Wonder-fall

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

There are a multitude of running, bicycling and multisport races coming up this fall. The organizers of these events are all ready to bring you back for the in-person experience and fall is wonderful for getting out there!

Running 

On Saturday, Oct. 23, the sixth annual Summer Smith 5K Addiction Awareness Memorial Run/Walk will be at a new location this year – at The Crossings in Colonie. Run the race and stop the stigma. Try this flat, fast course and enjoy the raffles, vendor fair, and a kids’ fun run. A memory ceremony to honor Summer Smith and others lost to disease of addiction begins at 9am before the race. Feel free to bring your pets because the run/walk is pet-friendly. Proceeds benefit Addictions Care Center of Albany, Schenectady YWCA, FOR-NY and Summer Smith Scholarships. Visit: summersmith5k.com.

Try a new course this fall at the fourth annual Brookhaven Oktoberfest 5K Trail Run on Saturday, October 30 at the Brookhaven Golf Course in Porter Corners, just 10 miles northwest of Saratoga Springs – with beautiful views of the lower Adirondacks. It’s on a fun combination of trails, paths, and roads winding around Brookhaven Golf Course. A 1K kids’ fun run and Greenfield’s family-friendly Oktoberfest party are both afterwards. Food, drink, and family friendly entertainment will run from 11-2 following the race. Proceeds of this race go towards grooming and expanding Nordic skiing at Brookhaven’s trail system. Go to: skireg.com.

The MVP Health Care Stockade-athon 15K is back this year on Sunday, Nov. 14. Featuring $5,000 in cash prizes, the race has open, masters and team categories for all-comers. Starting in Veteran’s Park in downtown Schenectady, runners will wind through the streets, parks and historic neighborhoods of the city and finish near City Hall. Afterwards, enjoy a post-race gathering and refreshments. A half-mile children’s run is at City Hall on Jay Street afterwards. Tech shirts are available for the first 1,100 Stockade-athon registrants. Check out: stockadeathon.com.

Here are more options to keep your motivation up and your running fitness going. On Oct. 9, the first annual Michael Pitney Farm Run 5K will be held at 4:40pm on the beautiful Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs, on a mixed surface course entirely on grass and stone dust trail surfaces. There’s also a youth 0.5-mile fun run at 4:15pm: runsignup.com.

From October 16-31, get into the Halloween spirit at the 21st annual Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K & 5K, which is virtual again this year and benefits Saratoga Bridges: saratogabridges.org. You have an in-person chance to wear your Halloween costume at the 28th annual Goblin Gallop 5K in Glens Falls on Oct. 30 in downtown Glens Falls: adirondackrunners.org.

On Thursday, Nov. 11, the 13th annual Veterans Day Dash 5K takes place at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, with a kids’ 0.5-mile fun run too. Great prizes, community involvement and honoring our veterans make this a fun gathering: shenrunners.com. Finally, on November 13, support girls’ running and sports at the Girls on the Run 5K in Schenectady’s Central Park and help celebrate the end of the season and the girls’ achievements: gotcr.org. 

Bicycling

The Cross Mountain Crusher on Saturday, October 23, can be a capstone ride for your gravel riding year. Starting at Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville, riders will challenge their physical abilities to the maximum, while enjoying beautiful backcountry roads in the Catskill Mountains. The 55-mile course features five big hills and 5,030 feet of elevation gain, with a portion of the ascent of Cross Mountain exceeding 20%. There will be feed station support and mechanical and vehicular support as needed. Georgia Gould, Olympic medalist and multiple year U.S. national MTB champion, will be a guest rider – with Q&A following the event. Lunch is included with registration and beer is available for purchase. Visit: bikereg.com.

Triathlon & Duathlon

The area’s triathlon and duathlon season is finishing up with two races this month. The Alpha Win: Saugerties Triathlon is on Monday, Oct. 11. This is Alpha Win’s newest race offering and it will be limited to the first 300 athletes to sign up. Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, and framed by the Catskills, Saugerties is full of historic charm and beautiful scenery. A free brunch for two at Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern is included with registration. 

Saugerties Triathlon includes a Sprint (750-meter swim, 12.4-mile bike, 5K run) and Olympic (1,500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike and 10K run) races. The event begins at Saugerties Village Beach followed by a rolling bike ride and smooth, flat run through the heart of town. The race also includes USA Triathlon’s Splash and Dash, a swim and run youth aquathon for kids ages 7-15. Come experience all that Saugerties has to offer at this newest race offering! Go to: alpha.win.

If swimming is not your thing, test yourself at the 18th annual Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon on Sunday, October 17. Run two miles, bike 17 miles and run two miles, starting/finishing at Riverview Orchards in Rexford. The duathlon is open to individuals and teams so gather some friends. Registration includes lunch and a byway apparel item to the first 100 entered. The event is a benefit for Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. Check out: mohawktowpath.org.

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) is a race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk and a program manager at Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, who enjoys running and paddling.