Winter and Holiday Running

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

After Thanksgiving, the holiday season is a hectic time of year, so mix in some fitness and fun! Consider these relaxed winter and holiday themed races in December to New Year’s Day to enjoy the experience, be social, and stay healthy. Mix it up with a few snowshoeing races this winter and you’ll be ready for a happy, healthy new year. See the Calendar of Events for a full road, trail, and snowshoe race schedule.

The Adirondack Runners Reindeer 5K Run/Walk is on Saturday, Dec. 6 at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury. The course along the campus and surrounding area has a few hills, so that will add a layer of challenge. Wear your festive holiday attire. If you’d like a Reindeer race shirt, register by 11/9 for a guaranteed size. Entry closes at 250 runners/walkers and there are discounted entry fees for youth, and proceeds benefit Wait House – serving kids and families in crisis in Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties. Register: zippyreg.com. 

On Sunday, December 7, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk will be at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Costumes and festive attire are encouraged. Learn more: runsignup.com. 

On the same day, the 42nd Reindeer Ramble 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County Another fun race where dressing up is encouraged and prizes and a post-race party. Visit: onteorarunners.org.

On Sunday, December 13, check out the 17th annual It’s a Wonderful Run 5K in Seneca Falls. It’s the real-life Bedford Falls in the “It’s a Wonderful Life” movie. Starting on the Bridge Street Bridge, take a run or walk through downtown Seneca Falls for this fun holiday-themed event, which always gets a huge turnout. Combine your run with the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival on Dec. 12-14. Race proceeds go to Seneca County House of Concern, a food pantry and thrift store in Waterloo. Sign up: itsawonderfulrun5k.com.

The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club kicks off their popular HMRRC Winter Series with Race #1 on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10am with a 5K and 15K race. The series is every other Sunday (except for Race #2 on Thursday, Jan. 1) through Feb. 8, based indoors at the University at Albany’s Physical Education Building. The series offers a casual atmosphere, so you can enjoy the camaraderie of HMRRC this winter, while running around the UAlbany Campus and outer loops of the Harriman State Office Campus. Each race in the series has two or three distances from which to choose. The longer runs are great for building your fitness or for spring marathon or half training, with fully supported courses, marshals, refreshments, and food – to keep the competitive spirit going over the cold weather months.

Races are free for HMRRC members and $5 for non-members – a good incentive to join the club! If you participate in all, and volunteer at least once in the five-event series, you’ll receive Survivor status – and there’s a gift attached as well! Awards are given to age group winners and runners-up, with free cookies and hot beverages served afterwards.

On New Year’s Day, Race #2 in the series is the Hangover Half Marathon & Bill Hogan 3.5-Miler. It starts at 12pm so you can watch the ball drop the night before and still get a good night’s sleep! The Winter Series continues on Jan. 11 for Race #3 with a 3.5M, 10K and 25K; Jan. 25 for Race #4 with a 3.5M, 15K and 30K; and Feb. 8 for Race #5 with a 3.5M, 10M (Grand Prix), and 20M. Signup: hmrrc.com.

Snowshoeing is a fun way to enjoy the snow and get a great workout. One of the first races of the season is the Gore Mountain Snowshoe Race on Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Gore Mountain Nordic Center (Ski Bowl) in North Creek. The start time is 2pm, with preregistration online, or day of entry at the Ski Bowl Lodge. The 5K timed race will be two 2.5K laps on the groomed trails and the untimed fun run/walk/hike is one 2.5K lap. The course length will depend on early winter conditions, with snowmaking and natural snow, which makes for a reliable opener for the series. Gore gives great prizes to the top finishers plus all participants will be entered into the raffle prize drawings. Dion Snowshoes will be available to rent for $5 a pair but a limited number will be available so arrive early! Register: skireg.com.

The fourth annual Saratoga First Day 5K is back with a family-friendly New Year’s Day run or walk in downtown Saratoga Springs – a great community event to kick off the new year and 2026 resolutions! Produced by the FC4 Events team, this 3.1-mile USATF certified route on Saratoga’s East Side and starts at a doable 11am. Runners start at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway and quickly turn onto Lake Avenue for the first three-quarters of a mile. The route then follows the Firecracker 4 course, with an optional trek on the Spring Run Trail – if conditions are safe. 

There are medals for the top three male/female, open, masters and age groups. Pre- and post-race atmosphere keeps the holiday festivities going when you have family, friends and the running community gathered for the first day of the year. Teams are also welcome. New this year is the Saratoga Springs Lions Walk, so if you’re not a runner, join this special event with the event to support diabetic awareness and education. More info and register: fc4events.com.

Keep up your running over the holidays and embrace winter with these fun events – enjoy the great camaraderie and exercise, which is great for your mind and body! 

Mona Kulkarni Caron is a consulting editor for Upstate Sports, race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk, mentor for the Run for Women Training Challenge, and director of trails & stewardship at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. She enjoys running, biking, paddling, and all outdoor activities.