Who We Are

The Shawangunk Runners ("Gunkers," or just "Gunks") are a competitive group of distance runners based in Ulster County, NY. Most of us live in the Walkill Valley between Kingston and New Paltz, in the shadow of the Shawangunk Mountains. The hundreds of miles of carraige roads and trails that traverse the Shawangunk Ridge give us the perfect training environment that we are lucky to call home.

The Gunkers are not a "club" in the usual sense. There are no dues or membership fees. There is no newsletter or definitive membership list. We see ourselves more as a team or a training enclave. Our athletes are serious about enjoying the sport on a competitive level, and we support each other during weekly runs and workouts. Sometimes we even have uniforms. (Not usually. We think Lou might have had the last one.)

Please don't take this to mean we are not competitive. To the contrary, the goal of racing well is the common thread that binds the club together. Our members comprise some of the most successful open and age-group runners in the Hudson Valley. We've had winners at various notable local races, top placings at US National Championships for masters' track and field and for ultra running, and age-group winners and numerous top-10 performances at the venerable Boston Marathon. One would be hard-pressed to find a more successful training group in the area.

Anyone can join the Gunkers. Just show up and run one of our workouts, get to know us, and become a Gunker! Join us for a race or volunteer to help out at one of the numerous races we organize in the area. Just visiting the Valley for a weekend? Come out for a long run Sunday morning. We love the company, and Fred and Steve will be thrilled to have someone new to listen to all their stories.

Workouts and Group Runs

Workouts are Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Wednesday: Tempo Run (with coach Beth)
Location: Spring Farm Trailhead (summer), SUNY-New Paltz (winter)
Time: 6:30 PM

Friday: Track workout (with coach Mike)
Location: SUNY-New Paltz track
Time: 6:30 PM

Sunday: Long Run
Location: varies; Spring Farm is the most common locale
Time: 8:30 AM