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 though at as late 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, and they are still run throughout America on the first Saturday after July 4th (unless in falls on the 5th, 6th or 7th) nationally. 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!
Please join us for the 35th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk on July 9th! This year, there will also be a Virtual event for those who cannot or chose to not participate in person. The virtual event will be from Saturday July 9nth through Sunday July 17th. Over 1000 participants will come together along with the Rockland Road Runners for the largest Women's 5k in the tristate area, as we come together to raise money to help the Center for Safety & Change in their mission to support, shelter and provide services to ALL victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and all crimes. The WDF is open to all who identify as women/non-binary.
We simplified registration!!! You can still sign up for the 5K as an individual or create a Mother/Daughter, Sister/Sister, or Grandmother/Granddaughter team. We also have a team event for groups of 5 or more and the Team Spirit Award will still be given! In addition, each team with at least 75 members will receive an award!! You can select team registration after selecting the 5K!
Online Registration is $30 for Rockland Road Runner members, and $35 for non-members. There will be a one time bump in the registration fee to cover the cost of mailing all race packets to all participants. Team registrations are available for Wife/Wife Mother/Daughter, Sister/Sister, or Grandmother/Granddaughter at $60 provided that at least one team member is a Rockland Road Runner. If neither is a Rockland Road Runner, then the cost will be $70. Teams of 5 runners/walkers are available for a discounted cost of $30 a team member provided that the team meets a minimum requirement of 5 members. ALL IN PERSON PARTICIPANTS MUST PICK UP BIBS at bib pick and details will be announced closer to the race.
At bib pick up, there will be in person registration. It will be $50 per registrant with no team discounts. The only discount given for in person registration will be to RRR members, and RRR members can register in person at $40 per registrant. Checks and Cash only please.
Online registration for the in person event closes at 11:59pm Monday Tuesday 5th. All packets will be mailed. Online registration for the Virtual event will remain open thru July 17th.. Bibs can be picked up July 8th at Dick's Sporting Goods in West Nyack from 3-6, and each race day prior to each race. VIRTUAL BIBS WILL BE MAILED.
- check in begins at 6:15
-Kids fun run 7:15
-announcements and National Anthem start at 7:20
-warm up at 7:30
-walk out to the starting shoot called at 7:35
-race starts at 7:45am
-Awards to be given after the race starting at 8:40am
All shirts and swag bags will be mailed. However, Bibs must be picked up in person, details will be announced closer to race day
The Center for Safety & Changes mission is to provide necessary services, support and shelter to ALL victims domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and ALL gender based crimes. Click the link directly above to find out more about the Center.
Every year we have a donation campaign. This year, however is much different. Mike, the race director for ten years, suffered a tragic loss in his family in 2021. Mike's daughter, Jordyn, passed away at the age of 19. Jordyn was a huge fan of the WDF and was inspired by Mike's commitment to the mission of the Center for Safety & Change. Jordyn both participated in the WDF and volunteered at the Center for Safety & Change. This year, through the donation page, we'd like to raise $20,000 in Jordyn's honor. Jordyn's birthday is 7/29. We ask that you donate in multiples of $29 so she knows it was for her.
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
Become a sponsor of the 2022 WDF! Several exclusive sponsor levels are left. Gold, SIlver and Bronze are unlimited. All other sponsorships are either exclusive or limited.
SPECIAL TEAM AWARDS-RUNNERS ONLY: Join with your sister, mother, daughter or grand mother and enter as a team. Awards to top Mother/Daughter, Sister/Sister and Grandmother/ Granddaughter teams.
Club/Team
Declare your club affiliation! (register five or more participants to compete in this division.) The top three runners are scored for each team entered.
Your Block! Your local Park! Your local HS track... Rockland Lake!
All kids are welcome to participate! it is free but it would be nice if you donated to the cause! All kids receive a medal.Sign up for this is in person only, no charge
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Race Start: Rockland Lake State Park, Parking Field #1
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