ATHLETE PROFILE: Laura & Jeff Clark

Age: 55 & 56 Home: Saratoga Springs, NY Family: Daughters, Jacky, 18; Jill, 21; Julie, 30; son-in-law, Darren; and grandchild, Elena, 16 months. Occupation: Young adults' librarian & business financial advisor Primary Sports: Snowshoeing, trail/road running, kayaking

Blazing the Trail for Community Athletics

by Colleen Lovett

While many folks feel overwhelmed by the inconveniences wrought by this winter's record snowfalls, Laura and Jeff Clark of Saratoga Springs are celebrating. Why? These two long-time outdoor sports enthusiasts are once again enjoying a fortuitous convergence of their many interests: Community, people, nature, athletic competition, and — you guessed it — snow!

"It's wonderful," says Laura about this year's snowy abundance. As founder and director of the Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Race, Laura can check one major item off her list. But it takes more than snow to have a successful race; planning, dedication, and a cadre of volunteers helped lay the foundation for what has become the largest snowshoe race in New York and New England. Approaching its fourth year, the race attracts athletes from all parts of the athletic spectrum, from world-class mountain racers seeking qualification for the Empire State Games, to novices who walk — often for the first time — to the finish line.

Another element of race planning that Laura credits as a cornerstone to the 5K's success is her husband, Jeff Clark. While Laura directs the race, Jeff serves as her right-hand man providing assistance and moral support. One of Jeff's duties is distributing snowshoe manufacturers' "loaners" to curious first-timers on race day. This not only increases participation on race day, but also creates lasting converts to snowshoeing. At last year's race, which hit the 100-mark for race entrants, one couple thanked Jeff for the loaners at the previous year's race and said they've been snowshoeing ever since. According to Jeff, "That's what it's all about: to see people try something out for the first time and stretch themselves."

The Clark's love of outdoor athletic events spans three decades — and all around the globe thanks to Jeff's 22-year career as an Army reconnaissance aviator. Jeff says the Army got him into running and fitness, and the desire to compete followed (he recalls driving 8 hours each way to compete in the Berlin marathon in 1980 without stopping to rest). Road racing fever soon hit Laura too, and the couple found themselves joining running clubs and initiating events wherever they went. Jeff conceived of and directed his first event, the Easter Sunrise Run, for his Army unit in Central America.

After Jeff retired from the Army in 1990, the couple lived briefly in Miami, and then moved to the South Pacific Island of Kwajalein where Jeff managed a small flying operation providing shuttle flights for U.S. rocket scientists. The Clark's were active in the local running community in both Miami and Kwajalein. In Kwajalein they directed the "Rustman" triathlon for a few years. The Rustman was one-quarter the length of its famous U.S. cousin, the Ironman, and its name refers to the misty South Pacific salt air that almost instantaneously renders into rust any metal objects (for instance, Laura's bicycle) mistakenly left outside by their owners.

The Clark's race organizing career continued when they returned to the U.S. As co-directors of the St. Peter's Keys Run in the Saratoga Spa State Park, they bring the joy of athletic competition to people of all ages and athletic abilities. The April race consists of a 5K, 10K, and one-mile fun run. "It can't happen without the volunteers," says Jeff about the success of the Keys Race, "It's great to see people get so much enjoyment out of helping others have fun or set records. Plus, it's neat to be able to send a nice check to Hospice of Saratoga after all that work!"

In addition to their commitment to the athletic community and the community at large (they both volunteer at the Satins, Silks & Stars fundraising event in Saratoga Springs to benefit Special Olympics), Laura and Jeff are each athletes in their own right. Since the days of Jeff's itinerant Army career, Laura's foot racing experience has expanded to trail running and uphill running. Trail running has recently taken Laura to the finish line of the Finger Lakes 50K ultramarathon this past July. She finished the Finger Lakes 50K in 7:09:58 (second in her age group), and participated in a series of trail races in western Mass., including Savoy Mountain, Mt. Toby, and Monroe.

Laura cites uphill road racing as one of her main athletic strengths, and she often places first in her age group. This past May and June, Laura logged 1:00:29 at the Prospect Mountain Uphill Road Race (5.67 miles) in Lake George, 1:41:58 at the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Footrace (8 miles) in Wilmington, and 51:57 at the Mt. Washington Uphill Road Race (shortened to 3.8 miles) in New Hampshire. She again ranked first in her age group this past September in the Mt. Greylock Uphill Road Race (8 miles) in Adams, Mass.

Road running cleared a path to snowshoeing for Laura. When a friend injured himself 4 years ago and asked Laura to help him cross-train on snowshoes, she soon became hooked. After racing with the Western Massachusetts Athletic Club, Laura says "I wanted to bring snowshoeing to New York," and the Winterfest 5K was born. The sport rounds out Laura's training as an uphill runner because it strengthens the quadriceps. And while it provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, it is softer on the joints. "After running on roads for a season, I feel much better after a winter of snowshoeing," says Laura.

As Laura zipped along roads and trails, Jeff made a splash on the local kayaking scene when he finished the Adirondack Canoe Classic, also known as "The 90-Miler" last September in 19:00, shaving 30 minutes off his 2001 race time. Jeff made this dramatic leap through intense study of the "forward stroke," the main stroke used in kayaking. After numerous viewings of a video produced by an Olympic kayaker, Jeff got out on the water and paid close attention to each component of his stroke.

After mastering this technique, Jeff was able to overcome the tendonitis that hindered him in 2001. "It's amazing what a difference it makes if you do the stroke correctly," says Jeff. This year Jeff is working with a trainer to help him reach his goal of racing 200 miles in 2003. He plans to do the Adirondack Canoe Classic, the Adirondack Marathon (30 miles), plus some shorter 7- and 10-mile canoe/kayak races.

As 2003 begins, the Clark's plan to do a snowshoe race each weekend throughout Jan., Feb. and early March. They are also involved with a number of running clubs such as the Saratoga Stryders (Laura is the president), The Adirondack Runners, and the Western Massachusetts Athletic Club. Laura also writes regularly for many club newsletters, as well as Adirondack Sports & Fitness.

All this, plus their three daughters, one grandchild, two cats, a thriving outdoor birds nest, and interesting jobs keep them very busy. Jeff puts it simply, "The more things we do, the more interesting people we meet, and the more fun we have." Laura adds, "When we direct a race, winter or summer, it feels like we're throwing a party for a lot of friends."

Colleen Lovett (colleenlovett@hotmail.com) lives with her family in Niskayuna and works in New York's Tech Valley. In her spare time she enjoys hiking and camping in the Adirondacks and practicing yoga.