Eenie, Meenie, Miny, Mo – Click Your Heels and GO!

By Laura Clark

With so many race options in June, unless you don Dorothy’s red shoes or, more recently, Hermione’s time-turner, every weekend presents an eenie, meenie, miny, mo dilemma. The only option would be to compete back-to-back Saturday and Sunday, but even then, these races are so heavily stacked that you would still be missing out. Perhaps this is the time to reserve one day for racing and the other for running with your kids – provided they are still slower than you are! – or mentoring a beginning runner. 

Let me preface our races with Global Running Day on Wednesday, June 5. Join the Saratoga Stryders for a 6pm meetup to Celebrate Global Running Day with a walk, jog, run event at Pitney Meadow Community Farm in Saratoga Springs. For each loop you do, you get a raffle ticket. Prizes include running shoes and gift cards donated by iRun Local. Also, from May 26 to June 4, stop by iRun Local to pick-up a special swag bag raffle ticket. 

There’s FREE registration for three extra raffle tickets and pizza from 9 Miles East: runsignup.com. Please do register so Stryders can order enough pizza! Non-Stryders will receive free membership for a portion of the year. Basically, Stryders is paying you to have fun… Bring the family and friends, and if you register online, dinner is on us! This extravaganza is supported by a grant from Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club. It will be preceded by a June 4 Saratoga Springs proclamation at City Hall for Global Running Day – and the Saratoga Stryders’ 40th anniversary. Club info: saratogastryders.org.

Our whirlwind month begins promptly on Saturday, June 1 with four races to choose from. The Sara Lee Delightful Run for Women, formerly Freihofer’s, leads the pack by giving women a big-time race experience, complete with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo – and course through downtown Albany, by the State Capitol and City Hall, and beautiful Washington Park. 

Now into its 46th year, with an anticipated 3,000 runners and walkers of all ages and ability, the Run for Women 5K, has earned its place in history as a leading promoter of women’s running. To achieve this goal, for the past 14 years, there has been an 11-week Training Challenge for beginner, intermediate, advanced and virtual preparation at various locations in the Capital Region. Don’t let the sponsor change throw you, it’s still the same event, with the same race director, Kristen Hislop, and the same delicious Freihofer’s chocolate chip cookies.

The Run for Women is truly a family affair, with an option for every female family member. Invite your friends to sign up for one of the myriad team categories. Encourage your girls and boys to do the Capital Kids 3K (ages 8-14), and younger kids to join the free Kids’ Runs – from one-mile to 400, 200, 100 and 50 meters. When registering for the 5K, share your referral link, and if two of your friends use it, you’ll receive a $10 refund. I encourage women of all ages and abilities to participate, be inspired, and support this wonderful event! Visit: runsignup.com.

Long known as the guys’ alternative to the Run for Women, the 27th annual Charlton Heritage 5K Run/Walk is part of Founder’s Day Weekend, with race proceeds supporting the Charlton Historical Society. The 5K is a USATF-certified route with rolling hills and flats on an out-and-back course over scenic country roads. Ainsley’s Angels, with their teams of pushers and riders, will also participate wearing their signature pink – and celebrating longtime members Shaun and Seamus Evans’ remarkable Boston Marathon experience (see Community, page 45). A Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run follows. Stick around afterwards for the parade and party in the park. Go to: charlton5k.org. 

If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere on the Vermont border, as well as a flatter playing field, head out to the 13th annual Rail Trail to the Footbridge 5K Trail Race/Fun Walk at the Slate Valley Museum in Granville. Run or walk on a scenic rail trail and road, finishing on a foot bridge spanning the Mettawee River, a tributary of Lake Champlain. Youth can enjoy their own 1K Kids Fun Run. Awards feature unique items you’ll actually use, Telescope Furniture director’s chairs (made in Granville) for the first three male/female overall winners, and maple syrup for age group winners. Afterwards, make a day of it with a visit to the Slate Valley Museum. Visit: runsignup.com.

Most difficult of the June 1st group is the 39th annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race on the Veterans Memorial Highway in Wilmington, summitting New York’s fifth highest peak, taking place concurrently with the Whiteface Uphill Bike Race (runners start behind the cyclists) – a very successful pairing! The highway will be closed to vehicular traffic so runners and bikers can spread out safely over the eight-mile, 3,500-foot ascent. There are no aid stations enroute, so you must be prepared to carry your own water and energy gels. The first time I ran Whiteface, I figured I could also run down, but it wasn’t pleasant due to the smell of brake fluid, so I recommend signing up for the shuttle or finding a friend to hitch a ride with. You have two hours to make it to the top before you turn into Cinderella.

Despite any videos you may have viewed, the 8% grade is steeper in real life than it appears. There are a few brief respites from the upward motion, during which you can look up and glimpse the reward castle at the summit. No matter how tired you are at the finish, do not forego the opportunity to enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view of the Adirondacks, Vermont and Quebec. Afterwards, enjoy your free meal voucher at any of the participating area restaurants. Bike info: bikereg.com. Go to: runreg.com. 

