Celebrate Those Fall Holidays!

By Laura Clark

It used to be the November issue showcased area turkey trots. Only problem, they’re all on the same day! It made a fun challenge to see how many trots you could cram in, but for most a family meal won out. But now, with the abundance of “appetizer events” to run earlier in the month, motivation to run has expanded to the entire month.

The first hint of the change of seasons comes with the Saratoga Stryders Fall Back 5 on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Saratoga Spa State Park. How many times have you been tempted to shut off the alarm when it rings insistently for a race appointment? Well, with Fall Back 5, you may not have to. Remember the old mnemonic “Spring ahead, fall back?” Blessedly, the fall back portion occurs that morning, gifting us with an extra hour of sleep, so we can all arrive at the 10am start perky and well-rested. 

You can experience a challenging cross-country course that includes a combination of hills, ridges, and singletrack, with a few wide trails, paved sections, and grassy areas, showcasing sections of the park you may have never seen before. This is nature’s original obstacle course at its finest. There is even a stair climb on a section near SPAC. What I love about the route is that it is so user-friendly, with its mix of all types of terrain. For those new to the trails, paved sections will provide a welcome break, and the frequent grassy areas and wide trails will grant speedsters their opportunity to shine. 

While online registration closes on October 31, there will be day-of available. Due to ongoing park maintenance, there may be some rerouting, so race director Maggie Schlegel cautions you to pay attention to signage. Overall and age group awards will be provided by iRun Local, and this race is known for its valuable raffle prizes so stick around afterwards. Proceeds support the programs and activities of the Saratoga Stryders. Visit: fallback5.saratogastryders.org.

And now we enter into the holiday season with two Veterans Day races, one a week ahead and the other on the actual day. On Saturday, Nov. 2, head out to Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville for the FC4 Events 11th annual Revolutionary Run for Veterans at “America’s Turning Point” 5K Run/Walk, a mostly flat, fast run along the towpath to Champlain Canal Lock 5 and then into Fort Hardy Park. For me this is a way to honor my Dad, a World War II vet, who grew up on his family’s canal boat and my husband, a Vietnam Veteran. You will begin your journey with an inspiring ceremony, complete with a military color guard and a few brief grandstand speeches. While I have attended ceremonies in the Saratoga National Cemetery, this more intimate rendition is now where I pay my respects. 

Join Saratoga County’s 250th Anniversary Commission to honor our beginnings. At this intersection in 1777, British General John Burgoyne led several thousand British and German soldiers across the river enroute to Albany. American victories at the resulting Battles of Saratoga are considered to be the turning point of the war, leading to Burgoyne’s surrender and the involvement of French forces. 

After the 5K, there will be a free kids fun run as well as hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the Saratoga County American Legion Posts. Afterwards, you might consider a cool-down walk along the Fort Hardy trail to read the nature signage and fully appreciate the fall colors. Proceeds benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust Fund. Visit: finishright.com. 

On the actual day itself, Monday, Nov. 11, you’re invited to head out to the Shenendehowa Central Schools campus for the Shen Veterans Day Dash 5K, presented by Reverus. The run/walk starts and finishes on the new track, and the flat campus course will be closed to traffic, so if you choose, you can run your own race knowing that your older children will be running safely. Veterans can request a special code for free online registration. There is team registration for Shen athletic teams, and new this year, all area schools can also register teams. Kids 10 and under are invited to participate in a free half-mile fun run on the track. Proceeds benefit the Shen XC/Track Booster Club. Visit: zippyreg.com. 

What better way to celebrate history than on an historic route? Begun in 1976, the MVP Health Care Stockade-athon 15K on Sunday, Nov. 10 in Schenectady is one of the oldest major 15K road races in the US. This is your opportunity to participate in a rare event, because strangely enough, the 15K is a neglected distance. Personally, I enjoy the challenge – long enough for a serious training routine, but less demanding than the half marathon. This middle earth distance is somehow more strategic, with its mixture of speed and restraint. 

