CALGARY, Alberta — Nate Keeve and Hannah Martin from the Glenville-based Jason Morris Judo Center put together fantastic performances and earned bronze medals in the Pan Am/Oceania Judo Championships, Sept. 15-16 at the Calgary Olympic Park.
The win was Martin’s fourth 63 kg medal at Pan Ams in her career, having won bronzes in 2013, 2017, and 2019. Martin’s only loss was an overtime thriller to eventual champ, Katharina Haecker, in the semifinal. Martin also had a big win against longtime rival and two-time Pan Am Champ, Maylin Del Toro Carvajal, to tie up their head-to-head series 2-2. Martin gained valuable points on the Olympic qualifying list, moving up 8 spots to #32.
Keeve scored his second 100 kg overall bronze at the Pan Ams, finishing his run off with a significant first time win over Rafael Buzacarini in the bronze medal match. Keeve jumps 20 slots to #39 to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
Both Keeve and Martin are on remarkable comebacks. Keeve missed a year having to repair a torn ACL in August 2021, and Martin had a baby girl, Zoey, in May 2021.
Alex Knauf placed fifth at 90 kg and Ari Berliner took seventh for the JMJC at 66 kg to earn valuable world ranking points. Berliner is also on a successful comeback from ACL surgery he had in August 2022. Kell Berliner, Melissa Myers, and Nicole Stout all fought well but were eliminated in the first round to close out the JMJC participation at this year’s Pan Ams.
Athletes from the Jason Morris Judo Center have now won 26 Pan Am medals in its 23-year history, as well as having now placed at least one athlete on the Pan Am team for 20 straight years. The JMJC has placed four athletes on the team 7 times and had three athletes 5 times. Ari Berliner, Keeve, Knauf & Martin also represent the New York Athletic Club.
“All the kids performed well under high level pressure and I couldn’t be prouder of them” said four-time Olympian & JMJC Owner Jason Morris in a press release. Morris is also a long time member of the NYAC.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Registration is going on now for winter programs at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, and includes programs such as basketball, boxing, curling, ice skating and figure skating lessons, and volleyball.
Visit saratogarec.com for complete information and a registration link. Contact the Recreation Department at 518-587-3550, ext. 2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions.
Pickleball Workshops
The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department hosts pickleball workshops throughout the year for a variety of interests and expertise. Everyone aged 18+ is welcome to participate. Visit SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Pickleball Workshops for complete information and to register.
Begin Your Ice Skating Journey with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department
Intro to Ice Skating introduces skaters age 3 to adults to the world of ice skating, and prepares a skater for advancement to figure skating, hockey, or speed skating.
Begin Your Figure Skating Journey with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department
Fundamentals of Figure Skating introduces skaters to the athleticism and artistry of figure skating, and prepares a skater for advancement to various figure skating disciplines.
Visit SaratogaRec.com and click Programs, Ice Skating lessons for complete information and to register.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA has announced that through its financial assistance program, over $80,000 was raised for youths attending the YMCA’s day camps throughout the summer.
Over 250 children attended the YMCA’s summer camps each week during the summer, according to a press release from the Y. The release thanks the YMCA’s donors for their support.
“The Y is happy to welcome children of all backgrounds into our summer camp and give them a sense of community and lighthearted fun with their peers. It is the most gratifying thing we can do,” said Scott Clark, CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, in the release. “This is our mission–being a safe haven for all, regardless of their ability to pay. The diversity of our Y makes us healthier and stronger as a community and I’m so grateful to all our generous benefactors who are the ones who make this possible.”
In addition to the financial assistance program, the YMCA also partners with organizations including the Saratoga County Department of Social Services, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, and the Franklin Community Center, the release states.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Saratoga Regional YMCA. The Y recognizes that the backstretch families are a vital part of the Saratoga community.” said Nick Caras, Program Director of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, in the release. “This partnership provides our kids with a fun and new experience while spending their summer upstate. I cannot say enough about the Y and how they make our families feel welcome and included in not only their organization, but the greater community.”
The YMCA stated in the release it expects to give over $800,000 in financial assistance this year for a variety of services and programs. To learn more about its financial assistance program, visit srymca.org or call 518-583-9622.
Members of the Saratoga Springs 1977-1978 varsity boys basketball team, from left: Mark Hotaling, Daniel Rivers, Rick Williams, Damian Fantauzzi, Buddy Clarke, Rich Johns, Brad Ewing, Steve Didziulis, Willie Doherty and Jimmy Gant (Photo provided by Rich Johns).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — 45 years later, one of the best teams from Saratoga Springs High School to take the hardwood reunited.
