As the outdoor running season winds down, an event that takes place at the Crossings offers an opportunity for the whole family to get some exercise and enjoy the park.
• What: Crossings 5K Challenge
• When: Sunday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m.
• Where: The Ciccotti Center at The Crossings
• How much: $22 for the 5K, $10 for the kids 1-mile, and free for the fun run
• Info: colonieyouthcenter.org/5k-run
The 11th annual Crossings 5K Challenge and Kids Run will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, and will include a 5K Challenge Walk/Run, a kids fun run and kids competitive mile.
All the money raised will go to the Colonie Youth Center to fund programs that help benefit before- and after-school childcare programs, family counseling services and a scholarship fund offering financial assistance to low-income working families who could not otherwise afford childcare.
“It got started to help provide funds to financially struggling families in the area for before- and after-school childcare,” said Donna Cramer, financial aid administrator at the youth center. “There’s a great need in North and South Colonie for these things.”
Cramer said that the day that typically draws a couple hundred kids and around 300 adults for the 5K. There are usually another 500 people in the park as spectators, bringing the total to around 1,000 people enjoying the festivities.
“We’re lucky being able to use the Crossings park. It’s such a beautiful area, and a lot of people enter just go to the walk to enjoy the area for its beauty and ambiance. Lots of the parents in the area are active, and they bring their kids,” said Cramer.
As in past years, there will be a Kids Zone, and this year it will be even bigger than ever. There will be things to do before and after the race, food, music and all kinds of activities for the kids including games, hair braiding and chalking by Fantastic Sams of Colonie. The Kids Zone is there to keep kids busy while their siblings or parents are running.
For those who are new to the sport, there are a lot of organizations out there to get you up and running.
“There are a lot of running organizations in the area that provide training and workshops, whether you start as a couch potato and work your way up or if you run all year long,” said Cramer.
Liz Herrick, administrative assistant at the CYC said the course is nice and flat so it’s not difficult, and there isn’t any pressure to run so participants can just pick their own pace.
She said one of the many things that makes this event special is that is for everyone and whether you want to walk or run, you can participate knowing you have helped contribute to a great cause.
The CYC invites everyone to come out to run or walk and be part of the fun. Anyone can participate in the 5K. The kids have a choice of a free quarter-mile Fun Run or a Kids Competitive 1-mile run for a $10 entry fee, which includes an event T-shirt while supplies last. Day of registration begins at 8 p.m. The 5K starts at 10 a.m. Registration for the 5K is $22 in advance.
In the 5K, the top three male and female runners that finish in each age group will receive a medal. For the kids competitive mile, all kids will receive a medal and be entered in a drawing to win a pool party for 20 at the Cicotti Center.
The sponsors that are making the race possible are Spotlight Newspapers, CB Richard Ellis, Edward Jones Investments, Hannaford Supermarkets, Mel Carr Electric, New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, Sage Computer Associates and Waste Connections.
The last day for a discounted registration is Sept. 24. More information can be found at colonieyouthcenter.org/5k-run.