NewRo Runners: Your Independence Day Weekend Guide
Inside: Fourth of July Runs (Trail or Road!) → Weekend Routes →Summer Streets → Marathon Bus Info
The Long View
Spirit of the Fourth
Other than on the 4th of July, perhaps only on Thanksgiving do more runners lace up their shoes, and both are quintessentially American holidays. Just scroll down to this week’s race calendar and you’ll spot a half-dozen race listings in our corner of the country. From sea to shining sea, runners will dust off their patriotic bun huggers this Friday to brave tropical temperatures to participate in what has become a de facto component of America’s birthday festivities.
What is it about running on the 4th that feels so patriotic? Clubs from Atlanta, GA to Hingham, MA claim to be host the oldest Independence Day race, but without clear proof one way or the other, the trend seems to have taken root about sixty years ago during the first running boom.
Running represents more than mere exercise to most of you reading this newsletter. On the 4th, it transforms into civic participation, like marching in a parade or taking in the fireworks. It’s a wholly democratic endeavor—anyone who can run, can run.
A 4th of July road race perfectly reflects American values—and I’m only talking about the good ones here. Few activities let us simultaneously celebrate individual achievement while encouraging wider community connections. Marquee races like the Boston Marathon or Chicago restrict entry through lotteries, time caps, and legacy finishes, necessary though frustrating measures given their size and popularity. But your local Independence Day races welcome just about anyone, and those reasonable $30 and $40 fees usually support a charitable cause.
Each race distinctly reflects its host town. One of my favorites is the Spirit of Sandwich 5K road race held at 8am sharp in the town center. Almost as soon as the last person crosses the finish line, the parade organizers take over to prepare for the 10:30am festivities. Incorporated in 1639, Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod, boasting over 800 individual historic properties and three National Register Historic Districts. The race winds through this quaint and nostalgic living museum. In Georgia, the Atlanta Peachtree 5K claims to be the country’s largest 5K, having grown from 110 runners fifty-six years ago to 55,000 participants in 2025. For reference, 32,000 people registered for the Boston Marathon. And with over 150,000 anticipated spectators, it’s as much of a reason to party as the holiday itself.
Running in a 4th of July race is one of the few activities where participants do not care one whit about each other’s political ideology, only whether they can best their split times. Competition, after all, is a most American trait.
🌆 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!
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)
Your $30 Makes Magic Happen
Running clubs don't run on good vibes alone (though we've got plenty). For less than the cost of those fancy running socks you've been eyeing, your $30 annual dues unlock a whole year of perks:
NYC Marathon Magic: Special access to race lotteries that could land you a spot in the big show
Club Cred: Keeps us in good standing with NYRR (kind of a big deal)
Safety First: RRCA insurance coverage
Race Day Deals: Sweet discounts on local races like Paine to Pain, plus exclusive race discount codes landing in your inbox
Weekend Warrior Support: Water and supplies for our legendary group runs
Tax Perks: Your dues count as a donation (your accountant will be proud)
NewRo Team picnic!
Don't wait - keep the magic going. Pay your dues today and stay part of something special.
Caught on the Run
Independence Day Runs - Choose Your Adventure!
🌲 Trail Run at Twin Lakes
Time: 7:00 AM
Meeting Point: 992 California Rd, Eastchester
Getting There: From North Ave → Left on Mill → Left on California → First left into lot (Plenty of parking available)
Choose Your Distance:
4-Mile Route: Scenic out-and-back through Nature Study Woods (45-60 min)
7-Mile Route: Full Colonial Greenway adventure via Hutch trail (75-90 min)
Trail Leader: Stephen (slherzberg@aol.com)
🏃 Road Run from Crestwood
Time: 7:30 AM
Meeting Point: Crestwood Station Parking Lot Fisher Road, Tuckahoe (Street parking also available on Fisher Rd)
Choose Your Distance:
Quick Tour: 2-mile loop past Parkway Oval
Main Event: 5-mile route through Crestwood neighborhoods
Bonus Miles: Additional distance available on BRP path
Both routes feature historic monuments and are perfect for all paces.
First time at either run? Arrive 10 minutes early for route overview!