A reunion of the 1977-78 Saratoga varsity boys basketball team was held Sept. 2, with several players and coaches gathering from the team that captured the Foothills Council Championship, and went unbeaten until a one-point loss to Niskayuna in the Section 2 Class A Championship game.
“What a wonderful group of men,” said then-Saratoga varsity assistant coach Rich Johns of the reunion in a Facebook post. “A ton of laughs and a closeness that can’t be matched. Thank you all for the great memories.”
BURNT HILLS — Early on a Sunday morning, the fields at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School were packed, a result of the growth seen by the Mohawk Youth Field Hockey League since its inception in 2011.
Sponsored by the Mohawk Field Hockey Club, the Mohawk Youth League was started by Saratoga varsity field hockey head coach Jo-Anne Hostig, BH-BL varsity coach Kelly Vrooman, and then-Shenendehowa varsity coach Jeanne Frevola. Over a decade after its beginnings, the league has grown tremendously, providing more opportunities in the sport for athletes across the area.
“It is awesome,” said Hostig at the Play Day hosted by BH-BL. “It’s getting the sticks into their hands sooner, and it’s getting them to have fun, and getting them to learn about working as a team. It’s been a nice thing.”
The youth league is hosting four ‘Play Days’ throughout the fall, each hosted by a different school district. Saratoga Springs, Shenendehowa, and Johnstown also have hosted or will host a ‘Play Day’ this year.
The days are exactly what the name suggests, providing numerous opportunities for athletes and teams to compete in scrimmages. The Mohawk Youth League’s ‘Play Days’ offers a division for fifth and sixth-graders, and a division for third and fourth grade.
In its initial year, the youth league had 11 teams, said Hostig. This year, there are nearly 40 teams from a variety of area schools. In addition to Saratoga Springs, BH-BL, Shen, and Johnstown, the youth league also includes teams from districts such as Bethlehem, Shaker, Guilderland, Hoosick Falls, South Glens Falls, Scotia-Glenville, Gloversville, and more.
The fifth/sixth division played on the turf at BH-BL’s Centennial Field, while the younger division played on the adjacent grass fields. Each team plays four 20-minute games during a ‘Play Day’, Hostig said.
“Most teams probably have, like, ten (players) on a team,” Hostig said. “So they sub in and out for the 20 minutes.”
Hostig said the upper division had over 20 teams, and the lower division had 18. The Saratoga program brought five teams to the ‘Play Day’ at Burnt Hills, with Hostig noting the league has had a strong impact on area varsity programs, including the Blue Streaks.
“So for the youth coming into it, it used to be that they were kind of beginning. Now, it’s like they’re continuing on,” Hostig said. “Almost all the teams that are here, their impact for their school program is helping them tremendously. It’s already having the sticks in their hands, it’s already knowing what patterns are, what offense and defense is. It’s helping our field hockey program in the area, in general.”
The SSHS field hockey program is strong in numbers, with nearly 50 players in total. The program currently has two modified teams, with Hostig saying that likely over half of the players on each of those teams came through the youth league.
“It definitely is helping us,” said Hostig. “It’s transferring now into it. They’re staying with our sport.”
She also noted that many athletes from the various high schools also assist with the Play Days, including serving as referees for the scrimmages.
“We’re trying to have them give back and learn, and make our sport grow more,” said Hostig.
Another impactful aspect for Hostig is watching her former players grow through the years, and advance to the next level. This includes Lindsey Frank, who Hostig said played in the youth league’s inaugural season, and is currently playing at Northwestern University.
Frank transferred to Northwestern after four years at the University of Richmond, where she twice led the team in points, according to the Northwestern Athletics site. Hostig also taught Frank in elementary school, she said.
“I knew she was just an athlete,” Hostig said. “She got into fourth grade, and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m starting a youth program and you’re in.’ … Now she’s in her last year, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, we’ve come a long way since then.’”
Another such player is Kelsey Briddell, who played at UAlbany and eventually joined the U.S. National Women’s Field Hockey team.
Hostig said the field hockey community is tight-knit, noting many area teams have shown support for Saratoga field hockey alum Olivia Allen, a 2023 graduate who was diagnosed with cancer in June, according to a GoFundMe page in support of Allen and her family. Several area teams have given gifts, while other teams have worn ribbons in their hair during a game in support, Hostig said.
