Welcome Spring  / Energetic and Fun March Races

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

According to a recent Runner’s World article, despite a pandemic running boom, most races haven’t reached pre-pandemic participation levels. One of the most surprising findings is that big races in many cities are now selling out more quickly than before, 95 percent of smaller races have fewer than 500 participants. Let’s show our support for these home-grown, locally-lead races in March.

The first major road race of the Capital Region race season is the 4th annual Electric City 10K Road Race in Schenectady. Organized by the team at ARE Event Productions, join the fun atmosphere at Mohawk Harbor. Previously held as a five-mile race, the distance was changed to a 10K in 2023 due to the closure of the Sunnyside Rd Bridge. Enjoy the upbeat music and announcing as we return to the roads! Sign up: zippyreg.com.

If you’d like to be amazing and give yourself an awesome spring goal, do the AREEP’s 29.3 Challenge in 2024. Take on the Electric City 10K on March 2, Helderberg to Hudson 13.1M on April 13, and Miles on the Mohawk 10M on May 26. Those registering for the challenge receive a discount and a super cool medal for the challenge. Register: zippyreg.com.

Get yourself ready for the 46th annual Run for Women 5K Run/Walk in Albany on June 1 by signing up for the Training Challenge. This 11-week training challenge is led by volunteer mentors who have years and miles of running and walking experience. Workouts build from week to week, are held on most days of the week and at various times to fit your schedule. The program offers a beginner program for those who are new to running. The intermediate program is a great option for those who completed last year’s challenge or want more interval workouts and the advanced program is for those athletes ready for focused speed and distance workouts. In 2022, the walking and run/walk tracks were added. The Training Challenge is great for anyone who wishes to do their first 5K, wants to get back into running or walking a 5K, and those who are looking for a supportive running group. The first week of the program starts on Monday, March 18. Learn more and register: runsignup.com.

Run, sweat and be Irish! On Sunday, March 24, the Shamrock Shuffle 5-Mile Road Race in Glens Falls is back on the schedule! The race starts and finishes at Glens Falls High School. This is a fast and flat five-mile loop course. This will be the 34th year for the Shamrock Shuffle and all proceeds go to the benefit of Warren-Washington NYS Special Olympics. There is also a Leprechaun Leap Fun Run, a 7/8-mile children’s run, for all those leprechauns 12 and under. The Leap starts first at 10am, followed by the Shuffle at 11am. Register: zippyreg.com.

On Sun, March 30, the 15th annual Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation’s Run 4 Your Life 5K Run/Walk will welcome you to Central Park in Schenectady. In commemoration of reaching of a milestone of 15 years, which nearly half of 5K events nationwide do not reach, the foundation has added several exciting facets to this year’s race. Race director John Daniel Falotico, certified through Road Runners Club of America, shares that it’s certified and sanctioned through USA Track & Field, the governing body for distance running, and is the starting event of the USATF Adirondack 2024 Grand Prix Race Series.

Once an event attended by a few score runners, the Run 4 Your Life 5K has grown to nearly 700 runners and boasts participants from nine different states. Offering open competition, age group awards, open team competition, and a Kids Fun Run, all events are for the prevention and support of firefighter cancer. A new team category composed exclusively of First Responders will hit the pavement along with hundreds of other runners. As in years past, participants will take part in the ChowderFest following the run. Serving as the largest fundraiser each year for the foundation, the R4YL allows the it to provide preventative screenings, decontamination cleansers, and various types of Personal Protective Equipment to its members. For those who choose not to run, opportunities for spectators to attend ChowderFest and the post-race awards party ensure that everyone will be a part of the fun and magic that is the R4YL. Sign-up: zippyreg.com.

Also on Saturday, March 30, is the Albany Rowing Center’s 14th annual Ice Breaker Challenge 5K, a one-of-a-kind race challenging runners and walkers against rowers from Albany Rowing Center. Runners and walkers will travel along the Corning Preserve’s paved recreation path while rowers from the Albany Rowing Center will race alongside in shells on the Hudson River. It is also a major fundraiser for the Albany Rowing Center, helping the ARC to expand access to rowing and to the Hudson River for community members of all ages. Come join them for this unique and exciting event at the Albany Rowing Center Boathouse in the Corning Preserve. Participants can win unique prizes from local merchants. Prior to the 5K, there’s a free 0.5-Mile Kids Run for ages 10 and under. Register: runsignup.com.

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) is a contributing editor at 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.