Positive Energy at Early Fall Races

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

Races are great for the positive energy and for awakening the competitive spirit. We’ve enjoyed fun runs and summer trail and track series events hosted by the local running clubs, but now we get to enjoy fall races! The Calendar of Events is packed with great options on distances, terrain and destinations to challenge yourself. Sign up for any of these races and see how your summer training stacks up.

First up is the 13th annual Malta 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run on Saturday, September 10 at the HVCC TEC-SMART school in Malta. Join 1,000 runners for this high-energy run/walk at Malta’s two tech parks in Luther Forest. Fleet Feet is providing over $2,500 in cash prizes to top finishers. The 5K course is mostly flat and fast and this year it’s the NYS Road Runners Club of America Championship race. The 10K loops around all the roads in the tech campus and is one of the few certified local 10K courses. Afterwards, enjoy the post-race party and half-off beer with your race bib at Unified Beerworks, just two miles from the finish line.

Race director Paul Loomis says, “We’re happy to be back again to raise money and support the Malta EMS First Responders and local veteran’s agencies in memory of 9/11.” Since its inception in 2010, the race has brought in $275,000 to assist veterans and first responders. With a new season, it’s a good time to clear out old sneakers and cleats, while helping the Miss Scotties Fierce 8U with the sneaker donation drive. Drop off bins will be at the race site on race day, at Fleet Feet in Malta, Malta YMCA, and at Luther Forest Fields. Register: malta5k.com.

Help fight ovarian cancer at Caring Together’s 21st annual Teal Ribbon 5K Run/Walk & 1-Mile Walk on Sunday, September 11. The road race and walk raise awareness 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. Join this inspiring event and enjoy a run/walk through beautiful Washington Park in Albany. The race is open to men and women.

Race day events include a group survivors’ photo in front of the Survivor Quilt before the 5K. The one-mile walk begins ten minutes after the 5K. Sign up individually or as part of a team. Every registered participant receives one raffle ticket to over 50 incredible race baskets at the Park Playhouse. Additional tickets are available from volunteers for $1 per ticket. Survivors are honored at the Survivor’s Table and new survivors can learn more about their support groups. A virtual option is also available to participate in, open from Sept. 11-18. Register and donate: caringtogetherny.org.

Head north for the ADK 5K Run/Walk in Lake George on Saturday, September 17. The ADK 5K course provides panoramic fall views of the lake and the surrounding Adirondack mountains. Runners hug the lake in this memorable out and back loop with minimal hills. After the race, kick back with live music, food trucks, and yard games at Adirondack Pub & Brewery. Runners are encouraged to carpool and have a designated driver, if you’re planning on drinking. The race starts and finishes at Adirondack Brewery. Runners get unique race swag such as race socks and a pilsner glass. The race benefits the Lake George Land Conservancy, a non-profit land trust based in Bolton Landing. To receive $5 off, use code ADKSPORTS by Friday, September 9. Register: adk5k.com. 

If you’d like to do one of the nation’s elite races, head south for Long Island’s biggest road race. The 45th annual Great Cow Harbor 10K Run in Northport is on Saturday, September 17. This year’s race is the 2022 USATF 10K National Championship, but it’s more than a footrace for world class athletes. You can experience the hometown friendliness that makes this an unforgettable event for every one of the 5,000 runners who participate. To spread things out, the Cow Harbor 10K has a staggered start according to predicted finish times. Race day also includes a 2K Fun Run/Walk with about 1,000 people expected. Register: cowharborrace.com.

There’s something for everyone at the 26th annual Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival the weekend of September 17-18. On Saturday, the 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run take place concurrently through the heart of Chestertown. Saturday also features a Kids’ 1K Fun Run in Schroon Lake, along with the marathon/half expo and packet pickup near the town beach. 

On Sunday, the Adirondack Marathon, Half-Marathon and Half-Marathon Relay happen in and around Schroon Lake. The marathon course was named one of the most beautiful by Runner’s World and the half-marathon was voted the top half in the Northeast region by competitor.com. At the finish line, Paradox Brewery will provide one free beer to all 21+ finishers. Register: adirondackmarathon.org.

Established in 1994, the FAM 5K “Fund” Run/Walk at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 24. The fall classic for charity winds through the SUNY Cobleskill campus. This year’s popular competitive race and community walk benefits Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie counties. Register: fam5k.com.

The 48th annual Falling Leaves Road Race 5K & 14K, presented by Utica Roadrunners, is in downtown Utica on Sunday, September 25. Sign up for the 5K that’s open to runners, walkers or wheelchair racers, or the scenic 14K race – the 2022 NYS Road Runners Club 14K Championship. Register: runsignup.com.

On Saturday October 1, there are two trail races to choose from. The sixth annual Amy’s Adventure Race is a 4.5-mile trail race in Bolton Landing. The rugged course follows multiple trails through the beautiful Amy’s Park, up a mountain and winds through scenic ponds, marshes, and forests of Amy’s Park, amidst the idyllic Indian Brook area, a conservation priority area for the Lake George Land Conservancy. Runners begin in wave starts to spread out participants on the trail. Organized and created by LGLC, the event brings attention to their mission of protecting the land that protects the lake, and Amy’s Race also directly demonstrates the holistic benefits of conserving natural resources while also providing recreational opportunities. Register: lglc.org.

The Leaf Cruncher 5K, also on October 1, is on the trails of Gore Mountain in North Creek. All runners get a scenic gondola ride valid the same day, as well as raffle entry for great prizes, and a digital finish line photo included in their race fee. Plus, the first 75 runners are guaranteed a Gore Mountain Leaf Cruncher water bottle. Top finishers in each age category will receive a commemorative Leaf Cruncher 5K certificate. Raffle prize winners must be present to win so stay to cheer on the other finishers and save your included skyride for the afternoon. Register: goremountain.com.

The USATF Adirondack Cross Country Championship is moving to Queensbury this year. It will be held on Sunday October 2 at Queensbury High School on the same course used by the annual Queensbury Invitational. It’s a combination of grass and trails winding through the woods behind the high school. The Open/Masters 5K race serves as the XC Championship, but all runners are welcome whether they are USATF members or not. In addition, there will be three youth races: 2K (ages 8-under), 3K (ages 9-10, 11-12) and 4K (ages 13-14). These youth races are not the Adirondack JO XC Championship, which will be held in November. Register: adirondack.usatf.org/events/2022.

The second annual Michael Pitney Farm Run is at Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, October 8. It features the 5K Community Run at 8am, a Youth Half-Mile Fun Run at 9am, followed by exciting middle/high school XC races on the farm starting at 9:30am. The relatively flat trail course has grass, dirt and stone dust surfaces. The spectator-friendly laid-back atmosphere has beautiful scenery, good food and upbeat music. Proceeds benefit the trails at PMCF. Register: runsignup.com.

There are lots of fantastic races coming up and comfortable fall weather to enjoy so we’ll see you out there!