A Mosaic of Autumn Possibilities

By Laura Clark

Running through a sun-dappled forest canopy just after a brief shower, with my sneakers touching lightly upon a mosaic of freshly fallen colorful leaves never fails to define my autumn experience. For others, it might be planning to run in a festive costume, sampling a locally brewed pumpkin ale, or harvesting crops from your own garden. This fall we are fortunate to be presented with a roster of events that tap into all these possibilities.

First up is the Leaf Cruncher 5K Trail Run at Gore Mountain on September 23. The 5K course runs through the woods on natural terrain with variations of bumps, stumps, forest growth, and rocks. Can you hear the sound of crunching leaves beneath you? Try this fun challenge before it’s covered in snow! All runners receive a free scenic gondola ride, raffle entry, digital finish line photo, and an entry gift. Spectators can cheer for the racers with cow bells and they’ll have coffee and light breakfast available at the open pit grille. Register: goremountain.com.

On October 7 is the third annual Michael Pitney Farm 5K Run/Walk. The mixed course is a blend of grass and stone dust trail surfaces, primarily flat but with some gentle rolling. Circling the perimeter of the Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs, it is just waiting for your attempt at a fast fall PR and at the same time, perfect for those new to venturing out into the woods. Organizers encourage walkers as well, and with no road crossings, it is perfect for family members of all abilities. Part of the Open Space Project, the design is meant to connect to the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail, linking the western neighborhoods to the Railroad Run Trail, downtown Saratoga Springs and the State Park. With the rentable Community Gardens, CSA opportunities and self-service farm stand, it is now possible to buy your veggies and get your exercise at the same time! 

The main event is followed by a Half-Mile Youth Fun Run on the infield trail.  Stick around for the middle school and high school Invitational Cross Country races on this spectator-friendly route. Make sure to allow some time to explore the children’s greenhouse and butterfly and fairy gardens, with picnic tables available for a quick snack. Funds raised through the 5K and half-mile will support ongoing programs and improvements at your Community Farm. Register: runsignup.com.

Prepare for take-off at the Run the Runway 5K on October 7! Lace up your shoes, hit the tarmac and get ready for this flat and fast course at the Schenectady County Airport runway. Boarding begins at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum. Pre-check your race registration and taxi to the runway for a 9am departure. Young aviators ages 12 and under in range of the runway are invited to run the runway in a free one-mile fun run at 10am. The 5K course takes you around the museum and on the airport runway. A unique experience that doesn’t involve luggage or catching a flight! Runners and walkers are welcome to this family-friendly event. Register: schenectadycountyny.gov.

Test your mettle in a new one, three or six-hour endurance event. The inaugural Flutters and Foliage Endurance Run takes place on October 14 at Peebles Island State Park in Cohoes. See how many laps you can complete on a two-mile trail loop within the park. The event includes a fully stocked aid station at the start/finish, water stations are along the course and a hospitality pavilion with refreshments, restrooms, and displays. All finishers will receive an award and special awards are given for the most laps completed in each event. The event is a fundraiser for Flutters of Hope, a not-for-profit organization that helps individuals and families affected by eating disorders with treatment costs. Register: ultrasignup.com.

Looking to couple your leaf-peeping fix with some serious Catskill running? Then start planning now for the Peak 2 Brew Relay on October 15. It’s a 60-mile “sprint” relay from Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury and terminating at Brewery Ommergang in Cooperstown. The sprint requires one van per a 6-pack (roughly 10 miles per runner) or 4-pack team (15 miles per runner), with the 6-pack running two legs and the 4-pack tackling three legs each. This would be the perfect choice for first-timers who ultimately hope to tackle the 220-mile Beast, or for those who are not sure they can handle grabbing a few minutes of sleep as their van speeds to the next relay checkpoint in the extended Beast relay. Sound exciting? Before you commit, be sure to study the website, as there’s some planning involved. You will need to own or rent a van, find teammates, find backup teammates when the inevitable injuries occur, select a team name, round up mandatory gear, calculate team pacing, schedule team meet-ups, and more but it’s worth it for the fun of it all. Register: p2brelay.com.

