Spring Into June Races

By Mona Kulkarni Caron and Darryl Caron

Spring racing season continues in June with events every weekend. We kick off the calendar with races on May 31. Each of these races have their own unique story, benefit worthy causes, and offer exceptional experiences. Sign up for a few events to kickoff summer, improve your fitness and well-being, and connect with other runners and walkers, and be on your way to ace your 2025 goals.

First up is Albany’s Delightful Run for Women 5K, on Saturday, May 31 celebrating 47 years of championing female athletes. It takes place in the shadow of the magnificent NY State Capitol and City Hall buildings in the heart of downtown Albany. The Run for Women features great spectator viewing, plentiful parking, a spacious start, beautiful Washington Park, and a gradual downhill finish surrounded by beautiful urban parks. This year it’s also the USATF Adirondack Grand Prix Series Women’s Championship. In addition to the individual racing for overall, masters and age groups, there are a variety of team categories: USATF, mother/daughter, sister/sister, grandmother/mother/daughter, high schools, corporate, and family/friends. It’s a major event weekend, from the Health & Fitness Expo for race packet (and Freihofer’s chocolate chip cookies) pickup at Russell Sage College’s Armory in Albany, to the festive start at East Capitol Park, and the thrill of having your name announced as you join the downhill rush to the finish line.

Join the fun at the 15th annual Capital Kids 3K Run, a 1.86-mile road race is designed to promote an active, healthy lifestyle for youth girls and boys ages 6-14. It’s a professionally timed race and takes place on a closed course with numerous Albany Police and course marshals along the route to ensure participant safety. Awards will be given to the top three girls and boys in the following age groups: 9 and younger, 10-11 and 12-14. Finally, the 36th annual Kids’ Run will introduce area youth between one and years of age to the joys and benefits of running. It’s a series of free mini road races, ranging in distance from 50 meters to one-mile. All registered runners of both races will receive a box of cookies and a T-shirt. Run for Women charity partners include Girls on the Run, United Way, Black Girls Run, local track clubs and more. Enjoy the inspiring awards ceremony, cheer on the kids, refreshments, and festive atmosphere. Visit: runsignup.com.

Also on May 31, join the Aloha Family 5K & One-Mile Fun Walk at Haviland Park Cove in Glens Falls. This festive family-friendly race will run along the beautiful and historic Feeder Canal, with a new section along the Hudson River. Come dressed ready to hula in your best Hawaiian gear and be inspired by beach tunes as you run or walk the off-street course. All ages ae welcome and jogging strollers are permitted. Stick around for the awards celebration, with music, kids activities, and photo opportunities The Glens Falls Hospital Foundation event benefits Amanda’s House at Glens Falls Hospital. Go to: runsignup.com.

After the spring retirement of founding race director, Kerri Thomas, and a one-week hiatus, it’s back under the enthusiastic lead of Cristina Marchese! The 14th annual Rail Trail to the Footbridge 5K Trail Race/Fun Walk, also on May 31, is a mixed use scenic trail and road race, with walkers welcome, on the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail. Start at the Slate Valley Museum in Granville and end with a triumphant finish over the Mettawee River pedestrian footbridge. The top three male/female overall winners receive locally made Telescope Casual director’s chairs, and age groupers receive unique local prizes. The 5K is an Adirondack Runners Grand Prix race. There’s also a 1K Kids’ Fun Run. Visit: runsignup.com. 

On Saturday, June 7, the 28th annual Charlton Heritage 5K Run/Walk is held on Founders Weekend and celebrates the founding of the Town of Charlton. Enjoy this community run at the Old Red School House featuring rolling hills and flats, with a downhill finish on the USATF certified course. There’s also a Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run with shirt and medal. Proceeds benefit the Charlton Historical Society. Go to: zippyreg.com.

This June 7 is the 25th anniversary of the Kinderhook OK5K Run/Walk, a flat and fast 5K, and walkers are welcome. It’s a USATF Adirondack Grand Prix Series Race. Theres’s a free Kids’ One-Mile Run, and free D.A.Y.S.I. 100-Meter Dash – inclusive for all abilities. Stay for the awards and kids activities including face painting. All proceeds go to local nonprofit organizations. Visit: ok5krace.com.

There’s a new race in town! Also on June 7, the ADK Wilderness 5K Trail Run is held at Camp Little Notch in Fort Ann, just 14 miles northeast of Northway Exit 20. Do a 5K trail run or walk on National Trails Day! Enjoy the scenic trails, breathtaking views, family-friendly fun on the east side of Lake George. It’s a Run Upstate event, with support from Beastmode Running. Proceeds help empower the next generation at Camp Little Notch. Go to: runsignup.com.

