Adirondack Sports February 2024

By Mona Kulkarni Caron
According to a recent Runner’s World article,
despite a pandemic running boom,
most races haven’t reached pre-pandemic
participation levels. One of the most surprising
findings is that big races in many cities
are now selling out more quickly than before, 95
percent of smaller races have fewer than 500 participants.
Let’s show our support for these homegrown,
locally-lead races in March.
The first major road race of the Capital Region
race season is the 4th annual Electric City 10K
Road Race in Schenectady. Organized by the
team at ARE Event Productions, join the fun
atmosphere at Mohawk Harbor. Previously held
as a five-mile race, the distance was changed to a
10K in 2023 due to the closure of the Sunnyside Rd
Bridge. Enjoy the upbeat music and announcing
as we return to the roads! Sign up: zippyreg.com.
RUNNING & WALKING
Welcome Spring
Energetic and Fun
March Races
If you’d like to be amazing and give yourself
an awesome spring goal, do the AREEP’s 29.3
Challenge in 2024. Take on the Electric City 10K
on March 2, Helderberg to Hudson 13.1M on
April 13, and Miles on the Mohawk 10M on May
26. Those registering for the challenge receive
a discount and a super cool medal for the challenge.
Register: zippyreg.com.
Get yourself ready for the 46th annual
Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K Run/Walk in
Albany on June 1 by signing up for the Training
Challenge. This 11-week training challenge is led
by volunteer mentors who have years and miles of
running and walking experience. Workouts build
from week to week, are held on most days of the
week and at various times to fit your schedule. The
program offers a beginner program for those who
are new to running. The intermediate program is
FEBRUARY 2024 17
a great option for those who completed last year’s
challenge or want more interval workouts and the
advanced program is for those athletes ready for
focused speed and distance workouts. In 2022,
the walking and run/walk tracks were added. The
Training Challenge is great for anyone who wishes
to do their first 5K, wants to get back into running
or walking a 5K, and those who are looking
for a supportive running group. The first week of
the program starts on Monday, March 18. Learn
more and register: runsignup.com.
Run, sweat and be Irish! On Sunday, March
24, the Shamrock Shuffle 5-Mile Road Race in
Glens Falls is back on the schedule! The race starts
and finishes at Glens Falls High School. This is a
fast and flat five-mile loop course. This will be the
34th year for the Shamrock Shuffle and all proceeds
go to the benefit of Warren-Washington
NYS Special Olympics. There is also a Leprechaun
Leap Fun Run, a 7/8-mile children’s run, for all
See RUNNING & WALKING 19 ▶
■ MOHAWK HARBOR START AND
UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER AT
ELECTRIC CITY 10K IN 2023.