The Adirondack Runners
The Adirondack Runners club was founded in 1973 to promote both recreational and competitive running in the greater Glens Falls area. They sponsor a short and a long course grand prix race series, a monthly breakfast fun run/walk, and weekly group runs on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. The Adirondack Distance Run, a 10-mile excursion from Lake George to Bolton Landing, draws more than 600 participants in June or July.
Other popular club races include the Goblin Gallop in October, Polar Cap in February, Shamrock Shuffle in March, and Prospect Mountain Uphill Road Race in May. Summer features the track series in June and July, and X-C fun runs in August. Scholarships are awarded to qualifying high school seniors and college students. Club meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month. For more details, check out www.adirondackrunners.com.
-Laura Clark
Albany Running Exchange
Formed in the fall of 2002, the Albany Running Exchange is a unique organization based out of Albany, that offers numerous daily group runs, limitless social events that have included weekend retreats and Caribbean cruises, and an interactive members page that promotes camaraderie and communication. With members ranging in age from 7 to 73 and a full spectrum of abilities, there is something for everyone in the ARE! The ARE is proud to have many members who live either outside of New York or overseas.
Visit: www.albanyrunningexchange.org
Fulmont Roadrunners Club
The Fulmont Roadrunners Club has been promoting running and other recreational activities in Fulton and Montgomery counties for more than 25 years. Open to families and people of all ages and abilities, it currently boasts 200 members. Members meet for recreational runs every Saturday as well as for weekday evening track workouts during the summer.
The FMRRC sponsors two major races: the Mule Haul in June and the Winter Wimp in February. Club members also provide technical assistance to other organizations that conduct races locally. The FMRRC places a major priority on encouraging and rewarding youthful runners by organizing kids’ races and promoting a competitive scholarship program. In addition, the club also sponsors a Grand Prix series and a Mileage Challenge in which participants are recognized for meeting their yearly athletic goals.
Go to www.fmrrc.org.
-Laura Clark
Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club
The Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club, based in Albany, was founded in 1971. With 2,000 members, it is the area’s largest running organization. Members receive discounts on preregistration for club-sponsored events and merchandise from local stores, and a subscription to the monthly Pace Setter magazine. This publication contains race applications and results, articles on club activities, and advice on training, nutrition, injuries and equipment.
The HMRRC schedule includes road, track, cross country and kids’ races. High-profile events are the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon and Marine Corps Half-Marathon in October, the Stockade-athon 15K in November, and the GHI Workforce Team Challenge in May. Their five-race HMRRC Winter Series is held at the State University of New York at Albany campus. All dates feature both long and short options, culminating in a marathon/marathon relay for last-chance Boston qualifiers.
Visit www.hmrrc.com.
-Laura Clark
Saratoga Stryders
The Saratoga Stryders is a family-oriented club for those who enjoy running and socializing afterwards. Members meet Saturdays at the Warming Hut in the Saratoga Spa State Park for a group run followed by conversation, coffee and donuts. Beginning in April, runners also meet Wednesday evenings at the park’s Little Theatre Parking Lot for coached workouts. Everyone does the same workout, but at their own pace. You don’t have to be a member to give the club a try.
The Stryders are involved with many local races in the Saratoga Spa State Park. They also organize a summer Monday night trail fun run series at Camp Saratoga in the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. Many Stryders enjoy other sports such as biking, swimming, snowshoeing, skiing and hiking and often get together informally for these activities. For more information, visit www.saratogastryders.org.
-Laura Clark
Utica Roadrunners
The Utica Roadrunners, with 400 runners and other fitness enthusiasts, is one of the most active social running clubs enrolled in the Road Runners Club of America. Members enjoy running on the roads, on the trails and on the track. Billed as a club “of all ages and paces,” they organize large events like the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in July 13 and the Falling Leaves Road Race in September, which attract both world class and everyday runners.
Members and visitors enjoy Thursday night and Saturday morning group runs, followed by food and socializing, as well as Sunday morning breakfast runs. Runners who wish to improve their race times can participate in summer track workouts. In the winter and spring, the club offers a Boilermaker 15K Training Program with separate sessions geared to beginners through experienced racers.
For more information: www.uticaroadrunners.org.
-Laura Clark
Western Massachusetts Athletic Club
The Western Massachusetts Athletic Club, founded in 1979, is centered in the Berkshires, but also includes the neighboring states of New York, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. In the summer, the emphasis is on trail and road running, with the WMAC trilogy of races featured as part of the New England Trail Runner Series.
In the winter, members trade their sneakers for snowshoes and enjoy the most extensive snowshoe racing series in New York and New England. The snowshoe races are low-key, family style gatherings, open to walkers as well as runners, and followed by hearty feasting and companionship. Non-members are welcome. A limited supply of loaner snowshoes is available at all the races to encourage newcomers to try the sport. Check out www.runwmac.com for events, race results, stories and pictures.
-Laura Clark
