OCT. 3, 2026

The 5th year for this race.  A downhill course.  A familiar route!! Only several miles from my home.

How could I not sign up again??

If I parked at the start, I could run back to my car after the race to get in some extra miles so it could count as my weekly long run. (No big race on the horizon until a 15k on Nov 9.)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Not much preparation for this 5k…

I ran a 10k last weekend

I did get in a few short runs during the work week:

Here is the description of the race from the website:

The race extends from the Hilton Barn area of New Scotland to the finish line across the bridge in Slingerlands. The race kicks off the Fall Fest at the Slingerlands trailhead that will feature live musical performances, food trucks and vendors, as well as fun games and activities as participants come down the home stretch. Shuttle service will be available. T-shirts and one free meal ticket for all participants. Awards for top 3 overall Male/Female. 

the “Barn” in previous years

the “refurbished” barn

the rail trail

the Bridge

Slingerlands parking lot and the race finish!

Race Day:

I had my standard breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. I guess I’m a creature of habit.

Since the race didn’t start until 11 am, my plan was park at the start, run the 5k race, hang out with friends and then run back to my car… that would be my long run.

Perfect, right?

Since I ran this race four times already, I was familiar with the course (as pictured below)

Race Course (according the web site)

There was no elevation chart but now I have one from my Garmin:

actually a very gradual downhill  -100 ft total descent from beginning to end.

With an 11 am start, you would think I’d have plenty of time to get there early to get parking…

Last minute snafu was that I had decided to rehome my newest kitty and I had to deliver her to her new home that morning…

So it was a rush to get to the start…

The parking lot was full and I had to drive around the neighborhoods to eventually find a spot.

Luckily I had asked my friend Heidi in advance to get my bib.

Phew.

I bumped into many friends. We chatted and took a few pics. With the “new” barn, there were also real restrooms 🙂

The weather was beautiful like 2022, 2024 and 2025…

Unlike three years ago when it RAINED!!

There’s not much to tell with only 3.1 miles but here’s what I remember.

Can it be called a “race” recap if I didn’t race? LOL.

Mile 1: 

This race was chip timed so it didn’t matter where I started.  And there were not going to be any age group awards for me.

So I stood just somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Although it was advertised as starting at the barn and going downhill from there on the rail trail, you actually had to run around the nearby neighborhood (in order to get to 3.1 miles by the parking lot).

At first, my feet felt like I was running in cement boots and my pace was very slow…

And running through the neighborhood, it was not down hill yet…It didn’t seem to bother the leaders.  Many were running at a 5 minute pace and some UNDER!

The only positive part about circling the neighborhood was that I could run the tangents…

Eventually you did enter the rail trail and yes, it was oh so slightly downhill but at least there were no uphills.

Soon my legs loosened up and I was able to up my pace…

As you know I always use the Run/Walk/Run method. I was hoping to just run it all… but nope by the end of mile 1, I had to walk…

Mile 2: 

I believe the first year, there were no water stops but this year there was one around mile 2.

It started to feel very summer-like.  I was thirsty and so I stopped for a drink.

I think I walked again too by the end of this mile.

Mile 3 – 3.1: 

I started to tire during the last mile and my pace slowed even more…

Eventually you could hear the crowd cheering (there was little crowd support on the course at all due to being on the rail trail.  I walked one more time as we approached the bridge.

I could see the finish line ahead and sprinted through it as Josh (the RD) called my name. I saw 31:XX on the clock… (wish I was faster but pretty good considering my training.)

Post Race Activities:

I was reunited at the finish line by Barb & Laurie. We stayed to cheer Heidi in.

Next we entered the park to get water and our race shirts.

We also bumped into Karen (whom I hadn’t seen in ages.)

This race was also part of a Fall Festival put on by the county.

There were information tables (they even gave out many freebies.)

My running friends went to get some food from the food trucks…and so I joined them.  The wait was much shorter than previous years (I think they had more food trucks.)

As part of our $10 race entry fees, we got an entree, side and a drink.  I chose a cheeseburger and fries and ate while listening to the live music.

I also got to hang out a bit with my college BFF.

Soon they announced the awards: top 3 overall (with amazing under 5 min/mi times) and top 3 in each age group: 0-17, 18-25, 36-55, 56-100. Yup, weird groups.  But my friend Laurie did win in the last group.

Unfortunately I needed to get back to my car… a LONG 3 miles away and now uphill.  Heidi was nice enough to carry my bag of freebies/shirt.

I had to rush home to get to a fundraiser:

yes, a cat-themed day. I adopted one of my cats through them

Additional Race Reflections:

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. If I am around, I will probably run it again next year.

The past few years, I’ve mostly focused on half marathons but maybe next year, I will try to work on my 5k speed. (Hey, I think I say that every year. LOL)

I doubt I’ll ever PR again. But I’d like to go back to sub-30 finish times.  But I need to either train to get faster or pace myself better so I don’t die during the last mile.

However, I am happy to be healthy, to be running regularly and interacting with others.

If my race times slow down, so be it.

Positives:

• Well organized
• Participant guide provided beforehand
• Inexpensive ($10)
• I had a $10 off coupon from a age group award (race was totally free for me!)
• Well marked course
• Shuttle to the start from the finish and vice versa.
• Cute race shirts
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Downhill course
• Immediate results
• One free meal/drink ticket for all participants.
• Many freebies including flavored vodka tasting
• Entertainment after.

Negatives:

• I could run here for FREE!
• Late start (11 am)
• Weird age group award categories
• No photos

Would I recommend this race?

Yes!!  A fun one, for sure

A good race to try for a 5K PR.

Final Stats:

Another course PW:

2022: 27:41
2023: 28:26
2024: ran/walked w/friends
2025: 31:09
2026: 31:10

But hey, a 5k PR for 2026!!

• Race of Hope 5k  – 32:15
• Tropicool 5k – 31:23
• Run for Women 5k – 33:02
• Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k – 35:18
• Keep MOO’ving 5k – 36:37
• Silks and Satins 5k – 31:34

Grateful for small victories!

Next Up:

another 5k (and a hilly one)

Oct. 24, 2026

Happy Running! Run a 5k race lately?  Do you enjoy 5ks? Are you creative about fitting in a race around a long run? Do you still try for PRs? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs