The 39th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K
About this race
The Women’s Distance Festival is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of strength, community, and the power of women supporting women. With every stride, every mile, and every finish line crossed, we are helping advance the vital work of the Center for Safety & Change, whose mission is to support, shelter, and provide services to victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes.
This year’s theme, TOGETHER WE RISE, captures the true spirit of the Women’s Distance Festival. It reminds us that when we come together—lifting each other up, standing side by side, and moving forward as a community—we create real and lasting change. Every participant, volunteer, and supporter plays a role in building a safer, stronger, and more equitable future for all.
The Women’s Distance Festival began as a powerful movement. Created by the Road Runners Club of America, the event originally served as a protest against the lack of long-distance racing opportunities for women. As recently as the 1980 Olympics, it was widely believed that women could not compete at distances greater than 1500 meters—less than one mile. In response, the first Women’s Distance Festivals were held in July 1980 across the United States, running parallel to the men’s marathon at the Moscow Olympics.
The Rockland Road Runners brought the Women’s Distance Festival to our community in 1988, and it has since grown into the largest Women and Girls 5K in the tri-state area.
Join us for the 38th Annual Women’s Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 AM at Rockland Lake State Park. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual race option will be available from Sunday, July 12 through Sunday, July 19.
Come experience the energy, strength, and determination of hundreds of women and girls moving forward together. Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or cheer from the sidelines, you are part of something bigger.
Lace up your sneakers, show up with your community, and remember: when women support women, TOGETHER WE RISE.
Join fellow runners on July 14, 2018 for the The 39th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K. It's a fantastic 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Congers.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run
Rockland Road Runner members get a $5 discount for this event. Discount will be applied at checkout. Once Online Registration closes, in person registration can be done at Packet Pick-up or Race Day.
Mother/Daughter or Sister/Sister or Grandmother Granddaughter teams 5K (No RRR Member)
Once Online Registration closes, in person registration can be done at Packet Pick-up or Race Day.
Mother/Daughter or Sister/Sister or Grandmother Granddaughter teams 5K (Must have at least one RRR Member)
To register for this event at least one person must be a Rockland Road Runners member. Once Online Registration closes, in person registration can be done at Packet Pick-up or Race Day.
Club/Team 5K Minimum 5 members
Teams are scored on their fastest 3 members! Teams can be any combination of runners and walkers. THIS IS FOR TEAM REGISTRATION AND WHERE YOU RECIEVE THE $5 DOLLAR TEAM DISCOUNT
The WDF 5K Training Program--must register for the race separately
Never Run a 5K before? No worries, join our 5K training program to get ready for race day! Join RRR to kick off your training with a custom 10 week program designed to make you cross that finish line. Coaches Alyssa, Gail and Nicole can answer any questions you may have about running, recovery and the gear needed to succeed. Registration for this is the cost of becoming an RRR member. Individual annual memberships are $25, and there are other options available (family, multi-year). RRR membership required to participate in this program. In addition, once you check the RRR membership box leave the add a RRR membership box blank on a later page. Registration for this program is limited to 30 women and girls, and registration will be only open for 30 days The first session will be May 3rd and the 10 week program ends with the 30th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K! There will be one weekly session, each Wednesday night. The coaches will give you homework training sessions so you train during the week on your own. Each session will begin at 6:45pm. Park in the North Parking lot at Rockland Lake, that is the same parking lot as where the WDF starts. For those not familiar enter the Lake at the entrance by the Champion Golf Course and proceed towards the large parking lot which you see straight ahead of you when entering the Park. The entrance will come up on your right hand since about 1/2 mile after you enter the Lake. REGISTERING FOR THE 5K TRAINING PROGRAM IS NOT REGISTERING FOR THE RACE. PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE RACE IF YOU INTEND ON PARTICIPATING IN THE RACE AFTER YOU REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM. If you have already registered for the race you are all set! Pay no attention to the times below. Sessions are 6:45 pm starting 5/3!
Walking
5K Walk
THIS EVENT IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE WALKING THE ENTIRE 5K. IF YOU PLAN ON RUNNING ANY PART OF THE EVENT, YOU MUST REGISTER AS A RUNNER AND START WITH THE RUNNERS. Rockland Road Runner members get a $5 discount for this event. Discount will be applied at checkout. Once Online Registration closes, in person registration can be done at Packet Pick-up or Race Day.
About Congers
The 39th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K takes place in Congers, New York, United States. The local timezone is America/New_York.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
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The 39th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K
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The 39th Annual Women's Distance Festival 5K