This week's picks

Love to race? Three dozen races on this summer calendar
GIVE ME A MAP: Three dozen routes for running, biking or hiking in Rock Hill
Pete Colaizzo column, with frightening account of runner hit by car
A.R.E. summer trail run series to the north
Times Herald Record running column
There's much to cover with Mike Barnow
Orange County Classic results
In Memory of Dr. Schenker
Register now for the Boilermaker

Totally unrelated

Avoid dog attacks while running
World's most comprehensive database of cycling routes
"Spirit of the Marathon" merchandise
Running with the Record Online
RUNNER 5780 blog
Summer track series in Dutchess County
Lengthen your running stride
Vermont City Marathon 2009
Bridge Fever photos
The Fats in the Cats Bicycle Club
Five-part series on runner's knee
Sweep of Yankees

 

Column

Hot on the trail of a race

When you see the Summer Solstice Run pop up on the calendar, it's time for the series runs of the summer. And for those of us who hate running in the morning, there are plenty of weeknight races to keep you hopping.

Let's begin in the Gunks. The New Paltz Summer Cross Country Series begins on July 6 with the popular "Undercliff/Overcliff" race. What a great remedy for a Monday! If you can ignore the views from the cliff, you are a better runner than I. I think it was David Goodman who first told me about this race, and I have been back almost every year since. The courses are not easy, but that has never affected the turnout. But let's face it: all you need for a great summer running series is a halfway decent trail and watermelon. You must have watermelon.

The Albany Running Exchange has decided the best way to handle trail series is to overdose on them. They have been dedicating each Thursday evening to trail runs since May 28. This, coming from the group that brought us the Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon, looks like a great time, with or without watermelon.

The Kingston Summer Cross Country Series makes a return to Williams Lake this year. The Williams Lake races were the heyday for this series, and we are heading back. This will probably be you only chance to run through a cave this year, so you better grab it. Grab a piece of watermelon too.

For those who like a flat, even surface, why not bring the whole family to the Twilight Summer Track Series at the Union Vale Middle School in Lagrangeville. It's just like a high school track meet, except the parents are allowed (and expected) to compete too. Show up, stretch out, and listen for the megaphone. This is how running addicts spend their Friday nights.

Now let's review your summer running week: Start at the New Paltz Trail Series on Monday, rest those weary legs on Tuesday, bop down to the Kingston Trail Series by 6:30 on Wednesday night, try and figure out where the Albany Running Exchange crazies are on Thursdays night and then try to get there, and then it's down to Dutchess County on Friday night for some leisurely 200-meter sprints. That should get your legs warmed up for a Saturday morning 5K, and you can take your pick of those this summer too.