In the Stockade-athon, it is tempting to give it your all on the earlier hills, but that may take too great a strain on your energy reserves to achieve your goal time. With its mixture of hills and flats, this route through the historic Stockade district, Central Park and Vale Cemetery is one to study and strategize. If the generous prize money is not your goal, slow down and enjoy your cruise through the Stockade, with its over 400 pre-revolutionary houses, but take care to speed up as you approach the haunted Vale Cemetery!

Join the Girls on the Run 5K Celebration on Sat, Nov. 16 at Jennings Landing in Albany for their fun event! For first-timers and seasoned pros alike, the 5K is a fantastic way to challenge yourself and support a worthy cause. Plus, the celebratory finish line creates unforgettable memories! Gather your friends and family to run or walk together at this fall season’s 5K celebration. All proceeds benefit Girls on the Run Capital Region’s scholarship program. Visit: gotrcr.org.

For the competitive runners, there are many award possibilities. In addition to open, masters, age-graded and age groups there are also Clydesdale and Athena awards for heftier runners, a category rarely seen. I remember a friend who focused on eating as his primary training method, hoping that this less-frequent category would spell success! Team competition is strictly for USATF card holders. A half-mile well-attended kids’ race follows the main event. Visit: stockadeathon.com.

Echoing the pioneering spirit of our forefathers, ARE Event Productions created the Upstate Classic 13.1M & 5K to prove that a large Covid-era race could be produced safely and in an enjoyable format. Staged now for its fifth running on Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Altamont Fairgrounds, it travels a gorgeous loop around the base of the Helderberg Escarpment through rural Guilderland, mostly on backroads. The 5K is out-and-back utilizing the first 1.55 miles of the half marathon before turning around. Beforehand, kids 12 and under have a choice of racing either a half-mile loop around the track or two loops.

As with any big undertaking, there are facts to be aware of, so even if you are a veteran runner, please do visit the website participant guide to give your race a smooth start. For example, while there is no cutoff time for the 5K, 13.1M participants will need to maintain a 16:00 per mile pace to avoid the sag wagon, with the course closing entirely after three hours and 30 minutes. To reduce litter, participants are encouraged to bring their water containing devices and their own energy supplements. Most useful is the link to a complete spectators’ guide to aid your friends who wish to cheer you throughout your journey. One of the thrills of running an ARE produced race is the sheer energy, music and enthusiastic announcing at the finish line where everyone is a winner. Visit: upstateclassic.com.

And now on to the main course: The Turkey Trots! At our house not only are we semi-supporting our usual two wild turkey flocks, but this year we seem to have acquired four or five more, leading me to speculate that perhaps the earlier poults are now having babies of their own. Whatever. Be careful driving, for although the adult turkeys are obsessively vigilant, there is only so much you can do when the kids gang up on you for a sprint across the road. After all, they are practicing for a VERY BIG DAY.

To ease into the competition early, join Bolton PTO’s Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, launching from Bolton Landing’s Rogers Memorial Park (new location) on Saturday, Nov. 23, with a leisurely 10:30am start – allowing for some extra snuggling under the feathers. Since turkeys support big families, this race is a favorite, charging a bargain rate of $5 per child, $10 per adult, $20 per family – and $5 for optional tees. Poults can enjoy a free 10am Kids Block Trot 1M run/walk through town accompanied by family members.
The 5K pleases all, with a mix of hills and flats, leading to a scenic tour of Green Island, home of the Sagamore Resort. As tempting as it may be to stop and enjoy the beautiful lake views, turkeys are encouraged to stay focused and curtail their grazing until they reach the post-race concession stand. Those turkeys who do not feel fully dressed without a new T-shirt to accompany the occasion can purchase one on a first-come, first-served basis. There are prizes for top finishers in each age group and for best costume. Proceeds benefit Bolton Parent Teacher Organization initiatives. Visit: boltoncsd.org.

