This USATF certified course is flat and FAST and ready for your next PR!
In most regular running seasons there are plenty of races for runners to choose from in order to get ready for their peak seasonal events. Racing is a skill and it’s something that runners need to practice in order to get sharp and fit and reach their potential. Then there was the pandemic running year of 2020 where most events were canceled and normal racing was a distant memory. As the 2021 fall season opened up and pandemic restrictions eased it was a beautiful thing to see many of our beloved races return and a bit of running and racing normalcy again. That being said, many regular fall season races still haven’t returned to the calendar and options are still somewhat limited. Combine this with the fact that the Melanie Merola Saratoga Palio Half Marathon is no longer being offered and we have a void in the Capital District half marathon schedule.
For many runners a half marathon can be a great seasonal goal race and a great way to test themselves and their training. Many marathoners also use the half marathon distance as a tune-up and a way to predict their upcoming marathon and pacing strategies. Since 2006 local runners have counted on the Saratoga Palio Half Marathon for their peak events or in preparation for their early to mid fall marathons. In September of 2019 the last Palio Half Marathon took place after fourteen years of a great local event. This was followed by minimal spring/fall races in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a major reduction in available races for local runners.
With the kick-off of this fall’s, 2021 post pandemic racing season the available race schedule was still light at the half marathon distance. Due to the past two seasons of marathon cancellations there would be a clutter of full marathon events in this fall of 2021. With many prominent spring marathons shifting into an already busy fall marathon schedule there was an obvious half marathon void to fill here in the Capital District. Many local half and full marathon runners will be in search of a local half marathon for their peak event or in route to their marathon. With Chicago, HMRRC, Boston, New Jersey, Hartford, or Wineglass to name a few on the fall calendar the marathon season is full. In most cases marathoners want a half marathon four to six weeks prior to their full marathon event. The former Saratoga Palio was the local go to option for runners participating in many of these events.
The Run 4 The River Half Marathon was actually created last fall and was offered to a limited amount of runners due to Covid-19 restrictions. This season we’ve brought it back with a more formal production with special thanks to all of our participating sponsors below. With this event we wanted to be sure to address all of the event logistics that we could required for runners to have every opportunity to run as fast as possible. With the early, 7:30am start time, a flat/fast course, prize money, awards, and entertainment we hope to have achieved this goal. The starting line will be at the same point as the Miles on the Mohawk 10 Miler and cover most of the second half of the MOTM Marathon event by ARE in the spring. With this event the start will also be at Mabee’s Farm and the finish staged at SCCC. The timing of this event is perfect for an early season half marathon or in preparation for many of the major fall marathons coming in October. With this first year event we look forward to setting the bar for what will be a great annual event and continue to grow with each year. Frog Alley Brewing will be providing FREE post race beer for all runners and a BLOCK PARTY nearby at their location on State Street in Schenectady. Come on out to join us for this PR potential course followed by the post-race party. All event information and registration is on the link posted below.
https://narkrunningstrength.com/run-4-the-river-half-marathon