Weekend Routes
Saturday, July 5| 7:30AM
Crossway Field in Scarsdale (across from Scarsdale Pool)
Three Stages: 4.5 and 9 miles
This route takes us on some narrow roads. Please run single file and stay alert!
Stage 1:
Exit the parking lot and turn left up Mamaroneck Road to Crossway
Left on Crossway. Take Crossway across Weaver
Crossway turns into Daisy Farms Dr
Daisy Farms turns to Wilmot Rd
Left to stay on Wilmot Rd
Left onto New Wilmot Rd
Left onto Stratton Rd
Follow Stratton across Weaver to Rural Dive
Left on Rural to Crossway
Right on Crossway
Stage 1 and Stage 2 and 3 runners split here
Stage 1 runners only:
Right onto Mamaroneck Road and back to the parking lot
Stage 2:
Left on Mamaroneck, cross Palmer, then Heathcote, to Post Road
Stage 2 runners, turn around at Post Rd, follow Mamaroneck back to lot crossing Heathcote then Palmer
Sunday, July 6| 7:30am
Where: Ward School - Broadfield Rd off of Quaker Ridge Rd
3 stages (5k, 10k and 13.1 Miles)
Loops this Sunday to mimic three great race distances!
Stage 1-
From the parking spaces head Left (north) on Broadfield Rd
Bear Right and take it as it winds to Fenimore
Right onto Fenimore and straight into Wilmot.
Right onto Hanson and follow to Victory
Right onto Victory
Left ontoVan Etten
Right down Pinebrook
The 5k runners take the ramp up to Quaker Ridge and follow that back to the Ward School.
Stage 2-The 10k runners simply follow Pinebrook along its southerly portion, down around the lake and back up north.
Follow all the way to Fieldmere
Left up Fieldmere
Right onto Sussex and follow across Quaker Ridge back to school.
Stage 3- (most of the following route should be familiar to all)
The half marathoners make a left onto Forest on the way down Pinebrook.
Right onto Rockingstone
Rockingstone becomes Chatsworth and all the way to Rt 1.
Cross Rt 1 and onto Monroe.
Left onto Woodbine
Quick right onto Ocean.
Follow Ocean to end, right on Magnolia Ave.
Sharp left onto Park
Follow park (it’s a large circle) until you get to Beach and make a right.
Right onto Beach
Follow Beach to Rt 1.
Right onto Rt 1 and get to Larchmont Ave.
Left onto Larchmont.
Left onto Palmer
Right onto Potter Ave and make a right over the Potter Ave bridge.
Left onto Fifth Ave
Right onto Pinebrook, go up Pinebrook
Left onto Overhill and go up the hill. (we are going to need a short loop here to make the run a full 13.1 miles so stay with me!).
Left onto Croft and go to Overlook
Right onto Overlook
Right onto Carlisle,
Right onto Trenor
Right onto Sussex
Now the straight finish home along Sussex to the Ward school!
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
🎆 Independence Day Race Roundup
Putnam County Classic
📍 Brewster, NY
⏰ 7:00 AM
🏃♀️ Historic 8-mile course + post-race BBQ
Join the tradition →
Firecracker 4-Miler
📍 Cranford, NJ
⏰ 8:00 AM
🏃♀️ Fast, flat course through downtown
Race details →
Bellmore Independence Day Run
📍 Bellmore, NY
⏰ 8:00 AM (1-Mile) / 8:30 AM (4-Mile)
🏃♀️ Two-race option, rain or shine
Register here →
Four on the Fourth
📍 New Canaan, CT
⏰ 8:00 AM
🏃♀️ Classic 4-mile downtown route
Sign up →
59th Annual Firecracker 8K
📍 Bethel, CT
⏰ 8:00 AM
🏃♀️ Historic race with small-town charm
Join the tradition →
Westport Summer Series 5K
📍 Westport, CT
⏰ July 5, 8:30 AM
🏃♀️ First of 10 progressive distance races through scenic Westport
Join the series →
👟 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
Share your goals in our Facebook group and Instagram
Thanks for your mention of the Hingham Road Race on 7/4. Did this morning with my sister, niece, nephew & his girlfriend....have been doing it for as long as I can remember... Spent my summers growing up in next town of Hull. Now come up as often as possible, but always for the 4th .