Summer Racing

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

The summer racing calendar lightens up a bit in July and August, which means you don’t have to choose between multiple races on the same day as often. You can do most of them! Check out these races and training series for a fun summer of running and walking. 

HMRRC hosts the long-running Colonie Summer Track Series at Colonie High School on Tuesday evenings from July 1 through August 5. There are adult and kids races, open to all ages and abilities, and the series of six races is free for HMRRC members. The second event, on July 8, features the Colonie Mile. For membership and info, visit: hmrrc.com.

Starting in late June, the Saratoga Stryders host their Camp Saratoga Trail Run Series every other Monday from June 23 to August 18 at 6:15pm at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. It’s a fun, challenging 5K course and open to runners and walkers of all abilities and paces. The series is also an affordable family affair with low race and series fees. Participants do not have to be members of Saratoga Stryders but are encouraged to join. Register early as DEC has limited it to 75 participants. Learn more: saratogastryders.org.

Start your Fourth of July celebrations by running the 19th annual Firecracker 4 four-mile road race, on Friday, July 4 at 9am, New York’s largest July 4th race. Parade through downtown Broadway and the historic neighborhoods of Saratoga Springs with 3,000 runners and walkers – and enjoy the festive atmosphere. 

The race has the best entertainment and support along the way with live bands and musicians, music, cheering spectators, water sprays, and popsicles on the final stretch. There are team competitions, cash prizes, and the popular Run Your Colors competition. 

The kids can run too at the Sparkler Run (0.2 miles) which begins at 8:15am behind the Saratoga Springs City Center. It’s hosted by Building on Love, and all kids receive a race medal, bib, swag and drinks. 

If you’d like more training and camaraderie with other runners, there’s a free Lead-Up Training Program offered on Thursdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9am from June 5 to July 1. All abilities are welcome. These twice weekly workouts are offered by Fleet Feet and ASICS with post-workout hospitality. Locations vary so check out our Calendar and the online race and registration: firecracker4.com.

The fifth annual Freedom Mile, is also on July 4th at 11:30am in Clifton Park, before the town’s Fourth of July Parade. It’s just one mile! Run or walk through cheering spectators lined up for the town parade, which begins at noon. The route is from the Shenendehowa Central School campus entrance on Route 146, left on Vischer Ferry Road and a quick left into the Clifton Park Commons for the finish. A cool car seat towel giveaway is guaranteed to the first 100 registered. 

Family discounts make this very affordable. A family registration of four people from the same household can register for $80 until 7/3 or $90 on race day. A family of five in the same household can register for $90 until 7/3 or $100 on race day. You can apply this discount when your cart qualifies. Register: runsignup.com.

Both July 4th races are a great tradition for kicking off the holiday. Register for one – or both (yes, a few people run both) – before you head to the pool parties, backyard barbeques and fireworks!

Enjoy this flat, fast course while touring the beautiful East Side of Saratoga Springs. The Silks & Satins 5K is on Saturday, July 12, the first Saturday of Saratoga’s thoroughbred horse racing season. The 5K starts and finishes at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion, near the Oklahoma training track, so you can also watch horses working out. The early start helps beat the heat, while taking runners and walkers through residential neighborhoods of Saratoga Springs, near the horse racing facilities. 

Race proceeds benefit Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a non-profit that supports second careers for retired racehorses in leading safe and meaningful lives. These horses improve the mental health and emotional wellness for veterans, military, students and others through therapeutic programming and the horse-human connection.

There are individual awards and team competition. Shirts are guaranteed to all who register by 7/9. Register: silksandsatins5k.com.

Also, on July 12, for something completely epic, it’s the Whiteface Mountain Races. This is your opportunity to be a part of the steepest trail race in the East. With several different ways to suffer, the Whiteface Mountain Races are the place to be for the most bang-for-your-buck for vertical gain, flowy descents, and scenic vistas that’ll take your breath away – if the race doesn’t already. 

Staged from Whiteface Mountain Ski Area in Wilmington, Saturday will open with the Marshak Mountain Race. Entrants will have two options: a single Alpine Circuit of 10K with roughly 3,800 feet of elevation gain/loss, or the double 21K distance with roughly 7,600 feet of elevation gain/loss. The course cutoff time for the 21K is six hours and the requirement to clear the single loop is two hours 40 minutes. 

