Adirondack Sports July 2023

JULY 2023 15
RUNNING & WALKING
Marathon and Half (13.1M) Season
It’s Fast Approaching!
▲ PACE BEARS
STARTING THE 2022
ADIRONDACK HALF
MARATHON.
By Laura Clark
Barely into summer, it seems frivolous
to wish our lives away and
anticipate autumn. But for runners,
fall signals marathon and half marathon
season, which is much more than
a wake-up, glance out the window and
register for a morning race kind of thing.
Prior planning to cover such a long distance
is essential. The good news is, by
the time September rolls around, the hot
and humid holding pattern we are stuck
in now will hopefully dissipate. The bad
news, is of course, we are stuck pounding
out long runs in suboptimal conditions.
But do not become discouraged with
slower than expected training times as a
crisp fall day will yield bonus minutes.
While summer weather cannot be
avoided, do consider reserving shaded
trails for some of the hottest days. While
nothing takes the place of race-specific
training, your legs will benefit from the
occasional softer playing field. View the
heat as a golden opportunity to experiment
with hydration and electrolyte
options, on the off-chance that race day
will favor sultry conditions. If you haven’t
▲ START OF THE
2022 RUN 4 THE
RIVER HALF AT
MABEE FARM.
◀ RUN 4 THE
RIVER POST-RACE
FUN AT FROG
ALLEY BREWING!
already joined a formal running group,
this would be a good opportunity to do
so as it is much easier to gut it out with a
group of friends than go it alone.
One of my pet peeves with the running
world has to do with semantics; namely,
the phrase half marathon. Like eating
half a chocolate bar or half an ice cream
cone, I feel it downgrades the experience.
Advertisements for 13.1-mile marathons
or semi-marathons imply the marathon
distance is open-ended. A 5K is its own
unique experience and is never billed as
half a 10K, and even in the ultrarunning
world where distances are negotiable, a
50-miler stands proudly on its own and is
not half a 100.
Enter a relatively new event, Run 4
The River Half Marathon on Saturday,
September 2. Billed equally as a 13.1 miler
and a half, it nobly bridges the name-recognition
gap and fills the local half marathon
tune-up void left by the demise
of the Saratoga Palio. Runners depart
Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam
Junction and enjoy a flat, fast, paved route
along the Mohawk River on the Mohawk-
Hudson Bike-Hike Trail section of the
Empire State Trail to Frog Alley Brewing
in Schenectady.
Josh Merlis, of AREEP has recently partnered
with race organizer, Mat Nark of Nark
Running & Strength, and describes the route
as “Very similar to our Miles on the Mohawk
10-Miler, with a bit extra in Rotterdam and
then a different finish, which is an awesome
downhill in the heart of Schenectady!” In
fact, the entire course boasts a net downhill
and is perfect for a PR.
As with any point-to-point route, logistics
must be considered. In this case, the
start at the Mabee Farm Historic Site, featuring
the oldest house still standing in the
Mohawk Valley. This lends a country mouse
to city mouse scenario, is a perfect site for
accompanying family members to explore
from 11am-4pm. Parking is available at start
and finish and participants are encouraged
to carpool or spot park with others.
Additionally, for a small fee, you may hop
on a shuttle bus to the start from the finish
at Frog Alley Brewing. The post-race party
at Frog Alley is not to be missed with pizza,
salad and free beer included, plus live music
and relaxing on the patio. For competitive
runners, this race is a USATF Adirondack
Grand Prix Series event, awarding cash
prizes to top finishers and complimentary
entry to participants who meet listed time
standards. For info and registration, visit:
narkrunningstrength.com.
Looking for a stress-free approach
to logistics in a country setting? Then
consider the Adirondack Marathon
Distance Festival on the weekend of
September 30-October 1, with a 5K and
10K in Chestertown – and 1K kids fun run
in Schroon Lake – on Saturday and a marathon,
half/13.1, and two- and four-person
▲ LOVE THOSE
ADIRONDACK
MARATHON/HALF
CARVED BEAR
AWARDS!
relays around Schroon Lake on Sunday.
Earn bragging rights by opting for a weekend
combo to satisfy different members of
your pack! It’s all relatively hassle-free as
you can park a few blocks from the start,
enjoy a leisurely warmup, and easy access
to your “stuff” for last minute clothing
adjustments. This is truly a community
event, with town-wide participation and
folks cheering you on from their driveways.
Book a room for the weekend and
relax into a true Adirondack experience.
Although ownership has switched to
the Adirondack Sports Council, which
focuses on Adirondack North Country
events, you can expect the same experience
as in previous years. The marathon
will feature a hilly first half and a flatter
profile for the second. The trick is not to
become complacent once you pass the
13-mile mark, as the hills are more gradual
but are present, especially on tired legs.
After a bus or car ride to the start, the
half begins in the hamlet of Adirondack
See RUNNING & WALKING 17 ▶