VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y. — Runners, walkers and stroller-pushing families will circle the shoreline of Rockland Lake this fall when the Library Association of Rockland County (LARC) stages its inaugural “LARC in the Park” 5-kilometer Run/Walk on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.
Set against the foliage of Rockland Lake State Park (299 Rockland Lake Rd.), the race is equal parts fitness challenge and library benefit. All proceeds bolster LARC’s Scholarship Fund, which helps members complete a master’s degree in library and information science, and underwrite professional-development programs for the staff of Rockland County’s 17 public libraries. LARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
What participants can expect
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | On-site packet pick-up/registration opens |
| 9:30 a.m. | “Dewey Decimal Dash” fun run for children 10 & under (free) |
| 10:00 a.m. | 5K Run/Walk start |
| ~10:45 a.m. | Awards ceremony |
- Pets are not permitted inside the state park. Strollers are welcome on the 3.1-mile paved loop.*
Registration & pricing
Online registration is available exclusively at RunSignUp.com (“LARC in the Park 5K”) or through rocklandlibraries.org.
- Ages 17+: $30 through Sept. 30; $40 Oct. 1–race day
- Ages 16 & under: $20 through race day
- Kids’ Dash (10 & under): Free
Registration closes at 9:45 a.m. on race morning. The first 100 entrants receive a complimentary insulated cooler bag.
Awards
Trophies go to the overall top male and female finishers plus the top three in each age group.
Community backing
Local businesses joining the effort include Frontline Data Services, Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office, Veolia, Montefiore Nyack, Webster Bank, CHPE/TDI, Ascape Landscape & Construction, and The Academy for Martial Arts (Orangeburg).
About LARC
Founded in 1971, the Library Association of Rockland County advocates for public libraries, coordinates county-wide initiatives such as Summer Reading, and administers scholarships and continuing-education workshops that keep librarians current in a fast-evolving field.
Learn more
Race details and a direct registration link are posted at rocklandlibraries.org.