The first Saturday every June is designated National Trails Day (NTD) in the United States. On that day every year more than a million hikers, bikers, runners, equestrians, and others take part in thousands of events nationwide in celebration of America’s trails. The objectives of National Trails Day not only include promoting public awareness of and appreciation for America’s trails, but also encouraging cooperative efforts among different trail users, including hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, walkers, runners and anyone else who enjoys being on the trail. The Annual D&R Canal Tow Path “Train”ing Run is meant as a celebration of the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath, a section of the East Coast Greenway, that we use every Saturday of the year. 

As in previous years, a few runners will gather in Johnson Park before 4 AM, so that they can be driven to Trenton for a 34.9 mile run back to Johnson Park. This run will take some runners over 7 hours, and along the way, almost 200 other runners will join them. If you never started this event in Trenton, you really should try it. Yeah, the towpath is overgrown with weeds at various points in this area, but there is a peacefulness about it. If you can make it the 14 miles to Rocky Hill, you will experience the runners who “only” want to run 20.8 miles. If you can’t make it to Rocky Hill, we will pick you up and transport you back to Johnson Park. Regardless of what pace you run and what distance you run, the important part is participation. Bus service is provided to all points on the towpath (see “train stops” below). This is a non-competitive event that encourages camaraderie and having fun, whether you test yourself by running long, or want to run the short distance in from DeMott Lane. Participation is the key. 

RVRR also makes a per mile donation to the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey for every mile we run or walk. The more you run or walk, the bigger the donation!! We have a Frequent “Train”ing Program! Runners who complete 100, 200, 300, etc total miles of “train” running, will receive a commemorative mug. Runners who complete the full distance of the train run from Trenton, will receive a memento to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishment. After the run, runners are encouraged to stick around for a fabulous picnic with hot and cold food and ice cold drinks. If you have friends, neighbors or coworkers who have talked about joining RVRR, this is a great opportunity for them to join us. Even if they want to run a 12-minute pace or walk-run a 15-minute pace, we will get them out on the trail. If they aren’t ready to run, but would like to participate, we can use additional volunteers to provide support to the runners on the towpath. The towpath is a great resource, with a rich history that we shouldn’t take for granted. Our goal is always to leave it cleaner than we found it. See you June 1, 2024!  

For more info Contact Ray D & R Canal links: D & R Canal Page Directions – Johnson Park in Piscataway. To get to the park, take River Road north, into Piscataway, from Highland Park. At the 3rd traffic light, make a left. Alternatively, take Easton Avenue from Somerset going south or New Brunswick going north; Landing Lane intersects Easton Avenue at Franklin Blvd. At crosswalk, make right turn to Grove 4 If you wish to take Route 18 north, go over the bridge over the Raritan River, exit onto River Road and turn right; turn left at the next traffic light onto Landing Lane, and make the first left into Johnson Park . We meet in Grove 4 in Johnson Park.