Support girls running at the Girls on the Run 5K on June 7. Join Girls on the Run teams from across the Capital Region at Central Park in Schenectady. It’s a joyful celebration, completing a spring season of training, and the 5K is open to adults and children, welcoming all runners and walkers! This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Everyone in the program receives a commemorative medal to celebrate this achievement. Proceeds support the GOTR Capital Region scholarship program. Visit: gotrcr.org.

Also on June 7, it’s the 13th annual LifeSong Dash 5K at the Town Park in Halfmoon. Run through the park and adjacent neighborhoods and finish back at the park. Open to runners and walkers of all abilities, the race also offers a Junior Dash before the 5K. It’s a great opportunity to learn more and support LifeSong’s work with adults with disabilities, and how the Dash supports their efforts. This year, all net proceeds will go toward the renovation and expansion of their offices in Clifton Park. Go to: lifesonginc.org.

On Sunday, June 8, join the Capital Region Heart Walk & Run. It’s a three-mile walk and run, based from the UAlbany Physical Education Building, traveling through the university and Harriman State Office Building campuses. Participants are encouraged to fundraise their contribution to heart disease prevention with the American Heart Association. Visit: capitalregionheartwalk.org.

On Thursday, June 12 at 6:50pm, join the 16th annual Route 50 Mile in Burnt Hills. The race kicks off the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Flag Day Parade. It’s a fast, fun, and family-friendly race with 300 runners and thousands of cheering fans! The Route 50 Mile is also part of the USATF Adirondack Grand Prix Road Series. This cherished tradition supports CAPTAIN Community Human Services vital programs. Go to: captaincares.org/news-events.

Do good work and get good karma! On Saturday, June 14, it’s the 11th annual Good Karma 5K Run/Walk. For a family-friendly event head over to Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park for this certified course on the flat, campus roads. Enjoy a mini-excursion to India, with a yoga warmup and post-race Indian street food, henna tattoos, nice Good Karma T-shirt, and fun Bollywood music! There’s also a free 0.5-Mile Kids’ Run. Proceeds benefit AIM for Seva which builds student homes in rural India close to public schools, and locally the Regional Food Bank. Visit: zippyreg.com.

Also on the June 14, is the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club’s 18th annual Tri-City ValleyCats Father’s Day 5K at Bruno Stadium at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The first 200 registered receive a race T-shirt and each runner also receives four tickets to any ValleyCats regular season game, excluding July 4th. Awards go to top three males and females, father/daughter and father/son teams. A 0.25-Mile Kids Race will also take place, held on the baseball field. Go to: hmrrc.com.

Another worthy event on June 14 is the Run for the Ages 5K, organized by and held at Tackett Chiropractic in Queensbury. The 5K bridges generations, encouraging runners and walkers of all ages to participate, and the first 150 receive a race T-shirt. Run for the Ages is an Adirondack Runners Grand Prix race, with discounts for club members. Proceeds benefit Glens Falls Senior Center and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Visit: runsignup.com.

On Saturday, June 21, for a unique event, join the Adirondack Runners for their Adirondack 7-Mile Race to the Lakes. Launching at 8am from SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury, runners will traverse scenic country roads and the wonderful Warren County Bikeway, past Glen Lake, to a dramatic downhill finish at Battlefield Park in the Village of Lake George – with beautiful lake and mountain views. All registered by 5/30 receive tri-blend performance shirts. Buses back to SUNY Adirondack start running at 9:30am. Proceeds benefit local fire depts, rescue squads, and Adirondack Runners club scholarships. Go to: zippyreg.com.

Also on June 21, the 8th annual Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run is held at Preston Field in Wilmington. This popular event features a 5K Whiskey Run/Walk and 10K Whiskey Run. Runners receive a race shirt, local swag, and a whiskey flask medal! Stay for whiskey tastings, local distillers, food, festival, and Whiskey Run photo frame. The run is a benefit for the Wilmington Historical Society. Visit: runsignup.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 23, July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18. Hosted by Saratoga Stryders, the series is directed by our own Laura Clark! Camp Saratoga is a fun, challenging 5K trail course, and it’s open to all ages and abilities. 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. Go to: campsaratoga.saratogastryders.org. 

Get registered to enjoy yourself, while supporting these super events and great causes – we’ll see you out there!

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 at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.