You can stand at the bottom of New York State here, look across Raritan Bay at New Jersey, then run five kilometers through a park holding four historic buildings and three centuries of Staten Island. NYRR's Open Run is free, volunteer-led and deliberately unserious about pace — walkers are as expected as runners. If you have never made it to Tottenville, this is the excuse, and the view is the payment.
What to expect
The group gathers, gets a short briefing from the volunteers, and heads out on a roughly 5K route through the park's trails and paths. Nobody times you and nobody is left behind; volunteers sweep the back of the pack. Afterwards the park is worth an hour on its own — the historic houses, the shoreline, and a view across Raritan Bay that does not look like New York City.
Good to know
- Conference House Park is in Tottenville at the far south end of Staten Island; the Staten Island Railway ends at Tottenville, a short walk away.
- Free and unregistered — turn up at the meeting point and join in.
- It is a long trip from anywhere else in the city; the ferry plus the full length of the railway takes well over an hour.
- Walkers, strollers and first-timers are welcome, and there is no pace requirement.
- Bring your own water — this is volunteer-run, not a supported race.
- Stay afterwards for the historic houses and the Raritan Bay shoreline.
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Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. NYRR Open Run is free, community-led and open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, with no registration needed.
How do I get there without a car?
Take the Staten Island Ferry to St. George, then the Staten Island Railway all the way to Tottenville, the last stop. Budget well over an hour from Manhattan.
What else is in the park?
Four historic buildings tracing more than 300 years of Staten Island history, hiking and biking trails, and the southernmost shoreline in New York State.
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