SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Jeff Clark Memorial Silks & Satins 5K, a signature summertime road race in the Spa City, has a new, earlier date for its 2019 edition.
Instead of being held on the third Saturday in July, this year’s event has been moved up to Saturday, July 13 to coincide with the earlier opening weekend of the track.
Despite the event’s change of date, more than 1,100 runners are expected to congregate at the famous Fasig Tipton building (415 East Avenue, Saratoga Springs), the premier auction house for thoroughbred horses in North America, for the 8 a.m. start.
Proceeds from the run, a flat and fast certified 5K course which takes participants through some of Saratoga’s most beautiful neighborhoods, will enable Special Olympics New York to enhance its sports programming, training and competition for athletes. Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition in 23 Olympic-style sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athletes, their families or caregivers.
“We are so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support this race receives from the community,” said Jennifer Frame, director of development, Special Olympics New York. “Monies raised will enable us to enhance our sports programming, training and competition for more than 67,000 athletes and unified partners that train and compete with Special Olympics New York.”
The event features a male/female and co-ed team competition and an awards ceremony will start at 9 a.m. All participants are asked to bring a gently used t-shirt for the event’s collection box which supports backstretch workers at Saratoga Race Course. Event parking is available in the Oklahoma lot across from Fasig Tipton at the intersection of Madison and East Ave., as well as on side streets.
“Volunteers are also needed for an array of roles, including course marshal, packet pickup, awards, water stop, start/finish line, refreshments, and event setup /tear down,” said Silks and Satins Race Director Patrick Lynskey. “Simply visit silksandsatins5k.com and register for your assignment. It will give you an opportunity to rub shoulders with these dedicated Special Olympics volunteers and see how our event helps to impact their lifestyle.”
Registration for the chip-timed event is open at silksandsatins5k.com. The fee is $25 and the price increases to $30 after July 1. Day-of-race registration is available. Race bibs and shirts can be picked up race morning starting at 6 a.m.
The first 1,000 registrants to sign up will receive a commemorative tech shirt, a free day pass into Saratoga Race Course, a free pass to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, as well as a shower pass to the YMCA.
