About 20 college teams line up on the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground, then head into the wooded hills of the city's historic cross-country course, with men racing 8K and women 5K. This is small-college racing from CUNY squads and schools like Maritime, so you get a close-up, free look at real competition. If you train on the Vannie trails, come see how college runners handle the same hills.
What to expect
Team tents and warm-up jogs fill the flat, open Parade Ground, and the men's and women's races each start in a wide line. Runners loop the grass flats and disappear into the wooded hill trails before charging back to finish on the Parade Ground. Spectators can cut across the field to cheer at more than one point on the course.
Good to know
- Take the 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park–242nd St, which lets you out right by the Parade Ground.
- Watching is free and there's no ticket, since it's a public park.
- Wear shoes that can handle mud or wet grass if you plan to move around the course.
- The start and finish are the best spots to watch. The hill sections are a hike in from the field.
- It suits running fans, families of athletes and anyone who trains on the Van Cortlandt trails.
Going? Keep it.
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Common questions
Who competes?
It's a college meet. Recent editions drew about 17 women's teams and 21 men's teams, mostly CUNY and other regional schools. Pratt won the 2024 women's race and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy won the men's.
How long are the races?
In recent editions men ran 8K and women ran 5K on the Van Cortlandt Park course.
Where can I see results?
Past editions' results are posted on TFRRS, and participating schools' athletics sites publish recaps after the meet.