol.com
Race Calendar: Where's Your Next Start Line?
April Races
🏃 Rye Derby | April 27 | Rye YMCA
37th annual 5M, 5K, and 1-mile family fun run
Join the derby →
🐰 Mamaroneck 5K & Lil' Bunny Hop | April 27 | Memorial Park
Spring fun for the whole family—hop to it!
Join the fun →
May Races
🌶️ Cinco Di Mile | May 4 | New Rochelle
Support Lou Klein while celebrating Cinco de Mayo on this festive 1-mile course
Race Information & Registration →
✈️ JFK Runway Run | May 17 | JFK Airport
A 50-year tradition that lets you race on an actual airport runway!
Take off →
🌸 Spring Run the Farm | May 18 | Muscoot Farm, Katonah
Five miles of trails through a historic working farm in peak spring bloom
Hit the farm trails →
🌳 Rockwood Ramble 10K | June 5 | Rockefeller State Park
A magical early summer evening run through Rockefeller's carriage trails
Ramble with us →
Looking Ahead
Got a spring race on your calendar? Let us know which races you’re doing so we can cheer you on!
Share your goals in our Facebook group and Instagram
Sole Mates: Who's Who in NewRo
Jackie Mazariego
Meet Jackie Mazariego, a NewRo member who's helping shape our club's future while crushing miles on the roads and trails.
How'd you find your way to NewRo Runners?
I was introduced to NewRo Runners by Sally Murphy in 2021. I had been running for a few years already but was looking for a community of runners.
What are your goals for the club as a NewRo member?
I want to expand the club’s reach, introducing the community to the fantastic and inclusive environment that Newro has developed. I also hope to inspire the next generation of runners!
What's your ideal running weather? (Be honest - we won't judge)
55 degrees and low humidity!
Most memorable running moment - triumph or disaster?
My most triumphant moment was crossing the finish line at the NYC Marathon.
Best running advice you've ever received?
Run with friends, or make friends on your run.
Epic running fail that's funny now?
Probably tripping and falling during the Paine to Pain Half Marathon in 2022. It wasn’t fun but in a weird way, it bonded the group that I was running with as we all took spills that day on the trails.
What keeps you coming back to group runs?
Group runs and workouts keep me motivated and inspire me to push myself in ways I normally would not do.
Favorite local route and why?
I love running through Larchmont. The Long Island Sound and the old homes we pass make for great views.
Solo run soundtrack? (When you're not chatting with the crew)
It's all over the place but it includes Kendrick Lamar, Queen, Rancid, and some Taylor Swift to boot.
Treadmill: necessary evil or secret love affair?
Neither! If I can’t run outside, then I’m not running!