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March 16, 2024 Rochester, NY 14604 US Directions
A ROCHESTER ROAD RUNNING TRADITION
Countdown to Race Day

Events

YMCA of Greater Rochester & UR Medicine Present:

27th Annual 5-Mile Race

$40
($20: Ages 0 - 18)
03/15 9:30AM EDT - 12:00PM EDT Price increases after December 30, 2024 at 12:00am EST
Join us Virtually if you choose!

Virtual 5 Mile Race

$40
($20: Ages 0 - 18)
Price increases after January 5, 2025 at 12:00am EST

Ruckin' of the Green

$40 03/15 9:30AM EDT - 12:00PM EDT Price increases after December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

Walkin' of the Green

$40 03/15 9:30AM EDT - 12:00PM EDT Price increases after December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

Race Website

Additional race information can be found at http://www.runninofthegreen.com.

Place

250 East Main Street
Rochester, NY US 14604

Description

MARCH 15, 2025 9:30 AM | Mercantile on Main

The ice is melting, the bagpipes are calling, and you're running fast down Main Street towards green donuts and live music. Join us for a fun time, maybe a fast time, and definitely a party time. Rochester's Runnin' of The Green 5-mile is back for it's 27th year.

No fees on race registrations.

A 5 mile out and back course along the Genesee River, Runnin' of The Green presented by YMCA of Greater Rochester & UR Medicine, is Rochester's un-official start to the racing season. Run in person or virtually to celebrate the season.

All Registrants Receive:

  • Runnin' of The Green race medal
  • Cotton long sleeve shirt **Sign up by 2/25 to guarantee your shirt size**
  • Themed post-race snacks & beverages (green donuts, apples, beer, cider to name a few)
  • Free Post Race Party at The Mercantile (live music, games from vendors, and fun!)
  • Complementary bag drop for a better post race party
  • Additional food and beverages are available for purchase from the great options in the mercantile

Official Race Guide (Coming Soon!)

New race guide will be published soon!

Race Details

In-Person Race:

When: March 15, 2025
Race Start: 9:30 AM
Start Location: 285 East Main Street. Downtown Rochester, NY | DIRECTIONS

Start & Finish: East Main Street, outside Mercantile on Main
No wave start. 
Course: 5 Miles out and back along the Genesee River.

 

Virtual Race:

Run your 5 miles anywhere you want, SAFELY and post your results on the page!
Submit your results anytime starting at 9:30am March 15, 2024 to 11:59pm March 23, 2025

At Registration:

Select "Ship your Swag" unless you'd like to come in-person to packet pickup to get your swag** 

Submit Your Results:

1 - Log into Your RunSignup Account here: runsignup.com/Login
2 - Go to Your Profile: runsignup.com/Profile
3 - Click Submit Virtual Results on the Event for which You have Results
More on How To

Registration Information

Registration                 Cost                                     Giveaways
Before 1/1/25               $40 (includes fees)               Sweatshirt upgrade instead of LS T-Shirt + medal 
**Sign up by 2/26 to guarantee your shirt size**
Before 2/1                     $40 (includes fees)               LS t-shirt (while supplies last)+ medal
2/1 - 3/14                      $45  (includes fees)               LS t-shirt (while supplies last) + medal
DAY OF (March 15)     $50  (includes fees)               LS t-shirt (while supplies last) + medal

KIDS 18 + under are ONLY $20.00

SAVE $10: Help the environment and your pockets: Select the Green Option to skip a shirt and medal.

2024 USATF Niagara Members: Register by 3/8/2024 for a $5 discount

REGISTER HERE

Lifetime Membership

Lifetime Membership is available for Runnin' of the Green!

We have over 10 lifetime members already along with any past winners of the race!  All winners are automatically lifetime members.

You are able to pick a lifetime member number (first come, first serve) and will always be guaranteed the best giveaways!

This membership is non-transferable and guaranteed for life for the person who purchases it!

https://runsignup.com/Club/NY/Rochester/LifetimeRunninoftheGreenMembers

Pace Project

Train with the Pace Project:

Join the Pace Project running group Wednesday evenings with Carly Graham Brady! Each week we will warm up together, do the workout with your goals in mind, and cool down with a brief stretch after.
What you get: 

  • Weekly speed workouts catered to getting you ready for the 5 mile race!
  • Wednesday evenings at 5:45pm, starting January 8th until Race Day (And beyond if you'd like to stay with it all year long!)
  • Weekly emails that include the prescribed workout and the goals behind it, so that it can be completed with most benefit to you!
  • RRC Socks
  • $80.00 for 2 months of training leading up to the race ($50 per month normally) 
  • Add the training course at Registration here

Packet Pick Up Information

We strongly encourage you to get your packet BEFORE Race Day!

