Fire Tower Trail races test runners' mettle

Two hundred thirteen runners finished the challenging hilly courses at the Fire Tower Trail Races on Sunday, June 7, at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation — 100 finished the Half Marathon and 113 runners finished the 10k distance. 

More than 40 volunteers combined to pull the race together and runners raised over $2,500 for educational programs and signage at the Cross River Mountain Fire Tower atop the highest point in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. PHOTOS BY ROBERT J. CUMMINGS

Start of the inaugural Fire Tower Trail Half Marathon at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation on Sunday June 7, 2026. Eamonn Sullivan of Wappingers Falls, shown in the lead at the start, finished first overall.

10-year-old Pen Fisher of Bedford on trail atop Cross River Mountain at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Pen was one of three 10-yea- old finishers of the difficult 10k trail race. Others were his twin brother Alex along with Leo Casasanta of Bedford.

Delaney Bracken of Stratford won the women's 10K race.

12-year-old Griffin Cino of Mt Kisco near fire tower summit.

Terry Scaccio of Katonah and Nick Speranza of Cortlandt Manor pose for a photo on the trail during the race. Later on Terry and Nick would selflessly stop to help a runner who became dehydrated in the warm weather.

Jessica Gallagher of Waccabuc passes by the fire tower under construction atop Cross River Mountain.

Ken Nagase of New York City celebrates as he passes by the fire tower.

Ryan Carberry of Katonah and Steve Moore of Holmes NY pass by the fire tower under construction.

Top three mens finishers of the Fire Tower Trail half marathon Riley Courtney (#2) from Ridgefield, Eamonn Sullivan (#1) of Wappingers Falls, and Eddy Jimenez (#3) of Sleepy Hollow.

Volunteers at the Kimberly Bridge water and aid station ham it up for the camera.

Volunteers Rose Bonnano, Ciorsdan Conran, and Liane Wegener under the main tent at the races.

Volunteers Sky Smith and Stephen Cohen at the Fire Tower aid station getting water ready for runners.

Morgan Busko of Bronxville at the first water stop on the half marathon course. Morgan won the half marathon women's division.