November Racing – Fall Classics for All

By Kristen Hislop

Fall in the Northeast brings the most amazing running weather. We have beautiful foliage with cool, crisp mornings. Our running community is lucky to have some awesome events to choose from that support incredible organizations. Post Covid, we lost some events, but as you’ll see with the slate that we are profiling, some are celebrating 15 and even 47 years! Get registered for a fun fall and support our sport. Not interested in running or walking, then jump in to volunteer. Volunteering offers a way to stay involved, meet some great people, cheer on athletes, and support local nonprofits.

Starting on Saturday, November 4, the 11th annual Revolutionary Run for Veterans at “America’s Turning Point” 5K begins at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville and runs north along the historic towpath across the Champlain Canal and into Hudson Crossing Park. This race is unique in that you start on a field, run on a trail and finish on the roads! Something for everyone. The run starts at 10am and is followed by refreshments (hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the Saratoga County American Legion Posts) with ceremonies for Veterans and award winners at Fort Hardy Park. The race will also commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battles at Saratoga, known as America’s Turning Point. Bring the kids along for the free fun run. 

The Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission, consisting of 13 official members (in honor of the 13 original colonies), has planned and organized multiple ceremonies, events, activities and celebrations recognizing the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Saratoga County including recognition at this race. Online registration is $40 until Nov. 3 and proceeds benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust Fund. Register: runsignup.com.  

The following day on Sunday, November 5, you’ll be happy to hit the trails for the Fall Back 5M Trail Race. You even get an extra hour of sleep before you head over to the Saratoga Spa State Park. Once again, you’ve got a combination of terrain with a few fun hills and even a staircase! Running this event you’ll discover new areas of the park, but don’t delay since registration closes at 200 runners. Hosted by Saratoga Stryders (members get a $2 discount) this race features awards donated by iRun LOCAL and a post-race door prize drawing open to all runners and volunteers. You do have to be present to win! 

The race starts at 10am and there is day-of registration ($35) beginning at 8:30am. It is $30 online until Nov. 2. You can head to iRun LOCAL on Saturday to register and if already registered pick up your bib from 12-2pm. Net proceeds from the event will be used to support the programs and activities of the Saratoga Stryders. For more info: saratogastryders.org. To register: runsignup.com.

November is full of unique runs with great venues. On Friday, November 10, the 15th annual Shenendehowa Veterans Day Dash 5K Run/Walk will be held on the Shenendehowa Central School campus in Clifton Park. This 5K starts with a bang, literally from a revolutionary war cannon, on the track. Runners then head out onto the closed course for a flat and fast 5K on the campus. This race is a favorite as it showcases some of Shenendehowa’s sports teams. The boys swim team, boys/girls wrestling, boys/girls Nordic skiing, and of course the cross-country runners are on the course in their sports attire. Yes, that means speedos and singlets! Veterans can run for free by emailing for a code: info@freihofersrun.com. The day kicks off at 9am with kids’ runs on the track followed by the 5K at 10am. A ceremony to honor veterans precedes the awards ceremony. 

New this year are high school age group awards for non-Shenendehowa schools. Athletes from area schools are invited to join the 5K and will have their own awards category – more recognition of our area youth athletes. Registration is $30 until Oct. 27, then goes up to $35 through race day. This event benefits the Shenendehowa boys cross-country and track & field programs. Over 150 boys participate each school year! These funds support three seasons of athletics. Donations can be made on the registration page for those unable to join on Friday. Sign-up: zippyreg.com. 

Registration is open for the 47th annual MVP Health Care Stockade-athon 15K on Sunday, November 12. This course celebrates the history of Schenectady with a tour of the notable Stockade district, a jaunt by Union College on the way past stately General Electric Realty Plot homes and leafy neighborhoods, and a ribbon around the roads historic Central Park, then finishing with a dash through the historic Vale Cemetery down to a fast finish. Members of HMRRC pay just $40, non-members are $45, and veterans of the military are $35. The Stockade-athon offers $5,000 in prize money which brings in great talent from our region and beyond. The Stockade-athon 15K has a rich history with nationally and regionally known runners coming to compete.

It was a favorite of Ed Whitlock’s for years. Ed was an English-born Canadian long-distance runner, and world-record holder for the first person over 70 years old to run a marathon in less than three hours, with a time of 2:59:10 in 2003. Ed and Frank Shorter, former American long-distance runner and gold and silver medalist in the marathon at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, were honored guests at the 40th running of the event in 2015. 

Many athletes who grew up in the area come back as adults to nab some of the prize money. A glance at the top 20 men/women from 2022 shows that 90% ran cross-country in high school (another reason to support high school cross-country at the Veterans Day Dash). The Schenectady YMCA is a sponsor and provides a warm place to relax before and after the race if needed. Make sure you stick around for the free kids’ runs at 10:45am. They blast downhill to a fun finish. As with all events, volunteers are always appreciated and well fed. Register: stockadeathon.com.

“Girls on the Run is so much fun!” That’s what you’ll hear when you join in for the Girls on the Run 5K, presented by Highmark Northeastern New York, on Saturday, November 18.  This event, at Jennings Landing in Albany, celebrates a season of running, learning and growing as young women. Nanette Hatch, running coach, says, “At Girls on the Run Capital Region, teaching critical life skills is the cornerstone of our research-based programs. Meeting in small teams, trained volunteer coaches inspire team members with and without disabilities to strengthen confidence and other important life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and physical activity.” Coach Nan focuses on both lessons and fun. She and the girls get to the start line decked out to party for 3.1 miles. The cheers, smiles, and shenanigans are worth signing up to volunteer. 

There is a community race, but be ready to set aside your own goals to help cheer young runners to their finish line. The vibe at Jennings Landing will be awesome as the girls get ready for a 10am start. You can register at a community runner for $30 or sign-up to volunteer. Register to run or volunteer at: gotrcr.org/5k.

Enjoy these November races as a participant, volunteer or spectator before we head into Turkey Trot season!

Kristen Hislop (hislopcoaching@gmail.com) is a USA Triathlon and Ironman U coach, and race director for the Freihofer’s Run for Women. The Hislop Coaching motto is “Do–Believe–Achieve” because she feels everyone is destined for greatness. She is a proud mother to two boys who run in college and a husband who recently completed his first 70.3 triathlon.