“It’s been really nice to see that,” said Hostig.
Burnt Hills’ Play Day also included a stand raising money for a ‘Stick It to Cancer’ fundraiser with the American Cancer Society. Saratoga will host its annual ‘Pink Game’ on Oct. 6 against Shenendehowa, with this year’s game raising money in support of Allen, said Hostig.
Again emphasizing the community connection around the sport, Hostig also mentioned that several of her former players have eventually returned to help with the program, including JV head coach Marissa Folts, varsity assistant Sara Marshall, JV volunteer coach Kylie Folts, and modified volunteer coach Jen Allen.
“We all know each other,” said Hostig of the area field hockey community. “It’s a sense of family, and a sense of community, that we’re building and encouraging.”
The Schuylerville varsity football team moved to 4-0 with a dominant 48-0 win over Rensselaer on Sept. 22. Five different players scored a rushing touchdown for the Black Horses, led by Rosevald Delair, who had two rushing touchdowns and a 4-yard touchdown reception. Martin Flanders Jr., Landen Cumm, Ben VanVeghten, and Max Montgomery also had rushing scores for Schuylerville, who forced three fumbles on defense. The Black Horses next travel to face Watervliet at 7 p.m. on Friday.
(9/22) Saratoga 18, Guilderland 10
The Saratoga Springs varsity football team moved to 2-2 on the season with an 18-10 victory over Guilderland in a Suburban Council matchup on Sept. 22. Camden Rhude ran for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Christian Mello also added a rushing TD, according to stats posted by the team on Hudl. Jack Rigabar threw for 122 yards, and found Brady Mills for a touchdown pass. The Blue Streaks host Schenectady at 7 p.m. on Friday.
BOYS SOCCER
(9/23) SARATOGA 4, BURNT HILLS 0
Powered by a hat trick from Ryan Farr, the Saratoga Springs varsity boys soccer team cruised to a 4-0 win over Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake on Saturday. James Hope also scored a goal for the Blue Streaks, with Owen Winter adding two assists. Andrew Spain also recorded an assist in the victory.
(9/25) Schuylerville 1, Johnstown 1
The Schuylerville varsity boys soccer team battled Johnstown to a 1-1 tie in Foothills Council action on Monday. Willem Foster scored on a penalty kick in the early minutes of the game to give the Black Horses a 1-0 lead, but Kayden Buyce tied the game in the second half for Johnstown. Griffin Brophy made five saves in goal for Schuylerville.
(9/26) Saratoga 1, Shaker 1
In a battle between a pair of unbeaten teams, both the Saratoga Springs and Shaker varsity boys soccer teams emerged without a loss on Tuesday, battling to a 1-1 tie in Suburban Council action. Xavier Ruscio scored for the Blue Streaks, while Kofi Sarfoh scored a goal for the Blue Bison.
(9/26) Schuylerville 5, Hudson Falls 3
The Schuylerville varsity boys soccer team hit the road on Tuesday and returned home with a win, defeating Hudson Falls 5-3 in a Foothills Council contest. Alex Renner had a hat trick for the Black Horses, scoring three goals in the win, while Nate Lanfear and Parker Bendon also added goals. Lanfear also recorded an assist, with Corey Cottrell, Connor Battle, and Trevor French also picking up assists. Griffin Brophy made one save in goal for Schuylerville (4-4-1 overall, 3-3-1 Foothills).
GIRLS SOCCER
(9/23) Saratoga 0, Burnt Hills 0
The Saratoga Springs varsity girls soccer team battled to a scoreless tie in Suburban Council action against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake on Saturday. Olivia Goodman made six saves in goal for the Blue Streaks, who move to 4-2-2 on the season.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (9/25) MECHANICVILLE 3, SARATOGA CATHOLIC 0 – The Saratoga Catholic varsity girls volleyball team fell to Mechanicville in straight sets, 25-12, 25-7, 25-13, on Monday. Emery Moser had four kills for the Saints, while Ryan McDonald and Margaret Crowe each had three kills in the loss.
(9/22) STILLWATER 3, SCHUYLERVILLE 0
The Schuylerville varsity girls volleyball team dropped a non-league contest to Stillwater, 25-22, 25-18, 25-23, on Sept. 22. Sophia Wahl had four kills for the Black Horses, while Madisyn Awilow had eight digs. Kyerra Garmley added seven assists and three kills in the loss for Schuylerville.
