Running Towards Spring

By Laura Clark

As I write this, we are currently having a one-inch appetizer snowfall, to be followed this evening by a main event of guessed-at proportions. This takes place after receiving a foot of snow a few weeks ago, not to mention 19 straight days of below-freezing temperatures. For winter sports enthusiasts, things couldn’t be better. However, now we are confronted by another dilemma. Do we hunker down with a warming fire and a hot drink to watch the Paralympics or head outdoors to enjoy what March brings us? Or pray for yet another work-free snow day!

My personal deadline for the outside edge of snow is the first weekend of April. Only after that milestone has passed do I have my snow tires removed. This year, the second week in March is when the snow pack dramatically melted locally, while places like the Adirondacks persist into April. Coincidentally, this dovetails nicely with 20th annual Upstate Sports Summer Expo at the Saratoga Springs City Center on March 14-15, presenting a perfect time to investigate spring race possibilities. 

Headlining the spring season is the 45th annual Salem April Fool’s 5K & 10K on Saturday, April 4, with a tour of southeastern Washington County’s quiet, scenic rural roads. The runs begin/end at Salem Washington Academy (Salem Central School). The 10K at 9am and 5K at 10:30am are staggered, with a one-mile kids’ race in between, so if you hustle it’s possible to run both the 10K and 5K! If registered before March 20, doublers pay only $35 total for both events, while singletons pay $30 for either race. The 10K is a hilly scenic tour of farm country and the 5K is blessedly flatter for those who are doubling. With kids safety in mind, the mile route takes place entirely on school grounds. This is a down-home family event, with child-sized tees available. Look for enthusiastic students and residents as it supports Salem Central School classes of 2027-28 and the historic Salem Courthouse. Best of all, the age group prizes are homemade cookies, which never make it home: aprilfoolsrace.com.

For those of you who have been doing long-distance training, the eighth annual Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon is on Saturday, April 11. It’s a large event with 2,000+ registrants expected. The point-to-point course starts at Wallace Town Park in Voorheesville and finishes at Jennings Landing by the Hudson River in Albany. The first two miles are on the streets of Voorheesville, the next nine are on the flat to gently descending paved path of the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, and the final two are on the rail trail connector to the Hudson River bike path – with views of the Hudson and USS Slater warship. With recent updates to these final two miles reducing the number of turns and adding new paving, the course is faster than ever. Amenities include printable training guides, spectator’s guide, bus ride to the start, finisher’s medal, post-run meal, beer, and live music. The charity of choice is South End Children’s Café, a nonprofit that provides free healthy meals, homework help and activities for Albany youngsters: helderbergtohudson.com.

The 36th annual HMRRC Delmar Dash 5-Mile Race is at Bethlehem Middle School in Delmar on Sunday, April 12. The flat course is perfect for a PR or a spring return to racing. The route circles the neighborhood, with residents cheering the runners. There are not that many five-milers out there so be sure to take advantage. There are technical T-shirts for the first 300 registrants, plus discounts for HMRRC members and youth runners. There are also the popular Captain Timothy Moshier Kids’ Runs of 0.5M and 0.25M with day-of registration – just bring a nonperishable food item for The Food Pantries: hmrrc.com.

The Harrison Freer Rotary Community 5K Run/Walk is at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury on Saturday, April 18. This event promotes wellness and community, and honors Harrison Freer, a Queensbury community environmental activist, pilot, politician, and outdoor sports enthusiast. The scenic course winds around the exterior of the campus, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. There’s a youth registration discount, and this year’s charitable focus encompasses the Open Door Mission, Comfort Food Community, and Haynes House of Hope. A post-race celebration and refreshments will follow: runsignup.com.

The 18th annual Furry Fun Run: 5K for People & Dogs at Saratoga Spa State Park’s Warming Hut will take place on Saturday, April 18. This was the first 5K in the area to welcome dogs, so lace up and leash up and bring your pooch, family and friends. It’s a really fun and unique event that benefits Peppertree Rescue – a volunteer run organization that finds homes for good tempered dogs in need, regardless of breed, age or health. The first 25 to register will receive a free T-shirt; otherwise, they may be purchased online. Those raising $100 or more to support Peppertree Rescue can have their registration fee refunded the day of the run. There is also a concurrent two-mile walk. Prizes will be awarded to the first woman, man, non-binary person and dog: peppertree.org.

The Run for Play 5K Run/Walk & Kids 1M Fun Run/Walk in Averill Park is on Saturday, April 25. Join this family-friendly run/walk for construction of a new inclusive playground at Miller Hill Sand Lake Elementary School. Friends of the Miller Hill Playground is a group of parents, educators and administrators whose goal is to raise $250,000 to install an accessible, state of the art playground serving 400 students. The 5K welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities. If you would like to support the cause without racing, you can register as a “Playground Booster” and cheer at the event or from home: friendsofmhsl.org.

HMRRC’s 46th annual Bill Robinson 10K & Masters 10K Championship will be held at Guilderland High School on Saturday, April 25. The race honors Bill Robinson, a member of the USATF and HMRRC Masters team which won a 10K national title. The course around the Town of Guilderland is very scenic, and there’s a commemorative gift to the first 100 registered runners. This wonderful community and competitive event attracts a wide variety of adult and youth runners, so challenge yourself on this day, and enjoy the atmosphere of this high-quality race: hmrrc.com.

Also on Saturday, April 25, sample the 46th annual Doc Lopez Run for Health: Half Marathon & 5K Trail Run in Elizabethtown, on the eastern edge of the Adirondack High Peaks. The run honors prolific runner and race director, veterinarian Dr. Robert “Doc” Lopez, who carried the torch for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics up and over the Adirondack hills. He shared his love of running with his 14 children and today his daughter, Sue, carries on the family tradition. There will be buses in Elizabethtown to transport you to the start of the half in Keene Valley, where you will make a challenging two-mile trek up Spruce Hill towards the Cobble Hill Golf Course in Elizabethtown, for a unique point-to point experience. One of the attractions for older or slower runners is that there’s no cut-off time so the course is open until the last person crosses the finish. The 5K trail loop starts alongside the golf course before entering the woods. This year’s new route has some hills and offers rewarding views. Children 10 and under are invited to run the 5K trail loop for free. Running club and family discounts are available at registration. Race proceeds benefit the UVM Health Network’s Elizabethtown Community Hospital: runsignup.com.

April is Autism Acceptance Month and this is your opportunity to don your superhero gear. Join the Hero 5K Run & Walk for Autism at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady on Sunday, April 26. The fun event supports the Greater Hudson Region Autism Society in their mission to enable all individuals on the autism spectrum to become fully participating members of our community. No one is too fast or too slow and walking the beautiful course around Schenectady’s Mohawk Harbor and surrounding area is a delight. You may also invite your fellow workers to join a corporate team. Participants are encouraged to relax and socialize at the scenic harbor setting: asghr.org.

With all these opportunities, there is no reason not to joyously spring ahead!

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.