Rocky Neck Runfest: Relay, 30K, 5K

The Rocky Neck Runfest combines three different race opportunities in one incredible venue along the beach and trails of Rocky Neck State Park. Explore the natural beauty on well-marked roads and trails, including the Bride Brook salt marsh, the historic stone Ellie Mitchell Pavilion and the Four Mile River tidal area. Ideally set up in a central location with high-energy atmosphere for relay exchanges, participants and spectators can gather, cheer, refuel and easily access the nearby finish line.

Choose an adventure:

Rocky Neck Relay: Each member of the 3-person team takes on one road 5K and one trail 5K with a break in between rotations. A centrally located exchange zone lets team members relax, refuel and cheer others when not in their run rotation. All teams cross the finish line by the beach. The relay is the first event in the USATF-CT Mountain, Ultra and Trail (MUT) series.

Rocky Neck 30K: Solo adventure with 5K rotations of road and trail courses for a total of six legs, approximately 18.6 miles. The early spring adventure will test endurance with a beautiful, challenging trail venue complimented with the road course in and around the campground area.

Rocky Neck 5K, trail OR road: Both offer picturesque views of Rocky Neck State Park and a stunning finish overlooking beautiful Long Island Sound.
All participants will earn a long sleeve technical shirt and custom designed finisher medal.

NEW IN 2024: Take on the Spring Hustle to enjoy some extra motivation through the season! Choose the distances to personalize a challenge plan and achieve three race finishes in this new challenge (walker-friendly!). Start with the Middletown 5K or 10K on April 7, then choose any distance in Rocky Neck on April 27; and at the UConn Health Half Marathon, 10K & 5K on June 1 to crush the Spring Hustle and earn the special finisher medal. DETAILS

Run to support Operation Paws on the Ground in their mission to support the beneficial bond between veterans and canines. DETAILS

ROCKY NECK RELAY AND 30K

Three (3) person teams and solo participants will make their way across this 30K (~18.6 mile) adventure. All teams and individuals will start together at 8:00 AM. The 30K race is split up into two separate 5K (~3.1 mile) courses: a paved Road Course and technical Trail Course. Both courses finish at the same centrally located exchange zone, and must each be completed three times before crossing the finish line. Both teams and individuals follow the same pattern: Race Start > Road Course > Exchange Area > Trail Course > Exchange Area > Road Course > Exchange, etc. until each course has been completed three times.

For more information and details regarding the Road Course portion of the event, click here.

For more information and details regarding the Trail Course portion of the event, click here.

THREE PERSON TEAM DETAILS

OVERVIEW:

Three member teams will complete the 30K (~18.6 mile) course by exchanging after every leg is run:

Runner #1
(Leg 1) Road (~5K) > (Leg 4) Trail (~5K)
Runner #2
(Leg 2) Trail (~5K) > (Leg 5) Road (~5K)
Runner #3
(Leg 3) Road (~5K) > (Leg 6) Trail (~5K)

One member of the team will always be running, while the other team members are recovering and waiting for their next turn. Before each leg, relay teams must check in with the volunteer at the exchange area before passing the Race Bib with a timing chip race belt to their next relay team member. See “Timing” section below for more details.

RUNNER ROTATION:

Teams are required to maintain the same sequence and rotation of runners throughout the race. Each team member will be required to wear a bib that indicates their position in the sequence.

RUNNER SUBSTITUTION:

If a runner is unable to continue in the event due to injury or illness, the following team members must finish the event with the remaining runners continuing in the same sequence.

Teams must begin the event with three team members. No exceptions.

TIMING

This event is timed by Bay State Race Services and uses the B-Tag timing system (timing chip is attached to the back of the race bib).

Individuals will receive one (1) Race Bib with a timing chip. It must be worn on the front of their shirt throughout the duration of the event.

Each Three Person Team will receive four (4) Race Bibs, of which one (1) will have a timing chip.
-The bib with the timing chip will be attached to a race belt that will be exchanged between teammates prior to beginning their leg.
-The remaining three bibs must be worn on the front of each respective team member’s shirt throughout the duration of the event. The bibs will be coded by leg: Runner #1 wears the bib that corresponds with Leg #1, Runner #2… etc.

The timing chip system allows for individuals and relay teams to receive splits and net times throughout the event.

