RUNNIN’
OF THE
GREEN 2026 Official Race Guide
March 14 • 9:30am The Mercantile on Main Images courtesy of Ron Heerkens Jr., Goat Factory Media
Presented by The YMCA of Greater Rochester & UR Medicine
ROCHESTER’S RACING SEASON STARTS
MARCH MARCH 14! 14!
CONTENTS A Note From the Race Director Packet Pickup Details Thank You to Our Sponsors FAQs & Parking Course Map On Course Support Meet Your Pacers Bag Check Information Post Race Party Details Awards Information Thank You, Volunteers RRC Group Run Info Robinhood Race Calendar
A ROCHESTER TRADITION Every year, right around the beginning of March, my anxiety kicks into high gear. I find myself constantly wondering: What will the weather do? How many runners will register? Will we have enough donuts, beer, t-shirts, and medals? That stress lingers for weeks, but it comes from a place of deep care. I want to deliver an event you can truly be proud to be a part of. At Rochester Running Company, we organize or assist with over 60 events a year, but this one is different. It carries a rich history and a heavy responsibility. It marks the kickoff to another local racing season and celebrates the summer of opportunity ahead for our community. Many of you train hard all winter to see what the new year has in store. For others, this might be your first event in a while—or maybe even your first race ever. I view this race as a chance to bridge the old with the new. We still hand out the traditional long-sleeve shirts, though I’ve opted for a slightly softer blend than the heavy cotton ones from when Bill Kehoe was at the helm (even if part of me still loves that classic, rough cotton). We still offer traditional prize money for top finishers, but we’ve also embraced the USATF competition to draw in some of the region's best athletes. We still run the traditional 5-mile course, but we now invite people to ruck the route, walk the five miles, or join us for a 3-mile walk just to celebrate the day together. It’s a constant balancing act: preserving the storied history of the event while keeping it fresh and welcoming. When you cross that finish line, I want you to walk away feeling that—despite some of the flaws of our downtown, our city, or even my own anxiety-laden race planning—you experienced something rooted in a profound respect for our community and our streets. Thank you for joining us this year. Please know that you make the stress, the sleepless nights, and the successes completely worth it. I am deeply honored to carry on the tradition of the Runnin’ of the Green.
Jonathan Griffiths, Race Director Owner, Rochester Running Co
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RUNNIN' OF THE GREEN
PACKET PICKUP Monday, March 9 Westside YMCA • 5 - 7 pm 920 Elmgrove Rd
Tuesday, March 10 Schottland YMCA • 5 - 7pm 2300 W. Jefferson Road
Wednesday, March 11 Rochester Running Co • 12 - 6 pm 1387 Mt Hope Ave
Thursday, March 12 Rochester Running Co • 12 - 6 pm 1387 Mt Hope Ave
Friday, March 13 Rochester Running Co • 12 - 6 pm 1387 Mt Hope Ave
Race Day, March 14 The Mercantile (Upstairs) • 8:15 - 9:15 am 240 E. Main Street 2
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS Their support is pivotal to hosting and growing this race.
FAQ & PARKING
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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERING SPONSORS Their support is pivotal to hosting and growing this race.
COURSE MAP
The course has a long straightaway for runners to create some space before a hard left turn onto Exchange Blvd. The start gives you a quick jolt to your race with a downhill beginning. The race is a flat and fast, out-and-back course. You will get to see the entire field along the way in a sea of green and can hopefully spot and cheer on a few friends! As you come back toward downtown, you’ll cross the finish line right by parcel five and enjoy drinks and snacks inside the Mercantile. 6
ON COURSE SPONSORS & SUPPORT YMCA OF GREATER ROCHESTER PRESENTING SPONSOR Cheer stations along the course will feature some of your incredible YMCA staff members!
RELIANT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SPECTATOR SPONSOR On course encouragement and cheers by Reliant, YMCA, and others lead by Reliant Federal Credit Union.
TOPS FRIENDLY MARKETS OFFICIAL HYDRATION SPONSOR Water is available on course at the turnaround and at the finish line. Provided by Tops.
TOWPATH BIKE - OFFICIAL BIKE SHOP SPONSOR Lead bike and on-course support provided by Towpath Bike in Pittsford.
IMPACT EARTH - GREEN PARTNER Recycling and clean up support on course and post race party
ECOLOGY PARTNERS - GREEN PARTNER Recycling and clean up support on course and post race party
HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA HIGH SCHOOL GREEN TEAM- GREEN PARTNER 7
Post race course clean up
MEET YOUR PACERS
7 MIN/MI 7 MIN/MI NIK & ROSS
Meet Nik & Ross - An all-around fun time, these two will keep you on pace & help you stay in the race with encouragement when you need it.
