NewRo Runners: The French Running Revolution (Plus Routes 6/28 & 6/29)
In This Issue: →Summer Picnic Details →NYC Marathon Bus Info →Race Calendar Updates
The Long View
French Twist
Setting foot in the Luxembourg Gardens during a post-flight, jetlagged jog, I instantly realized something had changed: the French now love to run—a shocking revelation, having lived in Paris in 2001, when running was most assuredly a faux pas.
Back then, I could count on one hand the number of runners I crossed on my daily morning trots. Garbage collectors hurled unpleasantries and I learned to hurl them back (language acquisition in action!). I enlisted an acquaintance who declared running would help him quit smoking and improve his judo. But after he bailed, I became once again the lone joggeuse américaine.
On intervening trips, I stuck to the hotel treadmill if there was one or took the week off, such was my ennui.
This time would be different—local opinions be damned. Once dislodged after a flight spent crumpled in steerage I suggested to my husband that we stretch our legs and go for a jog—maybe that would help us get acclimated to the new time zone.
Something felt different almost as soon as we hit the streets. “American tourists,” I thought. But mon dieu, was I wrong.
Everywhere, in every direction, were les coureurs français. Men, women, young, old, débutants and veterans. I felt I had stumbled into a glorious alternate universe fueled by red wine and baguettes.
This was no fluke. French runners are real, and they have taken over Paris. Early morning jaunts were no longer solo affairs but practically bustling with locals getting in their miles. Along the Seine a sea of solo runners and run clubbers stretched from one landmark to another. Running specialty stores now dot the boulevards, as do flagships for major retailers like Salomon and France’s #1 selling shoe brand, ASICS.
One afternoon, I popped into a magazine stall, half-expecting to find a translated Runner’s World. Instead, I left €100 poorer, arms full of four different French-language running magazines—not a Rodale publication among them. Even when I left Paris for the Camargue—French cowboy country in the Rhone River delta—runners graced sandy trails and sidewalks. Some light Googling revealed that France now boasts nearly 13 million runners. Logique.
At a ranch in the Camargue, where cowboys snatch pompoms from charging bulls in a bloodless version of corrida, I spotted a young man in a 2024 Berlin Marathon finisher's jersey. When I asked about his race experience, he looked puzzled.
“Oh, I don’t run much,” he shrugged. But the shirt? C’est chic, non?”
Twenty-five years after dodging insults as the lone joggeuse, I laughed.
Vive les Français.
🌞 Save the Date: NewRo Summer Picnic! 🧺
Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and runner camaraderie at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale (Site #2).
When: July 19th, 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 info@newrorunners.org with subject line "Picnic" 🏃♀️
🚌 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!
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
Hit the Trails!
Friday, June 27 | 7:00am
Where: Twin Lakes Parks Equestrian Center 992 California Rd, Eastchester, NY 10709
From North Ave: Left on Mill → Left on California → First left into parking lot
Choose Your Adventure: All routes are out-and-back, so customize your distance and pace.
Base Route: 4-mile out-and-back through Nature Study Woods to Colonial Greenway
Extended Route: 7-mile journey up the Hutch trail
New to trail running? Questions about the route? Reach out to Stephen at slherzberg@aol.com
Weekend Routes
Saturday, June 28| 7:30AM
Golden Horseshoe Parking lot in Scarsdale (1088 Wilmot Road - just off the Five Corners)
Two Stages: 3.5 and 6.5 miles
Stage 1:
Exit the parking lot and turn right onto Wilmot Road to Dorchester Road
Right on Dorchester to Morris
Left on Morris to Murray Hill Road
Left on Murray Hill to Cooper Road
Right on Cooper to Reimer
Right on Reimer over Murray Hill where it becomes Dolma Road
Straight on Dolma to Birchall
Left on Birchall to Kelwynne Road
Right on Kelwynne to Heathcote
Left on Heathcote to Wilmot
Right on Wilmot back to the parking lot
Stage 2:
Pass the lot and continue to Baraud Road
Right on Baraud, which becomes Drake to Route 22
Right on Route 22
Right (immediate and sharp) on Heathcote to Wilmot
Right on Wilmot back to the parking lot
Sunday, June 29| 7:30am
Where: Scarsdale HS Track Parking Lot (Wayside Lane entrance)
Choose Your Distance:
Short Loop: 3 miles
Long Loop: 6.5 miles
Route Details:
Start: Exit lot → Left on Wayside → Right on Post Road
Right on Post Road → Right on Popham → Right on East Parkway
Right on Crane → Quick left on Fox Meadow → Right to Olmstead
Short Loop (3 miles):
Right on Olmstead → Right on Brewster
Follow track perimeter back to parking lot
Long Loop (6.5 miles):
Continue on Fox Meadow, turns into Walworth Ave. → Right on Quinby
Climb Quinby Hill toward Post Road
Right on Greenacres Ave
Left on Kingston Rd
Right on Brewster Rd, follow Brewster down to track.
Follow track perimeter back to 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?
June Races!
🏃♂️ Pound Ridge 5K & Kids' Fun Run | June 29 | Pound Ridge
Point-to-point course with shuttle service
Race shirt and pint glass included
Family-friendly post-race party
Sign up here →
July Races!
🎆 Putnam County Classic | July 4 | Brewster
Historic 8-mile course through Putnam County
Early 7AM start to beat the heat
Post-race BBQ and festivities
Join the holiday tradition →
👟 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→
🍁 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