Schroon Lake Adirondack Marathon
The Distance Festival includes 5K and 10K races (...and 1K for kids) on Saturday. On Sunday races include the marathon (...walkers welcome too!), 2 person marathon relay, and a 1/2 marathon.
For 2009, the races are scheduled as follows: Saturday, September 19, 2009:
Sunday, September 20, 2009 (Schroon Lake Village):
Races in Chestertown start at the Town Hall, 6307 Main Street (Route 9), Chestertown, N.Y. Races in Schroon Lake Village start at 1068 US Route 9 (Corner of Route 9 & Dock St).
The Adirondack Marathon – Testimonials:
Pre–Race Logistics:
You can register for the Adirondack Marathon the day before the race but it’s recommended that you register weeks earlier. Presently there is a limit of 500 runners (… Especially the Half Marathon sells out every year in advance so register early!!!). You can normally pick up your packets the afternoon before the race at the Schroon Lake Central School, 1125 US Route 9 or the early morning of the race at the Schroon Lake Town Hall, 15 Leland Avenue. Don’t miss the annual pasta dinner the evening before the marathon at Word of Life Inn just south of Schroon Lake Village (normally from 5:30pm to 7:30pm). Great meal, good company, and reasonably priced. Race day for the Adirondack Marathon you can usually find a place park fairly close and just walk to the start/finish. Start time is 9am sharp. There is normally a bag check for warm-up gear at the Stewart’s Shop parking lot and you can pick up your gear in the merchandise tent at the finish area. The start and finish are close to each other. There is a staging area for runners in the Town Park on Route 9 and Dock Street. A minute before the race all runners will be led to the starting line. The allotted time to complete the Adirondack Marathon will be six hours after which there will be no services on the course and roads will reopen. Support:
The Adirondack Marathon is very well organized. The volunteers and town residents are unbelievably supportive. You will be overwhelmed with the consideration and support given by the entire town. Even in the remote wooded section of the course you’re likely to see a high school band, bagpipes, drummers and neighbors cheering you “by name” (… That’s because many have marathon programs, and call out your name after looking at your bib number). Mile markers and 5K intervals are clearly and accurately posted. They close the roads and have law enforcement and EMT support available. At last count there were 15 water stations on the course. Bathrooms are never an issue. The race organizers thought of everything! Pre-Race Strategy: In case you are new to the Adirondack Marathon, I have the inside scoop on how to prepare for this run. There are many “killer hills” on the first half of this marathon. But it is very doable to set a PR on this course. Don’t be intimidated; just train for it and you’ll do fine.
Basically, the secret is to train on hills and don't go out too fast during the first half of this race. If you do, those hills will get you later, believe me! As for hill training I’d suggest incorporating some hill repeats before or after you’re your normal workout during your build-up period (at least once a week). Your repeat hills should be at a relatively aggressive pace and include several times up (say 5-10) for a distance of anywhere between ¼ - ½ mile. If you follow this simple (... but physically demanding) advice, you can easily run a PR because the second half of the race is mostly flat and the views are spectacular (…which relaxes you!). The other piece of advice I offer is to drive the course to see the hills first-hand before the race. That will reinforce my first piece of advice. The gun goes off!: The marathon starts and stops in the village of Schroon Lake. There is a beautiful lake-side beach right there. The race is small enough so you can establish your pace right away, and you'll have no delays at the water stations either.
The run proceeds up Route 9 then goes along remote beautiful roads through the woods and around the unspoiled Schroon Lake. The fall foliage this time of the year is approaching peak and breathtaking.
Miles 1-4 are mostly flat, maybe even slightly downhill. After mile 4 there is a significant hill that rises approximately 300 feet. From mile 4 to the half-way point it is very hilly. Miles 4-6, 10 and 11 are the toughest climbs. But you hit the hills early when your legs are fresh which helps. This wooded section is absolutely beautiful and offers plenty of shade for those warm September days. The scenery is just gorgeous!
After that it's rolling hills and a gradual downhill through mile 8. There is a steep but short hill after mile 10. Then there is a big hill, approximately 250 feet high, just after mile 11. From there it's downhill to the village of Adirondack. You should anticipate a brisk wind around mile 13 as you come out from the wind protected forest and reach Schroon Lake on the east side. After that it's very flat for about 5 miles along the east side of the lake (… awesome!). Starting around mile 19 there is a long gradual long incline to mile 25. From there it’s basically downhill or flat to the finish.
After the Finish: After an exhausting but very rewarding run the post race refreshments are located right near the finish line at the Town Park. Refreshments are plentiful and very good (… yogurt, several different types of fruit, vegetables, cookies ice-cream, brownies, coffee, water, sports drinks, etc.).
An added benefit is that the absolutely fantastic Schroon Lake public beach is right there. Let me tell you, there is nothing like a 20 minute soak in the lake after a marathon to sooth those tired muscles. A walk back and forth in the cool clear lake feels great on your legs and feet. It’s perfect for cooling off! To top it off, visit the massage tent. What a treat! It will help even more! Awards: The awards ceremony is at the Town Beach and normally starts at 1:00 pm for the half marathon and 2:00 pm for the marathon. Official qualification times for the marathon and certificates of completion for the full and half marathons will be mailed shortly after the race. Original handcrafted Adirondack crafts are awarded for the overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, men and women.
Adirondack gifts will also be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for the following age categories for men and women. Under 30, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, and 70+. Adirondack gift team awards are also given. There are also cash prizes for record breaking; men, women, & hand cyclist in the full marathon and half marathon (...for a new course record, or for the best under certain times for men, women, and hand cyclist). Other Race information Two Person Relay: You can run the first half of the marathon course if you find a teammate to run the second leg. The first leg is approximately 12.7 miles and the second leg is about 13.4 miles. Relay teams should be at the marathon staging area by 8:45am. The relay is limited to 100 Teams. Half Marathon: The half marathon will be run along with the full marathon. The runners will run the easier half of the course. The half marathon runners begin at the halfway point of the marathon. Complimentary transportation is provided to registered half marathoners. Half marathoners should also be at the marathon staging area by 8:45am. Marathon Early Bird Walkers:
There is an “early bird start” for walkers at 7am. You should be aware that there will be no support or services on the course until they open at their regularly scheduled times for the runners. The finish line hours have been extended until 3 p.m. Cross the finish line by 3 p.m. and receive a medal. Packet pick-up for early bird starters (walkers only) is Saturday only. The time to complete this race for early birds will be 8 hours. After 2:30pm there will be no services on the course and roads will reopen at their regularly scheduled times. Contact information: Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival (518) 532-7675 The Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival is a great vacation marathon! I highly recommend it! ... and if you are looking for accommodations, consider staying at our vacation chalet! Adirondack Marathon Return to Home Page Return to Running
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