Foliage and Trail Running

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

Fall is an ideal season for trail running, offering crisp temperatures, vibrant foliage, and fewer crowds, but it also requires adjustments for changing weather, slippery terrain, and shorter days. Trail races are abundant in the Northeast with options on every weekend throughout October and early November. Here are tips for novices and anyone who is considering adding or trying trail running – and a preview of upcoming races offering a variety of distances and terrain.

Essential Gear and Layering – Depending on the weather forecast, wear layers, so start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add a breathable mid-layer, and if needed pack a wind-resistant or waterproof shell for sudden weather shifts. Choose grippy shoes to safely tackle wet leaves, mud, and frost, which can make trails slick, so opt for trail runners with deep lugs and pronounced tread for stability. Depending on the length of your event, bring a light as days are getting shorter and the woods get dark before the sun sets, so carry a headlamp if you expect to finish your run in twilight or darkness. 

Safety and Trail Tips – Lift your feet higher to clear tripping hazards like roots, rocks, and uneven ground, which can be obstructed by fallen leaves. Focus on time, not pace because trails take longer to navigate in the fall due to slippery footing, natural obstacles and more hills, so adjust your expectations and lower your intensity on cold or icy days. Like hiking, share your plans, so someone knows your event, route and expected return time.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, join Amy’s Adventure: Race for the Lake at Amy’s Park in Bolton Landing. The trail run benefits Lake George Land Conservancy and is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Organized by the LGLC Next Gen Committee, it’s a celebration of runners, walkers and hikers who help protect the forests, streams, and lands that keep Lake George clean and wild.

Participants can choose between a 4.5-mile run/walk or a 10-mile run, both routes are designed to display the beauty and challenge of Lake George landscape. You’ll run through protected lands that filter water, protect wildlife habitat, and provide the outdoor experiences that make the region so special – open to all ages and abilities. After the race, stick around for the afterparty featuring Bolton Landing Brewery, community fun, and a raffle to celebrate a great day on the trails: lglc.org.

For an ultra-challenge, the Buck 50! is a 50K course covering some of the most beautiful terrain in the southern Adirondacks on the eastern shores of Lake George. Directed by Mountain Dog Running, runners trek over four of Lake George’s tallest peaks on rugged, remote trails, climbing 9,000 feet on Saturday, Oct. 3. Starting at Camp Chingachgook in Kattskill Bay, it follows a dirt path to the Buck Mountain trail. From Buck, runners will connect to Sleeping Beauty, Black, and Erebus mountains. On the return, the course will mirror the start of the race by climbing back over Buck Mountain and finishing at Camp Chingachgook. Due to the challenging logistics, and the equally challenging aspects of the race itself, race organizers ask for prior ultra trail experience for all participants: ultrasignup.com.

Also on Saturday, Oct. 3, there’s a Capital Region option at the fourth annual Flutters & Foliage Endurance Run. Staged at Peebles Island State Park, at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers in Waterford, it’s held on a two-mile flat trail loop, where you can sign up for a six-hour solo or relay, three-hour solo or relay, or a one-hour solo. For a challenge, complete more than 26.2M to earn a Flutters and Foliage belt buckle! There are no DNFs at this race and it benefits Flutters of Hope, a nonprofit that helps individuals and families affected by eating disorders: ultrasignup.com.

On Saturday, Oct. 11 is the sixth annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run 5K & Youth Runs with fun for the whole family. This community 5K run/walk follows the wide, mostly flat dirt and gravel trails on the perimeter of the picturesque Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs. The venue offers a smooth and safe running experience with no road crossings. There’s a Youth Timed 1M Run and a Youth 0.5M Fun Run. Afterwards, you can purchase local produce or walk around the community farm. This race honors the memory of Michael J. Pitney, an outdoor enthusiast whose love for nature continues to inspire those who explore the trails at Pitney Meadows. All proceeds benefit Pitney Meadows Community Farm’s mission and programming: pitneymeadows.org.

