Each year, we look out onto a crowd of hundreds of women taking charge and showcasing their incredible power. They are FAST, STRONG, DETERMINED, RESILIENT, AWE-INSPIRING. The energy is empowering. The WDF is a testament to the limitless potential of women. SHE RUNS, SHE INSPIRES.
The Women's Distance Festival was created by the Road Runners Club of America as a protest to a lack of competitive races for women both in the Olympics and nationally. It was believed as recently as the 1980 Olympics, that women could not compete at distances of greater than 1500 meters, which is less than 1 mile! In America, in July of 1980, the first Women's Distance Festivals were run opposite the Mens' Marathon at the Moscow Olympics. The Rockland Road Runners picked up the Women's Distance Festival in 1988, and it has now grown to be the largest Women and Girls 5K in the tristate area!
Join us to experience the ENERGY, POWER, and DETERMINATION of this incredible event as we come together for the 37th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk on July 14th at 7:45am. There will also be a virtual event for those who cannot participate in person. The virtual event will run from Sunday, July 14 through Sunday, July 21. Join us as we come together to raise money to help the Center for Safety & Change in their mission to support, shelter and provide services to victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and other crimes.
Together we will break barriers and set new benchmarks of greatness!
6:00am Check-In
7:20am National Anthem & Announcement
7:30am Warm-Up
7:40am Walk out to the starting shoot
7:45am Race Start
8:40am Yoga Cool-Down
8:55am Kids Fun Run
9:00am Awards Ceremony
All shirts and swag bags will be mailed for those who register by June 27. If you register after June 27 for the in-person event, you will need to pick up your shirt and swag bag in person at bib pick-up. Virtual participants will have bibs and swag mailed.
The Center for Safety & Change's mission is to provide necessary services, support and shelter to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes. Click the link directly above to find out more about the Center.
Donate to support the Center for Safety & Change's vision of world in which all people are free from oppression and violence and experience respect, dignity, equity, and safety in every aspect of their lives.
Become a sponsor of the 2024 WDF! Sponsorship information will become available in January 2024.
All children ages 3-11 are welcome to participate in our Kids Fun Run! All kids will receive a participation medal. Please be sure to register your child(ren).
For those unable to attend the in-person event, a virtual race option is available. Run anytime, anywhere between July 14 and July 21 to support this incredible cause.
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