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Spice It Up!
By Jim Allott
Hey runners, bikers and adventurers! Mark those race calendars for the third weekend in October. There are not one, but two events that offer the opportunity for something new and different. Both the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon and the Saranac Lake Backcountry 3P are considered multisport races meaning they offer at least two different sports – it’s not ALL about triathlons! Tired of the same old 5K foot race or local sprint tri? Ready to branch out and try something you haven’t done before? C’mon, join the party.
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Jessica Nash
By Kristen Hislop
“You never know what you can do until you try, and very few try unless they have to.” –C.S. Lewis
There are two ways to face a challenge; take the easy way around it or meet it head-on and discover what you’re capable of. Jessica Nash has spent the last decade and a half choosing the second path – and reaping the rewards.
As a kid, playing CYO basketball and cheerleading was fun until the court and the competition felt intimidating. Like many ‘80s kids, Jessica Nash lived on her bike, pedaling with friends and joining family rides on local paths. Summers meant campgrounds and lake days, where she advanced through Red Cross swim levels and fell in love with the water. In high school she didn’t stick with organized sports – an alternate cheer stint as a freshman, a week on the track team, and ski club – but the spark for movement never left.
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OUR BEST BET EVENTS
Included events are Upstate Sports advertisers and/or exhibitors
October issue ad deadline: Tuesday, 10/14
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Saturday, October 11
I Pink I Can! Family-friendly 5K run/walk. 9am. Also, Kids Run. Family-friendly activities & food trucks on site. Benefits To Life! breast cancer support & education. Pitney Meadows Community Farm, Saratoga Springs. zippyreg.com.
54th Lake Placid Classic. 8am. Half Marathon & 10K runs. New 5K run/walk: 8:15am. North Elba Horseshow Grounds, Lake Placid. lakeplacidclassic.com.
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Saturday-Sunday, October 11-12
Saratoga Foliage Ride. Ride one or two days: 30, 50 or 75M routes. Fri night meetup: Whitman Brewing. Weekend downtown Happy Hour. 10% discount at restaurants, stores & hotel deals. Saratoga YMCA day pass. Catered lunch, T-shirt, SAG support, bike mechanics. Saratoga Springs. saratogafoliageride.com.
Gore Harvest Fest. 10am-4pm. Live music, craft show, family entertainment, short hikes: free. Adirondack Express scenic skyrides, mtn biking, disc golf: fee. Gore Mountain, North Creek. goremountain.com.
Flaming Leaves Festival. 10am-5pm. Live music, drafts, food/beer vendors. Plus, US Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined National Championships. Olympic Jumping Complex, Lake Placid. olympicjumpingcomplex.com.
CBRCX: Uncle Sam Grand Prix. Adults & juniors welcome. NY’s most fun cyclocross series. Prospect Park, Troy. bikereg.com.
Sunday, October 12
Mohawk Hudson River Marathon & Half Marathon. Run along the beautiful Mohawk & Hudson rivers on the Mohawk-Hudson Bike/Hike Trail. Hooded pullover, transport to start, marathon pacers, post-race massage. An HMRRC event. 26.2: Schenectady to Albany. 13.1: Colonie to Albany. mohawkhudsonmarathon.com.
Farm to Fork: Berkshires Fondo. Scenic rides, gourmet food, achievable challenge. Also: Berkshires Weekend Getaway, 10/10-12. The Berkshires near Pittsfield, MA. farmtoforkfitness.com.
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Friday, October 17
ADK Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter: Annual Dinner, Meeting and Presentation. 6pm. Will feature acclaimed Adirondack photographer, filmmaker, and author Jonathan Zaharek, who will share his visual and narrative presentation “A Century in the High Peaks: The Legacy of the 46ers.” The dinner, meeting and presentation is open to the public, ADK members, and regional outdoor enthusiasts. Holiday Inn, Lake George. Info/register: adk-gfs.org.
Friday-Sunday, October 17-19
Farm to Fork Fitness Adventures: Outer Banks Bicycling Weekend Getaway. Kitty Hawk, NC. farmtoforkfitness.com.
