The Totten Trot started with 12 runners. On Sunday, October 25, the Bayside Historical Society runs it for the 25th time, and it now draws more than 300 runners plus the families and teams who come with them to Fort Totten Park on Little Neck Bay. The society is calling this one its silver anniversary race.

The course

The 5K starts and finishes at the Officers' Club, the landmarked building the historical society calls home. From there it runs through the Fort Totten Historic District, past buildings that date to the late 1800s, then out along Little Bay Path toward the Throgs Neck Bridge and back. The course is certified by USA Track & Field, and timing is handled by elitefeats.

The race keeps a Halloween theme, and costumes are encouraged. There is a prize for the best costume, along with cash prizes for the top three men and top three women. Members of the Empire City Garrison of the 501st Legion, the Star Wars costuming club, will be on hand for photos.

This year's commemorative race T-shirt was designed by the winner of an art contest at Bayside High School. Shirts went to runners who registered at least three weeks before race day.

A fun run for kids

After the 5K, children up to age 12 run their own Kids' Fun Run, sorted by age group. Each finisher gets a cookie medal. Sign-up for the fun run is on race day, and the society asks for a suggested $5 donation.

Schedule and price

  • 7:30 am: registration opens
  • 9 am: 5K run and walk
  • 10 am: Kids' Fun Run

The race goes on rain or shine. Registration for the 5K is $38.98 online through the race's elitefeats page, and $44.15 on race day, both including processing fees.

The society behind the race

The Bayside Historical Society was founded in 1964, led by Joseph H. Brown, and has been based at Fort Totten since 1984. Its home, known as the Castle, is Building 208 at 208 Totten Avenue.

Getting there

The Fort Totten entrance is at Bell Boulevard and 212th Street. Parking is free in the Little Bay Park lot just outside the gate, at 212th Street and the Cross Island Parkway. There is no subway nearby: the Q13 and Q16 buses stop at Fort Totten, and the Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington Branch stops at Bayside, where riders can transfer to the Q13. Questions go to the society at 718-352-1548.

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