Northport’s Cow Harbor Day Weekend is Back After Pandemic

(HUNTINGTON, N.Y.) — After a two-year pause for the pandemic, the Village of Northport held its annual Cow Harbor Day Weekend festival on Sept. 18-19, drawing hundreds of visitors. 

The weekend kicked off with the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run welcoming more than 5,000 runners and almost 10,000  spectators, according to the race’s official website.

After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 Cow Harbor Run to go virtual, runners were ecstatic to participate in the live run this year. Starting at 8:30 a.m. outside Laurel Avenue School in Northport Village, participants ran the 10K (approximately  6.2 mile) race, ending in front of the downtown Northport Hardware Company. For a more relaxed route, participants of all ages took part in a 2K Fun Run/Walk. 

Despite running for over eight years, first-time Cow Harbor runner Katherine Ellsworth, said  she felt a bit nervous for the run. “I had never run the course before so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” she explained. “Once the run started, my nerves faded, and I felt very prepared for the route ahead.” 

The 10K run was named “race of the year” in 2009 by New England Runner, a magazine covering regional running in all of New England and New York. 

The Ellsworth family snap a photo in the Village park after completing the run.

“The spectators were cheering us on along every inch of the course, so it kept my motivation high throughout the entirety of the run,” Ellsworth explained. “Those who live on the roads we ran through decorated their houses and set up water stands, while others made signs or played music.” 

Saturday marked almost two years without a live Cow Harbor Day run, inspiring the residents of Northport to come together for an upbeat marathon day after a tough year.

Following the race, the community celebrated Cow Harbor Weekend with a number of festivities. including a decorated boat contest at the dock and a live concert

The celebration continued on with the Cow Harbor Day Festival featuring the Northport High School Tiger Marching Band. Local merchants lined Main Street to sell beverages and sweet treats. By the water, visitors  enjoyed amusement rides like teacups and swings, while others strolled the park where local non-profit groups and arts and crafts vendors hosted tables 

For those who aren’t quite ready for the challenge of a 10K, Greenlawn Fire Depart. Engine Company will be hosting a Halloween 5K race on Oct. 30. Grab a comfortable costume and your running shoes and have fun participating in this spooky race.