The waters surrounding New York City will once again roar with the sound of high-performance engines as the National Powerboat Association (NPBA) presents the 30th Anniversary Edition of the New York City Poker Run on Aug. 21-22.
The main event, schedule for Saturday, Aug. 22, kicks off with a noon start, and promises a unique blend of speed, spectacle and patriotism timed perfectly with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Organized by NPBA Executive Director Billy Frenz, the rally has long stood out for its iconic setting. Headquarters remain at the Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Glen Cove on Long Island’s North Shore, where the fleet both launches and returns. The roughly 65-mile course traces a single loop around Manhattan, offering participants unmatched views of the city’s skyline while threading through challenging waters including Hell Gate—where the Harlem and East Rivers converge—and past landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and under the George Washington Bridge.
What elevates this year’s edition is a special photo-op helicopter shoot at the Statue of Liberty. Boats will display American flags during the run and a parade up the Hudson River, turning the event into a floating celebration of the nation’s milestone. Frenz emphasizes the distinctive character of the gathering: it is not a race, yet the fleet moves with serious pace, delivering the kind of fast fun that has defined the event for three decades.
The new pace boat, a Patriotic Special Edition of the 42' Fountain, will lead the parade to the start. Drivers follow the pace boat after the mandatory 11 a.m. meeting. Registration and check-in begin at 9 a.m. Saturday (with Friday activities also available), the awards party gets underway around 2 p.m., and trophy presentations plus the cash prize announcement follow at approximately 4:30 p.m. Card pulling takes place at the Cove after the run, with the station open from about 12:45 p.m. until 4 p.m.; the best five-card poker hand earns $5,000 cash. Extra hands are available for those looking to improve their odds.
A strong field of sponsors and notable boats is already generating buzz. Saris Racing Engines serves as trophy sponsor and will have one of its high-performance craft on the water. When Jason and Johnny Saris are not turning up the power on Lake George, they are known for their musical talents as guitarists and performers. Deep Impact Boats joins as a sponsor and plans to debut its 499 Sport powered by six Mercury Racing 500-hp outboards, with company President Mark Fischer at the helm—a combination that should keep the helicopter crew busy trying to keep pace. Ryan Friedman Motor Cars is another welcome addition; Friedman earned the “Youngest Captain” award in 1999 while piloting his father’s 38 Sonic. This year, he returns in a 50' Cigarette Marauder equipped with twin Mercury 1,350-hp engines.
Entry fees stand at $399 through Aug. 21 and rise to $599 thereafter. All participants must join the NPBA (a $25 membership fee applies per person on the boat). Optional helicopter photos, event video, and merchandise are also available. Travel-lift services can be arranged at Safe Harbor Marina in Glen Cove, and overnight accommodations options include The Mansion at Glen Cove (which features a helipad), the Roslyn Claremont Hotel, Holiday Inn Westbury, and The Garden City Hotel.
The event has experienced a notable resurgence in recent years under Frenz’s leadership, with support from his daughter Allison’s marketing efforts. Participation has climbed into the dozens of boats, drawing crews from across the Northeast and beyond—a mix of pleasure boaters, current and former offshore racers, and dedicated poker-run enthusiasts. Unlike multi-stop poker runs, participants complete the full course before drawing cards back at the Cove, keeping the focus on the shared experience of running the dramatic New York waterways together.
A Friday kickoff with registration, a cocktail gathering, and party at the Cove sets the social tone, while Sunday serves as the rain date if needed. More announcements are expected as the date approaches. For registration and full details, visit the online form at https://pci.jotform.com/form/260417470548156 or the National Powerboat Association website; contact Billy Frenz directly at frenzyyy@optonline.net, cell/text 203-918-4661, or office 203-532-1312.
The New York City Poker Run has always delivered something special—the combination of world-famous scenery, serious horsepower, camaraderie on the docks, and a healthy dose of friendly competition for the best hand. This 30th-anniversary edition, wrapped in the red, white, and blue of America’s Semiquincentennial, looks set to raise the bar even higher. Whether you are a longtime participant or a first-timer ready to experience Manhattan from the water at speed, Aug. 22 is a date worth locking in. See you on the docks!