Heat was a concern for organizers of this year’s Delmar Dash.
Co-Race Director Marcia Adams said temperatures were about seven degrees hotter than in races past and fears of heat stroke or dehydration of racers brought last-minute changes to the racing configuration.
“We put in a second water stop for our 5-mile,” said Adams. “We realize we may have some slower runners who may not be in condition just yet and we want to make sure people stay hydrated.”
In additional to the water stops at the middle school and Hamagrael Elementary, an additional water table was added at the 4-mile mark on Winne Road. An ambulance was called for at least one runner because of the heat.
“We are fortunate that every year we have the Dash we have had good weather,” said Adams.
Earlier forecasts had predicted thunderstorms during the Sunday, April 15, event, but runners were instead rewarded with a dry day for the 24th annual race.
Adams said organizers were happy with this year’s turnout. In total, about 630 people participated in the 5-mile race.
“It’s a little down, but that’s to be expected because we are following a week’s school vacation… plus we’re up against Boston,” said Adams.
She explained that because of temperatures expected to reach above 80 degrees, organizers of the Monday Boston Marathon were asking registered participants not to run if they do not feel prepared or have underlying medical issue. Those who decided not to run were offered a deferment to run for free next year, according to the website.
“To run a marathon in that kind of heat is insane if you’re not in the right condition,” said Adams.
Mark Bryant of Bryant Asset Protection, the corporate sponsor of the race, ran the Dash and said heat was definitely a concern.
“It wasn’t too bad until the last mile,” he said.
The company has been a sponsor of the race for 10 years and each year Bryant has also participated in the Dash.
“We’ve been in town since 1988 and the race is a good way to get involved with the community,” said brother Jeffrey Bryant.
This year, the company also sponsored a used shoe collection at the race. Anyone could donate shoes, but children who donated could register to run any of the children’s races for free. The shoes will be donated to the Hope Seven Community Center in Troy, which “provides daycare for low-income families, activities for kids and maintains a food pantry for the community.”
For every pound of shoes collected for the Green Sneakers program, 50 cents will be donated back by the program to support the community center. Hope Seven started the initiative in hopes of collecting 1,000 pairs of shoes by June. At last count more that 20 pairs of shoes were donated at the race and through a campaign at Bethlehem Central Schools the center is close to reaching its goal.
According to Adams, more than 150 children participated in the three kids races.
All three of Stephanie Pitts’ children from Schenectady ran in one of the races. Twins Miles and Serval, 4, both ran the quarter mile, while Hannah, 7, ran the full mile race.
Pitts said the heat did worry her because her children are so young.
“I told them to take it easy and just run steady,” she said.
Hannah said this was her first race. She wanted to try because her mother is a runner and she looks up to her.
Bill Davis of Bethlehem also let his children participate in the races. He said he wasn’t concerned about the weather because it was a “beautiful day.” Cameron, 11, ran the mile and Rilee, 6, ran the quarter mile.
“We trained all week on pacing,” said Bill Davis, who was a competitive runner in college and now runs triathlons. “I encourage them to run if they want to because it’s healthy to stay active, but only if they want to.”
