NewRo Runners: Running Companions
Inside: Running and Grieving→ Weekend Routes →NewRo Summer Picnic→ Summer Streets → Marathon Bus Info
The Long View
Where the Red Fern Grows
One of our last training sessions together.
For nearly twelve years, I ran almost exclusively on my treadmill. (The empty streets of Covid encouraged me to return outdoors and to find run clubs like this one.) Early each morning, I’d grope through the dark to the downstairs gym, flip on the light, and find Ginger, my basset hound, already waiting for me. I’d grumble about sharing the treadmill, but I knew I wouldn’t get my miles in if Ginger didn’t get hers first.
I’d warm up while she ran. Invariably, my other basset would make her way to the gym—not to run, but to observe. “Coach” Rosie never missed a workout. Lord preserve me if I ever tried to sneak in a run before either dog got to the gym, there’d be howlin’ hell to pay. They wanted to run, in their way, and over the years the routine stuck.
I know basset hounds aren’t the first breed that pops into people’s minds when you talk about running dogs. I attempted a run with my first basset, Chief, a burly, beautiful, 80-pound purebred rescue. Chief ambled alongside me for a minute or two until a scent behind a garbage can proved more tempting than trotting down the sidewalk. My usual 4-miler morning became a half-mile walkabout. It was the first and only time we ran together. Walks, however, were plentiful, and we covered as many ambulatory miles as we might have if we picked up the pace.
Though my running partnerships may have been unconventional, I’m hardly alone among runners who find their stride with unlikely training partners.
My expectations about running with dogs evolved rather quickly—my vision of bounding down trails was replaced by the reality of trading places on my treadmill—but our setup worked. My dogs were running dogs, just not the kind you’d expect.
That’s what running does, though. It strips away preconceptions and creates unexpected bonds. Look at any NewRo run: CEOs stride alongside stay-at-home parents, dentists pair up with teachers. On the trail or at the track, titles and status fade. What matters is the rhythm of shared footfalls as each mile passes.
Ginger and Rosie died last week at home. Dr. Sykes made their final hours as comfortable as possible—a gift I'll always remember. The house feels empty now, our morning routine a memory. In recent years, Ginger's jogs had grown shorter, and Rosie—ever-present for a workout—slept more than watched, but they were still there, still part of the rhythm of my days. Now that rhythm is shattered. Yet in the aftermath of their passing, I knew that sitting around the house wouldn't help me honor their lives.
After some stalling and more tears, I grabbed my husband, the car keys, and headed for an early-morning track session with friends. Though hugely sympathetic, my friends were also there for a speed session, so there wasn’t much time to dwell on the loss. A grueling pyramid set forced me to focus on the task at hand. An hour or so later, I was a sweaty mess, still mourning my dogs, but still moving forward, one small step at a time.
🌞 Save the (New) Date: NewRo Summer Picnic! 🧺
Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and runner camaraderie at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale (Site #3).
When: Sunday, July 27th, 1-4 PM
Where: Ridge Road Park (wheelchair accessible)
What to Bring: Pack your favorite picnic foods and games
Who: All NewRo runners and families welcome!
RSVP to Cathy Aaron Nottage through Facebook Messenger or by email at sasha01elijah04@yahoo.com with subject line "Picnic" 🏃♀️
🌆 Run a Car-Free Manhattan: NYC's 400th Summer Streets
Ever dreamed of running down the middle of Park Avenue without a taxi in sight? On Saturday, August 2nd, join NewRo Runners as we hit the streets of Manhattan during NYC's historic 400th anniversary celebration.
The Details:
Meet: 8:00 AM, SE corner of 72nd & Park
Route: South on Park Avenue
All paces welcome
Need a ride? Join our carpool crew →
Full Summer Streets event details →
🚌 Marathon Bus: Your Ride to Race Day Magic!
Great news, NewRo! Westchester Road Runner’s legendary Marathon Bus service is back for 2025, making your NYC Marathon journey as smooth as a perfectly paced long run. Here's what you need to know:
Pick-up Points
• 5:30 AM - Westchester Road Runner (Parking available at Lyons Place garage)
• 5:45 AM - Doubletree Hotel, Tarrytown
• 6:00 AM - Burger King, Central Park Ave, Yonkers
You’ll get to Fort Wadsworth with plenty of time to soak in the pre-race atmosphere. Last year's drop-off spot worked great, and WRR is planning for the same seamless experience this November.
Details:
$54 (+ $4 booking fee)
Registration open through October 31
No return bus service - but after 26.2 miles, you'll want to savor that NYC moment!
Early bird gets the stress-free race morning!
Ready to secure your spot? Sign up here.
Level Up Your Marathon Game! Special Discount Ends July 15!
Ready to transform your marathon experience? Join MasterMyRun’s exclusive 6-session Marathon Mastery Workshop this September-October.
You'll get:
• Custom training & race-day plans
• Expert nutrition strategies
• Live Q&A with coaches
• Group support & recorded sessions
Special NewRo discount: Use code NewRo10 for 10% off the already-reduced price of $279 (reg. $329)
(Code works for all Master My Run services!)
Hurry, offer ends July 15! Sign up at mastermyrun.com/marathon-workshop
The NewRo Gear Store Is Open!