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Saturday, October 18
2nd Saranac Lake Backcountry 3P “Pedal-Paddle-Peak” Multisport Race. 9am. Five legs on new course: 10M pedal on Adk Rail Trail; 3M trail run/hike up/down Floodwood Mtn; 2M pedal back to Floodwood Outpost; 4M paddle across Floodwood and Rollins ponds; and a final 7M pedal back to the start/finish. Perfect for gravel riders, trail runners and paddlers. Open to solo entrants and relay teams of three. Charlie’s Inn, Lake Clear. runreg.com.
5th Shredders MTB: Day of the Shred. Kids mountain bike race with short and long courses. Halloween costumes encouraged. Six races: Ages 2-4 coed (non-pedal/balance bikes); Pre-K & K girls & boys; Grade 3, 4 & 5 girls & boys; Grade 6-12 coed. Costume Parade Ride: 12:30pm. Polaris Pavilion, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. bikereg.com.
ADK Map & Compass Fundamentals. 9am-3pm. Adirondack Mountain Club. Education Yurt Village, Lake Placid. adk.org.
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Sunday, October 19
Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon. 8:30am. 2M run, 12M bike, 2M run along the scenic byway in rural Clifton Park. Solo & Relay teams. Benefits Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. Riverview Orchards, Clifton Park. trisignup.com.
Malta 5K Trail Run. 5K run/hike: 9:30am. 3K kids run: 9am. 2K kids run: 8:30am. The most beautiful trail run in the area. 100 Acre Woods at Luther Forest, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
14th Veeder Tree Farm 5K Road and/or Trail Run/Walk. 10am. Finisher medal, bonfire, smores, tailgating, music. Proceeds to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Discounts on Xmas trees. Veeder Tree Farm, Earlton. raceentry.com.
Middlebury Maple Run. 9am. 13.1M, 10K & 5K. Beautiful, scenic routes with Green Mountain & Adirondacks views. Music on course, free race pacing services, post-race breakfast. Porter Hospital, Middlebury, VT. middleburymaplerun.com.
CBRCX: Hometown Cyclocross Race. Adults & juniors welcome. NY’s most fun cyclocross series. Produced by Grey Ghost Bicycles. Crandall Park, Glens Falls. bikereg.com.
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Saturday, October 25
Albany Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run 5K. Runners: 3:45pm. Fun run/walkers: 4:30pm. Great run/walk for all ages w/beautifully decorated course. Costumes encouraged. Free family entertainment, pumpkins, candy, vendors, decorations, DJ: 12-4pm. Washington Park, Albany. zippyreg.com.
8th Brookhaven Oktoberfest 5K Trail Run. Also, kids 1K fun run. Town of Greenfield’s Fall Festival: 1-5pm. Trick or treating: 1-3pm. Games & contests: 3-5pm. Giant pumpkin contest, live music, food/drink, craft beer, animal show for kids, cider donut eating contest, themed golf cart competition & football watching. Trail run supports XC skiing at Brookhaven Winter Park. Brookhaven Golf Course, Porter Corners. 5K run: skireg.com. Fall Fest: greenfieldny.gov/events.
32nd Goblin Gallop 5K Run/Walk. 9:30am. Free Halloween Hop 1K kids run: 10:30am. post-run refreshments. Benefits Adk Runners scholarship fun & Nepal village schools. Abraham Wing School, Glens Falls. zippyreg.com.
Run to Remember 5K Run & Walk. Run: 7:30am. Walk: 7:45am. Family-friendly community event to support local vets & current college students. All welcome. RPI East Campus Athletic Village, Troy. runsignup.com.
Town of Greenfield’s Fall Festival. 1-5pm. Trick or treating: 1-3pm. Games & contests: 3-5pm. Giant pumpkin contest, live music, food/drink, craft beer, Uncharted Wild Animals for kids, cider donut eating contest, themed golf cart competition & football watching. Also, Brookhaven Oktoberfest 5K Trail Run & Kids 1K Fun Run: 10am. Trail run supports Nordic skiing at Brookhaven Winter Park. Brookhaven Golf Course, Porter Corners. greenfieldny.gov/events.
Shredders MTB: Fall Women’s Mountain Bike Clinic. Beginners: 9am. Intermediate: 1pm. Supportive community of like-minded women, share experiences, and celebrate success together. Columbia Pavilion, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. bikereg.com
Haunted Hundred Overnight Century. 6pm. 104M bicycle road ride. Adirondack Ultra Bike Shop, Schuylerville. adkultracycling.com.
