Piece Together Your Own Trail Adventure

By Laura Clark

Despite losing bonus summer days to this year’s early Labor Day, there is so much to look forward to: mosaic patterns of falling leaves, wearing a sweater, crisp cider donuts, and all things pumpkin. On August 27, a Men’s Fitness post by Joseph Arango detailed why you should head to the woods. Besides the obvious opportunity to unwind in a natural setting away from congested streets, the twists and turns of trail running help develop quicker reactions, split-second balance and stronger muscles. Forget Sudoku. There is no drifting off here, with the minute-to-minute adjustments needed to keep your body upright, your brain will be working just as hard as your feet. Four months out from back surgery, I have confirmed that a cautious month on hard pavement is no substitute for the soft dirt of trails, and that judicious up and down motion is kinder overall. Who knew?

So where to begin? While low-key evening summer trail gatherings have ended (it gets darker earlier in the woods), there are multiple fall trail and cross country races on tap. Don’t be shy. One really neat thing about trails is that it’s mostly about you and your journey. Other than the occasional disgruntled squirrel, there are no onlookers nearby to post judgment. At times, you may even question if you are in a race, as you observe runners pausing to snap scenic photos or identify a bird. This is all part of the enjoyment of being out in nature!

Protect our local waterways by registering for the ninth annual Amy’s Adventure: Race for the Lake on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Amy’s Park in Bolton Landing. Organized by Lake George Land Conservancy’s Next Gen Committee, funds raised will protect Amy’s Park, a vital portion of the Lake George watershed, filtering pollutants before they reach the lake. Both the original 4.5-miler and the newer 10-miler offer challenging, rocky, singletrack terrain. The 10-mile route consists of two five-mile loops, almost identical to the 4.5 option. While technical, none of this is impossible. The shorter route is imminently doable, and with the addition of the longer race option, you will not fear cut-offs. Hiking will get you to the finish just fine. For me, the greatest hazard is the twisty nature of the course, so remember to glance up occasionally, enjoy the foliage and pinpoint a trail marker ahead. Should you wish to run both Amy’s and Flutters or Pitney’s (below) the route will be marked October 1 for the virtual option. Afterwards, all are invited to a celebration at Bolton Landing Brewing. Register: lglc.org/amys-race.

Also on Saturday, Oct. 4 is the third annual Flutters and Foliage Endurance Run at Peebles Island State Park in Cohoes. Do NOT panic at the word, “endurance.” This event is for everybody! Without a distance requirement, there is no uncomfortable feeling that you are holding anyone else back. In fact, my favorite part of the two-mile loop event is the final relaxed loop when everyone takes their time. Entrants choose between run options of six, three or one hours, with team relay possibilities thrown in for good measure. I got passed by fresh relay runners and felt totally justified with my slower pace. I was also passed multiple times by those seeking to log a fast 50K. There were quite a few who hiked/walked a loop or two, then recovered at their camp, only to head out a few more times. Teams of participants and supporters set up along the perimeter and oddly, one of the things I amused myself with was circling back past the camps every two miles and seeing what provisions, clothing items had been consumed or shed. That and running past the amazing Cohoes waterfalls and whitewater rapids on the Mohawk River, breathing in the revitalizing oxygenated air. 

The Saratoga Springs running store, iRunLocal, is a major sponsor, citing the fact that there is no other nearby event that is quite so inclusive. As the owner Jamie Mastroianni remarks, “There are no awards for first, second or third place. There IS a group of people celebrating every lap you do whether it is two or 20. When you run this event, you run for you and no one else.” Frozen Ed Furtaw, a perennial entrant and frequent DNFer in the infamous Barkley Marathons (a brutal, quirky ultra in Tennessee with a 1% finish rate) also confirms, “…meaning and happiness are to be found in the effort to achieve something, not only in the accomplishment of the final goal of that effort.” Proceeds benefit Flutters of Hope, a Saratoga-based non-profit, which offers support for those battling an eating disorder. Register: ultrasignup.com.

Another possibility on Saturday, Oct. 5, is the fifth annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run at Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs. The community 5K run/walk is on a wide, mostly flat gravel trail circling the farm, with no road crossings, ideal for youngsters who want to test out their longer distance abilities in a safe environment, with plenty of spectator opportunities for parents. A half-mile Youth Fun Run follows. Afterwards, browse the gardens, score some local produce, and view the fast and furious Saratoga High School XC Invitational Meet that follows. Proceeds benefit the mission and programming of Pitney Meadows Community Farm. Register (see Calendar): pitneymeadows.org.

Also at Pitney Meadows, on Saturday, Oct. 11 is the inaugural I Pink I Can! – a family-friendly 5K walk/run – hosted by To Life! This Saratoga event will bring together competitive runners, casual walkers, and passionate supporters in a vibrant celebration of strength, survivorship, and breast cancer awareness. There will be fun activities for all and food trucks on-site, offering tasty options everyone will enjoy. Since 1998, To Life! has been providing free, comprehensive breast cancer support services to the Greater Capital Region. In 2024, they served 2,400 individual across their offices in Delmar, Amsterdam, Saratoga Springs, and at Albany Med’s Breast Center. If you’re not interested in walking or running, come cheer, enjoy the festivities, and show your support for an important cause. Register: zippyreg.com.