8:00 MIN/MI 8:00 MIN/MI WENDY & JEN
A dynamic duo - race alongside pacing vets, Wendy and Jennifer, to reach your goal!
7:30 MIN/MI 7:30 MIN/MI JANE
Jane will add some sparkle and good vibes to your race all the way to your finish line goal.
8:30 MIN/MI 8:30 MIN/MI JENNA & CARLOS
Jenna, a metronome for 8:30, and Carlos, a straight good vibes master, will keep you on pace while forgetting you’re even racing. 8
MEET YOUR PACERS
9 MIN/MI 9 MIN/MI
9:30 MIN/MI 9:30 MIN/MI
Hannah and Christine are masters of experience, stick with them to keep 9 minute pace and enjoy it. They’ll keep you motivated and smiling for sure.
Hop on the hype train, Lisa and Steve are going to keep you excited and ready to hit your pace and get you to that finish line.
10:00 MIN/MI 10:00 MIN/MI
10:30 MIN/MI 10:30 MIN/MI
This photo is from the finish line. Bambi and Toni are happiness connoisseurs; run your race with them and be lifted by their pure joy. (likely to get a great race photo with them)
Double the Marks, double the fun. Mark and Mark know a 10:30 pace like they know how to spell eachother’s name - it’s just natural. They’ll keep you on pace with a smile and won’t make jokes about the fact that they have the same name.
HANNAH & CHRISTINE
BAMBI & TONI
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STEVEN & LISA
MARK C. & MARK E.
MEET YOUR PACERS
11 MIN/MI 11 MIN/MI NICOLE & PAUL
11:30 MIN/MI 11:30 MIN/MI KAREN
Nicole brings the calm steadiness of experienced pacing, and Paul brings the fun and spontaneity. You’ll get to the finish line on time and smiling with these two.
Karen can get anyone to their goal. She’s got your back at 11:30 pace and she’ll make sure you reach the line feeling proud and excited.
12:00 MIN/MI 12:00 MIN/MI
12:30 MIN/MI 12:30 MIN/MI
Meet Cliff, your 12-minute pacer! As an experienced pacer and marathoner, he’ll make you feel welcomed and excited to get to your finish in just the time you wanted.
Laughing and running is hard, but you can do it. We know Lori can. Have a great time running with Lori and Hillary through downtown Rochester.
CLIFF
LORI & HILLARY
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MEET YOUR PACERS
13 MIN/MI 13 MIN/MI MICHAELA && NINA MICHAELA NINA
Michaela and Nina bring the party to you with music, the perfect themed outfit, and cheers. They’ve been running together for years, and they can’t wait to run with you!
RUCK RUCK REMINGTON
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Get ready to be motivated and have a good time. Remington brought Ruck to Runnin’, and he’s excited to keep it going. You’re about to make a friend and finish a fun race.
WALK WALK AMY
Amy is ready to keep you going in your walk! A veteran pacer and cheer station extraordinaire, you’ll be crossing the finish line with a smile after walking with her.
1387 MT. HOPE AVE, ROCHESTER NY SHOP.ROCHESTERRUNNING.COM SHOES | APPAREL | NUTRITION | ACCESSORIES | GROUP RUNS | FUN.
GEAR CHECK Courtesy of Rochester Running Company, gear check is back. Safely store your post-race needs, and use our complementary gear check.
Where: Inside The Mercantile on Main
When: Starting at 8:15 am
Important Details: Please use the bags provided at packet pickup. Bags must be no larger than a Shoe drawstring bag (15x17). Volunteers will be on hand to assist you in labeling your bag. Bags can only be checked in ONCE before the start of the race. Once you have finished your race, pick up your bag inside the mercantile. Bag check closes approximately 60 minutes after the race.
POST RACE PARTY Live music, beer, apple cider, green donuts from Schutts, apples, awards, and hanging with your friends and family. New this year- join us outside at the beer tent at Parcel 5 for a great view of the parade!
POST-RACE PARTY SPONSORS:
DONUTS, APPLES, & CIDER
BEER TENT ON PACEL 5 OFFICAL BEER SPONSOR: ROHRBACH BREWING LIVE MUSIC: REBEL BANJO CIRCUS
AWARDS: USATF & AGE GROUP
USATF NIAGARA 5-MILE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE GOOD OF THE SPORT. As the 2026 USATF Niagara 5 Mile Open/Masters Association Championship, Runnin' of The Green is a part of the 2025 USATF Niagara Runner Of The Year and USATF Niagara Team Grand Prix Series. We provide the largest prize purse in Rochester racing.
