With most of the local races either cancelled or virtual in 2020, Albany Running Exchange (ARE) began scheduling COVID Safety Plan approved races in 2021.  This was one of them and unfortunately, it POURED the whole race.

In 2022, I ran this 10 miler again but on a very hot day. I did it with several friends and had fun.

I ran it in 2023 but skipped it on 2024 (don’t remember why…)

and then ran it again last year.

This year like last year, they offered this race as part of a 3 race challenge. Of course, I signed up for all 3.

The race is advertised as “a very fast, point-to-point course.”

As you can from the elevation chart below, it is not exactly what I would call fast (I see hills!!)

The logistics were also complicated. Either you parked at the start and got a ride back to your car after the race or you parked at the finish and got a ride to the start (or pay for the shuttle).

I signed up for Miles on the Mohawk 10m for several reasons:

• FOMO. Many of my racing friends were doing it.
• It’s local. I can sleep in my own bed.
• I am familiar with the course. I’ve run it 4 times.
• It’s a flatish course, mostly on a bike path.
• It was part 3 of a 3 race challenge.
• 10 miles is easier than a half marathon!
• This is now the only local 10 mile race.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

I have run several 10 mile races. My slowest was last weekend: (1:54:31), and my PR was back in 2014 (1:38:45). All the others were somewhere in between as well as 2025’s at 1:48:33. If you’ve read any of my recent race recaps, you know that there’s little speed left in these old legs. And I am always prepared for a course PW and just happy to cross the race (without pain.)

Usually on the weekends this time of year, I run short races (which helps me work a little on my speed.)

But this year, I actually ran  a 10 mile race the week before.  Hopefully that helped my legs get ready for this race.

I also squeezed in 2 short runs during the week before the race.

I met my running friends Saturday morning to walk and after have brunch. I gave one my friends a bag of dry clothes since she was planning to be at the race finish thenext day.

Then I did some errands, gardening and then went out to dinner to celebrate my hubby’s birthday.

I normally carb load before races with pizza or pasta. It was a celebration (and no pizza or pasta on the menu) and so I had all those things I would never eat before a race: salad, wine, shrimp, ice cream. (Finger crossed for no digestive issues then next day.)

I debated about what to wear the race. I was hoping that it would not rain but…

Forecast:

I changed my #flatme several times.  First tank and skirt, then added compression calf sleeves and changed to a short sleeve shirt with DIY arm warmers.

Race Day:

I got up early and it was cold and raining already.  (And my stomach was complaining from the food I ate the night before.)

I changed my outfit to capris and a long sleeve shirt.

Deb and I met at 7:15 am and carpooled to the start..

Mabee Farms is a really nice place to walk around before a race (when the weather is nice) – animals, the river, real restrooms, etc. when it is nice weather!!

But as predicted,  it was raining!!!!

So we just grabbed our bibs, used the porta potties

and then sat in Deb’s car hoping the rain would stop.

The race started at 8:30 am. So soon it was time to head to the start area. Nope, the rain had not stopped!!!

I had decided to keep on my windbreaker as I thought that it was cool enough.

There were no formal corrals so I just entered into the crowd somewhere in middle or perhaps closer to the front. Deb moved farther back. I chatted with friends until it was time to move.

Sorry to be a broken record but my goal for races these days is FINISH happy (that is not injured and ready to do another.) Throw those time goals out the window!!

Get to that finish line, and change into dry clothes.

Miles 1-3:

From Mabee Farm, the first mile headed west, mostly on Route 5S.

this year (thanks FB)

We ran along the road and fairly soon connected with the Erie Canal Bike Path. It was very crowded, lots of puddles which kept me from starting at a fast pace.

last year when the weather was nice…

In other words, the canal was on our right and most of the race was run on the path with water views. As I ran the first mile, everyone appeared to be passing me by. But I didn’t look at my watch, just kept going with the flow. In fact, wearing a jacket and long sleeves had my watch covered the whole race.

The scenery is pretty but I was cold and getting wetter by the minute. Of course, my pace was decent at first. I was feeling good… until I wasn’t.

