Fall Racing is Here… The Best Season for Running!

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

We have fall in-person races! There are a variety of distances, locations and terrain to choose from this fall. After a quiet summer, races are back on the calendar, so come run with us! 

First up is the 12th annual Malta 5K & 10K on Saturday, September 11 at HVCC TEC-SMART in Malta. Run, jog, or walk in-person around the technology parks of Malta. A virtual option is also available where you can log your time. Sign up by 9/8 for a guaranteed shirt and running hat for the first 700 registrants.

Since its inception in 2010, this event raised over $275,000 to support veterans and Malta’s emergency first responders – on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Proceeds benefit Veterans & Community Housing Coalition, Malta Ambulance, Malta Ridge and Round Lake Fire departments. Learn more at malta5K.com.

On Sunday, September 12, participate in the 20th anniversary of the Teal Ribbon 5K Run & 1M Walk in Washington Park, Albany. Survivors, advocates and caregivers join together to walk and run for an end to ovarian cancer. The Teal Ribbon, coordinated by Caring Together, seeks to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and raise funds to support research toward developing an early detection test as well as more effective treatment options for women with recurrent ovarian cancer. The 2020 virtual event raised over $80,000.

A virtual option is available from September 12-18 for those who prefer to participate from afar. Each registrant will receive a raffle ticket to win one of many gift baskets. Register soon to guarantee your race shirt. Visit caringtogetherny.org.

Training and race day will be the opposite of what we’re used to this year. Instead of a late May or early June race day, get ready for the 43rd annual Freihofer’s Run for Women, which starts/finishes at the NYS Capitol building. Run through downtown Albany and enjoy beautiful Washington Park on Saturday, September 25. Nearly 1,500 women and girls are registered to run and walk the 5K. Participants also have the option to do the race virtually.

With race day delayed, the Freihofer’s Training Challenge started in the heat of July, rather than the cool and cloudy conditions we’re used to in March. There are over 150 women enrolled in the 11-week Training Challenge at 28 locations across the greater Capital Region. Festivities will include the Health & Fitness Expo and packet pick-up on Thu/Fri, Junior 3K for girls/boys 7-14, and Kids’ Runs for girls/boys 3-11. Join first-timers, long-timers, elites, mother-daughter, sister and friend teams, walkers, and virtual participants this year. For more info, go to freihofersrun.com.

If a run through the city isn’t your thing, do the 24th annual Charlton Heritage 5K Run/Walk in beautiful Charlton also on September 25. The race, usually held on Founders Weekend, celebrates the founding of the town of Charlton, in the rural southwest part of Saratoga County. Due to Covid-19, it was delayed from June to September.

The race benefits the Charlton Historical Society and its mission to preserve the historical buildings and artifacts in the town and to share the history of the community. The 5K course is a challenging mix of rolling hills and flats through the picturesque back roads of this hamlet. Starting at the Old Red School House, it’s an out and back course to finish at the historic St. Paul’s Church, built in 1804. A virtual option has been available since August 19 until race day. Learn more at charlton5k.com.

If trail running is your preferred surface, check out Amy’s Adventure “Race for the Lake” on Saturday, October 2 in Bolton Landing. Created to bring attention to the Lake George Land Conservancy’s mission of protecting the land that protects the lake, the race also directly demonstrates the holistic benefits of conserving natural resources, while also providing recreational opportunities. The 4.5-mile rugged trail race was spearheaded in 2017 by the LGLC’s Next Generation (NextGen) Committee, a group of young professionals committed to bringing awareness to LGLC’s mission. 

This year’s event will be both in-person and virtual, again allowing runners to participate from near and far. In addition, a wave start will streamline the start and spread-out runners on the trail system. Proceeds will go to the Bolton Hub initiative to protect the land. Learn more and register at lglc.org.

The weekend of October 2-3 is the 25th anniversary of the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival, who presents the Adirondack Marathon, Half Marathon and 2-/4-person Relays on Sunday, October 3. All three courses take runners around beautiful Schroon Lake. There’s something for everyone on race weekend! A 5K/10K will go on Saturday at 9am at the Chester Municipal Center in Chestertown. Both distances run through the heart of the hamlet. The expo and packet pick-up, featuring National Running Center, will be on Saturday from 10am-5pm at Schroon Lake Central School and there’s also a 1K Kids’ Fun Run in Schroon Lake.

Perks include the carved bear awards for top three M/F overall in the marathon and half, plus top M/F/mixed in relays; commemorative finisher medal; and “Pacer Bears” to hit your pace goals. For the 25th celebration, race directors have special treats for participants and their families. Fireworks and music will be in the Schroon Lake Town Park early Saturday evening. On Sunday, Paradox Brewery will have a beer garden at the finish line, and will give all marathon, half and relay runners a 25th anniversary commemorative glass – and a free beer (21-over). Join the celebration by signing up at adirondackmarathon.org.

The Mohawk Hudson River Marathon & Hannaford Half Marathon is on Sunday, October 10. Directed by Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club, both the marathon and half-marathon are point-to-point races for runners, put on by runners. The marathon starts at Schenectady’s Central Park and goes to the Mohawk Hudson Bikeway/Empire State Trail along the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, while the half starts at Colonie Town Park in Latham. Both share a finish line at Jennings Landing at Corning Preserve in Albany. The course is flat and fast, with a net elevation loss of 370 feet. Approximately two-thirds of the marathon course is on paved bike path, one-third on city streets, and it’s supported for six hours.

Race updates include a significant course improvement as the final seven miles of both races have a new dedicated bike lane in Watervliet along Route 32 and the existing bike path has also been newly repaved for the final few miles from Watervliet to the finish – huge! HMRRC is again providing bus transportation to the start of each race, plus gear check at the starts. As always, there will be aid stations every two miles – and cups are back at the water stops! While there’s no Expo this year, packet pickup will be on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at the HMRRC Clubhouse in Latham. Race merchandise will be available at the finish area. Details and registration at mohawkhudsonmarathon.com.

Other great fall offerings include – 9/4 Run 4 the River Half Marathon in Schenectady; 9/9-12 Old Forge Marathon Weekend (5K to ultra); 9/18 ADK 5K in Lake George; 9/18 Great Cow Harbor 10K in Northport; 9/26 Falling Leaves 5K/14K Road Races in Utica; 10/16-31 Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K/10K Virtual (anywhere); 10/23 Summer Smith 5K for Addiction Awareness in Colonie; 10/23 Have a Drink on Me 5K in Clifton Park; and 10/30 Brookhaven Oktoberfest 5K Trail Run in Greenfield. If you can’t race, volunteers are needed for all these events, especially this year so show them your support. Walkers are welcome so no excuses, there’s something for everyone!

Fall racing is here… The best season for running, with in-person races so come run with us!

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) of Clifton Park is a race director of the Good Karma 5K and mentor for Freihofer’s Training Challenge. When not working at Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, she enjoys running and training for races.