Rock The River Races To Benefit Palisades Park Commission – Pascack Press & Northern Valley Press

PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK, N.J.—You can enjoy running, stay fit, and benefit the Palisades Parks Conservancy on Sept. 22 at Rock the River, a series of three races that begin on the banks of Hudson River just north of the George Washington Bridge. 

By running in a Rock the River Race, participants help and protect the Palisades Interstate Park, say race organizers, a unique natural resource and public space. 

The Palisades Cliffs were formed around two hundred million years ago, race organizers point out, and today stand approximately 500 feet tall and stretch for 20 miles between Jersey City and Nyack, N.Y. 

Dedicated in 1909, the New Jersey portion of the PIP grew to encompass more than 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs, including the Palisades themselves. More than 100,000 visitors come to the New Jersey parks each year to take advantage of the more than 30 miles of hiking and ski trails, a boat launching ramp, a scenic riverside drive, a cliff-top parkway and overlooks, riverfront picnic areas and playgrounds, a nature sanctuary, two boat basins, historic sites—and mile after mile of rugged woodlands and vistas just minutes from midtown Manhattan. 

The Half Marathon and the 5K are out and back races that follow the Henry Hudson Drive, one of America’s oldest scenic roads. The Trail Run follows the Long Path and Shore Trails after peeling off from Henry Hudson Drive. Trail runners will travel along the top of the Palisades cliffs, before descending to Ross Dock to finish. These are challenging races, but rewarding and beautiful, say organizers. 

Go to www.rocktheriverrace.com to register. Here are the options for participants, and descriptions from race organizers:

• Half Marathon: “The Palisades Half Marathon is a challenging but rewarding race. Run along the historic Henry Hudson Drive—one of the nation’s first recognized scenic roads—as you ascend, then descend the cliffs. With an elevation change of over 1200 feet, this course may be tough, but the setting makes it more than worth it!”

• 5K Race: “The 5K is another beautiful race, with an elevation change of just over 200 feet up and down. Start at the Hudson River and head about halfway up the cliffs and back down to Ross Dock park.”

• 6K Trail Run & Walk: “The 6K Trail Run & Walk offers an opportunity to walk, hike, or run the course along the beautiful Long Path up the cliffs, across the ridgeline, then back down to the river.”

• Volunteer: The race needs volunteers! “Help make Rock the River the best race it can be to support public access and trails in the Palisades Interstate parkland. Find out how to volunteer on race day or help set up the day before.