SARATOGA SPRINGS — With the continued realities of social distancing stemming from the worldwide coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), officials at Saratoga Springs’ Firecreacker4 Road Race today announced that the 14th edition’s in-person events on Saturday, July 4 has been cancelled and a Virtual 4-Mile option offered to those interested.

The Firecracker4 is offering three options to the participants who have already registered:
1) Switch to the Virtual 4-Mile 2) Donate their race entry fee to the event’s charity partners (and receive a commemorative 2020 race t-shirt), or 3) defer to the 2021 event at no additional charge. 

“Over the last 14 years this event has become an Independence Day tradition in the Capital Region and one of the largest 4th of July road races in the US.  We understand how much this event means not only to the runners, but also the city of Saratoga Springs and the charities we help support,” said Event Director Patrick Lynskey.  “However, our number one priority is always the health and well-being of our community, including runners, volunteers, sponsors, police, fire and city staff. Even though New York state is starting to open up, it is clear that there are just too many unknows to gather thousands of people in close quarters on July 4th.”

Lynskey added: “due to the popularity of the Firecracker4 and generosity of our participants we have been able to donate more than $300,000 to local charities over the years and we hope this year will be no different.  As a result, we will offer a Virtual Firecracker4 4-Mile run for those who would like to participate.  Our Virtual 4-Mile run is a great way for runners to continue their Independence Day running or walking tradition and accomplish a personal goal, while supporting the event’s local charities — The Veterans Business Council Scholarship Program, Pitney Meadows Community Farm Trails Project, The Streaks Running Club Inc,  Racing City Running Club and The Children’s Museum at Saratoga.”

Those interested in signing up for the Virtual 4-Mile run can do so online through Sunday, June 7 at midnight. Registration is $30 and there will be no further price increases. All Virtual 4-Mile participants will receive a 14th annual virtual Firecracker4 soft tech t-shirt, a bib and finisher’s certificate that can be printed out at home, and a commemorative finishers’ medal. These items will be mailed to participants by July 4. 

Virtual 4-Mile participants will be asked to complete a four-mile run by themselves following CDC and New York state-mandated social distancing guidelines between Sunday, June 28 at 6 a.m. through Saturday, July 11 at 11 p.m. 

“You can run your four miles anywhere.  If you have a four-mile route in your neighborhood, you can run on that course and it will count,” said Lynskey, adding that all participants will receive an email with detailed instructions a few days before the start date. “We will provide links on our website to several local certified four-mile courses that can be used to complete the virtual run, as well as some suggestions for other areas such as the Zim Smith Trail or Corning Preserve that will work.  Once participants complete their four-mile run, they will be asked to submit their times via the link provided to them along with a photo of their watch/GPS/RaceJoy results. All times must be submitted by Saturday, July 11 at 11 p.m. Results will then be compiled and posted online at firecracker4.com.

“The focus of our virtual runs isn’t about winning,” added Lynskey. “It’s about staying active, celebrating our strengths and supporting our local community.  So, while we will not be gathering en-masse this July 4th at the City Center for that big start down Broadway and post-race party, we can all run or walk four miles wherever we are and help others in the process and that is something to feel good about.”

All participants in the Virtual 4-Mile will be entered to win various giveaways from area merchants and sponsors. Prizes include gift certificates, swag from Michelob Ultra, 30min sessions in the Normatech Recovery Room and foot massage gift certificates courtesy of Fleet Feet Sports, Power Surge protein butters from Power House Athletics and an array of other products or services.

“We will be creating packages full of great stuff that runners want, need and will love and will be doing weekly drawings starting in early June. We are enthusiastic about making the best of it and hope people will join us.” 

Photos provided.

Return to the rhythm of nature while gliding through the lily pads and coasting along the sparkling, sunlit water.

Let your tension melt away with a visit to Fish Creek, a world away from it all, where the gentle sounds of songbirds and splashing fish are reminders of the enduring wellness that surrounds you.

The Kayak Shak on Stafford’s Bridge Road opened for the season on May 20th, just as the pleasant weather was beginning to shine its sunny face on the gentle waterway that connects Saratoga Lake to the Hudson River in Schuylerville.

“It worked out very nicely for everybody. This was the only place to be,” said the Kayak Shak’s manager, Suzanne Carpenter. 

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Getting out onto the water in a kayak or paddleboard is ideal for following this year’s social-distancing guidelines, but the Kayak Shak is taking additional steps to ensure they are offering a safe experience for everyone.

Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Go: 

• Limited Launches. To control crowding and keep things flowing steadily, the Kayak Shak is allowing 10 watercrafts to launch every 15 minutes. Guests are requested to arrive no more than 10 minutes early. To discourage gathering, no tables, chairs, or hammocks have been set up this year. Small groups will be allowed. SUP Yoga classes have been cancelled. 