Live results and splits will be available throughout the event at the pre/post-race party area. Split times will be recorded at every Exchange and the finish line.

30K DIVISIONS AND AWARDS

3 PERSON TEAM DIVISIONS:

Male Open & Masters (All Men)
Female Open & Masters (All Women)
Mix Team Open & Masters (any combination)
* Open Division = Any team member under 40 years of age on race day
** Masters Division = All team members 40 years of age or older on race day

INDIVIDUAL DIVISIONS:

Top three overall male and female finishers

AWARDS:

Commemorative Awards to the 1st Place Team in each Division and the Top 3 Overall Male and Female finishers
All awards based on gun time

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT DETAILS

OVERVIEW:

Individual participants will complete the 30K course completely on their own. They will run continuously starting with the road course, then transitioning to the trail, back to the road, etc. until they have completed each of the respective courses, three times.

(Leg 1) Road (~5K)
(Leg 2) Trail (~5K)
(Leg 3) Road (~5K)
(Leg 4) Trail (~5K)
(Leg 5) Road (~5K)
(Leg 6) Trail (~5K)

NOTE: Individual 30K or 5K participants MAY NOT participate in the 30K Three Person Team category.

RACE START

The 30K Relay and Individual race will start together at the western edge of Rocky Neck State Park adjacent to the pre-race area on the park’s main roadway, heading east and consist of one corral.

The Road 5K & Trail 5K will start in separate locations and begin at different times, see RACE DAY page for more details.

EXCHANGE AREA

The exchange area is located adjacent to the pre/post race area. At the conclusion of each leg, the team member running must pass their timing chip race belt to their next team member before crossing the timing mats to signal the start of their leg.

DO NOT leave the exchange area before your teammates arrive.

Individual participants will continue across the timing mats, and do not need to stop or make any exchange.

COURSE LIMITS

TIME LIMIT:

Teams and Individuals are required to maintain an average pace of at least 16:00 minutes per mile over the 30K course to complete the event within the 5 hour time limit. We understand that teams may consist of runners with varying abilities, so periodic checks will be done to make sure teams can complete the race before the finish line closes at 1:00 PM.

COURSE CUT-OFFS:

Due to the complex nature of the race and its impact to the state park, and out of respect for the time of the amazing volunteers, the event is required to be completed within 5 hours. To ensure support services and safety, any team that has fallen behind the cut offs indicated below or experiences unforeseen circumstances will be asked to alter their race.

Three Legs (~15K): Road > Trail > Road = 10:30 AM (2 hours, 30 minutes)
Four Legs (~20K): Road > Trail > Road > Trail = 11:20 AM (3 hours, 20 minutes)
Five Legs (~25K): Road > Trail > Road > Trail > Road = 12:10 PM (4 hours 10 minutes)

NOTE: Teams that do not run all legs will still be included in the finish results through the time of the last reading of their timing chip (no finish time will be provided).

NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE

No dogs (service dogs must be identified as such at all times). No unregistered runners or walkers. Headphones discouraged. No bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or motorized vehicles.

Baby Jogger/Strollers are NOT permitted in the Rocky Neck Runfest, please see details on the stroller policy HERE.

ROCKY NECK TRAIL 5K

New in 2024: The Rocky Neck Trail 5K begins by heading under the railroad tracks toward the stunning stone constructed Ellie Mitchell Pavilion. A quick trip up, under, across the pavilion offers panoramic views of Long Island Sound. From there, the course travels back over the railroad tracks and into the well groomed Rocky Neck State Park trail system. Heading north through this woodland area, the trail offers scenic views of the Four Mile River tidal area. While heading south, the trail offers tranquil views of the Bride Brook marsh while it winds through bountiful amounts of Mountain Laurel. The course is topped off with a picturesque finish* on the front lawn of the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion overlooking Long Island Sound.

*Note: 30K participants will complete the trail portion of the event at the exchange zone, adjacent to the pre/post race area. Runner #3 will complete the Trail ~5K and then continue past the exchange zone an extra 0.1 miles to reach the finish line located on the front lawn of the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion.

Course Suitability for Disabled Athletes:
Click here for more details.

RACE START

The race will start on the path to the beach, near the western bathhouse in Rocky Neck State Park, heading south.

The 30K & Road 5K will start in separate locations and begin at different times, see RACE DAY page for more details.

