Winter Races

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

Winter running in the Northeast can be tough and training can get sidelined by the shorter days, holiday frenzy, smaller race calendar, then add weather and/or road conditions, and you have the right combination for losing your momentum.  

While the temperatures hover around freezing and your regular running routes are covered in snow and ice, it’s understandable to not be excited about getting out for a run or getting on the treadmill. If you want to run well in the spring, you need to do some running over the winter. Register for a few races this winter to stay motivated, have fun with others, and maintain or build a base. Consider changing it up with a few snowshoeing races this winter. See the Calendar of Events for a full schedule. 

Here are a few events this month and over the holidays to get you through to 2024. 

Snowshoeing is a fun way to play in the snow and get a great workout. One of the first races of the season is the Gore Mountain Snowshoe Race on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Gore Mountain Nordic Center (Ski Bowl) in North Creek. The start time is 2pm and registration at the Ski Bowl Lodge. The 5K timed race will be two 2.5K laps on the groomed trails and the untimed fun run/walk/hike is one 2.5K lap. The course will depend on conditions: natural or manmade snow or a mix. Great prizes are given to the top finishers plus all participants will be entered into the raffle prize drawings. Dion Snowshoes will be available to rent for $5 a pair but only a limited number will be available so arrive early! Learn more: goremountain.com/nordic-center-events.

The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club kicks off their Winter Series with Race #1 on Sunday, Dec. 10 with a three-mile and 15K race. The series runs every other Sunday (except on Monday, January 1) through Feb. 11 at the University at Albany’s Physical Education building. The series offers a casual atmosphere around the campus and outer loops of the Harriman Office Campus. Each race in the series has two or three distances from which to choose. The long runs are great for spring marathon and half marathon training, and camaraderie of the hearty group of winter runners.

Races are free for HMRRC members and $5 for non-members – a good incentive to join the club! If you race and/or volunteer for all five in the series, you’ll receive Survivor status. Awards are given to age group winners and runners-up and cookies and hot beverages are served afterwards. On New Year’s Day, Race #2 in the series is the Hangover Half Marathon & Bill Hogan 3.5 Miler. It starts at 12pm so you can watch the ball drop the night before, and still get a good night’s sleep! Sign up: hmrrc.com.

The second annual Saratoga First Day 5K Run/Walk is back with a family-friendly New Year’s run or walk in downtown Saratoga Springs. This 3.1-mile loop is similar to the Firecracker 4 route and starts at 11am. Runners start at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway and quickly turn onto Lake Avenue for the first three-quarters of a mile. With a turn onto Patricia Lane, the route quickly follows the Firecracker 4 course with a trek on the Spring Run Trail (if conditions are safe). Pre- and post-race atmosphere keeps the holiday festivities going when you have family, friends and the running community gathered for the first day of the year. Register: zippyreg.com.

The goal: striding into your personal success in 2024! 

Mona Kulkarni Caron is a consulting editor of Adirondack Sports, race director of the Good Karma 5K, and a program manager for the NYS Canalway Water Trail at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. She enjoys running, bicycling, paddling and all outdoor activities.