Staten Island Marathon Walk: XNJ
A pleasant walk from Union County through Staten Island to Manhattan, with 22-26 miles of trail, beach, boardwalk and great views.
Date and time
Location
Elizabeth Public Library
11 South Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07202 United StatesRefund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 10 hours
The most pleasant walking route from Union County to Manhattan, with miles of trail, beach, boardwalk and great views. Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge.
Start: Elizabeth Public Library 11 S Broad St Elizabeth NJ 07202
Finish: NY Penn Station
Distance: 22-26mi
Where to find us: In front of the library
Optional endpoints: World Trade Center PATH
Terrain: flat but rugged dirt trails, pavement, beach, boardwalk
Transit: NJ Transit to Elizabeth Station, walk three blocks south on Broad St
Return: NJ Transit or Path train
Difficulty: Advanced
Category: nature, urban, seashore
Coordinator: Charles Updike, 916-225-0569.
Join us on this scenic and colorful marathon walk to complete our trek across New Jersey. We start three blocks from the train station, where parking is available. Walk along the Elizabeth River and across the Goethals Bridge with views of Manhattan. A rambling trail with easy terrain, which can have a few muddy spots, takes us to the beachfront of Staten Island. A walk along the beach and through the park leads us under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and into the fascinating relic that is Fort Wadsworth. A trip up Bay Avenue ends at the Staten Island Ferry and a free ride into Lower Manhattan. A walk along the Hudson River, with optional visits to the World Trade Center and the High Line, finishes at Midtown and Penn Station.
This is a beautiful walk for those not able to complete the 50-mile Big Walk beyond Elizabeth or Newark. If you are unable to complete this one, you can finish three miles early at the PATH station. There are also many bus stops along the way on Staten Island with buses to the ferry.
The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City. You have the option of completing the challenge over three to five days. Option 1: Complete the 40-mile Great Canal Walk from Trenton to New Brunswick in one day, or walk the Spring Ahead to Princeton and do the 28-mile Great Canal Walk from Princeton. Option 2: Complete the 50-mile Big Walk in one day, or walk 24 miles of the Big Walk to Elizabeth and complete the remaining 26 miles on the Staten Island Marathon Walk.
Highlights
- Elizabeth River Parkway
- Goethals Bridge
- Willowbrook Park
- Staten Island Greenbelt
- Cedar Grove Beach
- FDR Boardwalk and Beach
- Midland Beach
- South Beach
- Fort Wadsworth
- Verrazano Narrows Bridge
- Bay Avenue shops
- Staten Island Ferry
- Battery Park
- World Trade Center
- Hudson River Greenway
- High Line
Spring 2025 Cross Jersey Challenge
Mar 22 Spring Ahead Walk (optional) 14mi
Apr 5 Great Canal Walk 28/40mi
Apr 27 Kruimer Walk 13mi
May 17 Big Walk 24/50mi
May 31 Staten Island Marathon Walk (optional) 22/26mi
Partners:
The East Coast Greenway Alliance is a non-profit organization developing a public multi-use 3,000 mile trail from Canada to Key West through New Jersey and New York. Donations and memberships help make this dream trail a reality.
Circuit Trails is 800 miles of interconnected trails in Greater Philadelphia in the making, already one of America's largest trail networks. Once connected, the Circuit Trails will be one of the nation's premier urban trail networks and it will provide multiple benefits to neighborhoods, communities and the region as a whole.
The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City.
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Frequently asked questions
Fluids(32 to 64 ounces), snacks or a small meal are recommended for most events. Some walks have planned stops for provisions. Depending on weather and route, you may consider a hat, sunscreen, extra socks, rain poncho, umbrella, insect repellent, first aid or foot care.
FreeWalkers mostly works with the weather the day provides, but occasionally an event will be rescheduled or cancelled if there is the expectation of substantial rainfall or dangerous conditions. Registrants will always be emailed of such changes. If no notice is provided, the walk is a go!
FreeWalkers are free to walk as much of the route as they choose. There are often optional endpoints where transit is available. Uber and other options can be considered. If you do leave the walk, it is best to let the walk coordinator know, so the group does not wait or look for you.
Most FreeWalks start and/or end at mass transit points for ease of access and return. If driving to the event, you often may park at the start and return, or park at the end and ride to the start. Check the event description for details.
Generally, yes, but pets and children may be less able to tolerate a longer distance. Walks that include indoor segments will require walkers with pets to wait outside, of course.
No need. You will be checked in at the event by providing your name.