Adirondack Sports May 2024

MAY 2024 15
(CLOCKWISE) ■ FINAL KICK AT THE
2023 KINDERHOOK OK5K RACE.
■ THE PACK AT 2023 ROUTE 50
MILE IN BURNT HILLS.
■ HAWAIIAN SPIRIT AT THE
ALOHA FAMILY 5K IN 2023.
■ FINISH CELEBRATION AT THE
2023 GOOD KARMA 5K.
RUNNING & WALKING continued from 13
the Adirondacks, Vermont and Quebec. Afterwards, enjoy
your free meal voucher at any of the participating area
restaurants. Bike info: bikereg.com. Go to: runreg.com.
Spend your Sunday, June 2, enjoying some easier
events. The Literacy 5K Run/Walk, held at the Corning
Preserve (Albany Rowing Club) boathouse/launch in
Albany, with a flat out-and-back bike trail route, along the
Hudson River. It’s organized by and benefits the Literacy
Volunteers, who provide English language instruction,
supplies and programs to Capital Region children and
adults seeking help with reading and math skills. Teams
have a rather unique format, with the more folks you
recruit, the greater the discount each team member
receives. There is also a Youth Mile (14-under) and Youth
Clubs Quarter Mile before the 5K. Visit: zippyreg.com.
Also on June 2, the Capital Region Heart Walk & Run
at the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany, is part
of a nationwide program to benefit the American Heart
Association. In addition to the nice flat walk/run, enjoy
the kids’ activities as well as healthy heart information. As
special touch, stroke and heart attack survivors are invited
to funnel toward a special lane at the finish. Go to: capitalregionheartwalk.org
Blessedly, there is no nursery rhyme choice for the following
weekend. The folks at the 24th annual Kinderhook
OK5K Race in the village of Kinderhook on Saturday, June
8 apparently did their research or just got lucky. The “fastest
5K in the area” is on a flat USATF-certified route that
offers a PR opportunity – and walkers are welcome. The
OK5K is also a super family outing. Kids ages 4-12 can
enjoy their own free OK 1 Run (one-miler). New this year,
is a free D.A.Y.S.I. 100-meter Dash, which is inclusive for
all abilities. In the spirit of community, there are several
free entries available for those who need them, and all
proceeds go to local nonprofits. Visit: ok5krace.com.
If you long for a quick warmup to prep for the following
weekend, stretch your legs at the 15th annual Route
50 Mile in Burnt Hills on Thursday, June 13 at 6:50pm.
This is a family-friendly event, with family entry discounts,
plenty of awards, and ice cream to enjoy while you watch
the Flag Day Parade that follows the race. It’s part of the
USATF-Adk Grand Prix Series so there will be a large
contingent of fast runners, as well as past BH-BL High
School runners focused on winning the “Spartan Award.”
Proceeds benefit CAPTAIN Community Human Services.
Go to: captaincares.org.
After that sprint, you will be ready for the 10th annual
Good Karma 5K Run/Walk at Shenendehowa Schools
in Clifton Park on Saturday, June 15. Campus roads will
be closed to traffic so you can relax, concentrate on your
running, and not worry about your kids running solo. This
is another family-friendly event with a yoga warm-up,
kids’ run, henna tattoo artist, Bollywood music, Indian
street food, and a nice T-shirt – something for everyone.
Handcycles/wheelchairs are welcome, and there’s also
a virtual option. Proceeds benefit AIM for Seva for children’s
education in rural India, Regional Food Bank of
NENY, and Shen’s Bountiful Backpack program. Overall
winners receive gift cards to Fleet Feet Sports and local
Indian restaurants. Visit: zippyreg.com.
Or, same day, at the Aloha Family 5K & 1-Mile Fun
Walk at Haviland Cove Park in Glens Falls, you can don
your favorite Hawaiian gear to hula and welcome summer
along the historic Feeder Canal. Be inspired by beach
tunes as you run or walk the off-street course, where jogging
strollers are permitted. Afterwards, celebrate with
music, kids’ activities and photo opportunities. This Glens
Falls Hospital event benefits Amanda’s House which provides
complimentary accommodations for patient’s families.
Go to: runsignup.com.
Also on June 15 is the Run for the Ages 5K, beginning
at and organized by Tackett Chiropractic Center in
Queensbury. This run/walk – bridging generations of
the community – will donate proceeds to Big Brothers,
Big Sisters and Glens Falls Senior Center. There will be
awards to the top three male/female overall and 10-year
age groups. Visit: runsignup.com.
For more celebration, again on June 15, consider the
seventh annual Wilmington-Whiteface Whiskey Run at
Preston Festival Field – with a 5K run/walk and 10K run.
Why whiskey? It seems that Wilmington has a somewhat
checkered past, supplying whiskey to the American soldiers
at the Battle of Plattsburgh, then serving as a stopover
for bootleggers plying the Canadian border route
during prohibition. Registrants receive a T-shirt, local
swag, and a cool whiskey flask medal! With the motto,
“come for the run and stay for the day,” there will be plenty
for the family to do – from whiskey tastings, local distillers,
food, festival, 1812 reenactors – with many local attractions.
Proceeds benefit the Wilmington Historical Society.
Go to: adkwhiskeyrun.com.
After all that adventure, you should be ready for the
fifth annual Adirondack 7 Mile Race to the Lakes on
Saturday, June 22. The race to Lake George begins at
SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury, then follows the shaded
Warren County Bikeway, finishing at Battlefield State
Park, near Million Dollar Beach. This Adirondack Runners
event offers gender-specific performance running shirts
to all registered by May 30 – these well-designed shirts are
worth the early-decision effort. After homemade refreshments
at the lake, busses will transport you back to SUNY.
Or, make this a family outing by having them drop you off,
then meet you at the lake, with a picnic and bathing suit at
the ready. The race benefits LGA Floating Classroom and
Adirondack Runners scholarships. Visit: zippyreg.com.
After this flurry of events, take a few days off to recharge
before July takes over!
Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga
Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner,
snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s
librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.