Race Day Logistics
Schedule
| Sat Jul 11 |
3:00–7:00 PM — Packet pickup at the Phoenicia Fire Company, 51 Main Street. 6:00 PM — Pre-race briefing (optional but recommended). Pizza provided. |
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| Sun Jul 12 |
5:00 AM — Parking lot opens 5:15–6:15 AM — Race-morning packet pickup 6:15 AM — Final runner briefing at start line 6:30 AM — Race start 10:00 AM — First finishers expected 2:00 PM — Official cutoff, finish line closes 2:30 PM — Awards ceremony at the firehouse |
Parking
Free parking is available in the municipal lot behind the Phoenicia Diner (entrance from Plank Road) and along Main Street. Do not park on Route 214 — your car will be towed by the state.
If the main lot is full, overflow parking is at the Phoenicia Elementary School, 0.3 miles east on Main Street. A shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 5:15 AM to 6:20 AM.
Lodging
Phoenicia, Mt. Tremper, and Shandaken all have options within 15 minutes of the start. Book early — the weekend fills up.
| Phoenicia |
The Graham & Co. (boutique, book 2 months out) Phoenicia Lodge (motel, walking distance to start) Cobblestone Motel (motel, 1 mi east) |
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| Mt. Tremper |
Emerson Resort & Spa (fancier, 4 mi east) Zen Mountain Monastery (guest rooms, quiet) |
| Camping |
Woodland Valley State Campground (3 mi, reservations required) Kenneth L. Wilson Campground (6 mi) |
For Spectators
The course is a 26.2-mile point-to-loop beginning and ending in the village of Phoenicia. Roughly half of the course is on public roads accessible by car; the climb between miles 8 and 14 is on closed fire road and is not open to spectator vehicles. Five recommended viewing locations are described below, listed in the order runners reach them.
1. Start Line — Main Street, Phoenicia (Mile 0)
| Address | 70 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464 (municipal lot behind Phoenicia Diner) |
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| Best arrival | 5:45–6:15 AM. The start area is closed to spectator vehicles after 6:15 AM. |
| What you’ll see | Bib pickup, runner staging, the national anthem at 6:25 AM, and the mass start at 6:30 AM. |
| Parking | Free in the municipal lot, plus on-street parking along Main Street and Plank Road. |
| Amenities | Coffee and pastries provided by the Phoenicia Diner; portable restrooms; PA announcements; first-aid tent. |
2. Mile 5 — Woodland Valley Road Crossing
| Location | Pull-off at the junction of Woodland Valley Road and High Falls Lane — 1.8 miles west of the start. |
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| Timing | Lead runners: 7:05–7:15 AM · Mid-pack: 7:30–8:00 AM · Last runners: 8:15–8:30 AM. |
| Parking | Shoulder pull-offs only, approximately 10 cars total. Do not park on the road or block driveways. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. |
| Notes | The road remains open to local traffic. Stay on the south shoulder and keep children within arm’s reach. There are no restrooms or amenities at this location. |
3. Mile 16 — Tom Werner Aid Station
| Location | End of the orange-signed gravel spur off Woodland Valley Road, 6.2 miles from the start. Look for course volunteers in orange vests. |
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| Driving time | Approximately 25 minutes from the village (winding road, low speed limits). |
| Timing | Lead runners: 9:00–9:30 AM · Mid-pack: 10:15–11:15 AM · Last runners: 11:45 AM–12:00 PM. |
| Parking | Gravel lot, capacity approximately 40 vehicles. Arrive before 8:30 AM to secure a spot. No parking along the spur road; vehicles will be towed. |
| Amenities | Portable restrooms, drinking water for spectators, shaded seating area. This is the longest-staffed station on the course and is well-suited for spectators planning to stay several hours. |
| Recommended for | Family groups, supporters tracking a single runner, anyone bringing a folding chair. |
4. Mile 20 — Panther Mountain Aid Station
| Location | Pull-out at the base of the Panther Mountain descent, where the course rejoins paved road. About 4.5 miles from the village along Esopus Creek Road. |
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| Driving time | Approximately 15 minutes from the village. |
| Timing | Lead runners: 9:45–10:00 AM · Mid-pack: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM · Last runners: 12:45–1:00 PM. |
| Parking | Limited gravel pull-out, capacity approximately 20 vehicles. Carpooling required. Overflow vehicles will be turned back. |
| Amenities | Portable restroom, water station for runners only. No spectator water; bring your own. |
| Notes | The final descent is steep; runners are working hard at this point. Cheering is appreciated but please keep clear of the timing mat and the narrow chute past the aid table. |
5. Finish Line — Main Street, Phoenicia (Mile 26.2)
| Address | Main Street, Phoenicia — the same area as the start. Designated spectator zone is along the east side of the street (see map on the home page). |
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| Timing | First finishers: approximately 10:00 AM · Most finishers: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM · Final cutoff: 2:00 PM. |
| Parking | Municipal lot opens to spectators at 10:00 AM (closed for race operations earlier). Overflow available at the Phoenicia Elementary School lot, 0.3 miles east. |
| Awards ceremony | 2:30 PM at the Phoenicia Fire Company, 51 Main Street — a five-minute walk from the finish. |
| Amenities | Food trucks, water, beer garden (21+, ID required), live results board, first-aid tent, family meet-up area marked with a yellow banner. |
Driving Between Locations
Allow 20–30 minutes between any two viewing points. Mountain roads are narrow and runners will be crossing in places. The table below shows approximate drive times if you plan to follow a single runner through multiple stations.
