Mix it Up at the Races

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

Life as we knew it before March 2020 is slowly returning to normal. Vaccines have been available to nearly all age groups and the infection rate has plummeted to less than 2%. It’s all great news! The fall calendar is beginning to look like it used to. But, what about the summer racing calendar?

Many of the summer races are still virtual or are offering a hybrid version. In early 2021, when race directors and race committees started their planning, Covid was raging, the vaccines were in the early stages of being rolled out, and most age-groups were not even eligible yet. The safety of in-person events were very uncertain. Fast-forward to May, NYS and CDC guidelines are now opening up in-person activities, but there just isn’t enough time for some of these races to transition to in-person.

While traditional races return, virtual races may be here to stay alongside in-person events. Virtual races have their benefits – they allow family, friends, and fans from anywhere to support a cause, to participate in the drive towards a common goal, and stay connected to community. 

Many have tired of virtual events and are longing for face-to-face interaction, however now more than ever, the organizers of virtual races need your support. Two consecutive years of canceled in-person races have been difficult for the organizations and groups that host races and the causes they support.

While you train for in-person races in the fall, why not use these virtual and hybrid events to help you train? You can register to run at a time and any place of your choosing, while supporting the beneficiaries, fundraising, and the survival of these events. Here are several quality events for you to choose from: 

On Sunday, June 6, live fierce and help fight heart disease and stroke from anywhere by registering for the Run/Walk the Heart 5K: A Digital Experience. This year’s Heart Walk will be their biggest ever. Join one million walkers from across the nation as everyone moves together. This year’s donations will help fast track Covid-19 research and train frontline workers while continuing the fight against heart disease and stroke. The Heart Walk has always been about coming together, getting hearts pumping, honoring survivors, raising lifesaving funds – and having fun along the way. Learn more: capitalregionheartwalk.org.

Karma means “action” and the opportunity for healing and balancing in the present. Here’s an opportunity to do good from June 12 to June 20 by signing up for the 7th annual Good Karma 5K Virtual Run/Walk for Covid Relief. We’re conducting it as a virtual nationwide race, and all abilities of runners, walkers and hikers are welcome. As an example, my own cousin is doing his virtual 5K while hiking the Appalachian Trail!

New for this year, we are having an informal Good Karma 5K group run/walk at The Crossings South Pavilion on Saturday, June 12 at 9am to get together for an in-person experience. We’ll have a guided yoga warmup and then do a 5K in the park on the Good Karma race course. Bring your own water and time yourself. All virtual registered runners/walkers are welcome!

This year’s event is being conducted in partnership with AIM for Seva USA and Sewa International, with 30 cities participating and a goal of 5,000 participants. Teams of family, friends, coworkers, workout buddies are signing up. 

As a 100% volunteer run organization, all net proceeds of Good Karma 5K 2021 will support Covid relief efforts in India, and assist with hunger relief in the U.S. For relief efforts in our region, 30% of net proceeds will assist with hunger relief through the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The remaining 70% will be distributed to Sewa International for critical COVID-19 relief in India to strengthen the critical supply chain of much needed medical oxygen and enable distribution of life saving medical supplies. Registration includes a race T-shirt, which will be distributed or mailed in late July. Register at: goodkarmany.org.

The 4th annual Wilmington-Whiteface Whiskey Run 5K & 10K will be virtual races this year. Run a 5K or 10K or both anywhere from 8am to 8pm on Saturday, June 19 – the 5K is new this year! You’ll be able to submit your official results through text message or email. Organizers are making this a special day for runners with some fun ideas like a digital bib, runner’s raffle, and a special Whiskey Run photo frame located at Festival Field in Wilmington – a nice photo-op for local runners! Runners will be encouraged to take their own photos during their run and/or at the park to share on social media and on the website.

The Whiskey Run benefits the Wilmington Historical Society and honors Wilmington’s storied history with liquor, legal and otherwise. During the War of 1812, Wilmington supplied good rye whiskey to the American troops at the Battle of Plattsburgh, as part of their daily ration. During prohibition with its proximity to Canada, Wilmington residents provided temporary haven for bootleggers crossing the border. Until recently, Wilmington was home to US Barrel, the oldest whiskey barrel-making cooperage in the Northeast. With the town’s checkered history and natural beauty, join this virtual race. Participants will receive a T-shirt, a whiskey flask medal, swag from local businesses. and an opportunity to win a special runner’s raffle. Sign up at: adkwhiskeyrun.com.

The 11th annual Freihofer’s Run for Women Training Challenge and 43rd annual Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K will be back with options for training and racing. This year’s race has been moved to Saturday, Sept. 25 for an in-person race in downtown Albany.

The 12-week Training Challenge will kick-off on July 12 with motivation to improve your performance, rekindle running groups, or make new friends. Runners and walkers can choose to participate in the Training Challenge and 5K either in-person, virtually or a combo – such as a virtual challenge and in-person race.

Virtual participants will receive emails and videos, and shirts mailed home. In-person participants will get emails and videos, plus clinics and one or more small group, in-person sessions per week at the location of their choosing and shirts. Mentors will be leading the sessions at 28 locations across the Greater Capital Region – runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome. Register: runsignup.com.

Finally, team relays are back! The Peak 2 Brew “Sprint” Relays will happen in the Finger Lakes on Saturday, June 5 and then in the Adirondacks on Saturday, August 14. The Adirondack Sprint is now open for registrations. The “Beast” (120+ miles) is postponed to 2022. 

The Adirondack Sprint relay course takes you through the beautiful Tug Hill region, starting at Snow Ridge Ski Resort in Turin to Woodland Farm Brewery in Utica. Gather a team of four or six people, rent one van, and get ready to run 60 miles in total on a single day. Teams of four runners will have three legs each while the teams of six run two legs each. Team registration includes a T-shirt, medal, finisher pint glass, free food/beer at the finish, and many sponsor giveaways. Enjoy the team camaraderie and van shenanigans with your friends and sign up today! Learn more: p2brelay.com.

Mix it up with virtual and in-person races and support these worthy causes. Have fun out there!

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) is a race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk and mentor for the Freihofer’s Training Challenge. She enjoys running and doing races, when not working at Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.