Marathon and Half (13.1M) Season – It’s Fast Approaching!

By Laura Clark

Barely into summer, it seems frivolous to wish our lives away and anticipate autumn. But for runners, fall signals marathon and half marathon season, which is much more than a wake-up, glance out the window and register for a morning race kind of thing. Prior planning to cover such a long distance is essential. The good news is, by the time September rolls around, the hot and humid holding pattern we are stuck in now will hopefully dissipate. The bad news, is of course, we are stuck pounding out long runs in suboptimal conditions. But do not become discouraged with slower than expected training times as a crisp fall day will yield bonus minutes.

While summer weather cannot be avoided, do consider reserving shaded trails for some of the hottest days. While nothing takes the place of race-specific training, your legs will benefit from the occasional softer playing field. View the heat as a golden opportunity to experiment with hydration and electrolyte options, on the off-chance that race day will favor sultry conditions. If you haven’t already joined a formal running group, this would be a good opportunity to do so as it is much easier to gut it out with a group of friends than go it alone.

One of my pet peeves with the running world has to do with semantics; namely, the phrase half marathon. Like eating half a chocolate bar or half an ice cream cone, I feel it downgrades the experience. Advertisements for 13.1-mile marathons or semi-marathons imply the marathon distance is open-ended. A 5K is its own unique experience and is never billed as half a 10K, and even in the ultrarunning world where distances are negotiable, a 50-miler stands proudly on its own and is not half a 100.

Enter a relatively new event, Run 4 The River Half Marathon on Saturday, September 2. Billed equally as a 13.1 miler and a half, it nobly bridges the name-recognition gap and fills the local half marathon tune-up void left by the demise of the Saratoga Palio. Runners depart Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction and enjoy a flat, fast, paved route along the Mohawk River on the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail section of the Empire State Trail to Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady. 

Josh Merlis, of AREEP has recently partnered with race organizer, Mat Nark of Nark Running & Strength, and describes the route as “Very similar to our Miles on the Mohawk 10-Miler, with a bit extra in Rotterdam and then a different finish, which is an awesome downhill in the heart of Schenectady!” In fact, the entire course boasts a net downhill and is perfect for a PR.  

As with any point-to-point route, logistics must be considered. In this case, the start at the Mabee Farm Historic Site, featuring the oldest house still standing in the Mohawk Valley. This lends a country mouse to city mouse scenario, is a perfect site for accompanying family members to explore from 11am-4pm. Parking is available at start and finish and participants are encouraged to carpool or spot park with others. Additionally, for a small fee, you may hop on a shuttle bus to the start from the finish at Frog Alley Brewing. The post-race party at Frog Alley is not to be missed with pizza, salad and free beer included, plus live music and relaxing on the patio. For competitive runners, this race is a USATF Adirondack Grand Prix Series event, awarding cash prizes to top finishers and complimentary entry to participants who meet listed time standards. For info and registration, visit: narkrunningstrength.com.

Looking for a stress-free approach to logistics in a country setting? Then consider the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival on the weekend of September 30-October 1, with a 5K and 10K in Chestertown – and 1K kids fun run in Schroon Lake – on Saturday and a marathon, half/13.1, and two- and four-person relays around Schroon Lake on Sunday. Earn bragging rights by opting for a weekend combo to satisfy different members of your pack! It’s all relatively hassle-free as you can park a few blocks from the start, enjoy a leisurely warmup, and easy access to your “stuff” for last minute clothing adjustments. This is truly a community event, with town-wide participation and folks cheering you on from their driveways. Book a room for the weekend and relax into a true Adirondack experience.

Although ownership has switched to the Adirondack Sports Council, which focuses on Adirondack North Country events, you can expect the same experience as in previous years. The marathon will feature a hilly first half and a flatter profile for the second. The trick is not to become complacent once you pass the 13-mile mark, as the hills are more gradual but are present, especially on tired legs.

After a bus or car ride to the start, the half begins in the hamlet of Adirondack on the second half of the marathon route, which therefore affords similar great views and an easier ride. If you are like me and prefer a hillier challenge, team up with a partner to run the two-person relay, where each person runs 13.1 miles. Not ready for a marathon? Then consider the four-person relay with legs of 4.4, 8.7, 5.1 and 8 miles, allowing friends with mixed specialties to compete together. The around the lake logistics are fairly simple, where all buses depart at variously scheduled times from the downtown Schroon Lake area for a hassle-free delivery system.

The Pace Bears will be available for both full and half marathon distances. Join a group at the start or at any time during the race itself. This rolling route can be tricky to time properly, but pacers have many years of experience, and will be able to help you reach your time goal. In case you were wondering, a real bear did spectate one year, but fortunately declined to run the entire distance! 

Before the race, make time for some photo ops alongside the giant trophy carved bear awards, arranged alongside Schroon Lake, and afterwards enjoy a refreshing dip at the adjacent public beach with incredible views! For even more refreshment, Paradox Brewery will be at the marathon finish line. Virtual options are available as well. For slower, non-competitive runners, this is one of the few marathons that offers an early bird special start time. For more info and to register, go to: adirondackmarathon.org.

Looking for that elusive Boston qualifier or simply a quality race by runners for runners, expertly led by members of the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club? Then try the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, October 8. With an extensive website, including course videos, a Spectator Camp Followers Guide and live tracking, this production rivals that of many big city marathons. Two-thirds of the route is on paved, mostly shaded sections of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail (aka Empire State Trail), while less than one-third is on city streets. With Adirondack leaf peeping is at its peak and Albany foliage approaching full array, you can expect a colorful journey. There is a railroad crossing (with remote chance for a delay), but mats will deduct any time you spend stretching while the train passes (although Boston Marathon does not accept the deduction).

Both races are point-to-point with free bus transportation from downtown Albany to the full start at Niskayuna Community Center and the half start at Colonie Town Park, where drop-offs are permitted. Both events finish at Jennings Landing at the Corning Preserve, with scenic views of the Hudson River and downtown Albany. This event attracts runners from over 30 states and several countries, so the finish line party offers the opportunity to trade stories with some new friends as well as many locals. Do consider spending the weekend and the following Monday holiday in town, then join leaf peepers journeying to popular Capital-Saratoga Region and Adirondack vantage points.

Marathon pacers are available to assist on your way to a personal marathon best or Boston qualifier. For a great experience, I encourage you to run the Mohawk Hudson Marathon and Half Marathon. For race details and registration, visit: mohawkhudsonmarathon.com.

As for your long-distance journey… May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back!

Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.