FIELD HOCKEY
(9/22) Saratoga 1, Shaker 0
The Saratoga Springs varsity field hockey team earned a 1-0 shutout victory over Shaker in Suburban Council action on Friday. Mia Khazin scored the lone goal of the game in the second quarter off an assist by Maddy Miller. Lily Wilborn made five saves in goal for the Blue Streaks.
BOYS GOLF
(9/26) Saratoga 165, Shaker 166
The Saratoga Springs varsity boys golf team held off Shaker for a one-point victory at McGregor Links Country Club on Tuesday. Charles Greiner II shot a team-best 40 for the Blue Streaks, followed by Cole Whitman (41), Thomas Bundy (41), and Carter Sica (43). Kieran Cummins shot a match-best 37 in the loss for Shaker.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Two members of the Alliance NEBJJ team, part of the larger Saratoga Academy of Martial Arts at Ndakinna Education Center, came up big at the 2023 World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Las Vegas.
Kristen LeClair won a gold medal in the Master 4 Blue Belt Light-Feather division, while Dan Ladd earned a bronze medal in the Master 1 Brown Belt Ultra-Heavy division.
The event was part of the larger Jiu-Jitsu CON, which gathered 11,000 attendees in total, becoming the largest jiu-jitsu event in history, according to a press release from IBJJF.
LeClair said the experience was “crazy.”
“That whole experience was really cool,” LeClair said. “Just the atmosphere was really energetic, and really cool to be there. That many mats lined up, and that many people competing, it was awesome.”
“It was truly an eye-opening experience,” Ladd added. “Especially the magnitude of talent that was there. Being a new brown (belt), I felt like I didn’t belong, but this whole tournament was eye-opening. … It was probably the best thing I’ve ever been around in a grappling sense.”
The World Masters are world championships for ages 30 and up, said Jim Bruchac, Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts head instructor. Ladd, a brown belt, competed in the Master 1 division (ages 30-35), while LeClair, a blue belt at the time, competed in Master 4 (ages 45-50).
While LeClair’s division was small in numbers, it had no shortage of competition, including Angela Christene May, who entered the tournament ranked #1 in the division worldwide, Bruchac said.
LeClair advanced to the championship with a dominant 26-0 win in the semifinals, and beat Laura Elizabeth Kotcher 5-0 in the championship match to earn her gold medal. With the gold medal finish, she became the top-ranked competitor in her division worldwide, said Bruchac.
LeClair also did not allow an opponent to record even a single point against her between both the World Masters and the New York International Open, which was held in August, Bruchac said. In addition to the gold, she earned another prize, receiving a promotion to purple belt following the victory.
“We were going to schedule to test her,” said Bruchac. “Usually, Alliance, we test people. We have international curriculum, certain criteria for each rank.”
However, after the victory, LeClair received her purple belt at a celebration with fellow team members.
“I ended up doing the whole speech about how we’re testing people at the end of the month, and Alliance has these standards, we need to meet certain things for rank,” Bruchac said. “And obviously, we’re not going to test you unless you’re ready. And then I basically just said, ‘Sometimes, winning the Worlds is test enough.’”
Making the victory even more impressive was the fact that LeClair entered the tournament with a broken toe, which she said was taped.
For Ladd, he had been a purple belt for several years, but was promoted to brown belt roughly two and a half months before the World Masters, Bruchac said. Entering the tournament, he had not competed at an IBJJF tournament since he was a blue belt, a level below purple.
Ladd won his first match, 5-0, and earned a 6-4 victory in his second matchup. And while Ladd lost in the semifinals, his loss came against Nsima Abasi Inyang, the eventual champion in his division.
Bruchac referred to it as “a good loss,” noting that Inyang submitted all of his opponents leading up to the finals, and that Ladd had been a brown belt for a much shorter time than many of his opponents.
“Some of these guys have been brown belts for years, too, and have competed a ton more,” Bruchac said.
But competing wasn’t Ladd’s only role at the tournament. He also coached LeClair, helping her earn her gold-medal finish.
“He’s an awesome coach,” LeClair said.
“Talk about karma,” added Bruchac. “He ended up getting his well-deserved bronze, and he coached her to gold.”
