Run of the Month- The Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon

I love writing the running part of the monthly newsletter, and last month I skipped it for the first time in a year!
The unfortunate truth is that I have taken some time off running as I deal with a hip issue – not exactly related to running, but I

was a bit distracted, and pretty sad not to be running for the next couple of months.

Writing about running made my missing it much too much last month!

But now I’m back.
Think of me on your next run, and I’ll be happy to tell you all about it if you want to know more.
In the meantime, I thought I’d tell you about a terrific run that’s within striking distance of New York City, in Sleepy Hollow.

Sleepy Hollow is one of the river towns very easy to get to by Metro North.

All you need is money for a train ticket, and off you can go.

Sleepy Hollow offers some great trail running, incredibly challenging hills, and lovely people.

Here is the link to the race’s page.

The race was this past weekend.

And here is the link to the course:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/478906553
My friends and I had run the last 3 years.

Two years ago I used it as a last preparation for my Boston Marathon run in 2013 – a hilly challenge. Then, last year was as icy and cold as this year – though how quickly we forget that this winter is perhaps not the worst ever, last winter was pretty brutal, too.

The reason I bring it up: they made the course more road-heavy, and less through some of the back trails.

Here is a link to some of the trails which have recently been left off the course.
The hills are rolling, and they start immediately.

The start itself is one big hill, heading Northeast.

As you leave downtown Sleepy Hollow you hit quiet, non-residential roads, and you almost immediately hit another real zinger.

The biggest hill is between miles 4-6, where you’re running Northeast along Sleepy Hollow Road, and then Route 117.

This part of the race used to be about 0.75 miles straight up, so be thankful that there are more rolling hills now!
Even still, it’s quite a set of hills that peak as you turn back and head towards Phelps Hospital.
What I recall, year to year, is the drum circle you hear as you approach and pass under Route 9 at about the 7 mile mark, followed by some killer hills and peeks of the Hudson.

The 2014 and 2015 courses avoided some of the more barren parts of the abandoned GM plant along the Hudson, replaced with a more winding version where you can see more runners ahead and behind you.

I found this offers a little push and motivation.
Once past the Hospital Hills, you head South through the residential parts of town – fun, historic, with homespun concerns given by high school-aged bands, and weekend warrior bands as well.

This is a photo of the Philipsburg Manor, one of the many historic homes you see during the run – very neat.

As long as you don’t get a brutally cold day or hate hills, it’s a really fun run.
The end of the race doesn’t get any easier, in that you run a crushing hill for the last quarter mile as you turn south onto Pocantico Street.

But when it’s over, there’s beer at the end, and very friendly locals who are happy to cheer for you.
There are lots of these local races – you could be missing out if you’re not exploring outside of Manhattan!
The Brooklyn Half is in 2 months, so get ready….
Have a great day and enjoy – send me some of your

runs you want to share.
-S