Spend your Sunday, June 2, enjoying some easier events. The Literacy 5K Run/Walk, held at the Corning Preserve (Albany Rowing Club) boathouse/launch in Albany, with a flat out-and-back bike trail route, along the Hudson River. It’s organized by and benefits the Literacy Volunteers, who provide English language instruction, supplies and programs to Capital Region children and adults seeking help with reading and math skills. Teams have a rather unique format, with the more folks you recruit, the greater the discount each team member receives. There is also a Youth Mile (14-under) and Youth Clubs Quarter Mile before the 5K. Visit: zippyreg.com.

Also on June 2, the Capital Region Heart Walk & Run at the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany, is part of a nationwide program to benefit the American Heart Association. In addition to the nice flat walk/run, enjoy the kids’ activities as well as healthy heart information. As special touch, stroke and heart attack survivors are invited to funnel toward a special lane at the finish. Go to: capitalregionheartwalk.org

Blessedly, there is no nursery rhyme choice for the following weekend. The folks at the 24th annual Kinderhook OK5K Race in the village of Kinderhook on Saturday, June 8 apparently did their research or just got lucky. The “fastest 5K in the area” is on a flat USATF-certified route that offers a PR opportunity – and walkers are welcome. The OK5K is also a super family outing. Kids ages 4-12 can enjoy their own free OK 1 Run (one-miler). New this year, is a free D.A.Y.S.I. 100-meter Dash, which is inclusive for all abilities. In the spirit of community, there are several free entries available for those who need them, and all proceeds go to local nonprofits. Visit: ok5krace.com.

If you long for a quick warmup to prep for the following weekend, stretch your legs at the 15th annual Route 50 Mile in Burnt Hills on Thursday, June 13 at 6:50pm. This is a family-friendly event, with family entry discounts, plenty of awards, and ice cream to enjoy while you watch the Flag Day Parade that follows the race. It’s part of the USATF-Adk Grand Prix Series so there will be a large contingent of fast runners, as well as past BH-BL High School runners focused on winning the “Spartan Award.” Proceeds benefit CAPTAIN Community Human Services. Go to: captaincares.org.

After that sprint, you will be ready for the 10th annual Good Karma 5K Run/Walk at Shenendehowa Schools in Clifton Park on Saturday, June 15. Campus roads will be closed to traffic so you can relax, concentrate on your running, and not worry about your kids running solo. This is another family-friendly event with a yoga warm-up, kids’ run, henna tattoo artist, Bollywood music, Indian street food, and a nice T-shirt – something for everyone.  Handcycles/wheelchairs are welcome, and there’s also a virtual option. Proceeds benefit AIM for Seva for children’s education in rural India, Regional Food Bank of NENY, and Shen’s Bountiful Backpack program. Overall winners receive gift cards to Fleet Feet Sports and local Indian restaurants. Visit: zippyreg.com.

Or, same day, at the Aloha Family 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk at Haviland Cove Park in Glens Falls, you can don your favorite Hawaiian gear to hula and welcome summer along the historic Feeder Canal. Be inspired by beach tunes as you run or walk the off-street course, where jogging strollers are permitted. Afterwards, celebrate with music, kids’ activities and photo opportunities. This Glens Falls Hospital event benefits Amanda’s House which provides complimentary accommodations for patient’s families. Go to: runsignup.com.

Also on June 15 is the Run for the Ages 5K, beginning at and organized by Tackett Chiropractic Center in Queensbury. This run/walk – bridging generations of the community – will donate proceeds to Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Glens Falls Senior Center. There will be awards to the top three male/female overall and 10-year age groups. Visit: runsignup.com. 

For more celebration, again on June 15, consider the seventh annual Wilmington-Whiteface Whiskey Run at Preston Festival Field – with a 5K run/walk and 10K run. Why whiskey? It seems that Wilmington has a somewhat checkered past, supplying whiskey to the American soldiers at the Battle of Plattsburgh, then serving as a stopover for bootleggers plying the Canadian border route during prohibition. Registrants receive a T-shirt, local swag, and a cool whiskey flask medal! With the motto, “come for the run and stay for the day,” there will be plenty for the family to do – from whiskey tastings, local distillers, food, festival, 1812 reenactors – with many local attractions. Proceeds benefit the Wilmington Historical Society. Go to: adkwhiskeyrun.com. 

After all that adventure, you should be ready for the fifth annual Adirondack 7 Mile Race to the Lakes on Saturday, June 22. The race to Lake George begins at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury, then follows the shaded Warren County Bikeway, finishing at Battlefield State Park, near Million Dollar Beach. This Adirondack Runners event offers gender-specific performance running shirts to all registered by May 30 – these well-designed shirts are worth the early-decision effort. After homemade refreshments at the lake, busses will transport you back to SUNY. Or, make this a family outing by having them drop you off, then meet you at the lake, with a picnic and bathing suit at the ready. The race benefits LGA Floating Classroom and Adirondack Runners scholarships. Visit: zippyreg.com.

After this flurry of events, take a few days off to recharge before July takes over!

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.