The afternoon will offer another round in the form of the Ascent 4K race, a fairly direct steep shot from the resort’s base to summit, gaining roughly 3,100 feet of elevation. The course cutoff is 2 hours, 40 minutes, and participants must clear the mid-mountain aid station at 1.2 miles in under 1:15.

Entrants can register for each race, or double up for the combo in the form of the Vert Junky. Vertical gluttons capable of pulling of two loops and setting off for a final Ascent in the uphill race will have put in nearly 11,000 feet of gain in the day. There is a one-mile Kids Klymb from the top of the gondola to get the entire family involved as well. Whether you’re a skier, a local, or a faraway vacationer, this is your chance to experience this mountain like never before. Learn more: rednewtracing.com.

To support a great cause, join the Wicklund Warriors at the third annual Bad Blood 5K Run on Thursday, July 31 at 6pm at Siena College in Loudonville. This isn’t just a race – it’s a chance to unite, have fun, and make a real difference for families battling blood cancer. Race participation helps reach the organization’s annual fundraising goals, ensuring support where needed most. 

The 5K course is new this year with a less slippery route after braving Hurricane Debbie last year. The first 200 people to register receive the cool race shirt and each bib includes a tear-off ticket for a free beer from Common Roots Brewing. Gather your family, friends and coworkers to form a team. Awards will be given for teams with the most participants, most fundraising, best team spirit, coolest shirt design – and walkers are welcome. Celebrate afterwards at the family-friendly post-run festivities with food, live music, ice cream, and inflatables. Go to: runsignup.com.

Come run or walk to help raise awareness and support Sarcoma research at the Sarcoma Strong 5K Run & Walk. This year’s course starts at the Administrative Lawn at Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, August 9. T-shirts are available for the first 300 registrants at the in-person event. A virtual option is available to participate from anywhere between August 8-10.

Sarcoma refers to a broad group of cancers that start in the bones and soft tissues. Since 2015, Sarcoma Strong has raised over $1,150,000 for research and to support families with guidance and resources. Race events are also scheduled at many other cities this summer and fall. Join the Global Sarcoma Community and register to participate in Saratoga Springs, another city, virtually or to donate. Visit: sarcomastrong.com.

The 19th annual Landis Perennial Forest 5K is at Landis Arboretum in Esperance on Saturday, August 9. It’s a unique race through fields and forests, and walkers are welcome. There’s also a team competition, age-based pricing, and family/team. The Landis 5K is part of the Route 20 Challenge series of races. 

Landis is an arboretum and public garden incorporating hundreds of acres in Schoharie and Montgomery counties, with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. They have curated collections and gardens with 15 miles of hiking trails – or just relax in their peaceful Shanti-Vun Meditation Garden. Go to: runsignup.com.

The 38th annual Run for the Roses will be held at Grafton Lakes State Park in Grafton on Sunday, August 10. The 5K run begins at 9am followed by a Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run at 10am. The course follows the Park Entrance Road, continues along NY Route 2, around the Town Park, and back into the park on Long Pond Road. The first half of the course is downhill, with some uphill slopes on the second half. The fun run begins in the main parking lot, proceeds through the woods and along the beach. 

The wonderful event benefits the Grafton Community Library, all runners and walkers receive a shirt and book, and fun runners receive a ribbon and Stewart’s ice cream card. Awards and refreshments are provided, and showers are located near the finish line. The beautiful park offers beach and picnic facilities along the lake, so plan on staying for the afternoon! Register: runsignup.com.

HMRRC hosts the Tawasentha Cross Country 5K Series at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland on three Monday evenings, August 11, 18, and 25. The low-key, family-friendly races are free for club members. The town park is a jewel with easy-to-moderate trails that traverse woods and along stream banks – a nice August getaway with welcoming runners. For membership and info, visit: hmrrc.com.

Enjoy these runs and you’ll be ready for the fall racing season. See you out there! 

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adkports.com) is a race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk, mentor for the Delightful Run for Women 5K Training Challenge, and enjoys running, cycling, and the outdoors, when she’s not working as Director of Trails & Stewardship at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.