• Reservations are highly encouraged. Before you head to the water for a day of fun, call or book a launching time online. By paying and signing the safety waiver electronically, you help ensure a speedier process time at the check-in window. The building is closed, but the restrooms are open. 

• Wear a Mask. Guests are asked to wear a mask during launch and upon their return to shore. The staff are wearing masks, as well. The watercrafts, lifejackets, and paddles are being cleaned and disinfected after each use. 

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

More than ever, locals are finding that a regular trip to the Kayak Shak is a great way to spend their free time. 

“Come out and enjoy the summer by being out on the water. We provide some excitement and a chance for people to learn something new – they’re so grateful for that,” said Carpenter

The Kayak Shak has 85 kayaks and 74 paddleboards available for rent. They also offer watercraft storage for those with their own boats who want to use this access point to reach the water. A limited number of storage slips are still available. There is a launch fee of $10/boat. 

If you need to cancel or reschedule a reservation and provide at least 24 hours’ notice of the change before your launch time, you will be given a full refund.

The Kayak Shak, 251 County Route 67, Saratoga Springs, is open 7 days/week, 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Single kayaks and paddleboard rentals are $25/person for 3 hours or $45/person for 6 hours. Double kayaks are $50/half day or $85/full day rental. For more information and to make a reservation, call 518-587-9788 or go to www.kayakshak.com

Everybody in the family is ready for an outing and Airway Meadows Golf Club in Gansevoort is teed up to serve them.

“Our conditions are outstanding this year. There was not too much rain in the spring, the greens look wonderful, and the fairways are really outstanding,” said Joan Heber, Airway Meadows Vice President and Manager. 

The 18-hole championship course is just 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs in a unique setting that offers views of their black angus beef farm, a plane runway, and quaint covered bridges.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE
To ensure your family has a worry-free day out, special social distancing and cleanliness safety precautions have been put in place this year.

The primary focus of these changes has been to limit contact with others and with the course’s shared equipment. 

NO CONTACT
The club’s tavern is closed, but food and beverages are still being served to-go and most of their regular menu choices are available. 

Touching the flagstick is not permitted, and there are no ball washers or rakes allowed. The holes were temporarily filled with a raised cup but now have a filler cup so the ball still partially rolls in for a more satisfying experience. 

“People don’t seem to mind the changes. They’re happy with what we have and they understand why we’re doing it,” said Heber. 

Professionals disinfected all Airway Meadows carts with Bioprotect, a biodegradable antimicrobial cleaner that provides 90 days of consistent protection against germs, including the Coronavirus. 

After each use, the carts are also washed and disinfected, ensuring they are sanitized and ready for the next golfers. 

NO CLUSTERING
While golf is inherently a no-contact sport, Airway Meadows enforces social distancing guidelines further by maintaining a one person per cart rule, informing patrons that groups must be limited to 10 people or less (until national restrictions indicate otherwise), and manning a starter at the first tee to provide information to players and answer any questions.

NO TOURNAMENTS (FOR NOW)
While Heber is hopeful that groups of up to 50 people will be permitted by mid-summer, almost all of the tournaments that had been scheduled for June have been cancelled. Some groups have rescheduled for later in the season and some have moved their events to the spring and summer of 2021. 

When tournaments begin again, shotgun starts will be replaced with consecutive tee times. Players are asked not to arrive more than 15 minutes before their tee time.

NO WALK-INS
Already a rarity, Airway Meadows is no longer allowing walk-ins. Golfers are asked to book tee times online or over the phone. The Pro Shop is open, but times, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, are filling up fast. 

“You sure want to save a time so you have that spot. It seems like we’re busier this year because there’s not much else kids and parents can do together. We’re seeing higher numbers this year. Plus, playing and walking around here, it’s good exercise,” said Heber.

For more information, go to www.airwaymeadowsgolf.com

MOREAU — Visiting the Moreau Lake State Park is going to require a bit of extra planning this year. With its 6,990 acres of land,  41 miles of hiking trails, and three lakes, Moreau Lake State Park is an excellent spot to enjoy the outdoors while maintaining social distancing during the pandemic. Before you go this summer however, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with the park’s new rules and regulations. 

The New York State Parks Department of Recreation & Historic Preservation establishes these guidelines to ensure the parks are safe for everyone. Updates and additional information can be found at parks.ny.gov/covid19

LIMITED DAY USE

Moreau Lake State Park is open daily, from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Parking has been reduced by 50 percent.  On nice weather days, the park may reach capacity quickly, so getting an early start is key to getting in. Cars parked outside the designated areas, on Old Saratoga Road or Mountain Road, will be ticketed. Park capacity closure alerts are posted on the park’s Facebook page @MoreauLakeStatePark.

