High school runners in school singlets pour off the wide, flat Parade Ground at Van Cortlandt Park, then disappear into the wooded Back Hills and Cemetery Hill before sprinting back across the grass. Generations of New York runners have raced this course, and a CHSAA meet brings coaches yelling splits and families crowding the finish. If you run or have a kid in the sport, catch a start and a finish.
What to expect
Teams and warm-ups cluster around the Parade Ground, and races go off through the morning. Runners loop out onto the hilly wooded trails, so the best spots are near the start line and the finishing straight, where the pack spreads out and the sprint finishes happen.
Good to know
- Take the 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park–242 St; the Parade Ground is right across Broadway.
- It's an early-morning meet — arrive near the start of the permit window to catch the first heats.
- Stand near the finish chute on the Parade Ground; the hill sections are in the woods and hard to see.
- Wear shoes that can handle wet grass and mud, and bring a layer for a cool September morning.
- Free to watch; it's a school competition, so the course is for registered athletes only.
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Common questions
Do I need a ticket to watch the CHSAA meet at Van Cortlandt Park?
No. Van Cortlandt Park is a public park and spectators can watch cross-country meets from the sidelines for free.
Where's the best place to watch?
The Parade Ground, where races start and finish. The middle of the course runs through wooded hills like the Back Hills and Cemetery Hill that are hard to reach mid-race.
Can I run in it?
No. It's a Catholic High School Athletic Association competition for registered school teams. Van Cortlandt also hosts open club and NYRR cross-country races if you want to race the course yourself.
