I signed up for this race because:

• I had a free hotel room.
• I could combine this NYC trip with a college reunion that day.
• I like Governor’s Island.
• It offered a 10k option and there are not many 10ks.
• I ran this route in August 2024 and needed a re-do (with cooler temps).

Here’s cool fun fact:

The race is called the “Squirrel Stampede” because Governors Island was originally called Nutten Island by the Dutch way back in the 1600s for it’s abundance of nut trees. (Squirrels love nuts, right?)

I’ve run two races before on Governor’s Island.

A 5k back in 2018.

Then in August last year, I ran a 10k on GI on a very hot day..

So I was familiar with the logistics and the ferry.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

The day before the race, I arrived by train in Manhattan and filled the day with many sights: 911 Memorial, Little Italy, Battery City Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, meetup with Cari…

Don’t ask me how many miles I put on my legs .. LOL.

I carb loaded with pasta at lunch and for dinner Cari and I had gelato.

Eventually I took the subway back to my hotel, got my stuff ready for the next day and tried unsuccessfully to get a good night’s sleep..

Here is the description of the race and the course map:

Enjoy a picturesque tour of Governors Island with amazing views of New York Harbor and the greatest city in the world! The 10K is two loops of the island.

Entry to the NYCRUNS Squirrel Stampede 10K includes ferry rides for you and your family/friends, your race-entry, an official race shirt and some tasty post-race eats (no nuts)!

Race Day:

I got up before I needed to and had coffee and oatmeal in my hotel room. Although the race did not start until 9 am, they suggested that you take the 7 am or 7:30 am ferry.

I left my hotel around 6:30 am, hopped on the subway.

The sun was now out and it was starting to get warm. UGH!

I just missed getting on the 7 am ferry (it only holds 290 persons) but that was fine since I was planning on the 7:30 one.

The line got longer and longer (we joked that it may have stretched to the Brooklyn Bridge since there were about 700 runners for this race not counting families and spectators).

It was a nice quick ride.

As soon as we arrived, we remembered that there were real restrooms.  Always a great race perk.

Then I followed signs toward the race start.

It wasn’t a short walk but lots to view (old buildings, forts, Manhattan skyline).

Eventually I arrived at the starting area.

I picked up my shirt (You could wait until after but doubtful to get your size).

Bag check was very organized so I left my shirt there…

Then I walked around checking out the logistics. I ate some pretzels since it had been a while since my breakfast.

and eventually taking a seat and chatting with other runners while waiting for the race to begin.

Eventually it was time to enter my corral…

I had loved the course in the past and was excited to do this race…

As you can see from the map, the course winds around the island.. TWICE.  There were rolling hills throughout but nothing steep.

I am not going to give a mile by mile recap of the race (as I normally do).

I was determined to run the early miles slower than usual (no 9 min. miles) and not die for the second half of the race.

And I did for the most part but still it was warm and humid and the 2nd half of the race was hard.

I only walked at the mile markers and the water stops at the beginning.

The hills as I said were not steep but annoying because it was so sunny and the trees provided zero shade.

As a result, I ran slower each mile and I just walked when I felt I needed to…

But obviously I did and so I walked A LOT.

The views were great and island scenery varied.

And I seesawed with a younger couple as we egged each other on during the last mile (You can see below that it helped.)

And I finished!!! And not a course PW!!

This was the only squirrel that I saw… LOL

Post Race Activities:

I was soooo sweaty.  I headed to bag check and immediately changed into a dry shirt (the race shirt).

Then I grabbed a bagel, pretzels and an apple and beeline to the ferry.

And we waited and waited and waited… In the sun.  I was dying.  At least I had a bagel to eat.

Eventually the ferry arrived, emptied, loaded and we arrived back in Manhattan.

I ran to the subway.  I had to rush back to my hotel, shower, change, check out and meet my friends for a quick lunch before seeing a Broadway show and dinner.

A very long day (as I arrived home by bus around midnight) but worth it.

Additional Race Reflections:

Definitely a tough one but hey, I did it. And it wasn’t as challenging as the last time I ran this course.

Last year I finished this course (but it was hotter) 8 minutes slower!!!

I ran the Mini 10k this year about the same (though that race was HILLY).

No matter what, racing for me is always enjoyable (at least a few hours afterward.)

Positives:

• Bibs mailed (if you are a NYCRUNS member).
• Free ferry.
• Shirts distributed before and after the race.
• Real restrooms,
• Organized bag check.
• Nuun at the water stops.
• 4 Water Stops (2 that you pass twice)
• Well marked course.
• Scenic views.
• Bagels (and cream cheese) after the race.
• Free Massages after and before.
• Free MarathonFoto pics.

Negatives:

• 10 year age group awards (and none after 70)
• Little shade
• Warm & humid temps
• Arriving too early
• Having to rush back to my hotel
• Long waits for the ferry.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. And if I lived in NYC, I would run this course again as it is offered by NYCRUNS several times a year..

There was a lot of enthusiasm and runners of all ages.

I would recommend hanging out on the island after the race and exploring.

Final Stats: