Excited for May Races

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

After months of bundling up or worse, hitting the treadmill, warmer spring races are almost here. Enjoy the first race when you feel the sun on your face, nice breeze on your arms, and the sights and sounds of spring! Check out the full array of May races on the calendar and get signed up.

The Summer Smith 5K Addiction Awareness Memorial Run/Walk is in its ninth year and will take place at Guilderland High School in Guilderland on Saturday, May 3. Race day events include a memory ceremony for those lost to addiction, a free kids’ fun run, baseball caps to the first 250 registered for the 5K, Zumba warm-up, and the 5K – which is pet friendly. Afterwards enjoy the educational vendor fair, bounce house, raffles, and awards. 

Race director Kristin Hoin and her daughter Summer did some 5Ks together to help her recovery. Kristin “found such healing through running that I started the 5K and through all of that has found new friends and a stronger network.” For Adirondack Sports readers, save $5 with code ADKsports25: summersmith5k.com.

Stand up and run or walk for those in need at the Joan Nicole Prince Home “Still Human” Community 5K Walk & Run in Schenectady’s Central Park on Saturday, May 3. All proceeds support the Joan Nicole Prince Home in Scotia’s mission dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable, caring residence for terminally ill patients in need of a home (free of charge) during their final days. You can walk or run between 9-9:45am and for each lap around the pond, you receive a raffle ticket for chances to win gift baskets: joannicoleprincehome.org.

May the forest be with you at the first annual May Day 10K & 5K-9 at the Adirondack Rail Trail on Sunday, May 4 at 6pm. The 10K is a point-to-point event from Fowler’s Crossing in Saranac Lake (shuttle provided), finishing at Bike Lake Placid on Old Military Rd. From Bike LP, there’s also an out/back “5K-9” on the trail with awards for those with dogs, strollers, and without dogs. There will be a finisher party at Bike LP from 6:30-8:45pm with games, mechanical bull, free food, beer, and giveaways: lakeplacidmarathon.com.

It’s the 10th annual Tour de Force Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 1M Charity Runs/Walks and 25M & 50M Bike Rides in Plattsburgh on Sunday, May 4. All running distances are out/back courses that start/finish at beautiful Point Au Roche State Park along the shore of Lake Champlain, and they’re family and stroller-friendly. The event also includes road bike rides of 25 and 50 miles which head north from the park on an out and back course. The original Tour de Force was started in 2002, and has since evolved into a four-day, 280-mile ride, in which 300 law enforcement officers from across the US and abroad, along with some family and friends, participate to raise funds for the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. This year’s Plattsburgh run/ride honors NYS Trooper Robert Burney and NYS Police Captain Christopher Garrow: runsignup.com.

The 28th annual AdiRUNdack 5K Trail Run Series is at Cole’s Woods in Glens Falls on Tuesdays at 6pm in May: 6, 13, 20, 27. Runners and walkers are welcome, so go and join in the fun. At family-friendly prices, sign up for one, any combination, or do all four races for the 20K Challenge. It’s presented by Adirondack Runners and benefits the Glens Falls Youth Center: zippyreg.com.

The Lions 5K Run for Sight, Hearing & Diabetes is at the Lions Pavilion in Scotia’s Collins Park on Saturday, May 10. The run/walk course starts at the park, travels through neighborhood roads, and finishes in back in the park. Your race entry includes a T-shirt and backpack and kids under 12 participate for only $12. Race benefits the Scotia-Glenville Lions Club to support their community programs: sglions.org.

Test out your mile time at the Malta Mile in Malta on May 10. The closed course runs in front of the Malta Veterans Appreciation Day Parade. The race begins at the Malta Community Center, quickly wraps around the roundabout at Dunning/Route 9 and 67, and finishes up in front of Ellsworth Commons. Get an official PR on the certified course! Presented by the Roundabout Runners Club and Town of Malta, in partnership to keep the sidewalks and bike paths clear and safe for use during the winter: runsignup.com.

