YMCA of Greater Rochester & UR Medicine Present: Runnin' of the Green

MARCH 14, 2026 9:30 AM | Mercantile on Main

The ice is melting, the bagpipes are calling, and you're running fast down Main Street towards green donuts and live music. Join us for a fun time, maybe a fast time, and definitely a party time. Rochester's Runnin' of The Green 5-mile is back for it's 28th year.

A 5 mile out and back course along the Genesee River, Runnin' of The Green presented by YMCA of Greater Rochester & UR Medicine, is Rochester's un-official start to the racing season. Run in person or virtually to celebrate the season.

Registrants Receive:

• Runnin' of The Green race medal (Limited to the first 2000 registrants)
• Long Sleeve Shirt while supplies last.  Sign up by 2/25 to guarantee shirt size.
• Themed post-race snacks & beverages (green donuts, apples, beer, cider to name a few)
• Free Post Race Party at The Mercantile (live music, games from vendors, and fun!)
• Complementary bag drop for a better post race party
• Additional food and beverages are available for purchase from the great options in the mercantile

After the race is the post-race party!

Once you finish, head inside the Mercantile for:

• Live results
• Live music
• Green donuts
• Apples
• Cider
• Beer (Provided by Rohrbach Brewing)
• Awards Presentation ~ 11:40 in the Club Room
• Photo stations
• Vendors with games

In-Person Race:

When: March 14, 2026
Race Start: 9:30 AM
Start Location: 285 East Main Street. Downtown Rochester, NY | DIRECTIONS
Start & Finish: East Main Street, outside Mercantile on Main
No wave start. 
Course: 5 Miles out and back along the Genesee River.

Visiting Rochester for the race?:

Official race lodging with the Hyatt here: Book Your Stay

Virtual Race:

Run your 5 miles anywhere you want, SAFELY and post your results on the page!
Submit your results anytime starting at 9:30am March 14, 2026 to 11:59pm March 21, 2026

At Registration:

Select "Ship your Swag" unless you'd like to come in-person to packet pickup to get your swag** 

Submit Your Results:

1 - Log into Your RunSignup Account here: runsignup.com/Login
2 - Go to Your Profile: runsignup.com/Profile
3 - Click Submit Virtual Results on the Event for which You have Results
More on How To

Registration                 Cost                                     Giveaways
Before 1/1/26               $35                                        Sweatshirt upgrade instead of LS T-Shirt + medal 
1/1/26-3/7/26                $40                                        LS t-shirt (while supplies last)+ medal
3/8/26-3/13/26              $45                                        LS t-shirt (while supplies last) + medal
DAY OF (March 14)     $50                                        LS t-shirt (while supplies last) + medal

KIDS 18 + under are ONLY $20.00

SAVE $10: Help the environment and your pockets: Select the "GO Green" option to skip a shirt and medal.

USATF Niagara Members: Register by 3/7/2026 for a $5 discount

REGISTER HERE

We strongly encourage you to get your packet BEFORE Race Day!

Packet Pick Up at your Local YMCA

Monday, March 9 | 5pm - 7pm | Westside YMCA - 920 Elmgrove Road
Tuesday, March 10 | 5pm - 7pm | Schottland YMCA - 2300 W. Jefferson Road

Packet Pick Up at Rochester Running Company

12pm - 6pm
Wednesday, March 11 
Thursday, March 12
Friday, March 13

Day of Packet Pickup - March 14

AT THE RACE | Inside Mercantile on Main
8:15am - 9:15am

5 Miles out and back
USATF Certified Course 
Start and Finish: East Main Street/Mercantile

Keep your items safe until the end of the race! To make your post race party even better, Rochester Running Company is offering complementary bag drop. 

Starting at 8:15am Race Day
You MUST USE the provided bag for your belongings. 

Once you have finished your race, you can pick up your bag inside of the Mercantile where they were dropped off.

Be sure you have what you will need during the race before you drop off your bag! You will not be able to get your bag until AFTER the race.

There is no special event parking. 

Best Places to Park

Mortimer Garage and South Ave Garage are available and closest to the Mercantile on Main.

Plan extra time to find parking the morning of the race 
The Parade Route is along East and Main- traffic will be closed in that area 

Looking to improve your 5 mile time and work on speed??

Sign up to receive training for the Running of the Green! You’ll receive a weekly email every Monday with your workout for the week, which will progressively build toward the 5-mile race. Each email will also include guidance on pacing and how to adjust workouts as needed. Don’t miss the chance to work toward a new PR and set a motivating goal to carry you through the winter months! 🏃‍♂️🍀

The cost for the training is $80, beginning January 5th. When possible, we’ll join the Pace Project on Wednesday evenings at 5:45 pm, meeting at Rochester Running Company for coached workouts completed together. If we’re meeting that week (weather permitting), it will be noted in the weekly email.

Don't dig a run/walk/ or ruck? We got you!

• Do yoga over at the Hyatt during the race
• Join everyone back at the Mercantile and Parcel 5 for post race
• Enjoy the festivities and the holiday! Stick around for the parade!

Come out and Ruck our 5- Mile course! 

• Bring a weight of your choice!
• Complete the 5- Mile course at your speed
• Celebrate the holiday!

Age Group Awards

Top 3 in each age group will be awarded.
Age groups: 5 Year age groups to 80+ 

USATF Members:

As the 2026 USATF Niagara 5 Mile Open/Masters Association Championship, Runnin' of The Green is a part of the 2026 USATF Niagara Runner Of The Year and USATF Niagara Team Grand Prix Series.
Awards for USATF Niagara Members only are awarded for the Championship.
$3000 in prize money will be distributed.
Overall M/F: 1st $500, 2nd $350, 3rd $250, 4th $150, 5th $100, 6th $50.
Overall Masters M/F: $100.
USATF Membership Info

Rochester Runner of the Year:

Runnin' of the Green is the first race of the Greater Rochester Track Club (GRTC) Runner of the Year Race Season. Get a jump start for the Series!
More Info: https://rochesterrunneroftheyear.org/

Frequently Asked Questions
Find more information about race day here and on our race details page.

Where should I park?
There is no special parking for race participants. Many parking garages and street parking around the race location are free on Saturday mornings; however, we cannot guarantee free parking. Participants are responsible for their parking costs. Please allow ample time to find parking and arrive at the Mercantile.

Closest Parking garages:
Mortimer Street Garage (83 Mortimer St, Rochester, NY 14604)
South Ave Garage (39 Stone St, Rochester, NY 14604)
Court St. Garage (Court Street Garage, 194 Court St, Rochester, NY 14604)
Civic Center Garage (55 S Fitzhugh St, Rochester, NY 14614)

What time does the Mercantile open?
The Mercantile is open race day at 8 am for both race participants and spectators.

Is there a bag check?
Yes. The Bag Check is inside the Mercantile. 
The bag check will open at 8 am. Bags can only be checked in ONCE before the start of the race and can be picked up post-race, bag check will close approximately 60 minutes after the race. 

Will there be ID check?
Participants over 21 and interested in drinking post-race must show their race bib at the bar to redeem their one free beer at the post-race party. You cannot redeem your free beer if you do not have your race bib. Spectators must show ID at the bar to drink.

Lifetime Membership is available for Runnin' of the Green!

We have over 10 lifetime members already along with any past winners of the race!  All winners are automatically lifetime members.

You are able to pick a lifetime member number (first come, first serve) and will always be guaranteed the best giveaways!

This membership is non-transferable and guaranteed for life for the person who purchases it!

https://runsignup.com/Club/NY/Rochester/LifetimeRunninoftheGreenMembers