Many regional turkeys honor tradition and will flock to the 77th annual Troy Turkey Trot with a 10K, 5K, Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk, America’s 12th oldest road race – established in 1916. The downtown Troy event features the region’s only Thanksgiving Day 10K. As such, it is likely to spawn elder “I remember when…” tall tales at the Thanksgiving table. The 10K gets underway at 8am, and with its generous prize money, attracts a serious crowd, jostling for position and willing to sacrifice a few loose feathers. Two-legged runners take note as turkeys’ hearing is four times as acute as ours, and they are apt to seemingly jump the gun when in reality they just hear it sooner. With its time slot spaced two hours ahead of the main dish 5K run/walk, it’s also perfect for those jostling family obligations, whether it be trotting with their own young poults, or trading babysitting duties with other adults.

Which brings us to the real trotter experience. Holiday races are more about family and friends reaching out to the wider community. Troy encourages this by providing staggered discounts for children running the 5K or 10K. Because of the huge crowd, many of whom spend more time on costume decisions than actually training, entrants in the costume contest are requested to post their outfits online. Those receiving the most Facebook votes will be declared the winners.

All of the out-and-back routes are flat and fast, giving the majority just out for fun and dinner credits an opportunity to wave to friends and to view the costume parade. If you have young poults entering their first 5K, this would be an entertaining experience that would give them something else besides running to focus on when the going gets tough. For those unable to run in person, a virtual race will be held from 8am Thanksgiving morning through 8pm on Sunday. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Regional Food Bank and Joseph’s House & Shelter. Visit: troyturkeytrot.com. 

Stepping up to the plate in Schenectady, join the tradition at Ellis Medicine’s 43rd annual Cardiac Classic 5K. With three great events, there’s something for everyone. The 5K is reserved for runners only, with walkers urged to register for the 2M Wellness Walk, and youngsters for the free 1M Duck Pond Fun Run. The cut-off for online registration is midnight, Nov. 26 and there is no day-of permitted. 

I have run this race several times and it’s all about efficiency, with many runners and walkers – to celebrate healthy, active living with costumes welcome. The route is a mostly flat and fast trot around and through beautiful Central Park, an appetizer before heading home for the main event, having purposefully avoided some of the food prep – and earning bragging rights on the couch. All proceeds benefit Ellis Medicine. Visit: ellismedicinefoundation.org.

Saratoga Springs’ version, the 23rd annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, is all about honoring family. Established to commemorate the too brief life of Christopher Dailey, who passed away shortly before Thanksgiving, the initial goal was to build a recreation center in memory of the sports-loving boy. It has since become so much more, supporting organizations that work with disabled children and aiding local nonprofits. Whenever I line up at the starting line where Chris’ brother Brendan Dailey sings The Star Spangled Banner, I am proud that my donations are helping our local flock. 

Eager to visit the famed tourist town, many turkeys fly in from neighboring areas, secure in the knowledge that they will be just skirting the hunting season. Close-knit flocks will appreciate the family plan discount for families of four. And for those who are too late to make the landing zone at The Saratoga Hilton, there is a virtual option. The challenging route around Skidmore College campus will be more enjoyable if you have some training to tackle the hills in style. The relatively car-free campus is always open and available for training, so you’re welcome to become familiar with every rise and fall. Many folks wear costumes, and I like to amuse myself by estimating which is the most popular outfit of the year. After this challenging run, you will have truly earned your feast! Visit: christopherdaileyfoundation.com.

The third annual Glens Falls Gobble Wobble 5K Run/Walk circles beautiful downtown Glens Falls with, yes, a flat and fast course. It begins and ends at the Open Door Mission,

with proceeds to support their worthy goals of providing food and temporary housing. Turkeys are sometimes a bit shy at showing up this time of year, but when the guaranteed stack of 800 tees are handed out, there will be a second printing to accommodate late-comers. This is something that rarely happens at a race and speaks highly of the charity we are supporting. I haven’t run it yet, but I’ve seen many kids visit the Saratoga Library afterwards wearing their shirts, and wished I had one too! Visit: opendoor-ny.org.

As you approach the fall classics, or this somewhat ceremonial racing season, try to do so with a bit of humor. It’s supposed to be fun, so enjoy it and those around you. Remember, we are all in this together and these animals, while amply equipped to survive in normal conditions, depend on us to maintain the equilibrium.

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.