| Start → Mile 5 | 10 min · 1.8 mi via Woodland Valley Rd |
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| Mile 5 → Mile 16 | 20 min · 4.4 mi via Woodland Valley Rd + spur |
| Mile 16 → Mile 20 | 30 min · back through the village to Esopus Creek Rd |
| Mile 20 → Finish | 15 min · 4.5 mi via Esopus Creek Rd |
Tracking a Specific Runner
Each runner’s bib carries a chip timer. Splits are recorded at miles 5, 10, 16, 20, and the finish. A live results board at the finish line is updated every 15 minutes; the same data is posted to the results page with a 20–30 minute delay. Cell service is unreliable on the course, so we recommend agreeing on a meet-up time and location with your runner before the race.
Spectator Guidelines
- Do not give food, drink, or other supplies to any runner other than your own party. Aid-station supplies are planned to specific quantities, and unexpected nutrition can affect a runner’s pacing or cause stomach issues.
- Dogs on a short leash are welcome at the start and finish areas only. Dogs are not permitted at aid stations or on the course.
- Cowbells, signs, and verbal cheering are welcomed. Air horns, drones, and amplified music are prohibited at all locations.
- Spectators must remain behind designated lines, fencing, or volunteer-marked boundaries at every aid station. Do not enter the runner chute at the finish.
- Children should be supervised at all times, particularly at road crossings and the finish chute.
- Smoking is not permitted within 50 feet of any aid station or the finish area.
- Cell coverage is limited along Woodland Valley Road and at the mile 16 station. Plan meet-up locations in advance.
Accessibility
The start and finish areas on Main Street are paved and ADA-accessible, including portable restrooms with accessible models. The mile 5 and mile 20 pull-offs are unpaved gravel and uneven; reasonable mobility is required. The mile 16 spectator area requires walking approximately 200 feet on a gravel path from the parking lot. Spectators with specific access needs may contact the race director in advance to arrange closer parking.
Packet Pickup
Pickup is Saturday 3:00–7:00 PM at the Phoenicia Fire Company. Race-morning pickup is available but discouraged — the line gets long.
You must present a photo ID. You may pick up a friend’s packet with their ID (a photo on your phone is fine). Your packet contains: bib, safety pins, chip timer, shirt, and a few sponsor coupons.
What to Bring
- Hydration carrier. With aid stations only at miles 10, 16, and 20, runners should carry a handheld bottle or hydration vest.
- Fuel. Aid stations stock energy gels and chews; runners with a preferred brand or formulation should bring their own.
- Hat or visor and sunscreen — the section between miles 10 and 14 is exposed.
- Insect repellent. The Woodland Valley section is wooded and mosquitoes are common in July.
- Cash. Cell coverage at the finish-area food trucks is unreliable; cash is recommended for post-race purchases.
- A whistle. Required for any runner continuing past mile 14 alone (no other runner within sight).
Weather
Typical July race-day conditions in Phoenicia:
| Start (6:30 AM) | 52–60°F, often foggy in the valley |
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| Mid-race | 65–75°F, cooler at altitude |
| Finish | 75–82°F, humid |
| Storms | Afternoon thunderstorms are common. If lightning is observed, the race will be held at the nearest aid station until it passes. |
Awards
- Overall M/W/NB top 3 — engraved slate plaque, made locally
- Masters (40+) M/W top 3 — engraved slate plaque
- Age-group winners (10-year bands, M/W) — engraved medal
- All finishers — wooden finisher medal and commemorative pint glass
- Lanterne Rouge (last official finisher) — recognition at the awards ceremony