2021 Race Reviews

Here I collect all the good things people say about the race and preserve them  before they vanish into the mountains of internet pixels that flood the intertubes, never to be found again unless we run for public office. They come from champions and mid-packers, rookies and veterans.

(If you want results, go here;  For the Race Director’s Recap, go here; For the photos, go here.)

One of the best parts about this are that comments come in from both deeply experienced front runners and rookies alike.

(Comments that came in via email were reproduced with permission.)
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Wish my time was a bit better but all gratitude to @PaineToPain and all the volunteers. Truly a race like no other and proud to have been a part of the biggest field yet.  @RHfree26  via Twitter

The toughest 13.1 miles I have ever run. And it was amazing. — lrb732 via Instagram

Another one in the books. @PaineToPain puts on a top notch event. With help from his amazing team and great volunteers.– Dan Tower, (P2P 10-Year Club)

Thank you for putting on such a great event yesterday. We are new to the area, but I run on the trails all the time so was thrilled to be able to take part in a race on the “home course”. Such a great atmosphere and I loved learning about the history of the race. Thank you for all of your efforts and leadership in connecting the area’s trail network!  — Terrance Li (6th place male, overall)

Thank you so much  the amazing race and extremely thorough course markings!  I knew a few of the other women in the race who have done much more trail racing than I have and they both thought it was one of the best-marked courses they’ve been part of. loved it, and will definitely plan to be back next year as long as I’m healthy. — Jeanne Mack, Women’s Champion

I’ve said it before, and it remains true, it just gets better each year. — Ed Dee (P2P 10-Year-Club)

Still don’t understand how I got a race, shirt, water bottle and massive lunch for $35 — David Mann

The course was great! The trails were great! The volunteers were super great! And the post race mal was yummy. — dashing_kumi, via Instagram

This is such a fun and well organized race, and the medal is always creative — he spins! Congratulations to the organizers of  #painetopain — madden_lisa, via Instagram

Nine-time Paine to Pain Half Marathon Trail Race finisher. I keep going back because I love it. It’s that simple. Eric Turkewitz does the most amazing job as race director and some how year after year pulls off a great race experience for all. In case you couldn’t tell I highly recommend it to all of my running friends. Hell, I’ve even recommended it to people that have stopped me on the street to admire one off my Paine to pain race Tee shirts.  — Michael Wolf, via Facebook

Eric, this was my first Paine to Pain. I run…but I’m not a runner. Does that make any sense? I heard about this race two years ago from my actual runner friends and I was finally able to get it done. I just wanted to say that I thought this was an awesome race from beginning to end and that includes all the information given on the website. It was all there. The volunteers were awesome as were all the first responders on the course. This really is a little hidden gem of a race that I will definitely do again and tell others about next year. Thanks again to you and your team for all your efforts.  — Carlos Orduz, in the comments on the recap.

Another great Paine to Pain trail half marathon in the books! The weather was near perfect and the course was fun, as usual. I even pulled off a negative split! Thanks to the race organizers (not just you, Eric, but that, too) for another great race.  — Murray Rosenblith, PPTC

Eric – my second race, and so looking forward to the next one. As the last photo on your recap shows, the finish line entertainment was overwhelming. Thanks again! Tim (#267 and yes, I did get a course PB, which I was checking for) — Tim Wynne (in the comments on the recap)

Paine to Pain Half Marathon Trail Race, the ultimate trail half marathon of the East, is a STELLAR race! Thank you to Eric Turkewitz, the ultimate RD, for putting together this course and carrying out your vision!! The energy on this course is amazing! Thank you to ALL the volunteers!! — Karen Murray, 3x 50-state marathoner

New Rochelle Girl Scouts had another great year at Water Station 3! Thank you Wayne for being our captain and to our Girl Scouts and Leaders Cindy Byrne Kristin Saglibene Macy Hussey Carobene! We were inspired by all the runners and grateful for their enthusiasm. Congratulations to everyone involved with P2P! —  Cindy Mahoney, P2P veteran and Girls Scout leader for water station #3.

I had an absolute blast.! It took a Herculean effort to get the race together. It’s a labor of love and I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work and dedication of you and your team putting on such an amazing event.  After all the tribulations of COVID-19 and the devastating effects it had on your neighborhood and the surrounding area the P2P was the light at the end of the tunnel.  Thanks again for all of your hard work and I can’t wait for next year. — Mark Wellman

Thank you for a fantastic event! What a fun race, and everyone involved had a great attitude.  As someone who grew up running around Leatherstocking Trail with my friends, this was a treat! Wish I hadn’t lost to my training partner, Phil Comerford, by 42 seconds but there is always next year 🙂 The medal, the shirt, and the race pics are keeping me happy. Going to sign up for next year at the stupid cheap price! — Benjamin Trachtenberg

 

As more comments come in, they will be added. If they are good.