Adirondack Sports July 2023

News Briefs
Paddle the Canals: Champlain
Bicentennial, July 29
Gather your family and friends
for an unforgettable paddle on
the scenic Champlain Canal and
Hudson River in celebration of the
Champlain Canal’s bicentennial.
Spots are filling fast for Paddle the
Canals: Champlain Bicentennial
on Saturday, July 29, starting in
Fort Edward.
Kayak or canoe 4.5 miles and go through two locks, and end with a picnic
lunch and shoreside activities at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville.
Registration includes lunch, shuttle and a free guided history hike and
exhibits at the park after lunch. Kayak rentals are not included in registration
and can be arranged separately through Upstate Kayak Rentals:
upstatekayakrentals.com.
Don’t miss this annual event, organized by Erie Canalway National
Heritage Corridor. If questions, contact Mona Kulkarni Caron: mona_
caron@partner.nps.gov. For info and to register, go to: eriecanalway.org/
watertrail.
Inaugural Bad Blood
5K, August 10
JULY 2023 5
Registration is open for the inaugural Bad
Blood 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, August 10
at Siena College in Loudonville. Starting at
6pm, the 5K run/walk features live music,
food, beer trucks, and a fun atmosphere.
Organized by Wicklund Warriors, their mission for the past 10 years is
to provide financial assistance to families clinically diagnosed with a blood
cancer living in the 11 counties surrounding Albany. They’ve distributed
over $160,000 to help 120 Capital Region families and this is their first community-based
event.
Applicants live at or below 500% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. They figure
out what families need, and help lighten the load. Their Bad Blood Club
(ambassador survivors) are committed to meeting each of their applicants,
sharing stories, learning theirs, and creating opportunities for connection.
To learn more and register, visit: wicklundwarriors.com.
USA Cycling Road National Championships
The 2023 USA Cycling Road National Championships were held in Roanoke, Va.
on June 14-17. For Lilliana O’Donnell of Delmar it was a chance to defend her
National Championship titles from 2022 in the Time Trial and Criterium events,
although she graduated from the 11-12 to the 13-14 age group. For her brother
Chase O’Donnell, it was his first-year racing nationals, as he has now reached the
minimum age of 11.
Lilli won another national title with a time of 17 minutes, 13 seconds, or 23
miles per hour, and won by 13 seconds. Chase was up next and laid it all out there
for a time of 18.48 over the 6.6mile course. His speed of 21.06 miles per hour was
good enough to land him on the podium with a fourth-place finish. The Road Race
was held on a 4.8-mile course with a hefty 491 feet of climbing. Chase was able
to come around his competitor in a sprint to the finish to secure a bronze medal.
Lilli raced the 13-14 championship race of four laps. The hill climb proved to
be decisive, with Lilli attacking on the 3rd lap and fracturing the field. Only one
other rider was able to stay with her (the athlete who beat Lilli in a sprint finish in
the Nationals Road Race last year). They were still together on the final climb to
the finish when the other rider got the jump on Lilli for the sprint. Lilli countered
and was able to make a final pass for the win!
Lilli and Chase also raced the Criterium and Lilli was able to hold on for a
silver medal.
Chase’s race also featured a rider who attacked from the gun and gained a large
gap which held until the finish. Chase wound up his sprint early, getting a jump on
the field and managed to hold his lead all the way to a silver medal!
Abby Romlein, 11 years old of Ballston Lake, competed in the Road Race at
Nationals where she placed first in the 11-12 category. She also competed in the
Criterium at Nationals and placed third in the 11-12 category. The lead group of
girls got smaller until it was just Abby Romlein and Abby Cole from Connecticut
who sprinted to the finish line where it took a photo finish to declare Abby the
winner. It was an exciting and emotional victory. Abby is the daughter of Tyler and
Sarah Ronlein and her coach is Andy Ruiz.
Haylee Johnson of Wes Sand Lake also competed at Junior Road Nationals in
the 17-18 age group in Roanoke, Virginia. The first event was the Time Trial. she
finished 8th in this event, and was happy with her result. The Road Race was just
over 50 miles, with a substantial amount of climbing. About halfway up this climb,
she and two other riders began to pull away from the others and sprinted for the
top three steps on the podium. After a hard effort, Haylee finished second to her
future teammate Samatha Scott. I was ecstatic with my result, and very proud
that the years’ worth of training was reflected by this result. Next, she took on the
Criterium, where in the field sprint she ended up in sixth place. After these experiences
and results at Nationals, Haylee was invited to join the National team, on a
trip to Spain to race in Spain’s Nation’s Cup. This will be an incredible opportunity
for her on and off the bike.
Finally, in the Under-23, Evan Boyle of Niskayuna, took second place. In the
Men’s Professional Time Trial, the earned fourth place. Evan is really proud of my
results and super happy to represent the US at the 2023 World Championships
in Scotland.