The nature center, playground equipment, and concession stands are closed. 

The swimming beach is open daily 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. They do ask that you maintain a six-foot distance from one another and to wear a mask when you are unable to maintain social distance. Those not adhering to these guidelines will be asked to leave. 

Beach-goers are advised to bring their own water and snacks. 

Lifeguards are on duty and have been given COVID-19 informational training. They now carry additional supplies to be able to disinfect equipment and safely help anyone pulled from the water. 

{loadmoduleid 268}

RESERVATION ONLY CAMPING

Campsites and cabins at Moreau Lake State Park are now open to people with existing camping reservations. Restrooms are open, but wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in public areas is required.

A limited number of new camping reservations are being accepted but are expected to fill quickly. To make a reservation, call 1-800-456-CAMP or go to newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. 

New York State Parks is allowing the transfer of existing camping reservations into the 2021 season and will waive the transfer fee until June 11th when completed online. 

New reservations are being accepted for the 2021 season, as well. To avoid long telephone wait times, online reservations are encouraged. 

FREE FISHING JUNE 27 & 28

There are plenty of places to go freshwater fishing in New York’s 70,000 miles of waterways and more than 7,500 lakes and ponds. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encourages everyone to have the opportunity to fish with periodic Free Fishing Days and Weekends throughout the year. The next Free Fishing Weekend, when you can fish without a license, will be on June 27th and 28th. 

Moreau Lake offers access to small, non-motorized boats and its average depth is 32 feet.  According to the DEC, this creates a nice refuge for rainbow trout during the hot summer days. The weedier, shallower northern end is good for large-mouth bass fishing. 

Known as America’s pastime, baseball has gotten us through the tough times. 

Sports, however, including recreational youth baseball, fall into Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan, which means that they will be among the last activities to resume. 

Right now, Saratoga hopes to have at least a partial season.

“We are absolutely hoping to play,” said Joe Rigabar, President of Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball.

THE OUTLOOK

Baseball practices typically begin in April, but now, hopes are that the fields will reopen for play by late June or early July. 

Once they do, baseball still won’t look the same as it has in previous years. 

“It will obviously be different. There’s not going to be six games going on at once with spectators all around. We’ll have to adapt and have some changes but we think it’s important for kids of all ages to get back out there and play at some point,” said Rigabar.

Social distancing and limiting physical contact may mean restricting the number of spectators and the number of kids in the dugout. The concession stand will likely be closed. 

“We’ll do whatever it takes to get the kids out on the field and playing,” he said.

KEEPING BASEBALL ALIVE

While best practices guidelines have been released by several national youth sports organizations, Rigabar said it is not entirely clear what the state, county, and local guidelines for reopening will be. 

Working with other local youth sports representatives, a reopening plan was submitted to local officials, so once they’ve been given the go-ahead, they hope to be able to move very quickly to begin the season, he said.

While they wait, Rigabar’s two sons, ages 12 and 8, have been practicing at home.

“We were pretty excited for this season and when that was taken away from us, there was a lot of sadness. The kids, including my son, Jack, have worked really hard to get to this point, so it’s been really challenging, but we’ve been getting outside almost every day and have been continuing to have fun. We just hope to keep a love of baseball alive for him and for all of his buddies.”

HEALING THE COMMUNITY

Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball is comprised of nearly 500 families, with participants in a Cal Ripken division for younger children, the Babe Ruth Division for ages 12-15, and the Blue Sox travel team. 

Early on, a letter was sent to families letting them know about the delays and offering a refund of registration fees if they had health concerns or were experiencing financial hardships.

“I’ve been very pleasantly surprised. While there were probably some who didn’t register who normally might have, of those that did, only three percent have backed out and asked for a refund of their registration fees,” said Rigabar.

No community sponsors have pulled out either, although the leagues did make the decision not to pursue new small business sponsorships this year. 

“Financially, we’re in a place where baseball can continue. It is important to our kids and our community. People need this and want this.”

Photos provided.

If your kids are climbing the walls, this summer, get them climbing through the trees instead. 

In recent years, West Mountain, already a popular winter sports destination, has been growing as a summer place to play. 

In 2019, they opened an Aerial Adventure Course, consisting of a series of obstacles suspended across six high ropes courses.

This year, the aerial park is included in the new West Mountain Adventure Camps for kids.

THE WEST MOUNTAIN WORKOUT

The West Mountain Adventure Camps will give kids a workout. 

Campers take a scenic ride on the West Express Chairlift to the mountain’s 1,400 ft. summit to explore the High Ropes Aerial Adventure Park, enjoy hiking and mountain biking through miles of trails.

“We will be keeping the kids busy with outdoor activities, games, projects and the adventure courses. Our goal is to keep the kids outside as much as possible,” said West Mountain’s General Manager Sara Montgomery.