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Sunday, October 26
21st Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon & Squirrelly Six Mile. 9:30am. A grand trail race high above Albany on the Helderberg Escarpment. Costumes encouraged. Also, Kids 0.5M Gorilla Chase. Thacher State Park, Voorheesville. areep.com.
Saturday-Sunday, November 1-2
62nd Adirondack Sports Winter Expo. POSTPONED to October 24-25, 2026 at Saratoga Springs City Center. upstatesports.fun/winter-expo.
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Saturday, November 1
MHCC Gravel Goblin Bicycle Ride. 54M: 9am. 41M: 9:30am. 30M: 10am. All welcome! Fun, scenic gravel rides on quiet country roads in Columbia County. Gourmet foods & craft beer. Benefits Regional Food Bank. S&S Farm Brewery, Nassau. bikereg.com.
13th Revolutionary Run for Veterans at “America’s Turning Point” 5K. 10am. Run/walk on historic Champlain Canal & towpath. Also, Free Kids Fun Nature Run. Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks. Benefits Saratoga County Veterans Trust & Agency Fund. Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville. finishright.com.
6th Moreau Half. 14.5M trail running race with 3,000-foot elevation gain. 8am. Post-race BBQ. Finale of USATF Adk Trail Series. Mountain Dog Running. Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort. ultrasignup.com.
Warren Miller “Sno-ciety” Ski Film. 7pm. Presented by Alpine Sport Shop. Tickets on sale in the shop. Tons of great prizes at intermission. Vendors: Upstate Sports, OC Ski Club, Schenectady Wintersports Club, Albany Ski Club, NY Capital District Ski Council. Benefits Saratoga Springs High School Alpine Team & Double H Ranch. Maple Avenue Middle School, Saratoga Springs. alpinesportshop.com.
62nd Adirondack Sports Winter Expo. POSTPONED to October 24-25, 2026 at Saratoga Springs City Center. upstatesports.fun/winter-expo.
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Sunday, November 2
Adirondack Masters Swim Meet. Perfect for competitive swimmers 18+, recreational swimmers & triathletes. Hartwick College, Oneonta. adms.org.
Fall Back 5 Trail Race. 10am. 5M on varied park trails. iRun Local awards. A Saratoga Stryders event. $30 online until Thu, 10/30, 5pm; $35 at iRun Local on Sat, 11/1, 12-2pm; Day of race at 8:30am-9:30am. Roosevelt II Building, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. runsignup.com.
62nd Adirondack Sports Winter Expo. POSTPONED to October 24-25, 2026 at Saratoga Springs City Center. upstatesports.fun/winter-expo.
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DAILY Treetop Adventure Courses & Freefall Jumps. Open May-Oct. Parties, teams, families. Get 15% off: INTHEWILD. WildPlay, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville. wildplay.com.
MON-FRI Rock Your Fitness: Boot Camp Workouts. Mon/Wed/Fri: 5:30am, 6:30am, 9am. Tue: 5:30pm. Sat 8am. Special offer: Free week of class with registration for 2x/3x per week option. To register, text and use promo code “ADK fit” to 518-522-9765. Malta Community Center, Malta. facebook.com/rockyourfitnessllc.
TUE iRun Local: Tuesday Night Group Run. 6pm. Free, open to everyone. iRun Local, Saratoga Springs. facebook.com/irunlocal.
TU/TH Roundabout Runners: Morning Runs. 5:15am. Twisted Bagel, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
THU iRun Local: Sunrise 5-Mile Group Run. 6am. Free, open to everyone. All running experience levels welcome. iRun Local, Saratoga Springs. facebook.com/irunlocal.
SAT Roundabout Runners: Morning Runs. 7am. Ugly Rooster, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
FRI-SAT On the Canals: Bike & Boat Short Cruises. Adk Ultra Cycling & NYS Canal Corp. Schuylerville. bikereg.com.
FRI-SUN Rick’s Outpost at Gurney Lane & Rush Pond. Trailside bike shop w/rentals, service & more. Gurney Lane & Rush Pond MTB Parks, Queensbury. ricksbikeshop.com.
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