Unfortunately I should left my jacket off. It was humid and I got very warm right away even though it was raining hard.

By mile 2, I stopped and tied it around my waist.

The Mohawk river changed to being on the left.

yup, last year again

The first water stop was at mile 3.3 (Kiwanis Park).  I was very thirsty and decided to  take a Gu as well.

Miles 4-6

Most of the race is a blur. I walked and ran.  Those runners around me were doing the same.  I tried to run more than walk.  Not sure at times if I did or not. Some runners did continue to just run.  But we played leap frog as I passed them when I ran and they passed me when I walked.

My bib obviously was getting very wet from the rain and I had it, as always, attached it to my belt.  I noticed that one side had ripped off.  Luckily I had a safety pin and was able to pin it to my belt.  This, however, took more time that it should have.

halfway LAST YEAR – thanks to Bethany for the pic…

There was finally a second water stop at mile 5.6 (Lock 8 Park). Again I was glad to stop and drink. My friend Linda was volunteering.  The volunteers deserved medals today!!

last year!!

Miles 7-10

The third water stop was around mile 8.1 (SCCC Bike Path Parking Area). More water and I took my 2nd Gu.

Around mile 9, some annoying hills appeared. Maybe there weren’t big hills and I was just getting tired. I tried to run up them but it was more like a slog.

I was very happy that I did not get a blister this week (I wore wool socks instead my normal ones.). My lower back had  the usual achiness and the neuroma on my left foot seemed more annoying.  Otherwise, I just ready to be done and had to walk.. A lot.

The crowd was also thinning.  And I was walking more and running slower.

But eventually we headed toward Mohawk Harbor where you could hear the roar of the crowds.

As I headed toward the finish line, I got one last burst of energy as I saw my friend waiting.

I crossed around 1::54:xx .

Since my watch was covered the entire race, I had no idea what my finish time would be.  I actually felt better during this race than the week before as it wasn’t hot and humid. So I thought that my time would be better and maybe closer to last year’s time.

Nope.

A course PW but happy to done and upright.

Post-Race Activities

I got my medal and some water.

My friend Heidi was waiting for me. Most of the post race activities were supposed to be outside but they had to be squeezed inside (including a live band.)

yes, it was cold enough to need the firepits lit!!

I grabbed some chocolate milk, a brownie and a turkey sandwich but I really wasn’t hungry at all.

I checked the results and I actually won an age group award. Amd I chose $10 off another race (instead of a shirt).

At 10:30 am and COLD, I decided not to gte my free beer and then waited on a LONG line to  get my additonal medal.

this was part of a 3 race challenge (10k+13.1+10) = 29.3

By this time, Deb had finished.

Instead of eating our lunches, we decided to go out to brunch.

HOT drinks!

Additional Race Reflections:

So yeah, I finished slower than I wished. A course PW. But hey, I felt good. Nothing really hurt. I didn’t even feel that tired. (A minute faster than the week before!! So not a PW)

I never regret a race that I’ve run, even a wet one.

But I think next year, there’s a smaller local 15k the day before and so I think I may take a break from this 10 miler.

Positives:

• Ample parking at the start and finish.
• Real restrooms at Mabee Farm
• Bag check
• Well marked course.
• Varied scenery including river views
• Lots of course marshals
• Shuttle to the start (if needed).
• Well organized.
• A lot of pre-race information.
• Familiar faces
• Decent Post-race food.
• Race shirt optional for more money
• Cool medal.
• Free Beer (in Druthers)
• Free photos
• Immediate results (and live tracking)
• Firepits post race.
• Live music post race.

Negatives:

• My slow finish time due to lots of walking.
• If it were hot, I would have wanted more than 3 water stops.
• The rain!!!!!!
• Crowded due to post race events moved inside

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

It was super well-organized. Special attention was paid to EVERY detail. It will be even more fun when the weather is warmer/sunny and runners could hang out before and after the race comfortably.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

5k on May 30.

Happy Running! Have you run a 10 mile race? What is your favorite distance? Are you planning to run a long race this summer? Please share.