Sunday, Oct. 5 is the Buck 50!, an epic 50K adventure race across five peaks overlooking stunning Lake George, starting/ending with Buck Mountain. Launching from YMCA Camp Chingachgook, with 9,000 feet of elevation gain over rugged remote terrain, it’s a serious challenge. Registration requires proof of a recent ultramarathon finish. Runners will be placed on a waitlist and invited to register after review. NYS DEC limits the race to 60 participants and all must finish within 12 hours. The Buck 50! is produced by Mountain Dog Running, based in Clifton Park, directors of the Moreau Half (below). Register: ultrasignup.com.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, Roundabout Runners Club invites us to journey to Christopher Robin’s 100 Acre Woods and search for Eeyore’s house at the Malta 5K Trail Run/Hike & 3K/2K Kids Trail Run. Races begin at the Luther Forest Tech Campus athletic fields. It is truly inspirational to see a crowd of excited kids running 3Ks and 2Ks with their parents cheering them on, and then to reverse the process, and see the kids applauding their parents as they cross the finish of the 5K. The rolling to hilly route is a mix of beautiful, wide stone dust-covered trails and twisty dirt paths, built and meticulously maintained by the family-oriented club, with all proceeds supporting trail design and maintenance. Their pride in their work is obvious and fall cross country teams benefit from their commitment. Register: roundaboutrunnersclub.com.

Also on Sunday, Oct. 19, you can head 25 miles south of Albany to the 14th annual Veeder Tree Farm 5K Road and/or Trail Run/Walk in Earlton – and get a head start on picking out your Christmas tree. Veeder offers one of the most unique race formats you’ll ever encounter, with the invitation to register singly for either a road or trail 5K, or a combo! The trail is a two-loop challenging course through the backwoods of the tree farm, with the scent of pine needles flavoring your journey. The road option is a beautiful back road. Afterwards, take the family and hike the farm, imagining your future tree, decked out with your favorite ornaments – and all participants will receive a discount on their selection. Enjoy a celebration of founder Skip Veeder’s legacy with a bonfire, smores, tailgating and music, knowing that your participation will 100% benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It’s worth the drive! Register: raceentry.com.

If you’re a snowshoer or XC skier, register for the eighth annual Brookhaven Octoberfest 5K Trail Run on Saturday, Oct. 25 held at Brookhaven Golf Course in Porter Corners – 10 miles north of Saratoga Springs. Once the snow flies, Brookhaven transforms itself into a wonderful Winter Park, with free groomed ski trails and wooded snowshoe treks. This trail race supports the Town of Greenfield’s efforts to maintain and expand trails and support high school and citizen races. Runners will kick up leaves on a combination of paths, wooded trails and road and are encouraged to stick around to cheer the Kids 1K Fun Run. Afterwards, families can enjoy the Town of Greenfield’s Fall Festival with trick-or-treating (think decorated golf carts), a live animal show, indoor and outdoor food options, live music, sack races and, of course, pumpkin contests. Register: skireg.com.

The Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon and Squirrelly Six Mile on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Thacher State Park in Voorheesville is a spectacular Halloween celebration. While squirrels prefer slightly tamer trails than gorillas, both routes offer their own share of roots and rocks – high above Albany on the Helderberg Escarpment. If you are aiming for a Gorilla finish, pay special attention to the cutoff times as the larger creatures tend to discourage stragglers. Named “the best costumed trail race in America” by Runner’s World, continue that standard by wearing your own costume to the party. Kids 12-and-under will have their own opportunity to dress up for the half-mile Gorilla Chase prior to the main event. Enjoy hunting for your own personalized gravestone while trying to avoid gorillas and other scary creatures hidden behind trees and shrubs. More of a party and only incidentally a race for most, it’s a time to celebrate the late fall running season. Register: areep.com.

On Saturday, Nov. 1, head to Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville for the 11th annual Revolutionary Run for Veterans at “America’s Turning Point” 5K, which benefits the Saratoga County Veterans Trust Fund – a great cause to support vets. Pre-race, join in a patriotic flag ceremony and browse military-related booths. This family-friendly 5K run/walk features a fast, relatively flat loop on the historic Champlain Canal and Towpath, and a wooded excursion through the nature path along the Hudson River. A shorter-distance kids fun nature jaunt is free. Post-race, enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. Part of the Saratoga 250th celebration, the 5K route takes you past Champlain Canal Lock C5 where British General John Burgoyne led several thousand soldiers across the river, resulting in the Battles of Saratoga – the Turning Point of the American Revolution. Register: fc4events.com.

Also on Saturday, Nov. 1, the Moreau Half is a 14.5-mile loop through Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. Launching from the beach, the route features 3,000 feet of climbing on technical singletrack trails. You’ll pass pristine lakes, weave through wild forest, and test your grit on this Adirondack classic. If you’re new to the state park and wish to survey the course ahead of time, bring a buddy as the many intersecting trails make navigation challenging when not specifically marked for the race. For assistance, the Avenza Maps app has a nice MLSP trail map. This year the Moreau Half, produced by Mountain Dog Running, is the finale of USATF Adirondack’s inaugural Trail Grand Prix. Register: ultrasignup.com.

The following day, Sunday, Nov. 2, invest your extra hour of sleep and arrive at the Saratoga Stryders Fall Back 5 Trail Race bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Day of registration is at the Roosevelt II building at the Saratoga Spa State Park. The five-mile trail race course is a combination of hills, ridges, and singletrack, with a few wide trails, paved sections, and grassy areas – showcasing sections of the park some may have never seen before. This is nature’s original obstacle course at its finest. There is even a stair climb on a section near SPAC! The variety makes this an eminently fair race, providing a mix of terrain that eventually favors everyone’s skills. The route is permanently marked with yellow FB5 discs in both directions, so you have plenty of opportunity to practice ahead of time. For the race itself, large yellow directional signs will also be in place. Afterwards, runners and volunteers are eligible for a large selection of raffle prizes. Register: runsignup.com. 

Now go and kick up those leaves!

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.