Also, on Saturday, May 10, run just one hill on the 35th anniversary of the Prospect Mountain Road Race – 5.67 miles, 1,601-feet to the summit of Prospect Mountain. Starting at the Prospect entry gate in the Village of Lake George, there are water stops along the way, very little road traffic, great refreshments at the top, and carpooling on the way down. The view at the top is amazing and worth the trip! If you’re inclined, Prospect is also a perfect training run for the Whiteface Uphill Foot Race in Wilmington on June 7. Presented by Adirondack Runners, it benefits the Michelle Lafontaine SUNY Adirondack Nursing Scholarship Fund: zippyreg.com.

Finally, on Saturday, May 10, if you can’t run in the morning, you’d like a double workout, or a low key community walk, join the 18th annual CCRC 5K Run/Walk & BBQ in Clifton Park, with a convenient 3pm start time! The 5K course is flat on neighborhood streets and in Clifton Common, and walkers are encouraged! The BBQ dinner is wonderful and included in the race entry fee, and extra BBQ meals can be ordered. A huge prize drawing is held for everyone, along with awards for the top three male/female and family teams with six divisions. The 5K is organized to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles in the community with an afternoon of physical fitness, fun, and food. There’s also a kids’ 1K fun run at 4pm with a medal and ice cream certificate. All net proceeds go to Camp Under the Woods, providing grants for children and their teachers, based in Queensbury: itsyourrace.com.

Start or keep a Mother’s Day tradition at the 13th annual Mother-Lovin’ 5K Run/Walk in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, May 11. Join in person at the Orenda Pavilion at the Saratoga Spa State Park or do your 5K virtually. Run or walk through the beautiful park with about 1,000 participants to support this fundraising event. Proceeds benefit the Kelly’s Angels, with a mission to help bring join to children who have lost their parent or sibling to cancer or other illness or who, themselves, are battling a life-threatening condition. Kelly’s Angels, was conceived by WNYT-TV anchor/reporter, Mark Mulholland, in memory of his late wife, Kelly, who lost her battle with cancer in 2007 at the age of 37: kellysangelsinc.org.

Combine a beautiful drive to Vermont with an entry in the Vermont Sun Half Marathon, 10K or 5K, at Lake Dunmore on Sunday, May 11. Branbury State Park, nestled against the Green Mountains, is a spectacular place to run. All three races have some rolling hills, so challenge yourself. Enjoy free digital photos, refreshments, custom awards, supported aid stations, sponsor samples, and raffle giveaways: vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.

Run or walk with your coworkers at the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge in Albany on Thursday, May 15 at 6:25pm. It’s the biggest race in the Capital Region with nearly 10,000 participants, organized by and a major fundraiser for, the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club. With a start/finish at the Empire State Plaza, it’s a 3.5-mile loop around beautiful Washington Park – or teams can do it virtually. Proceeds help underwrite many of HMRRC’s college scholarships, grants, free races for members, and the Just Run Program – which encourages grade school children to run for exercise and fun. There are awards for individuals, teams, team participation, and T-shirt design. This year’s Charities of Choice are Girls on the Run Capital Region and Unity House. Register your workplace team before the 5/1 deadline: cdphpwtc.com.

Join the Sunnyview in Motion 5K Walk, Roll or Run at Schenectady’s Central Park on Saturday, May 17. Hosted by Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, all proceeds benefit their life-changing mission of helping patients get back to living lift. For a guaranteed shirt, be one of the first 250 to register. If you’re not up for a 5K, there’s a one-mile Wellness Walk/Roll option, which starts after the 5K. Teams are welcome, so gather your friends, family or coworkers to join in the fun. Bring your pups too and pick up a neckerchief for your four-legged participants: sunnyviewinmotion.org.

The Randy’s Run 5K and Murphy’s Mile will celebrate their 24th and 12th years in Lake George on Saturday, May 17. Both community events are in memory of two former Lake George Elementary School teachers, Randal Madison and Ed Murphy, and are held at the school. Randy’s Run is a challenging 5K road race, which features an uphill run and finishes with a downhill sprint – and walkers are welcome. Murphy’s Mile is a fun run/walk that winds around the perimeter of the school grounds. Kids will receive a Stewart’s ice cream gift card. Proceeds benefit the LGHS freshman class and the Education Association’s scholarship fund: zippyreg.com.

