Looking ahead
On Saturday, in conjunction with Olive Day, was the Jason JonesKent Reeves 5k. This race was also the 7th in the 2018 Onteora Runners Club Grand Prix. This event raises scholarship money for Onteora High School students.
The overall winners of the race were Adam McCutcheon (18:26) and Lucciana Robertson (21:24). The top point scorers for the Grand Prix were John Nolis (18:57) and Sheryl Wheeler (22:12). Congratulations to Onteora High cross country coach Pat Burkhardt and his team for honoring these two men and organizing this race for the community.
The next day, the annual Barry Hopkins Run was held at the Olana State Historic Site in Greenport. 44 runners and 13 kids participated in this memorial run that raises funds for the Olana Partnership. The race is run on the carriage paths of the former estate of Frederic Church.
The house sits high above the Hudson River. The 3.8-mile run around the pond and then up to the house and back down offers the runners both a beautiful course and a satisfying challenge. The top-3 men were Zury Oates (23:40), Ryan McCann (24:44) and Steve Longden (26:02). The leading women were Madeline Mercado (28:36), Christine Natalie (31:04) and Margaux Seche (32:48).
In the children’s 1k, the winners were Autumn Hopkins in 5:56 and Lars Nilson in 6:21.
This race is unique in that artwork and drawing sketch pads are presented to all the winners. This race honors the memory and service of Barry Hopkins who was both an avid runner and passionate art teacher.
Sunday, Sept. 30 is the 15th running of the Pfalz Point Trail Challenge 10-Mile race at the Mohonk Preserve’s Spring Farm trailhead in High Falls. This race is run on the beautiful, single track and carriage paths of the Preserve.
The trails cover the northern parts of the Shawangunk Ridge. The course is a “tale of two cities.” The first 5 miles have many uphills as it climbs to the edge of the golf course and Guyot’s Hill. The second half of the course allows a runner to get rewarded for all that hard work.
Just to remind you that you are still on a mountain, there is a very “testy” hill 7.5 miles into the race. The last quarter of the race is generally downhill with a thrilling steep downhill to the finish at the beautiful Slingerland Pavilion.
The Pavilion offers a view of the Catskill Mountains that has been dubbed “the million dollar view.” The Mohonk Preserve has been called by the Nature Conservancy, “one of the last great places on earth.”
The race provides participants with a great looking and feeling shirt, a cornbread, chilli and salad feast generously provided by the Bistro in New Paltz. It has awards in 10 year age groups for both men and women.
Best of all, it raises money for the mission of the Mohonk Preserve. Jason Taylor and his team of volunteers know what runners want and provides participants with a run that keeps bringing them back every year. To register/more information go to mohonkpreserve.org/pptc.
On Sunday, Oct. 14, there will be the 4th Myers Flyers 5k and kids one mile run. This race is organized by the school’s PTA and raises money for many school activities.
The races start and end on the school grounds in Hurley, but is mainly run on the paved Hurley Rail Trail. The course can be described as “flat and fast.” There is also a children’s mile run for ages 12 and under.
I help time this race and enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of the kids and PTA members. The course takes you right down main street of Hurley. Come run and pass the greatest concentration of 17th and early 18th century stone houses in America.
To register/more information go to myersf lyers.weebly.com.
A short drive out of the area, on Oct. 6 is the Vintage Run 5k and Half Marathon. This race is organized by Myriam Loor and starts and finishes at the site of the Woodstock Festival in Bethel, New York. Your entry fee also gains you admission into the wine festival.
If running a challenging 5k or half marathon course and then attending a wine festival is your idea of a great day, this event is for you. The tie-dye t-shirts will definitely remind you of the 1960’s and the “flower power” hippie era.
For more information vintageruns.org.
Saturday, Oct. 27, there will be two well done races in the area.
In Saugerties, there will be the Cahill Classic 5k put on by the Cahill Elementary School PTA. This event is run down Washington Street and past the HITS grounds. The course is out and back and has only one small hill.
