Upcoming Summer Runs

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

Get the most out of your spring training with these summer races. Check out these runs, which welcome walkers, for a fun summer on a variety of terrain and locales. 

The Thursday Nigh Hustle returns to Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid on Thursdays evenings from June 4 through August 6. Join locals and visitors for a low-key, all-levels trail run and mountain bike race series. Whether you’re looking to level up your summer training or just want a fun way to move and mingle with fellow runners and bikers, come out for a weekly dose of fresh air and friendly competition. A hilly and flat course will alternate weekly, 10K bikers will do two laps of the 5K run course. For series details and sign-up, visit mtvanhoevenberg.com.

For a community summer race series, check out Camp Saratoga 5K Trail Run Series at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park on Mondays at 6:15pm on June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, and August 17. Hosted by Saratoga Stryders, the series is directed by legendary Laura Clark and the Saratoga Stryders. Camp Saratoga is a scenic, challenging 5K trail course, and it’s open to all ages and abilities, including walkers. It’s an affordable family affair with low race and series fees. To minimize trail erosion, a cap is set at 75 runners so register early. The club donates proceeds to the preserve/park: campsaratoga.saratogastryders.org. 

HMRRC hosts the 56th annual Colonie Summer Track Series at Colonie High School on Tuesday evenings from June 30 through August 4. There are adult and kids races, welcoming all ages and abilities, and the series of six races is free for everyone! The July 7 is the Colonie Mile, and July 28 is Ribbon Night: hmrrc.com.

The fifth annual Freedom Mile, on Sunday, July 4th, in Clifton Park – the final race of the “America 250” Mile Series – is held before the town’s Fourth of July Parade. 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 running hat giveaway is guaranteed to the first 150 registered. This year it’s also a USATF Adirondack Grand Prix event. Family discounts make this very affordable. If you don’t want to run or walk, be a “route rooter” to cheer the racers on. Route rooters will receive a cowbell and registration is $10. Kick off the holiday by running or walking before you head to the pool parties, backyard barbeques and fireworks: runsignup.com.

On Saturday, August 1, the annual Churney Gurney 5-Mile Trail Running Race is at Gurney Lane MTB Park in Queensbury. The scenic course includes some hills and singletrack trails to keep it fresh. There are male/female overall and age-group awards: runsignup.com. It’s part of the Churney Gurney Mountain Bike Races weekend, with a Downhill Race on Saturday, and Beginner, Open and Kids Races on Sunday: bikereg.com.

The fourth annual Bad Blood 5K Run & 2.5K Walk will be at Siena University in Loudonville on Thursday, Aug. 6. The 5K run is a fast, two-lap course on campus, starting at 6:30pm. The 2.5K Walk is 6:45pm, and Kids Quad Dash is 6:15pm. It’s part of the USATF Adk Grand Prix series and there will be team prizes. Post-run/walk, enjoy food, a free Common Roots beer, and music. It benefits Wicklund Warriors who provides financial support to families fighting against blood cancer in Upstate NY: runsignup.com.

The 20th annual Landis Perennial Forest 5K is at Landis Arboretum in Esperance on Saturday, August 15. 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. This year’s race is part of the USATF Adirondack Trail Series. To receive a shirt and get the early registration discount, register by 7/20. The arboretum and public garden incorporate 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: runsignup.com.

Celebrate the 40th annual Run for the Roses at Grafton Lakes State Park in Grafton on Sunday, August 9. The 5K run begins at 9am followed by a Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run at 10am. The 5K offers runners of all skill levels and beautiful course through the park. 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. Run for the Roses benefits the Grafton Community Library, and all runners and walkers receive a shirt and book, and fun runners receive a ribbon and Stewart’s ice cream card. Grafton offers beach and picnic facilities along the lake, so plan on staying for the afternoon: runsignup.com.

HMRRC hosts the Tawasentha Cross Country 5K Series at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland on three Monday evenings, August 10, 17, and 24 at 6:30pm. 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: hmrrc.com.

The Serenity on the Trails Four-Mile Trail Run/Walk takes place on the scenic trails of Central Park, Schenectady on Saturday, Aug. 22. It’s open to all levels and paces, and it’s an event, so you can start anytime between 8-10am. It’s a chance to move with purpose as all proceeds to Hive of Hope, a local community organization supporting recovery through connection, movement, and meaningful engagement. To learn more and preview the course, join the organizers for a free course preview run/walk on Monday, July 20 at 6:30pm. Central Park, Schenectady. runsignup.com. Serenity on the Trails is in memory of Ellen Wisnoski, who lost her battle with addiction in Sept. 2024: runsignup.com.

Register for these races now, enjoy participating in them, and then you’ll fit for the fall racing season. 

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adkports.com) is a race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk, mentor for the 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.