Campus to host start, finish of full and half marathons, finish of College to College 5K 

Marist College will again host the Walkway Marathon race series, serving as the starting and finishing points for the marathon and half-marathon and the finishing point for the new College to College 5K, which begins at Dutchess Community College, on Sunday, June 11. The series kicks off Saturday, June 10, with the Think Differently Dash for competitors with physical and developmental disabilities on the City of Poughkeepsie's Main Street.

Dozens of current and former Marist competitive runners, and other members of the College community will be among the more than 2,000 runners from across the country and around the world, who are expected to converge on Dutchess County for the third annual Walkway Marathon race series. 

Runners in the Marathon and Half-Marathon will start from outside the Historic Cornell Boathouse at the Marist waterfront and traverse the College's scenic main campus before heading through the Route 9 underpass to the College's East Campus and eventually out over the historic Hudson River via the 1.25-mile pedestrian bridge. Participants will by wowed by tree-lined landscape as they go the distance along the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Ulster County. Jaw-dropping views of the Walkway from the Marist riverfront and of the majestic Hudson from atop the 212-foot Walkway itself will make these races truly unforgettable.

"Marist College is pleased to again partner with the Walkway Over the Hudson and host this marquee athletic event for the Hudson Valley," said Tim Murray, Marist College Athletic Director. "We are excited to show runners from many states and several countries around the world the beautiful Marist College campus and our stunning views of the river and the Walkway as we host the marathon and half-marathon start and finish lines and the finish of the College to College 5K, all located on our Hudson River waterfront near the College's Historic Cornell Boathouse."

More than 60 Marist students and alumni participated in last year's races with great success.
 

In addition to hosting these events, the Marist community will again be well represented in the races, where students, alumni, faculty, and staff members have all had great success in the first two years of the series. Last year, Marist students and alumni won the women's marathon, placed first and second in the 5K, and had six other top-four finishes in the Sunday races.

The Walkway Marathon was sanctioned as the first green race in New York State by Athletes for a Fit Planet. Organizers will again apply sustainable practices, such as shuttling runners using Dutchess County Government’s public transit system’s hybrid buses, and incorporating race bibs and other elements made from recycled materials wherever possible. With a focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials – everything from paper cups to diesel fuel to old sneakers – organizers are committed to offering participants a race that is as eco-friendly as possible.