Adirondack Sports March 2024
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RUNNING & WALKING continued from 13<br />
MARCH <strong>2024</strong> 15<br />
support the Autism Society Greater Hudson Region in<br />
their mission to assist children and adults affected by<br />
autism, as well as the families who care for them. No one<br />
is too fast or too slow and walking the beautiful course<br />
around Schenectady’s Mohawk Harbor is a delight. You<br />
may also invite your fellow workers to join a corporate<br />
team. All participants will receive a water bottle and are<br />
encouraged to relax and socialize over a refreshing Kona<br />
Ice. Visit: asghr.org.<br />
A down-home favorite is the 12th annual Bacon Hill<br />
Bonanza 5K & 10K in Schuylerville on Saturday, April 27.<br />
The USATF certified races start simultaneously, with the<br />
5K being fairly flat and the 10K featuring some challenging<br />
hills. Both travel through farm country, with cows and<br />
chickens cheering you on. Children 12 or under may do<br />
the kids run for free if another family member is participating<br />
in the 5K or 10K, making this an affordable family<br />
outing. The first 300 to register will receive a race shirt, so<br />
make sure you sign up early as the handsome shirts are<br />
always eagerly-anticipated. Age group winners receive<br />
a farm-fresh pie and all are invited to refuel with King’s<br />
Dairy chocolate milk and homemade cookies. (Bonus:<br />
stop by the nearby dairy on the way home to enjoy an<br />
ice cream cone and take a few quarts home for later).<br />
Proceeds benefit the Bacon Hill Church, an historic landmark<br />
built in 1818, and Schuylerville Caring and Sharing,<br />
which provides students with school supplies. Visit:<br />
baconhillbonanza.com.<br />
The 44th annual Bill Robinson Memorial 10K &<br />
HMRRC Masters 10K Championship will be held at<br />
Guilderland High School on Saturday, April 27. The 10K<br />
is now open for runners of all ages. The race honors the<br />
Bill Robinson, a member of the USATF HMRRC masters<br />
team that won a 10K national title. This event attracts a<br />
high caliber of runners, so if that is you, you are invited to<br />
challenge yourself. Otherwise, come on out and enjoy the<br />
atmosphere of this high-quality race. Visit: hmrrc.com.<br />
The 16th annual Furry Fun Run: 5K for People &<br />
Dogs at Saratoga Spa State Park will also take place on<br />
Saturday, April 27. This was the first 5K in the area to welcome<br />
dogs and it’s a do-not-miss event, and walkers are<br />
welcome too. Proceeds and donations benefit Peppertree<br />
Rescue, a volunteer run organization that finds homes for<br />
good tempered dogs in need, regardless of breed, age or<br />
health. Visit: peppertree.org.<br />
The 44th annual Doc Lopez Run for Health: Half<br />
Marathon & 5K Trail Run/Walk in Elizabethtown on<br />
Sunday, April 28. The Run honors prolific runner and race<br />
director, Dr. Robert “Doc” Lopez, after he carried the torch<br />
for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics up and over the<br />
<strong>Adirondack</strong> hills. He shared his love of running with his 14<br />
children and today his daughter, Sue, carries on the family<br />
tradition. The half begins in Keene Valley, then makes a<br />
challenging two-mile trek up Spruce Hill, and towards the<br />
Cobble Hill Golf Course in Elizabethtown, treating us to<br />
another point-to point experience. One of the attractions<br />
for older or slower runners is there’s no cut-off time so the<br />
course is open until the last person crosses the finish. The<br />
5K trail loop starts alongside the golf course before entering<br />
the wooded trails. The route is hilly, and again offers<br />
rewarding views – but keep a lookout for rocks and roots.<br />
A unique aspect of the Run for Health is its focus on health<br />
promotion. The finish area will have booths offering info<br />
▲ 2023 BACON HILL<br />
BONANZA 5K/10K START AT<br />
THE HISTORIC BACON HILL<br />
CHURCH. JIM MCKNIGHT<br />
on nutrition and exercise, as well as physical exams by<br />
volunteer physicians, with race proceeds benefiting<br />
the UVM Health Network’s Elizabethtown Community<br />
Hospital. Visit: ech.org/doc-lopez-run.<br />
With all these opportunities, there is no reason not to<br />
spring ahead!<br />
◀ FEMALE WINNER<br />
MELISSA WHYMAN OF<br />
PLATTSBURGH AT THE<br />
2023 DOC LOPEZ RUN FOR<br />
HEALTH HALF MARATHON.<br />
ALVIN REINER/PRESS-<br />
REPUBLICAN<br />
Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga<br />
Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner,<br />
snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s<br />
librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
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