Ready to rock some fresh NewRo gear at your next race? Visit our shop to order! (Tip: Size up on Apex technical tops - they run small)
Caught on the Run
🌲 Friday Trail Run | 7:00 AM
Meeting Point: NRHS Tennis Courts (GPS: 11 Braemar Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10804)
Route: Out-and-back on Paine to Pain course
Full distance: 10K (turn-around options available)
Includes Broadview hill climb
Follows Leatherstocking Trail to Country Rd
Turn-around at Saxon Woods
Route Highlights:
Steep climb on Broadview
Trail connection at Lyncroft (between 4th/5th house)
Scenic Leatherstocking Trail section
Trail Leader: Stephen (slherzberg@aol.com)
Weekend Routes
Saturday, July 12| 7:30AM
Gillie’s Park (corner of Mamaroneck Ave and Gedney Way, White Plains NY)
4 Stages (3, 5, 7 and 10 miles)
The 3 and 5-mile routes stay mostly flat, but 7 and 10-milers will tackle Chatterton Hill—a challenging climb with over 110 feet of elevation in just ¼ mile. This same hill was hotly contested by Continental and British forces in October 1776. The 10-milers get an extra challenge: Bryant Avenue hill on the final stage. While the early miles aren't scenic, the historic Battle Avenue section makes this route worth the early wake-up call.
Stage 1 (3 miles):
From Gedney Way turn left onto Mamaroneck Ave to Bryant
At the corner of Bryant Ave & Mamaroneck Ave, turn left onto Jack Harrington Greenway
Follow the Greenway through the parking lot to Ridgeway (3rd road crossing)
Turn left on Ridgeway to Mamaroneck Ave
Turn left onto Mamaroneck Ave
Turn left onto Gedney Way
Stage 2 (5 miles):
Continue past the park on Mamaroneck and make a left onto Bryant, which becomes South Lexington
Up to Main St (Rt. 119)
Right on Main (stage 2 only) to Mamaroneck Ave
Right on Mamaroneck, follow back to park
Right on Gedney Way
Stage 3 (7 miles):
Follow Stage 2, but left on Main St
Left on Battle Ave (the hill!)
Left on Waldo
Left on Chatterton Parkway
Down to Main St (Rt. 119)
Continue onto Main St
Right to Mamaroneck Ave, follow back to Park
Right on Gedney Way
Stage 4 (10 miles):
Follow Stage 3, then left on Bryant
Right on North St
Right on Ridgeway
Right on Mamaroneck Ave to park, follow back to Park
Left on Gedney Way
Sunday, July 13| 7:30am
Where: Albert Leonard Middle School parking lot
Options: 3, 6.5, or 9 miles
Stage 1 Runners:
exit the lot, Right onto Sussex to Oxford, bear right on to Avon.
Left on North Ave
Left onto Trenor
Right onto Croft
Left onto Overhill
The 3 milers ONLY make a left go up Pinebrook
Left onto Albert Leornard
Right into the parking lot
Stage 2:
Right onto Pinebrook
Left onto Forest
Right onto Rockingstone
Follow Rockingstone straight into Chatsworth.
Right onto Huguenot and follow that into Barnard. (6.5 Milers only)
Left on Barnard, Follow to end of Pinebrook Lake
Head up Pinebrook
Left onto Albert Leornard
Right into the parking lot
Stage 3:
Those wishing the full long run continue down Chatsworth into Larchmont
Make a right onto Palmer
Left onto Larchmont Ave and follow that all the way to the water
Make a right onto Park
Make a right onto Beach
Make a left at Stuyvesant.
Make a left onto Palmer (be careful as the road winds).
Make a right onto Sunhaven
Make a sharp right onto Petersville road/Potter Ave bridge over I-95
Make a left onto Fifth ave
Make a right onto Pinebrook
Straight up Pinebrook for nearly 2 miles to the finish!
Left onto Albert Leornard
Right into the parking lot
Tuesdays | 6:15 PM | Eastchester HS Track
Join Jackie Mazariego at the Eastchester HS Track and focus your speed!
Questions? Drop a line to info@newrorunners.org
Race Calendar: Where's Your Next Start Line?
July Races
👟 Women's Distance Festival 5K | July 13 | Congers
Live and virtual options (virtual through July 20)
Benefits Center for Safety & Change
Free kids' fun run (ages 3-11)
Support the cause →
🌟 Westchester Corporate 5K | July 18 | White Plains
Fast, flat loop through downtown
Team building opportunity
Post-race party
Race with colleagues →
🏊♂️ Rye Beach Challenge | July 19 | Rye Town Beach
Choose from ½ mile swim, 1-mile swim, or swim-run-swim
Safety crews and support for all levels
25% off with code EARLYBIRD (ends July 1)
Make a splash →
🏃♂️ NYRR Team Championships 5 Miler | July 27th
Exclusive opportunity for NewRo runners! Here's why you should grab a bib:
Counts toward your 9+1
Guaranteed entry (no lottery!) through July 9th
Double points for our team rankings
Act now, limited bibs available
Email info@newrorunners.org for your special registration link.
🏃♂️🚴♂️🏊♂️ TOUGHMAN Westchester Triathlon | Sept 20-21 | Rye Playland
Two days of multi-sport challenges
Beautiful course along Long Island Sound
Perfect for first-timers and veterans alike
⚔️ Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon | October 12 | New Rochelle
Paine to Pain Half Marathon registration is open! Run the fabled Leatherstocking Trail in October. NewRo members receive a $10 discount through August 31.
Sign up here→
🏃♂️ Sleepy Hollow Halloween 10K | October 25 | RRCA Championship Race
Selected as 2025 RRCA Regional Championship Event
Championship divisions: Open, 40+, 50+, 60+ (M/F), Adaptive Athletes
15th Anniversary tech shirts
Finisher medals + special age group awards
Kids' Fun Run (all finishers receive medals)
Register at rivertownrunners.org →
🍁 Pocantico Hills Half Marathon & Marathon | November 8 | Rockefeller State Park
Beautiful fall running through historic carriage trails
Both half and full marathon options
NewRo Social Scene
Want to help plan events? Email Sophia Okeke (write SOCIAL in the subject line) at info@newrorunners.org