Medley of September Races

By Laura Clark & Mona Caron

Tired of squinting into a blazing sun? Well, the good news is that in just a short month away, the leaves will begin turning and we will trade hot and humid for cool and crisp. For some, this summer’s hot, humid weather has made long distance training more challenging, so you might want to include a medley of distances races into your game plan. The cooler weather bodes faster times, even if it seems like you have been snailing it all summer.

From the Firecracker 4 folks, enjoy this flat, fast 5K course while touring the beautiful East Side of Saratoga Springs. The Silks & Satins 5K: Jeff Clark Memorial Race is now on Saturday, Sept. 5, the last weekend 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 keep it cool, while taking about 1,000 runners and walkers through residential neighborhoods of Saratoga Springs, and near the horse racing facilities. 

Race proceeds benefit Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a non-profit that supports second careers for retired racehorses. 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, and a “Run Your Colors” challenge, rewarding the team with the most registrants wins bragging rights and $250 to be donated to a charity of the team’s choice. All participants will also receive a free pass for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: fc4events.com.

The inaugural Neil Emanation Memorial 5K will also take place on Saturday, Sept. 5 – held at the Warming Hut at Saratoga Spa State Park. This event benefits the Saratoga Springs Firefighters Cancer & Disability Foundation, in memory of Neil Emanatian. He served our country in the U.S. Marines, then continued serving with the Saratoga Springs Fire Dept, and upon SSFD retirement he became a nurse at the Albany VA helping his fellow veterans. Neil unfortunately became sick and passed away from job-related illness. The cancer foundation raises money to support active and retired Saratoga Springs Firefighters and their families in their time of need. Stronger together, stronger forever. If you’d like to contribute without participating, see the registration page: zippyreg.com.

Run the wild Wilcox Wild Ultra 50K on Sunday, Sept. 6, with a small field of runners, and a big forest. It’s a rugged 31-mile trail race through classic Adirondack terrain in the remote Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, following a lollipop-style route, starting and ending at Harrisburg Lake. Runners will experience technical singletrack, remote backcountry lakes, and beautiful trails, so they must come prepared and expect to complete the course in 10 hours, 30 minutes or less: ultrasignup.com.

Celebrate the unofficial end of summer on Monday, Sept, 7, at the 40th annual HMRRC Labor Day 5K & Kids Mile. Schenectady’s Central Park is a perfect venue, with a playground for the kids and their own mile run circling the Duck Pond. The first 150 people to register will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Afterwards, families are welcome to relax and picnic on the park’s grassy areas. Enjoy after-race snacks, provided by Bountiful Bread. The 5K running/walking route circles the perimeter of the park, and is mostly flat, but save some energy for a nice hill at the end! Five-year age groups extend through 85+: hmrrc.com.

Next up is the popular Malta 5K on Saturday, Sept. 12, a competitive and friendly gathering, with a built-in extra as you get to run along the Global Foundries property that’s normally accessed by employees only. Celebrated as one of the flattest and fastest 5Ks in the Capital-Saratoga Region, this USATF certified race offers an opportunity for a fall baseline 5K and will head you down the road towards faster races to come. All ages are encouraged to register, with five-year age groups extending to 80+, and many Roundabout Runners Club families will be there to show you the ropes. When you register, you can add on optional items like Malta 5K apparel. Also, when you register three people, you get the fourth entry for free. 

Since there is no time cutoff, this is a perfect event for children primed for their first 5K or for walkers as well. The roads are closed to traffic during the event, with plenty of volunteers pointing the way, making it a safe venue for independent kids who want to go it alone. There’s a team competition, with teams of 25, 50, 75 and 100 members receiving a donation to be used for a non-profit of their choice. This contest is all about community commitment and proceeds are funneled directly into local non-profits that serve to protect us, like town of Malta first responders, and local veterans agencies in honor of 9/11. For those who cannot race in-person, there is also a virtual option: zippyreg.com. 

 On Saturday, Sept. 12, prepare for takeoff at Schenectady County Airport’s Run the Runway 5K, so flat and fast you’ll truly feel like you’re flying. Boarding begins at the Empire State Aerospace Museum where you can pre-flight your gear and taxi to the runway for a 9am departure. This is a terrific opportunity for families, walkers and runners to experience the airport from the inside out on the cleared runway where you can cruise past visitor-ready C130s. The lollipop-shaped loop is simple to follow. The second half passes right by the NY Air Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing base and directly outside the fence where the ski-birds – the world’s only ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules airplanes – are parked. Kids 12 and under can do the free one-mile fun run and experience the planes. Afterwards, all get free access to the museum: zippyreg.com.

