Champlain Area Trails presents The Grand Hike

WESTPORT – Prepare for an unforgettable day filled with joy, camaraderie, and the stunning beauty of the Champlain Valley’s majestic low-peak mountains and lush farmlands on Saturday, May 9. This 16-mile community hike starts from Grange Hall in Whallonsburg and finishes at the Champlain Area Trail’s Twin Valley Outdoor Education Center in Lewis. The hike is the signature celebration of Champlain Area Trails’ town-to-town trails!

The Grand Hike begins in waves at 10am. Parking is available at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport. Since there is no parking at the starting or finish line, shuttle services and shortcuts will help you customize your hike, with distances from two to 16 miles. Four rest stops along the way will offer snacks, water, and restrooms. A bus will take you to the Whallonsburg Grange Hall for check-in, where you’ll get your T-shirt and printed map. Breakfast items and coffee will be available for purchase. Post-hike is a celebration with a live band, drinks, and food for purchase, and to learn about local organizations. This is a rain, shine, or snow event. Register: champlainareatrails.com.

CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge

ALBANY – This year’s 3.5-mile race is on Thursday, May 21 in downtown Albany and is the largest running event in the Capital Region. It’s organized by and serves as the major fundraiser for the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club. Team registration is open until May 11 or until it’s full. Proceeds help underwrite many of HMRRC’s activities and offerings, including college scholarships, grants, free races for members, and the Just Run Program, which encourages grade school children to run for exercise and fun.

CDPHP is now in its 17th year as the primary sponsor of this event and each year, in conjunction with the race, HMRRC and CDPHP select a few charities of choice, each of which receives a donation from CDPHP, as well as direct contributions from race participants. This year’s charities are Crossroads Center for Children and Catholic Charities Tri-County Services. Crossroads Center for Children serves children with and without developmental disabilities, with a primary focus on children with autism. Funds raised will support the development of a secure nature trail and the installation of perimeter fencing at the center to expanding safe, therapeutic outdoor learning opportunities. Catholic Charities Tri-County Services supports individuals and families across Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady counties, with a special focus on those who are economically vulnerable from birth to older adults. Register a team: cdphpwtc.com.

Albany Pine Bush Lupine Fest

ALBANY – Lupine Fest returns this May with a full month of events celebrating the blooming wild blue lupine and the unique beauty of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Taking place throughout May, the festival invites visitors of all ages to enjoy daily programs, hands-on activities, and special events that highlight one of the region’s most extraordinary ecosystems.

With something happening every day, Lupine Fest offers countless ways to explore the Pine Bush. Visitors can join expertly guided hikes, discover wildlife up close, attend science programs and lectures, and take part in creative experiences that connect art and nature. From nature journaling and interactive exhibits to a StoryWalk adventure along the trails, the festival blends education and entertainment in a fun and accessible way.

A highlight of Lupine Fest is the popular Passport Adventure, which encourages participants to attend events and explore both the Preserve and Discovery Center through self-guided activities. Guests can collect stamps for each activity they complete and earn small prizes along the way, making it easy and rewarding to try something new all month long.

Visitors can also become community scientists by participating in real conservation efforts, shop locally made items at the Discovery Center gift shop, and enjoy unique events like bird banding demonstrations, a fishing clinic, and an evening Nature Night Out featuring live music and local food vendors.

Lupine Fest is free to attend, with some programs requiring advance registration. Visit the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center to pick up a passport or download and view the schedule and register for events: albanylupinefest.org.

Paint the Peaks Purple

COHOES – Paint the Peaks Purple is held in the month of June and aims to get as many hikers as possible on different Adirondack peaks to raise awareness and funds to help advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The challenge is part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature fundraising event Do What You Love to End ALZ, which is held year around and allows participants to do what they love to raise funds for the cause.

Turn your passion for hiking into an amazing purpose by registering today. Then join hikers to collectively summit the Adirondack Mountains. Most hikes take place in June around the summer solstice but there can be any summer date that works for you. Choose your Adirondack peak – whether you are a seasoned hiker or a novice, there is a peak for everyone, many peaks are also kid and dog-friendly. Alzheimer’s Association will mail purple items and supplies to all teams. A fundraising coach can provide support and helpful tips and tools – plus, there are fundraising incentives along the way.

The Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York chapter provides local programs and services at no charge to families impacted by the disease. This is due to fundraising initiatives like Paint the Peaks Purple. Register: events.alz.org/fundraisers/paintthepeakspurple.

Paul Smith’s Nordic National Champs

LAKE PLACID – The Paul Smith’s College Nordic Ski team delivered a championship performance for the history books. After four days of racing at the 2026 US Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg, the men’s team captured the 2026 - National Team Championship – the second national title in program history – while the women’s team finished National runner-up. The Bobcats compiled 10 team podium finishes, 29 All-American awards, two individual national champions, and the men’s Overall Individual National Champion.

The victory adds to a growing legacy for Paul Smith’s College Nordic skiing, which has quickly become one of the most successful collegiate programs in the country. Since 2021, the Bobcats have won two Nordic national team championships, the 2024 US Biathlon National Team Championship, and 13 individual national titles. “Early in the season I knew this team had something special – not just because of talent, but because of who they are as a group,” said head coach Matthew Dougherty. “Over the past year they’ve endured so much: the loss of two parents to cancer, and one of our own teammates going through chemotherapy before returning healthy this season. Through all of it, they took care of each other, and our new athletes brought incredible energy to the team.”

One of the defining performances of the week came from third-year Philip Matthews (Clifton Park, NY), who was crowned Overall Individual National Champion – awarded to the athlete with the best combined results across all championship races. The Bobcats’ second title of the championships came in the Individual Skate Sprint, where first-year Sisu Lange delivered a commanding performance to capture the Individual National Championship in that event. Lange also finished fourth in the combined standings, helping power the Bobcats’ team championship and showcasing his potential going forward.

The women’s team delivered a national-caliber performance of its own, producing one of the strongest results in program history. The Bobcats finished second in every race and second overall, demonstrating remarkable consistency across four days of competition. Learn more: paulsmiths.edu.