Much like the Myers Flyers 5k, it is the enthusiasm of the kids, parents, school and community that gives this race a nice “vibe.” For more information saugerties.k12.ny.us/domain/687
Also on Saturday (the 27th) is the 9th Annual UlsterCorps Zombie Escape 5k. This event is held on the trails at Williams Lake in Rosendale. This Halloween theme race is very family friendly with a free kids fun run, a 1k fitness walk/hike and the 5k run.
Runners are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the race. If you wear a flagged belt (provided), it encourages zombies to chase you at various places on the wooded course. If you arrive at the finish with at least one flag intact, you receive a special Zombie Escape award.
For runners not wanting to be chased, you simply do not wear the flagged belt. This event has a bonfire, goodie bags, t-shirts and refreshments include hot chocolate and s’mores. The race has awards for the top 3 men and women in all the standard 10 year age groups.
UlsterCorps is a non-profit organization that recruits volunteers to help with a variety of volunteer services throughout Ulster County. For more information/register go to zombies.ulstercorps.org.
For anyone thinking that I have left out information on this years Rosendale Runs Half Marathon and Plains Run, don’t worry, my next column will preview that great event and provide information on the 2018 Josh Feldt After the Leaves Half Marathon.
Calendar, results
Race directors, please submit information for the race calendar to sports@freemanonline.com. Information should be in the form of a concise email with important details highlighted and included in the body of the email. No race flyer PDFs.
Race results should be submitted directly to me at ssrun54@aol.com.
Steve Schallenkamp has been active in area running circles since 1966 as runner, race director, volunteer and coach. He is a member of the Onteora Runners Club and president of the Shawangunk Runners Club.
1 Autumn Hopkins 5:46; 2 Lars Nilson 6:21; 3 Abby Parrella 7:42; 4 Evangene Nilson 7:54; 5 Cassie Parrella 7:59; 6 Eliana Gallo 8:16; 7 Greta Umstead 8:32; 8 Brooke Schumacher 9:20; 9 Connor Schumacher 9:21; 10 Elsa Umstead 9:32; 11 Amelia Barger-Kelly 9:32; 12 Katherine Benton 9:37; 13 Felix Nilsson
Sunday, Sept. 23: Rosemary D. Gruner 5k 10:30 a.m. Dietz Stadium Kingston, N.Y. In conjunction with the Benedictine Hospital Foundation’s Bike for Cancer Care to benefit the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund. There will be two options a 5K Fun Run/Walk and a 5K Timed Race{ must preregister}. There will be free run for fun activiites for children ages 5-10. Registration fees are $15 before Sept. 1 and $20 after. For more information or to register go to http://www. bikeforcancer.org/the-5k/ or (845) 481-1303. Sunday, Sept. 23: The Towpath Run/Walk 6K Accord, N.Y. Walk starts at 9 a.m. and the run at 9:15 a.m. Day of registration is at the Town of Rochester Community Center 15 GLF Road, Accord from 7:30-8:30 a.m. The event benefits the Little Ones Learning Center a free preschool literacy program for children 6 and under. Entry fees are $18, $20 after Sept. 20. For more information, visit littleoneslearningcenter.org click on calendar or contact Mary Lee (845) 626-7249. Sunday, Sept. 30: Pfalz Point Trail Challenge 10 Mile Race 9 a.m. Mohonk Preserve Spring Farm trail
Sunday, Oct. 20: Rosendale Runs Half Marathon and 4.4 Miler, Rosendale Recreation Center Rosendale, N.Y. 8:30 a.m. Fees: Half Marathon $25, 4.4 Miler $15. This race is organized by the Shawangunk Runners Club 100% of the proceeds benefits the Town of Rosendale Recreation Department. For more information go to http://rosendaleruns.org or call (845) 214-6479 Saturday, Oct. 27: 9th UlsterCorps Zombie Escape 5K run 11:30 a.m., Free kids 1k fitness run 11 a.m., 1k fitness walk 11:45 a.m. Wiiliams Lake Road Rosendale, N.Y. Fees $20 preregistered/$25 day of. Team discount of $15 per person. For more info go to http://zombies.ulstercorps. org Thursday, Nov. 22: Family of New Paltz Turkey Trot 2018. 5k race. To register and further details, visit https://www.newpaltzturkeytrot.com or call (845) 255-8801.