Caring Together’s 25th annual Teal Ribbon Run/Walk for Ovarian Cancer is on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Washington Park in Albany. The event includes a 5K run at 9am and one-mile walk at 9:40am. Every year survivors, advocates and caregivers join together to walk and run for an end to ovarian cancer. Coordinated by Caring Together, the event raises awareness of ovarian cancer and raise funds in support of research toward developing an early detection test as well as more effective treatment options for women with recurrent ovarian cancer. The 2025 run/walk raised over $80,000 with proceeds supporting research and awareness activities. This includes local research funding at Albany Medical College, Monthly Survivor Support group both in person and virtual, and Survivors Teaching Students initiatives where they educate nursing students on the signs of ovarian cancer and educational outreach events. Register or donate: zippyreg.com.

The 44th annual Arsenal City Run 5K – one of the oldest road races in Upstate NY – takes place in Watervliet on Sunday, Sept. 13. The “Charlie Diamond” 5K will take place at 10am, with the one-mile fun run at 9:30am. The Arsenal City Run has generous awards including prize money for the top three male/female in three categories: overall, Watervliet resident, and sponsored runners. There are post-race activities for the whole family. There will also be complimentary hot dogs, ice cream, beer (21+), and live music. A portion of the proceeds benefit the city’s Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program: zippyreg.com.

The Bagel Run (formerly Dunkin and Bruegger’s) is back in Albany on Sunday, Sept. 20. As the Albany Jewish Community Center celebrates 100 years, they’re bringing back this tradition with the 5K Run/Walk, 10K and 15K races, and 1K Kids Run. There’s something for everyone on the neighborhood courses that bring the community together, while raising funds to create meaningful impact for kids, families, and older adults throughout the year: albanyjcc.org.

The first ever iRun Saratoga Half Marathon is on Sunday, Sept. 20, taking runners through 13.1 miles of the best landmarks, historic and cultural sites, and green trails that Saratoga Springs has to offer. Preregistration has been strong, as many runners remember the 15-year run of the Saratoga Palio Half, organized by The Melanie Foundation. The iRun Saratoga race starts at Congress Park and finishes three blocks away at High Rock Park, followed by an after party at Druthers Brewing: irunlocal.com.

The second annual Steps for Sustainability 5K Run & Walk is on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady. Your participation benefits City Mission, who helps provide food, shelter, clothing, and life-changing resources to men, women, and children in need across our community. Every step you take on the flat, fast course not only strengthens your health but also strengthens the City Mission to bring help, hope and healing to those in need – stronger together, makes a greater impact. Steps to Sustainability T-shirts are guaranteed if you register by Sept. 1. The run/walk is managed by AREEP: citymission.com/race.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, get a head start on Halloween with the 26th annual Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K, 10K & Kid’s Fun Run at the Saratoga Spa State Park. An anticipated fall staple, participants are invited to run, walk or roll along the mostly traffic-free park roads. Look for the Ainsley’s Angels contingent with their riders and runners outfitted in bright pink. The 5K is flat, but you can anticipate a few hills on the 10K. The first 1,200 registrants will receive wicking, long-sleeved T-shirts so register early. Adults and children are welcome to enter the costume and pumpkin decorating contests. Clients of Saratoga Bridges will bake an endless supply of treats for runners and walkers to enjoy. The event supports the mission of Saratoga Bridges. Register: saratogabridges.org.

A component of the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival, the Chestertown 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run, will launch from Chester’s Municipal Center on Saturday, Sept. 26. This fun community event hosted by the Chestertown Rotary features a tour of the town’s paved roads, shaded by trees that are beginning to display their color. The 1K Fun Run for ages 4-12 is held near Sunday’s marathon finish line in Schroon Lake. Afterwards, kids can enjoy wading in Schroon Lake’s beautiful beach and playing in the sand. Sunday, Sept. 27, features the 30th annual Adirondack Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay races around scenic Schroon Lake: adirondackmarathon.org.

Finally, HMRRC’s 53rd annual Distinguished Service 10K and 55th annual Anniversary Race 3.3-Miler take place on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Athletic Complex on the UAlbany campus. Both races commemorate Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club’s mission to support running and walking programs for all ages and abilities in the Capital Region. There will be post-race fall goodies, including local apples, cookies, and fresh apple cider. The top three male/female overall receive bakery-fresh apple pies and age group winners earn Bountiful Bread coupons: hmrrc.com. 

Whether you choose to color your world with family runs, get a head start on leaf-peeping, or line up for a PR 5K, these races will deliver!

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.