Adirondack Sports March 2024

News Briefs
NYSOGA Winter
Rendezvous
NYS Outdoor Guides Association
has scheduled its 41st annual Winter
Rendezvous this year for April 4-7 at
the White Eagle Conference Center
in Hamilton. The annual conference
is a formal gathering of licensed
guides and aspiring guides, held in
early spring. For licensed guides,
Winter Rendezvous offers educational seminars, first aid and CPR renewals, a business
meeting of the board, annual banquet, merchandise store, and networking
opportunities.
For aspiring guides, NYSOGA provides the training needed to qualify to take
the exam to be a NYS Licensed Guide. This includes water safety, first aid and CPR,
plus guide exam review and to take the exam at the same location. As a bonus,
aspiring guides can network with currently licensed guides from around the state.
In recent years, the rendezvous has adopted the theme of “Voices from the Past”
where a prominent guide from the past is highlighted. This year, at the Saturday
lunch, NYSOGA will have a guest speaker honoring the legacy of past guide and
conservationist, Anne LaBastille. Visit: nysoga.org.
NYS Parks Centennial
“Share Your Story” Project
New Yorkers are invited to mark 100 years of state parks by sharing memories
throughout this centennial year. The digital campaign for “Share Your Story” invites
the public to share stories, photos, and videos reminiscing on their experiences at
state parks and historic sites. The multimedia campaign will run throughout 2024 in
celebration of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Centennial.
NYS Parks has developed several methods for people to share their stories, which
are explained online. Text, photos, and videos can be emailed to stories@parks.
ny.gov. People may post to Facebook, Instagram, or X using #NYStateParksStory
or submit text-only stories of up to 500 words using the submission form: parks.
ny.gov/100/story.
Throughout 2024, the public will also have the opportunity to hear each other’s
stories. Stories will be shared on NYS social media channels at @NYStateParks.
Stories will also be posted online: parks.ny.gov.
Total Solar Eclipse
As you’ve heard, on Monday, April 8 just after 3pm, a total solar eclipse will be
passing through western to central NY, and then through the northern part of the
Adirondacks exiting the state through Plattsburgh. While this eclipse travels over
a third of NYS, the entirety of the state will be able to see at least 88% of a partial
eclipse: Albany is 96%, NYC 89%, and Montauk 88%. Experiencing totality is a once
in a lifetime experience. The last total solar eclipse in NYS was in 1925 and the next
ones are expected in 2079 and 2144.
The eclipse will begin in Fredonia, shortly after 2pm. Full totality will begin in
Chautauqua County at 3:17pm, moving to Plattsburgh at 3:25pm. Locations in the
path of totality could experience total darkness for up to four minutes. Check out
a map of the path with the totality timetables. For safety tips, check out I Love New
York’s Eclipse website. DEC will also be posting eclipse information on Facebook
and Instagram leading up to it. Visit: iloveny.com/events/eclipse-2024/safety.
CDPHP Workforce
Team Challenge
MARCH 2024 7
CDPHP and Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club are excited to announce that
registration is now open for the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge, the 3.5-mile
road race in downtown Albany near the Empire State Plaza. This year’s race is set
for Thursday, May 16 at 6:25pm.
Local not-for-profits Wizard’s Wardrobe and Reeling for Recovery will receive
funds from this year’s race. Wizard’s Wardrobe is a free after school one-on-one
literacy tutoring program for elementary school children in the South End. Virtually
all students leave the program reading at a higher level. Reeling for Recovery is a
grassroots not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged youth struggling
with behavioral, social, and addiction issues. Through their adventure-based programming,
they educate students on the importance of making good decisions,
setting and achieving goals and reinforcing the importance of academics.
New this year is the introduction of the WTC Training Program. CDPHP is partnering
with ARE Event Productions on this 10-week program geared toward those
who are either new to running or consider themselves beginners. It includes run
coaching as well as strength and mobility training. It’s free with registration during
the sign-up process. The program begins on March 11 and meets in Albany on
Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30pm with additional on-your-own sessions. The
program will be capped at the first 40 participants to register.
The Workforce Team Challenge is organized by and serves as a major fundraiser
for HMRRC. In addition to raising funds for local charities, the race also helps to
fund HMRRC’s college scholarships, grants, and free race programs for local youth.
It’s the largest running event in the Capital Region. Sign up: cdphpwtc.com.
Whiteface Uphill Foot Race
and Bike Race
The Whiteface Races, 21st annual Bike Race and 39th annual Foot Race, will take
place in Wilmington on Saturday, June 1. After taking a break for a few years due
to low numbers, the Whiteface Visitors Bureau brought back the Foot Race in 2023
by combining it with the Uphill Bike Race. Holding the events together proved to
be very successful last year. Cyclists start in the parking lot of the visitors bureau at
5:30pm and are timed at the start and finish line. Runners are staged at the intersection
of Route 86 and 431 in the Adirondack Chocolates parking lot. After the cyclists
clear the intersection, timers start the clock and runners proceed up the mountain.
It’s a closed course allowing cyclists and runners space to ascend the mountain
safety. They climb eight miles and 3,500 vertical feet up the Whiteface Veterans
Memorial Highway to the summit finish with a panoramic views of the Adirondacks.
Visit: whitefacerace.com.