September Best Bets

By Mona Caron

The fall season is just around the corner and the opportunities for races are endless! Every weekend you’ll find a race in every setting and every distance, each with its own unique running (or walking) experience. Fall racing is the perfect way to measure your spring and summer training. Challenge yourself to one or all of these quality races in September!

After Labor Day weekend, on Saturday, Sept. 7, the Roundabout Runners Club is organizing the 10th annual Malta 5K & 10K – yes, new 10K! Besides providing youth training and adult social runs, the RRC are now the organizers of the Malta road races. The Malta 5K has raised over $225,000 in nine years for the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition in Ballston Spa, two fire departments in Malta, and Malta Stillwater EMS squad. The new 10K is part of the 10th anniversary of the 5K, and offers a more challenging course. (malta5k.com) 

The next day on Sunday, Sept. 8, run Albany at the Teal Ribbon 5K Run & 1M Walk and support the fight against ovarian cancer. For 18 years, survivors, advocates and caregivers join together to run or walk for an end to ovarian cancer. Coordinated by Caring Together, the race raises awareness of ovarian cancer and funds in support of research toward developing an early detection test, as well as more effective treatment options for women with recurrent ovarian cancer. The run/walk starts and finishes at the Washington Park Lake House. There are awards, raffles, prizes, and ovarian cancer awareness materials. Funds support research, grants and awareness activities throughout the Capital Region, including research at Albany Medical College. (caringtogetherny.org)

The Camp Chingachgook Challenge Half Marathon and 10K has been moved to Sunday, Sept. 8 in Kattskill Bay. The point-to-point half starts at Lake George Elementary School and finishes at Camp Chingachgook, and the out-and-back 10K starts/finishes at camp, both take runners on the scenic rolling hills along the eastern lake shore. The race is part of the Capital District YMCA’s Healthy Community Race Series. (zippyreg.com)

In the Mid-Hudson Valley, the 41st annual Dutchess County Classic features a marathon, half marathon and 5K, on Sunday, Sept. 15. The majority off-road, paved trails are flat and scenic on the Dutchess Rail Trail and Walkway Over the Hudson bridge. Dutchess Community College is the start/finish location for the races, near the Dutchess Rail Trail Morgan Lake Trailhead. (dutchesscountyclassic.org)

The Saratoga Palio Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk, also on Sept. 15, takes runners through downtown Saratoga Springs. These well-run races continue to attract participants from around the region and beyond. Both feature scenic courses through downtown Saratoga Springs starting on North Broadway and ending at Congress Park, with the half marathon winding through Saratoga Spa State Park. This year’s charitable recipient is the SNACpack Program. Since 2015, approximately 10 volunteers come together weekly at St. Clement’s Church to pack approximately 140 backpacks full of child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed foods for distribution to school-aged children for the weekends and school vacations. (themelaniefoundation.com)

On Saturday, Sept. 21, check out the 11th annual Race Away Stigma 5K, presented by Hudson Valley Community College’s Wellness Center. The run/walk raises awareness of mental health issues that affect more than one in five Americans every year. Depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health concerns are increasingly common among college and university students in the US. Registration is open to all community members, but free for HVCC students and only $10 for students from local colleges. The 5K is held in collaboration with Rensselaer, College of Saint Rose, and Sage Colleges. (hvcc.edu/cct/race.html)

The Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival has a distance for everyone! Join hundreds of runners on September 21-22 in Chestertown and Schroon Lake for their 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon and relays. The Helper’s Fund 5K and 10K races take place in Chestertown in Saturday, while the distance races are in Schroon Lake on Sunday. (adirondackmarathon.org)

In Salem, Washington County, the sixth annual Tour de Salem Flame Fighters bike rides have added a 5K and 10K runs, and a 1M walk to the schedule on Sunday, Sept. 22. The rural landscape offers rolling hills, great routes and scenic views near the Vermont border. (tourdesalemflamefighters.com)

There are a great variety of choices the weekend of Sept. 28-29… Choose from the FAM 5K, Amy’s Adventure 4.5M Trail Run, Flashlight 5K and Nick’s Run to be Healed 5K. 

The 26th annual FAM 5K “Fund” Run/Walk has a family-friendly atmosphere for runners, walkers and spectators – starting and finishing at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 28. Since 1994, Fenimore Asset Management has held its FAM 5K in the bucolic setting of Schoharie County. Top three male and female finishers receive FAM value fund shares and if the course record is broken, the share is doubled. The men will have to beat 14:26 and the women a time of 16:06. The event has grown to over 800 participants, with Brooks BBQ chicken, kid’s run, massage therapists, raffles and community booths. Each year the proceeds from the race are donated to one of five different local charities on a rotating basis. The Schoharie ARC will be the beneficiary this year. (fam5k.com)

Lake George Land Conservancy’s third annual Amy’s Adventure “Race for the Lake” 4.5-Mile Trail Run is on Sept. 28 at Amy’s Park in Bolton Landing. This event is brought to you by LGLC’s NextGeneration volunteer group, who are passionate about protecting about protecting the land and the lake, and organizing engaging events. The beautiful Amy’s Park trail, one of LGLC’s preserves with ponds, marshes and forests, has some narrow and steep sections, bridge crossings and rocks, leaves and roots – sounds perfect! Finish line will include prizes, beer tastings and baked cookies, and after party at Bolton Landing Brewing. (lglc.org/events-and-programs)

On Saturday, Sept. 28, you can also do this event because it’s in the evening – and bring the family! The fifth annual Flashlight 5K Night Run or Walk will take place at Cole’s Woods in Glens Falls. Bring a flashlight, headlamp or lights of any kind for this 7:30pm start, and run the trails behind the Glens Falls YMCA. The first 100 to register will receive glow-in-the-dark ink T-shirts! Each entrant will get a glow stick necklace and bracelet. Prizes include age-group awards and best costumes. A portion of the proceeds benefit YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and Friends of Cole’s Woods. (adkracemgmt.com)

On Sunday morning, Sept. 29, head over to Clifton Commons in Clifton Park for Nick’s 5K Run to be Healed. Enjoy the carnival-like pre- and post-race fun with prizes, music, bouncy-bounce, carnival games and food. There’s something for all – Nick’s Dash, Luke’s Mile, Zumba warmup, two-mile walk and 5K run. This year’s race honors Olivia DeWitt and JP Honsinger. Nick’s Run to be Healed supports local pediatric cancer patients and honors the memory of Nick Cammarata who passed away in 2008 at age 13. Since its founding in 2009, the foundation has donated over $700,000, plus it offers services such as Family Hope Bags, Nick’s Comfort Bags, pet therapy and more. (fighttobehealed.org)

See you out there!