The following weekend, on October 22, take a trip down memory lane with a jaunt through Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Acre Woods at the Malta 5K & 3K/2K Trail Races in Luther Forest. This is truly a family affair, with the Kids’ 3K and 2K around the playing fields attracting an impressive contingent of enthusiastic children. After cheering on the littles, adults and older kids sample the 100 Acre Woods, always on the lookout for Eeyore’s House and Winnie. The trails, laboriously crafted by the Roundabout Runners, are a mix of stone dust, soft dirt and wooden bridges, with the six-foot width allowing for easy passing. There are enough steep hills to offer an honest challenge. 

The welcoming atmosphere and the obvious pride the locals display when showing off their meticulous trail-building skills, makes it a favorite. The littles each get their own ribbon, while 5K finishers receive a wooden medal handcrafted by Pooh’s helpers. This year, for the first time, participants will receive running caps. All proceeds go to the Roundabout Runners volunteers so they can maintain and improve this trail system.  Register: roundaboutrunnersclub.com. 

When is a golf course not just a golf course? Brookhaven Golf Course in conjunction with the Town of Greenfield has generously opened this location to a myriad of exercise and entertainment possibilities. For those wishing to take their recreation a step further, there are normally at least two snowshoe races, and coming up this October 28 is the sixth annual Brookhaven Octoberfest 5K Trail Run, followed by a much-anticipated Halloween Bash. The 5K route features a lively combination of trails, paths and roads winding around the golf course, providing a detailed introduction to the facilities for first-timers.  

Wooded trails are available for family hiking and in the winter these same trails and the golf course itself feature free snowshoeing and XC skiing on volunteer-groomed trails. Look for the donation box near the starting bench to support equipment updates. In the winter, the Town of Greenfield, under the direction of Rebecca Sewell, hosts guided snowshoe hikes with rentals available. Everyone is welcome at the snack and drink bar, which frequently features evening musical entertainment. Afterwards, plan on hanging around to cheer the kids on their 1K Fun Run and then enjoy Greenfield’s Halloween festivities, including music, food, entertainment and golf cart decorating, in anticipation of the 2-5pm Trick or Treat. To reserve a cart, call Rebecca at 518-428-2267.

Register by October 1 to reserve your wicking T-shirt. All proceeds are directed to expanding Nordic ski opportunities and to bring high school and citizen’s races to the course, as well as to improve signage and mapping for those setting out on their own. Register: skireg.com.

For a flat, fast road experience on the same date, try the Adirondack Runners’ 30th annual Goblin Gallop 5K Run/Walk at the Abraham Wing School in Glens Falls. Many of the adults enjoy creating interesting costumes and the kids who participate in the popular free 1K Halloween Hop immediately afterwards go all out, making this race an interesting spectator experience as well. The first 150 registrants in the 5K receive a commemorative running belt, while those in the kids’ event all take home a trick or treat bag. Proceeds benefit the Adirondack Runners and Nepal village schools. Register: zippyreg.com.  

Also, on October 28 is the Albany Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run 5K, starting at 4:30pm. It’s a great race for all ages, featuring a beautiful Halloween inspired course through Jennings Landing. Following the race, awards recognition and posting of results takes place, featuring age-based divisional awards and prizes. Costumes encouraged! This race also includes chip timing by AREEP. All registered runners and walkers will receive a wicking fabric shirt. 5K registration is limited to 400 participants. There’s a costume contest for best adult costume, best duo costume and best kid’s costume. Post-race awards recognition and posting of results takes place at Quackenbush Square near The Olde English Pub. Register by 10/1 to save $5. Register: albanyevents.org.

See you at some of these races and look forward to experiencing the season in an active, celebratory manner!

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.