{loadmoduleid 268}

SAFELY EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

Even in these tenuous times, kids can safely experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a physical challenge in a beautiful setting.

“Our instructors are very well trained already. We are committed to safety and social distancing,” said Montgomery. 

Divided into small, age-appropriate groups, the campers can test their coordination, strength and balance while building their confidence. 

Suitable for beginners but challenging enough for advanced athletes, strapping on a helmet and securely clipped into a smart harnessing system, they have a chance to bravely explore the five-acres of tree-top courses that include obstacles such as a flying trapeze, log wave, rolling vine, and a cloud sled. 

SUMMER IS OPEN

Even before the camps start, West Mountain is planning to open for summer visitors. 

“The scenic rides, hikes, mountain biking, these are easy activities to do while also social distancing. People are likely looking forward to just getting out and we’re diligently working toward having that happen for them,” said Montgomery.

When West Mountain opens on July 4th, Montgomery is confident that their certified staff will be ready to manage and navigate groups quickly and safely up the lifts and through the courses. 

West Mountain has also begun scheduling summer and fall events and activities including Mountain Top Yoga, and their August Over the Top Bike & Brew Festival.

West Mountain Summer Adventure Camp is located at 59 West Mountain Road, in Queensbury. The camps are open to kids ages 7 to 16 years old, and will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Camps begin July 13 and are $160/week or $190/week with the meal plan prepared by their inhouse eatery. For more information and to register, go to www.westmtn.net/adventure-camps

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced May 21 it will cancel the 2020 Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the Museum Ball as a result of the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are incredibly disappointed we won’t be able to have these time-honored special events this summer, but the health concerns we are facing right now take precedence,” said John Hendrickson, president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in a statement. “The Hall of Fame ceremony is an experience we want to be able to share with the fans. With racing at Saratoga this summer likely to take place without spectators, we believe it is in the best interests of everyone involved and for the integrity of the event to postpone the ceremony for a year.”

The Hall of Fame ceremony was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7. This year’s induction class — trainer Mark Casse, jockey Darrel McHargue, horses Wise Dan and Tom Bowling, and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, Keene Daingerfield, Jr., and George D. Widener, Jr. — will be inducted in the traditional manner alongside the class of 2021
next August. 

“The 2020 inductees will be honored together with the class of 2021 next summer in what will be a truly special ceremony,” Hendrickson said. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor in the sport of thoroughbred racing and we will make sure this year’s class is properly recognized for the incredible mark they have made on the game.”

The 44th Annual Museum Ball, which was scheduled for Aug. 14, is traditionally one of the highlights of the Saratoga summer social season. That event will also return to the calendar in 2021. 

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame remains closed to the public. The Museum is currently under construction, as work has resumed this week on the new Hall of Fame Education Experience. More information on the reopening of the Museum will be forthcoming.

WILTON — For the past eight years, the Mother’s Day morning tradition for hundreds of runners and supporters of local charity Kelly’s Angels has been to gather for the annual Mother-Lovin’ 5k run/walk in memory of former local teacher Kelly Mulholland, wife of local television news reporter/anchor Mark Mulholland. 

The event has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local families as they deal with life-threatening illnesses in honor of Kelly, a beloved mother of two from Wilton who died from breast cancer in 2007.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced cancellation of the traditional run/walk, but organizers have come up with a way to support this great cause, get some exercise and still lending a helping hand: Instead of the annual run/walk in Saratoga Spa State Park, participants will take to their local streets, trails or treadmills on Mother’s Day weekend (May 9-10) to support Kelly’s Angels.

Those who register online will be provided a race bib via email that they can print out and wear at the time they choose to run or walk.

Participants can then send their race photo to Kelly’s Angels to be posted in an online gallery or share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #Mother-LovinVirtual5K, #MLVirtual5K or #KellysAngelsInc5K.

For more information or to register, go to: kellysangelsinc.org/mother-lovin-day-5k.

Here are four simple exercies you can do in 45 minutes outside! 

Social distancing has many of us going on secluded, daily walks for fresh air, exercise and a small change of scenery. Pump up your fitness routine by incorporating these ‘Not Just A Walk in the Park’ exercises to get that lower bod ready for the beach.  Be sure to stay safe and close to home!

Here are some great yoga poses designed for runners to improve hip mobility, knee stability, and ankle strength. 
These poses can be done quickly and safely after a run. Please note that these poses should not be painful, and should feel like a gentle stretch. If you experience pain please reach out for assistance!

In an effort to help our community Goodemote Physical Therapy and FysioFit Physical Therapy will be offering virtual therapy and posting exercises to help keep you active.
Find us on our website: GoodemotePT.com  or Fysiofit.com