Adirondack Sports October 2023

OCTOBER 2023 7
RUNNING & WALKING
START OF THE FALL
BACK 5 TRAIL RACE
AT SARATOGA SPA
STATE PARK.
SARATOGA STRYDERS
FUN CELEBRATION FOR ALL AT GIRLS ON THE
RUN 5K IN ALBANY. GOTRCR
November Racing
Fall Classics for All
STUDENTS FINISH THE SHENENDEHOWA
VETERANS DAY DASH. SHEN XC AND T&F
By Kristen Hislop
Fall in the Northeast brings the most
amazing running weather. We
have beautiful foliage with cool,
crisp mornings. Our running community
is lucky to have some awesome events
to choose from that support incredible
organizations. Post Covid, we lost some
events, but as you’ll see with the slate that
we are profiling, some are celebrating 15
and even 47 years! Get registered for a fun
fall and support our sport. Not interested
in running or walking, then jump in to
volunteer. Volunteering offers a way to
stay involved, meet some great people,
cheer on athletes, and support local nonprofits.
Starting on Saturday, November 4,
the 11th annual Revolutionary Run
for Veterans at “America’s Turning
Point” 5K begins at Fort Hardy Park in
Schuylerville and runs north along the
historic towpath across the Champlain
Canal and into Hudson Crossing Park.
This race is unique in that you start on a
field, run on a trail and finish on the roads!
Something for everyone. The run starts at
10am and is followed by refreshments
(hamburgers and hot dogs provided by
the Saratoga County American Legion
Posts) with ceremonies for Veterans and
award winners at Fort Hardy Park. The
race will also commemorate the 250th
anniversary of the Battles at Saratoga,
known as America’s Turning Point. Bring
the kids along for the free fun run.
The Saratoga County 250th American
Revolution Commission, consisting of 13
official members (in honor of the 13 original
colonies), has planned and organized
multiple ceremonies, events, activities
and celebrations recognizing the 250th
anniversary of the American Revolution
in Saratoga County including recognition
at this race. Online registration is $40 until
Nov. 3 and proceeds benefit the Saratoga
County Veterans Trust Fund. Register:
runsignup.com.
The following day on Sunday,
November 5, you’ll be happy to hit the
trails for the Fall Back 5 Trail Race. You
even get an extra hour of sleep before
you head over to the Saratoga Spa State
Park. Once again, you’ve got a combination
of terrain with a few fun hills and
even a staircase! Running this event you’ll
discover new areas of the park, but don’t
delay since registration closes at 200 runners.
Hosted by Saratoga Stryders (members
get a $2 discount) this race features
awards donated by iRun LOCAL and a
post-race door prize drawing open to all
runners and volunteers. You do have to be
present to win!
The race starts at 10am and there is
day-of registration ($35) beginning at
8:30am. It is $30 online until Nov. 2. You
can head to iRun LOCAL on Saturday
to register and if already registered pick
up your bib from 12-2pm. Net proceeds
from the event will be used to support the
programs and activities of the Saratoga
Stryders. For more info: saratogastryders.
org. To register: runsignup.com.
November is full of unique runs with
great venues. On Friday, November 10,
the 15th annual Shenendehowa Veterans
Day Dash 5K Run/Walk will be held on
the Shenendehowa Central School campus
in Clifton Park. This 5K starts with a
bang, literally from a revolutionary war
cannon, on the track. Runners then head
out onto the closed course for a flat and fast
5K on the campus. This race is a favorite
as it showcases some of Shenendehowa’s
sports teams. The boys swim team, boys/
girls wrestling, boys/girls Nordic skiing,
and of course the cross-country runners
are on the course in their sports attire. Yes,
that means speedos and singlets! Veterans
can run for free by emailing for a code:
info@freihofersrun.com. The day kicks
off at 9am with kids’ runs on the track
followed by the 5K at 10am. A ceremony
to honor veterans precedes the awards
ceremony.
New this year are high school age
group awards for non-Shenendehowa
schools. Athletes from area schools are
invited to join the 5K and will have their
own awards category – more recognition
of our area youth athletes. Registration
is $30 until Oct. 27, then goes up to $35
through race day. This event benefits the
Shenendehowa boys cross-country and
track & field programs. Over 150 boys participate
each school year! These funds support
three seasons of athletics. Donations
can be made on the registration page for
those unable to join on Friday. Sign-up:
zippyreg.com.
Registration is open for the 47th annual
MVP Health Care Stockade-athon 15K
on Sunday, November 12. This course
celebrates the history of Schenectady
with a tour of the notable Stockade district,
a jaunt by Union College on the way
past stately General Electric Realty Plot
homes and leafy neighborhoods, and a
ribbon around the roads historic Central
Park, then finishing with a dash through
the historic Vale Cemetery down to a
fast finish. Members of HMRRC pay just
See RUNNING & WALKING 9 ▶