COURSE SUPPORT

MARKINGS:

Directional arrows and course marshals marking all turns

AMENITIES:

Hydration (Water & Nuun Sport)
Pre/Post Race & Mile 1.5
Open cup service, handed out at arms length
Participants are encouraged to carry their own fluids
Portalets: Pre/Post Race
Medical personnel
Event alert system notifications in the pre-race area and at the water station. More…

TRAIL 5K DIVISIONS & AWARDS

This event is timed by Bay State Race Services and uses the B-Tag timing system (timing chip is attached to the back of the race bib). Please wear the race bib on the front of the shirt.

DIVISIONS:

Top 3 Overall Male and Female
Male Age Group – 12-19, and 10-year age groups from 10-80+
Female Age Group – 12-19, and 10-year age groups from 10-80+
Clydesdale (men 200+lbs.)
Athena (women 150+lbs.)
Nonbinary/Genderqueer More…
Disabled Athletes More…

AWARDS:

Commemorative Awards to the Top 3 in Each Division
All awards based on gun time
No “double dipping”
To collect an award after race day, click here

NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE

No dogs (service dogs must be identified as such at all times). No unregistered runners or walkers. Headphones discouraged. No bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or motorized vehicles.

Baby Jogger/Strollers are NOT permitted in the Rocky Neck Trail 5K, please see details on the stroller policy HERE.

ROCKY NECK ROAD 5K

The flat Rocky Neck Road 5K begins near the western edge of Rocky Neck State Park heading east along the park’s major roadway toward the main entrance. The course then hooks back along the seasonal “campers only” road, but not before making a short loop through a section of the park’s campgrounds. The course features beautiful views of the Bride Brook marsh and a picturesque finish* on the front lawn of the Ellie Mitchel Pavilion overlooking Long Island Sound.

*Note: 30K participants will complete the road portion of the event at the exchange zone, adjacent to the pre/post race area.

Course Suitability for Disabled Athletes:
Click here for more details.

RACE START

The race will start at the western edge of Rocky Neck State Park adjacent to the pre-race area on the park’s main roadway, heading east.

The 30K & Trail 5K will start in separate locations and begin at different times, see RACE DAY page for more details.

COURSE SUPPORT

MARKINGS:

Yellow signs with blue arrows mark all turns
All mile points are marked on the road and with signs

AMENITIES:

Hydration (Water & Nuun Sport)
Pre/Post Race & Mile 1.5
Open cup service, handed out at arms length
Participants are encouraged to carry their own fluids
Portalets: Pre/Post Race
Medical personnel
Event alert system notifications in the pre-race area and at the water station. More…

ROAD 5K DIVISIONS & AWARDS

This event is timed by Bay State Race Services and uses the B-Tag timing system (timing chip is attached to the back of the race bib). Please wear the race bib on the front of the shirt.

DIVISIONS:

Top 3 Overall Male and Female
Male Age Group – 9 & under, and 10-year age groups from 10-80+
Female Age Group – 9 & under, and 10-year age groups from 10-80+
Clydesdale (men 200+lbs.)
Athena (women 150+lbs.)
Nonbinary/Genderqueer More…
Disabled Athletes More…

AWARDS:

Commemorative Awards to the Top 3 in Each Division
All awards based on gun time
No “double dipping”
To collect an award after race day, click here

NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE

No dogs (service dogs must be identified as such at all times). No unregistered runners or walkers. Headphones discouraged. No bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or motorized vehicles.

While we do allow baby jogger/strollers in this event, participants must follow the stroller policy detailed HERE.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

RACE START TIME:

8:00 AM: 30K Team Relay & Individuals
8:15 AM: Rocky Neck Trail 5K
8:30 AM: Rocky Neck Road 5K

FOOD AND FUEL:

7:00 AM: Hydration Station

Water and Nuun Sport
9:00 AM: Athlete Food Tent

Grab & Go Snack: Bananas, Bakery On Main Granola and other quick and easy bites to keep you fueled during the race
bRUNch Tent: You can’t spell “brunch” without “run”! Enjoy a delicious spread of hot food served up fresh on site

POST RACE PARTY:
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM:

Celebrate your amazing accomplishments together with live music, delicious food, and complimentary finisher photos!

9:30 AM: Road & Trail 5K Award Ceremony
12:00 PM: 30K Team & Individuals Award Ceremony

Register Now