The 48h annual Voorheesville Memorial Day Races are in Voorheesville on Saturday, May 24. There’s a 3.25M run/fun walk at 12:30pm, and a 15K run at 12:20pm. They’ve been a part of Voorheesville’s Memorial Day celebration since 1976 and are organized by the Voorheesville Running and Cycling Club. You can run/walk through the heart of the village and then out/back on quiet roads near the beautiful Helderberg escarpment, and Indian Ladder Farms orchards. Whether you’re looking for the chaos of a kids’ dash, the thrill of a 3.25K, or the solitude of a 15K challenge, they have you covered. Plus, there’s a free post-race beer and hot dog, compliments of the Voorheesville American Legion Post, so join in the fun! Enjoy low fees (especially by 5/3), and veterans run/walk free: vrcclub.org.

The fifth annual Miles on the Mohawk 10M from Rotterdam Junction to Schenectady is on Sunday, May 25. The ARE Event Productions event offers a point-to-point 10-mile race on the mostly flat Empire State Trail and Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail along the Mohawk River and Erie Canal – and hopefully no snow! It is scenic and PR worthy. It begins at Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction and finishes at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady. The upbeat post-race gathering includes great food by Bountiful Bread, a free Druthers beer, live music and awards: areep.com. 

The M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay is in Burlington, Vt. on Sunday, May 25. a flat, fast course that winds through Burlington and along Lake Champlain. The race hits the best of the City of Burlington including the Church Street Marketplace and lakeshore bike path with epic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The course is a double loop which starts and finishes in Waterfront Park. Run the full marathon or gather a team for the two-, three- or five-person relays, with relay legs between 2.8 and 13.1 miles: runvermont.org.

Join the 47th edition of the world-renowned Delightful Run for Women 5K is in Albany on Saturday, May 31 – a celebration of women’s running, presented by Sara Lee Delightful Bread. This iconic race is one of the largest all-female 5Ks in the US. It brings together elite athletes, competitive runners, happy joggers, recreational walkers, teams of family and friends, and Training Challenge members. From the starting line at East Capitol Park to the Washington Park loop, you can experience a big-city race with cheering crowds. The 5K event weekend includes the Health and Fitness Expo, free Kids Runs (100-400 meters), and the Capital Kids 3K. Whether you run or walk, you won’t want to miss it. The Run for Women is offering a referral program for the 5K. When you share your referral code and two women sign up, you’ll receive a $10 refund. It’s also a USATF Adirondack Grand Prix Series women’s championship race, or you may choose to run the virtual 5K between 5/25-6/1: runsignup.com.

The Aloha Family 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk is in Glens Falls on Saturday, May 31. This fun, festive family-friendly race will kick-off at Haviland Cove Park Pavilion and will run along the beautiful and historic Feeder Canal. New this year, the return course will follow the new Pruyn Island Trail along the Hudson River. Be inspired by beach tunes as you run or walk the off-street course and welcome in summer. Come dressed ready to hula in your best Hawaiian gear! Stick around for the awards celebration afterwards with music, kids activities, and photo opportunities. Aloha is organized by the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation and benefits Amanda’s House at Glens Falls Hospital: runsignup.com.

The 14th annual Rail Trail to the Footbridge 5K is in Granville on Saturday, May 31. The 5K trail race and fun walk is held on the beautiful rail trail with mixed scenic trail and road surfaces. It starts at the Slate Valley Museum and finishes right on the foot bridge over the Mettawee River. This is a very scenic and relatively flat course, and there are unique local prizes, so you don’t want to miss it! There’s also a 1K Kids’ Fun Run: runsignup.com.

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) is a race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk, mentor for the Run for Women 5K Training Challenge, and enjoys running and training for races, when she’s not working at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.