The first event of the 2025 CrossFit Games is ‘Run Row Run‘, a 4-mile run followed by a 3,000-meter row and finishing up with a 2-mile run.
Outside of the workout description, we know it is on Friday, August 1. That is Day 1 of the CrossFit Games. We also know the location is Jennings Landing, which is home to a 1,000-seat amphitheater that overlooks the Hudson River.
And when Dave Castro was on the Boys Interrupted podcast, Dallin Pepper asked if Event 1 was influenced by the landscape and trails in Albany.
Castro answered, “I wouldn’t say it had much to do with the distance. There’s an area there where you could run really far. We could just run straight for a long time. It could have been longer, but it definitely influenced in terms of having the rowers and being a place where we can lay all that stuff out. So the landscape did come into consideration for sure.”
Ok…now we have something to work with.
First, the Empire State Trail is a 750-mile trail that runs straight through Jennings Landing. Going south on the trail takes you through more of an urban path that shares the road with vehicles. Going north, however, runs along the Hudson River and is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
This section of the Empire State Trail is also paved.
Now, with athletes running six miles in total, it likely means they will be running three miles out and three miles back. After the turnaround, it makes sense that the rowers will be set up approximately two miles from the start/finish line.
This would fit well with a four mile run (three miles out, turnaround, one mile back). They would then do the 3,000-meter row and then run the remaining two miles back to Jennings Landing.
Having the start/finish line right in the middle of Jennings Landing and the amphitheater would be a great spot for spectators to watch. So I mapped the potential course using the middle of this as the starting point.
Below you can see what it would look like from the starting line out towards the course.
I think mapped the distance out to find the mile markers. I was particularly interested in mile marker two (where the rowers would be) and mile marker three (the turnaround).
Interestingly, when you do this, mile marker two is next to a clearing that would be ideal to place rowers between the trail and the Hudson River.
The image below is a photo from the water of the clearing where rowers could be placed.
As you continue up the trail looking for the three-mile marker, you come up to a portion of the trail that has an entry point from the road. It is almost exactly three miles from Jennings Landing. It would also be an ideal spot to transport volunteers to monitor the turnaround spot.
And below is the map showing the course and mile markers, based on my prediction of where the Run Row Run course will be.
Last year I was correct on the Run Swim course. This year I have the same confidence level. The clearing at mile marker 2 makes the most sense for where rowers would fit, or as Dave said, “being a place where we can lay all that stuff out.”
And the 3 mile mark matches with a perfect entry point to transport staff to monitor the turnaround and get them back to Jennings Landing without having to walk or navigate via the actual trail.
Unless more information comes out, this is how I envision the first event of the 2025 CrossFit Games to play out.
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