Ladd’s coaching role is just another example of the community aspect of the Alliance team and the Saratoga Academy as a whole. LeClair and her husband, Ryan, who also trains with Alliance NEBJJ, helped sponsor Ladd and pay for his travels to the tournament, Bruchac said.
“This place is a family. It really is,” said Ladd. “I have made lifelong connections here.”
While LeClair was dominant at the World Masters, she credited the victory to the team as a whole.
“This accomplishment is definitely part of this team,” said LeClair. “(We have) the greatest coaches, the greatest teammates. I’m usually the oldest and the smallest on the mat, and they know exactly how to test me and push me.”
Ladd said his bronze-medal finish came with a feeling of “validation.”
“I feel like I can compete with most people as long as I’m in a good mindframe. It doesn’t matter the rank,” Ladd said. “I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t for (LeClair and Bruchac). Not only being there financially … but supporting me on and off the mat.”
Alliance, which consists of teams around the world, captured the male team championship overall at the World Masters for the second year in a row, said Bruchac, and finished second in the female team championship.
And though this year was the first appearance at World Masters for both athletes, Ladd said it will not be their last. Bruchac noted that 11-year-old Raymond Melancon IV also competed in Jiu-Jitsu CON’s youth division, coming just short of earning a medal. Bruchac said they hope to bring more youth division competitors to the event in future years, and added that the pair of medalists have inspired him to return to the event as well.
“Yeah, definitely going to go back next year,” LeClair added. “Hopefully we’ll bring a good team.”
“As a team, I think we’re just going to continue to do what we do,” Ladd said. “We have a curriculum here that is based for success and proven track record, not only with just us, but with the system itself. I think the tournament team next year will be tremendous improvement in the sense of size and skill.”
SCHUYLERVILLE —The Schuylerville varsity football team is off to a strong start in 2023, and has their sights set high. However, head coach John Bowen said the Black Horses are simply focused on “winning this day.”
After an appearance in the Section II Class C Championship in 2022, the Black Horses have stampeded out of the gates this season, earning wins in each of their first three games.
Schuylerville opened the year with a 34-32 victory over Fonda-Fultonville, earning a 40-0 victory over Cobleskill-Richmondville in Week One before moving to 3-0 with a 46-21 win over Johnstown last week.
In the season opener against Fonda, the Black Horses built a 20-0 lead before the Braves rallied back. Eventually trailing 32-27, a touchdown pass from Luke Sherman to Sam Dwyer proved to be the game winner for Schuylerville. Bowen said the season-opening win was “a good test for both our squads of what our kids are made of.”
“We were certainly happy with the boys’ resilience,” said Bowen of the Week Zero win. “I just was very happy with the way that our guys got up off the mat. We played very poorly at the back half of the fourth quarter, and Fonda certainly took advantage of big situations, and made big plays. We just had to find one more big play at the end of that game, and Luke Sherman and the rest of the crew, Sam Dwyer, just did a fantastic job of doing that.”
Bowen said the team has a strong group of returning players, including Sherman and Dwyer. He also made note of Martin Flanders, Jr., and three-year starters Landen Cumm, Chase DeLisle, and Josh Bowen.
“Martin is certainly going to be someone here at the end of the year that I think people are going to look back on and recognize how good of a season he had,” Bowen said. “(Landen is) going to be a guy that we’re going to put a lot of emphasis on there as well.”
The Black Horses have utilized a strong running attack thus far, with Bowen also highlighting the team’s offensive line, consisting of Drew Carpenter, DeLisle, Josh Merrill, Josh Bowen, and Sam Renner.
Bowen said the coaching staff has emphasized the “brotherhood” of the team, getting them to play for each other.
“It’s something that we’ve really tried to put an onus on,” said Bowen. “Getting out of that individualistic mindset, and really finding a larger cause, that being the brotherhood, and the team.”
And while Bowen acknowledged that a return to the Class C title game is a “long-term goal,” he said the Black Horses are just looking to take things day by day.
“We talk every day about winning this day,” Bowen said. “Today, we’re going to go out to practice, and that’s going to be our sole and primary focus, is winning today’s practice. If we put a whole bunch of those types of practices together, Friday nights are going to start to take care of themselves. And then whatever happens beyond the regular season … No matter what’s presented to us, we feel if we take that approach, we’ll be prepared for it.”
Tail of the Fish 2022. Photo courtesy of Saratoga Rowing Association
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Fall season opening regatta, the 2023 Tail of the Fish, will be held Saturday, Sept. 23 on Saratoga Lake at Fish Creek, Saratoga Springs.
