Race: 2020 Upstate Classic 5k, Half-Marathon, Marathon

November 19, 2020 by Stephen Hallgren in Races

While there hasn’t been a lot of races this year locally, not every race has been cancelled in the area. In fact, we saw a brand new running event form this year called the Upstate Classic. The Upstate Classic took place at the Altamont Fairgrounds and included a 5k, half-marathon and full marathon. This is probably the last organized and fully timed local race for the 2020 season. 35+ Nark Running & Strength runners showed up and joined 1000+ other runners to close out our running season with a grand finale…

Race: 2020 Adirondack 5k

October 05, 2020 by Stephen Hallgren in Races

As I was driving up to Lake George from Albany I knew it was going to be the perfect day for a race. The temperature had dipped into the 30s overnight, and despite the crisp air, the sun was out warming things up and quickly melting the frost away. I’ve never raced the Adirondack 5k, but I was particularly excited for this race. One reason I was excited was that there haven’t been a lot of races happening this year, stupid COVID-19 pandemic…

Race: 2020 Dodge the Deer 5k

June 27, 2020 by Stephen Hallgren in Races

It has been a strange, strange year this year. I had run one race in 2020 thus far and it was the Hangover Half Marathon on New Years Day. Every other race I had been keeping my eyes on had been cancelled or got postponed and then cancelled. One of my friends had told me about this 5k called Dodge the Deer and that it was not going to be cancelled and I tried to register, only to find that registration was closed. I was kinda bummed as I had been looking forward to running some kind of race, but this looked like another casualty of COVID-19. Turns out, the organizers (AREEP) were trying hard to find a way to make it all work within all the guidelines of the state…

Race: 2019 Albany Last Run 5k

December 07, 2019 by Stephen Hallgren in Races

Similar to the Troy Turkey Trot, but a lot smaller, the Albany Last Run 5k is another great running tradition in the Capital District. Instead of runners dressed up as turkeys, the Last Run is full of Santas, elves, reindeers, Christmas lights, and plenty of other creative, festive outfits. This year marks my third time running the race and is a great run to close out the year, hence the name “Last Run”…

Race: 2019 Troy Turkey Trot 10k

November 29, 2019 by Stephen Hallgren in Races

This was my second year of running the Troy Turkey Trot and my second 10k race thus far. This race is all about tradition and less about frill and gimmick. While I have never run the 5k part of the Troy Turkey Troy, I assume it’s a little more crazy and rambunctious than the 10k. While there aren’t many spectators for the 10k, there are people getting already hitting the bars and getting set up in a few parking lots along the route to eat, drink and cheer on the 5k runners…

Race: 2018 Troy Turkey Trot 10k

November 22, 2018 by Stephen Hallgren in Races

Thanksgiving for me (and really any holiday for the matter), is about traditions. I love watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I love getting together with family and eating the same kinds of food every year. I also love the races that occur. 2018 was my first time running the Troy Turkey Trot and despite the weather being insanely cold 7º F 😱 🥶 I had a ton of fun…