Just 25 miles south of Albany, is the 15th annual Veeder Tree Farm 5K Trail and/or Road Run/Walk on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the beautiful Veeder Tree Farm in Earlton. A previous participant described it as “a pleasant yet challenging cross-country trail race through hilly and rocky terrain with great views of nature.” Race organizers give you an option to run on road or trail or a combo. The trail option is two loops on a challenging course through the backwoods of the farm. The road option is on scenic backroads and the combo lets you experience the best of both. Walkers are welcome. Participants also earn a discount on Christmas trees! The post-race celebration includes a bonfire, s’mores, music, and more – it’s worth the drive. All 5K proceeds are designated for Blood Cancer United: raceentry.com.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Roundabout Runners Club hosts the Malta 5K Trail Run/Hike & 3K/2K Kids Trail Runs. Races begin at the Luther Forest Tech Campus athletic fields in Malta. The 5K trail course begins at the soccer fields and quickly enters some of the best maintained trails in the area at 100 Acre Woods. Most of the course is wide and covered in stone dust. This course is for everyone who loves to run or hike on trails with beautiful scenery the whole way. The RRC maintains these trails and event proceeds go to activities that support the club’s efforts to keep these trails maintained and in great shape. The 2K and 3K kids’ races occur before 5K: roundaboutrunnersclub.com.

Just 10 miles northwest of Saratoga Springs, is the 9th annual Brookhaven Oktoberfest 5K Trail Run on Saturday, Oct. 24. The 5K run/walk features a combination of trails, paths, and roads winding around Brookhaven Golf Course in the town of Greenfield. After the race, stay for Greenfield’s Fall Festival with food, drink, and family friendly entertainment from 1-5pm – including trick or treating, giant pumpkin contest, live music, wild animals, cider donuts, and more. Proceeds go to expand their trail network, signage, mapping and events at Brookhaven Winter Park, offering free, classic and skate groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails: skireg.com. 

Dubbed the “Best costume trail race in America” by Runner’s World magazine, it’s the 22nd annual Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon & Squirrelly Six on Sunday, Oct. 25. It’s part running race, part costume party, and is truly among the most unique events you’ll ever do! It’s all about Halloween at this event and everyone is encouraged to dress up. Sections of the course at John Boyd Thacher State Park are decorated to be spooky. Both the Squirrelly Six and Hairy Gorilla Half are run simultaneously with everyone doing the first 10K together on a mix of flat/nontechnical, singletrack, and technical sections. Finishers receive a medal and there’s a great post-race spread. Be on the lookout for gorillas that have gone wild, nutty squirrels, graves with your runner names on them, and other shenanigans to keep you smiling and enjoying the beautiful views that await: areep.com.

Kick off Halloween at the eighth annual Moreau Half on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. It’s a challenging 14.5M tour of the park’s trail system – an epic trail race on some of the best mountain singletrack in the area. Sign up by October 18 to guarantee your shirt. Start and finish are at the Moreau Lake State Park beach in the park, covering 2,700 feet of elevation change over winding technical singletrack. A Mountain Dog Running event, it’s not a half marathon for beginners. Most runners should expect to double their road half finishing time. The course will be fully marked and there will be one aid station at Bonita Lake about six miles into the race: ultrasignup.com.

Finally, it’s that time of year! It’s the Fall Back 5 on Sunday, Nov. 1. Set your clocks back, fall back in bed for that extra hour, and emerge bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to tackle five-miles of serious trails in beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park. The Fall Back 5 course is a combination of hills, ridges, and singletrack, with a few wide trails, paved sections, a stair climb and grassy areas, displaying sections of the park you may have never seen before. Post-race is the awards presentations and door prize drawings outside the Roosevelt II Building near the finish. Fall Back 5 is one of Saratoga Stryders running club’s signature events and it’s capped at 200 runners so don’t wait to register: saratogastryders.org.

Enjoy the trails and foliage! Mix it up this fall with trail running and get registered for these races.

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) enjoys running, biking, paddling and the outdoors. She’s a volunteer mentor for the Run for Women Training Challenge, past race director of the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk and director of trails & stewardship at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.