The regatta is a 3000m stake turn race for local teams in the capital region. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Cost is free to spectators.
Slated for next month will be the Head of the Fish regatta, one of the largest regattas in the country, scheduled for Oct. 28-29 and will also be held at Fish Creek (Saratoga Lake Boat Launch), Saratoga Springs.
For more information visit regatta.saratogarowing.com
Nora Ann Pitts. Her parents Julie Niles and Mark Pitts, along with friends and family, participate in the Great Pumpkin Challenge each year while wearing bunny ears as a nod to this photo of Nora (Photo provided by Julie Niles and Mark Pitts).
Niles and Pitts’ team pictured at the 2022 Great Pumpkin Challenge (Photo provided by Saratoga Bridges).
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Bridges’ 23rd annual Great Pumpkin Challenge returns on Sept. 30, helping to raise money for Saratoga Bridges’ programs and staff.
But for one family and their friends, the event is also a special opportunity for remembrance.
In 2002, Julie Niles and Mark Pitts lost their daughter, Nora Ann Pitts, to complications of mitochondrial disease just before her third birthday. Several years later, when Caroline, their oldest daughter, began showing an interest in 5K races, the family said they eventually discovered the Great Pumpkin Challenge.
In the years since, they have been joined by friends and family at the annual event, wearing bunny ears while they run or walk in remembrance of Nora. The bunny ears are a nod to a photo of Nora that they said is meaningful to them.
“More and more people wanted to be a part of it, our friends and family,” said Niles. “Some years, we might have 20-plus people running with the ears. It’s just become a really nice way, for our friends and family, one way that they show support for us and they remember Nora.”
They credited their friend, Paige Allen, for the idea of running and walking with the bunny ears. The event also typically falls close to Nora’s birthday, Oct. 25, although this year’s event was moved to an earlier date due to construction in the State Park, said Pamela Polacsek, Development and Foundation Director of Saratoga Bridges.
In addition to honoring and remembering Nora, the team’s participation also supports Saratoga Bridges.
“Given Nora’s condition, she passed away from complications of mitochondrial disease. It was a disease that took little pieces away from her,” Pitts said. “She was getting physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy. It kind of parallels what Saratoga Bridges offers. Had she survived, she probably would’ve been a part of this community.”
Pitts and Niles also have a son, Murdock. They credited their friends and family for their support, including Allen, who they said has helped organize the team through the years.
“It’s really been our friends and family that have kept it going,” said Niles. “It isn’t driven by us, but we, of course, are really happy to participate.”
They noted that friends and family have traveled from all over to participate through the years, including from Boston as well as states such as Virginia and New Hampshire.
Others who have experienced losses have also been included in the group, Niles said.
“We’ve kind of incorporated other people who’ve had losses at the same time, and try to remember them as we walk,” Niles said.
While many participating in the race do so in costume to celebrate the Halloween season, Pitts, Niles, and their friends and family can be spotted throughout the crowd of participants by the bunny ears they wear.
“It’s a good atmosphere at the race,” Niles said. “It’s a very simple costume, but you have people spread throughout the race. You see clumps of us here and there.”
“We have the bunny ears on for one purpose, and everybody else is dressed up for Halloween,” added Pitts. “Occasionally, we’ve had people that have asked, ‘What’s up?’”
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 30, the Great Pumpkin Challenge offers both a 5K and 10K, as well as a Kids’ Fun Run. The events are NET-chip timed, and begin at the Columbia Pavilion in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers. The event also includes costume and pumpkin contests, as well as giveaways, food, and refreshments, according to a press release.
Registration is $30, and available at saratogabridges.org. Online registration will close at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. In-person registration will be offered Sept. 27 and 28 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., and Sept. 29 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 16 Saratoga Bridges Blvd in Ballston Spa, the release states.
A virtual option is also offered for $30. Funds raised by the Great Pumpkin Challenge support Saratoga Bridges’ underfunded or unfunded programs and activities, such as the Creative Endeavors Arts Center, in addition to supporting staff, said Polacsek.
Pitts and Niles said their group has also grown along with the Great Pumpkin Challenge through the years, with Niles saying it has now become “this big community of friends.”
“It’s so needed in the community,” said Niles of Saratoga Bridges’ programs. “We’re just so blessed to have a great circle of friends and family that support us, and the whole of Saratoga Bridges.”