Packet Pick Up at your Local YMCA

Monday, March 11 | 5pm - 7pm | Westside YMCA - 920 Elmgrove Road
Tuesday, March 12 | 5pm - 7pm | Schottland YMCA - 2300 W. Jefferson Road

Packet Pick Up at Rochester Running Company

12pm - 6pm
Wednesday, March 13 
Thursday, March 14
Friday, March 15

Day of Packet Pickup - March 15

AT THE RACE | Inside Mercantile on Main
8:15am - 9:15am

2025 Course Information

5 Miles out and back
USATF Certified Course 
Start and Finish: East Main Street/Mercantile

Bag Check

Keep your items safe until the end of the race! To make your post race party even better, Rochester Running Company is offering complementary bag drop. 

Starting at 8:15am Race Day
You MUST USE a clear plastic bag for your belongings. Clear bags will be provided in your race packet.

Volunteers will be on hand to help you attach the tear-off tag on your race bib to your bag. Once you have finished your race, you can pick up your bag inside of the Mercantile where they were dropped off.

Be sure you have what you will need during the race before you drop off your bag! You will not be able to get your bag until AFTER the race.

Parking Information

There is no special event parking. 

Best Places to Park

Mortimer Garage and South Ave Garage are available and closest to the Mercantile on Main.

Plan extra time to find parking the morning of the race 
The Parade Route is along East and Main- traffic will be closed in that area 

Post Race Party

After the race is the post-race party!

Once you finish, head inside the Mercantile for:

  • Live results
  • Live music
  • Green donuts
  • Apples
  • Cider
  • Beer (Provided by Rohrbach Brewing)
  • Awards Presentation ~ 11:45-12:00pm
  • Photo stations
  • Vendors with games

Awards & Prizes

Age Group Awards

Top 3 in each age group will be awarded.
Age groups: 5 Year age groups to 80+ 

USATF Members:

As the 2024 USATF Niagara 5 Mile Open/Masters Association Championship, Runnin' of The Green is a part of the 2024 USATF Niagara Runner Of The Year and USATF Niagara Team Grand Prix Series.
Awards for USATF Niagara Members only are awarded for the Championship.
$3000 in prize money will be distributed.
Overall M/F: 1st $500, 2nd $350, 3rd $250, 4th $150, 5th $100, 6th $50.
Overall Masters M/F: $100.
USATF Membership Info

Rochester Runner of the Year:

Runnin' of the Green is the first race of the Greater Rochester Track Club (GRTC) Runner of the Year Race Season. Get a jump start for the Series!
More Info: https://rochesterrunneroftheyear.org/

Presenting Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Valued Sponsors

Official Bike Shop Sponsor

Most Spirited Award Sponsor

Official Hydration Sponsor

Post Race Beer from Rohrbach Brewing

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
Find more information about race day here and on our race details page.

Where should I park?
There is no special parking for race participants. Many parking garages and street parking around the race location are free on Saturday mornings; however, we cannot guarantee free parking. Participants are responsible for their parking costs. Please allow ample time to find parking and arrive at the Mercantile.

Closest Parking garages:
Mortimer Street Garage (83 Mortimer St, Rochester, NY 14604)
South Ave Garage (39 Stone St, Rochester, NY 14604)
Court St. Garage (Court Street Garage, 194 Court St, Rochester, NY 14604)
Civic Center Garage (55 S Fitzhugh St, Rochester, NY 14614)

What time does the Mercantile open?
The Mercantile is open race day at 8 am for both race participants and spectators.

Is there a bag check?
Yes. The Bag Check is inside the Mercantile. All in-person participant packets include a clear plastic bag. This clear plastic bag MUST be used to check a bag. No other bags will be accepted. You may not put full backpacks or personal bags inside the clear bag. You'll need to transfer all contents into this clear drawstring bag. ALL checked items must fit inside the clear bag.
The bag check will open at 8 am. Bags can only be checked in ONCE before the start of the race and can be picked up post-race, bag check will close approximately 60 minutes after the race. 

Will there be ID check?
Participants over 21 and interested in drinking post-race must show their race bib at the bar to redeem their one free beer at the post-race party. You cannot redeem your free beer if you do not have your race bib. Spectators must show ID at the bar to drink.

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Directions

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