$3,000 IN PRIZE MONEY OVERALL M/F: 1ST $500 2ND $350 3RD $250 4TH $150 5TH $100 6TH $50
OVERALL MASTERS M/F: $100
THE TOP THREE RUNNERS IN EACH AGE GROUP RECEIVE AWARDS IN NON-USATF AWARDS.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! KATHY REARDON VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR JAMIE SCHENK VIBES DIRECTOR STEVE LEVITSKY PACER COORDINATOR
PACERS: PACERS: SEE PAGES SEE PAGES 8-11 8-11 RACE DAY RACE DAY AND AND PACKET PICKUP PACKET PICKUP VOLUNTEERS -VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!
WANT TO VOLUNTEER NEXT TIME? EMAIL ROBINHOODRACES@GMAIL.COM
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Their support is pivotal to hosting this race.
ROCHESTER RUNNING ROCHESTER RUNNING COMPANY COMPANY
WEEKLY WEEKLY
GROUP RUNS GROUP RUNS MON
6:15PM @ LOCK 32 BREWING 3-5 MILES | PICK YOUR DISTANCE, OUT & BACK ON THE CANAL PATH
WED
5:45PM @ RRC PACE PROJECT SPEED WORKOUT - PAID PROGRAM
WED UNDER 30 RUN CLUB 3 MILE RUN 6PM | ROCHESTER RUNNING CO
*BI-WEEKLY
THU
6PM @ THREE HEADS BREWING 3 MILE ROUTE EACH WEEK
SAT
7:30AM @ RRC PACED LONG RUN
Race Calendar
twenty twenty six
•Please note, race dates may change, and we may add more throughout the year
March
April
Runnin’ of The Green 5mile Saturday 14th
May
Run Our River 5k
14
Penfield Education 5k
19
C.U.R.E. 5k
25
**Run Our Trail -3mi
June
28
July
RH Kicking Hunger 5k 6 Run our River 5k 9 Javier Ortiz 5K 6 Laurel House 5k 13 Stache Dash 5k 20 Irondequiot Juneteenth 5k 20 **Many on The Genny Ultra 20 **Run Our Trail - 5mi 30
5 12 8 12 13
30 3 9 12 16 23 26 30 30
August
Irondequoit 4th 10k
4
Swain Mountain Race
4
Run our River 5k
14
Daniels Race 5k
8
Jungle Jog 5k
19
Run our River 5k
11
Karknocker 5k **Mighty Mosquito Trail Fest 25 **Run Our Trail - 5mi
28
September Crosswinds 5k & 10k Finger Lakes Tri Run our River 5k Dairy Discovery 5k Strollin for Your Colon 5k Rocovery Fitness 5K Knights IceBreaker 5K
Avon 5k Goat Run 4 Mile BCCR Pink and Teal 5k Run our River 5k Run for Recovery Sunset House 5k **Run Our Trail - 4mi Sources of Strength 5k Stroll For Strong 5k
Wilmot Weekend 5K Brighton Believes 5k Pineway Ponds 5k Steven Derks 5K PGXC-Race 1 Run for Rhinos 5k **Run Our Trail - 3mi
**Twisted Branch 100k
22
** Black Diamond Half
23
**Run Our Trail - 4mi
28
Flutie 5k
October 20 26 26 27 30
October-cont.
November
Moore than a Race 5k ** Many Lite 20mi Trail Race 19 Hopson 5k ** PGXC- Race 3 Scare Brain Cancer Away 5k 31 Run Like Hell 5k 31
East Ave Grocery Run 5&10k 7 **PGXC- Ithaca - Race 4 ** PGXC- Race 5 Red Creek Turkey Trot- 5k Race With Grace 10k 26 Livonia Turkey Trot 26 Victor Turkey Trot 26
MCC Run for Scholarships 5k 3 Wendell Hercules 5k **PGXC Race 2
Can Lakes Ultra Marathon 10 Zombie Run 5k St John Bosco 5k
December Jinglin All the Way 5k Buffalo Blizzard 5k Winter Wonderland 5K Rochester Running Co Races - Eligible for Under 30 and Ambassador Discount
A Trails Roc Race ** trail race
GEAR & GROUP RUNS
RACING & TIMING
1387 Mt. Hope Ave, Rochester NY, 14620 rochseterrunning.com rochesterrunningco@gmail.com @rochesterrunningco
1387 Mt. Hope Ave, Rochester NY, 14620 robinhoodraces.com robinhoodraces@gmail.com @robinhoodraces