Race the Train

Riparius to North Creek

" Race the Train " is a 8.4 mile race/run from Riparius to North Creek NY (…just 2 miles from my chalet!). Participants can park at the North Creek train Depot, at the north end of Main Street, and ride the train for free to Riparius for the start of the "Race the Train". The train normally leaves North Creek at 8am and the race starts at 9am.

Spectators may also ride the train to the start and back to the finish for a fee. The train stops at various points so you can cheer on the runners.

Normally the race is held on the first Saturday of August each year. But check out my Adirondack events calendar for the specific date.You can usually register the night before from 5pm to 7:30pm or beginning at 7am the day of the race.

The race begins at the Route 8 bridge right near the Riverside Station in Riparius. It’s quite beautiful there at the banks of the Hudson River.

When the gun goes off .... Watch out! you better get across the tracks quickly!!! ... The training is coming!)

The course heads west then turns right on River Road Cut Off. It’s a dirt road that runs parallel to the Hudson through the woods and with rolling hills.

The route is quite shady which helps with those hot summer temperatures. On this particular day the temperature was 85 degrees, and above you can see the cool mist actually rising from the road. (... Cool!)

The train runs between the road and the river and at times it comes real close to the runners (... you can see how close below!) so you can actually see if you are beating the train.

There are a few tough hills on this course, mostly in the first few miles, but it is a very enjoyable and rewarding course. The race is growing in popularity each year. Each mile is marked and there are plenty of water stops.

River Road eventually ends at the village of North Creek. from there it is less than a mile to the finish. North Creek is a quaint Adirondack village with shops and restaurants.

The finish is at the railroad depot in North Creek. You can build up momentum because the last half mile is slightly down hill to the finish line.

Look out ... Here comes the train! ... You better hurry if you want to beat it! I understand that normally about the top 75 (...or so) runners actually manage to beat the train.

A high quality tee shirt is included with the entry fee for the first few hundred registrants. Proceeds benefit the Johnsburg Dollars for Scholars.

There are refreshments, awards and raffle prizes after the race. Awards are given to the top male and female finishers overall (… and they also receiving rafting gift certificates). There are also awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in 5 year age groups (… and metals for everyone beating the train!).

Immediately following the Race the Train run there is also a 1 mile fun run for all ages.

If you are in the area in early August you should try this run (Race the Train). … Great time!

… And rest up, because if you want to run another race on the first Sunday of August each year,... check out the Hudson Headwaters 5K!!!

Information: (518)494-2266, (518)792-6837, (518)252-2602