Adirondack Sports April 2024

APRIL 2024 9
RUNNING & WALKING
Excited for
Spring Races
2023 CDPHP WORKFORCE
TEAM CHALLENGE IN ALBANY.
By Mona Kulkarni Caron
After months of bundling up,
warm-weather running is just
around the corner. That first run
when you feel the sun on your face, the
breeze on your arms and legs, and take in
the sights and sounds of spring – they’re
all great reminders of why we run. Check
out the full array of races on the calendar
in May and get excited about these great
spring races!
Start the month with one of these three
races on the first weekend of May. Stand
up and run or walk for those in need at the
Joan Nicole Prince Home Community
5K Walk & Run on Saturday, May 4 in
Schenectady’s Central Park. Event proceeds
support the mission dedicated to
providing a safe, comfortable, caring residence
for terminally ill patients in need of
a home during their final days. Register:
joannicoleprincehome.org.
On Sunday, May 5 it’s the 9th annual
Tour de Force Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
in Plattsburgh. All three distances are out
and back courses and start and finish at
beautiful Point Au Roche State Park along
the shore of Lake Champlain. The event
also includes 25- and 50-mile bike rides
which head north from the park on an out
and back course.
The Tour de Force was started in 2002
after NYPD Det. Robert De Paolis (retired)
decided to ride his bike to honor the fallen
police officers in the September 11, 2001
attacks. He was then joined by members
of the NYPD, a member of the Bronx
District Attorney’s Office and four volunteers
to cycle their way from the Pentagon
to Ground Zero. Since then, the Tour de
Force has evolved into a four-day, 280-
mile ride, in which 300 law enforcement
officers from across the U.S. and abroad,
along with some family and friends, participate
to raise funds for the families of
law enforcement officers killed in the line
of duty. Register: runsignup.com.
The AdiRUNdack 5K Trail Run Series
is every Tuesday during the month of May
– 7, 14, 21, 28 – at Cole’s Woods in Glens
Falls. Runners and walkers are welcome.
Sign up for one or any combination or
do all four races for the 20K Challenge.
Presented by Adirondack Runners and
benefits go to the Glens Falls Youth Center.
Register (see 5/28 listing): zippyreg.com.
On Mother’s Day weekend, you have
several options. On Saturday, May 11, the
Summer Smith 5K Addiction Awareness
Memorial Run/Walk is in its 8th year and
will take place at Guilderland High School
in Guilderland. Race day events include a
memory ceremony for those lost to addiction,
a kids’ fun run, Zumba warm-up,
and the 5K. Afterwards enjoy the vendor
fair, bounce house, raffles, and awards.
Register: summersmith5k.com.
Also on Saturday, May 11, run just
one hill at the 34th annual Prospect
Mountain Road Race – 5.67 miles, 1,601-
feet to the summit of Prospect Mountain.
Starting at the Prospect entry gate in the
village of Lake George, there are water
stops along the way, very little road traffic,
great refreshments at the top, and
carpooling on the way down. The view is
amazing and worth the trip! The run benefits
Michelle Lafontaine ACC Nursing
Scholarship Fund at SUNY Adirondack.
Prospect is also the perfect training run
for the Whiteface Uphill Foot Race in
Wilmington on Saturday, June 1. Register:
zippyreg.com.
Finally on Saturday, May 11, if you
can’t run in the morning or need a double
workout, check out the 17th annual
CCRC 5K Run/Walk & BBQ in Clifton
Park, with a 3pm start time. The 5K is
flat, runs through neighborhoods, and
encourages walkers too. The BBQ dinner
is included in the race entry fee or can be
purchased separately. A huge prize drawing
is held for all participants regardless of
finish place, along with special awards for
the top three men and women and family
team divisions. The 5K is organized to promote
wellness and healthy lifestyles in the
community with an afternoon of physical
fitness, fun, and food. Net proceeds will
go to Camp Under the Woods. Register:
itsyourrace.com.
Start or keep a Mother’s Day tradition
at the 12th annual Mother-Lovin’ 5K
Run/Walk on Sunday, May 12. Join in person
at the Orenda Pavilion at the Saratoga
Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs or do
See RUNNING & WALKING 11 ▶