Running

Lo-Dough Summer Races

by Laura Clark

We do not run for prize…
And we run because we like it
Through the broad bright land.
- Charles Sorley “Song of the Ungirt Runners

With this summer’s spiraling gas prices are you finding it difficult to justify driving long distances just to run? Are you a beginner intimidated by major races featuring chips, water stops and a cast of hundreds? Or are you simply looking for a convenient exercise option to fill those long summer evenings? Then you need to investigate the many low-key, lo-dough summer events hosted by local running clubs. Best of all, you can bring the family along. Older kids can participate, while younger siblings can help out or cheer you on. Since descending darkness provides a limited window of opportunity, these open-to-all events get right down to business and free your weekend for other family activities.

Now in its third year, the Wilton Wildlife Preserve’s Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Fun Runs hosted by the Saratoga Stryders features a permanently marked 5K course and a good mix of wide and singletrack trails. While there are enough ups and downs to challenge a seasoned trail runner, walkers can also participate. Sarah Clarkin, preserve director, comments, “By the end of the series it seems like we are family.” Races conclude with dollar store raffle items and watermelon.

Traveling up the Northway, The Adirondack Runners hosts a round-robin series at the Queensbury High School Track in June and July, and switches over in August to Cross-Country Fun Runs at Coles Woods in Glens Falls. Now into its 19th year, the track series is, according to race director Pat Sweeney, “…a laid-back approach that harkens to a by-gone era of the running scene,” where frills were non-existent and spectators and runners alike could expect to be pressed into volunteer service. Events range from a 50-meter dash (for 12 years and under) through 1,500 meters, with field events depending on interest and availability. The Ultimate Runner event, held at Crandall Park in Glens Falls, serves as a bridge between two venues and consists of 1-mile, 440, 880 and 100 yards along with a 2.5-mile cross-country run. Baby boomers can relive their high school days when cinder tracks ruled and metrics meant the “new math.”

Further north, join Northern Runner, a group of northern New York and southeastern Ontario runners, for the Summer Sunset 5K Series held on the St. Lawrence University campus in Canton. Or, if you prefer track, try the July SLU Summer Twilight Track & Field Series complete with races, relays, steeplechase, hurdles, jumping, shot put, discus and javelin.

In the Capital District, the Albany Running Exchange, which brings together runners from the University at Albany and community members, offers a Summer Trail Run Series designed to showcase different routes in the Pine Bush Preserve. Each week features a long, short and sometimes medium distance. Josh Merlis, the guiding force behind this new club, explains that Pine Bush runs are different from other weeknight events because they are “…essentially a group run – no awards, no competition, no clock and no series winner.” And, as an added bonus, no one gets lost!

Also in the Capital District, the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club hosts a Summer Track Series, billed “…as a nice alternative to pounding the roads in the summer heat.” It kicks off in July with the Colonie Mile at the South Colonie High School track, which piggybacks onto the Colonie Parks and Recreation track series. Marcia Whitney, a frequent participant, describes this event as “…a short, intense workout, which still leaves you with enough energy to run again the next day.” The remaining three events are held at the Shaker High School track in Latham. The events include a Two-Person Relay in which two member teams run a total of six miles, and an Hour Run where participants run on the track for one hour. The series culminates with a challenging Pentathlon, consisting of running 5,000 meters, 800 meters, 3,200 meters, 400 meters and 1,600 meters. Complete all five distances and you will be in great shape for fall 5Ks.

Finally, HMRRC also presents the Bethlehem Cross-Country 5K Series in the Bethlehem Town Park on a mostly grassy course. While there are no monster hills, organizer Maureen McLeod fondly mentions the “Humpty Dumpties,” a doable, yet challenging, set of ups and downs. Devotees of Bob Oates’ now retired Tawasentha Series will recognize many similar touches, especially the raffle which includes food items, obligatory toilet paper rolls, and a highly contested mystery prize. Maureen comments, “Race winners do not necessarily win a raffle prize and may not even be recognized. We like to think of these events as cross-country for the masses.”

Check the Events Calendar for the specific dates, times, locations and Web sites – and then celebrate summer!

Laura Clark of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children and young adult’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

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