Churney Gurney 5-Miler: Celebrating 10 Years
Yesterday, I finished the Churney Gurney trail race in Queensbury, New York, a feat that pushed my endurance and stamina to unprecedented heights. I learned that the race was celebrating its tenth year, having started in 2015. I first learned about the Glens Falls and Queensbury area around the same time, as I began my long-distance relationship with Michael. As my legs propelled me through the course, I thought out about the ten years of adventures with Michael, culminating in our marriage last February.
When I got my running injury in the summer of 2016, I was forced to take it easy on my joints after surgery for a couple years. After checking in with a orthopedic doctor in 2019, I began to slowly reintroduce myself to running very short distances. As I gathered confidence, I joined the Glens Falls Run Club in 2021 where the group runs three miles from the Mean Max Brewery, along the Feeder Canal Trail and back, every Tuesday. It has sprouted lots of friendships with folks around the area, solidifying my place in the community.
Within the last four years, I have dipped my toe into the daunting nature of trail racing. I have conquered the trails at Amy’s Park from the Lake George Land Conservatory’s Race for the Lake and completed the Cole’s Woods Trail Race Series totaling twelve miles in one month. The Churney Gurney 5-Miler, as I will describe, was just as challenging. When I arrived at the race registration table, I was surprised that not only did the race entry come with a shirt but socks and a swimming pass to the Gurney Lane swimming pool. Mentally stopping myself from recreating the iconic scene from Harry Potter involving Dobby being given socks, I rushed to my car to drop off the items prior to the start.
I met up with Alex and Mike, who I had known from the Glens Falls Run Club, where we took a ceremonial pre-race selfie. The race began in the middle of a fielded area, looking the forest, Gurney Lane swimming pool, a playground, and gazebos. With the sound of a horn, the race began, and within a few hundred steps, we were in the thick of it; dodging roots, sidestepping fallen branches, and climbing the tumultuous hills. Pacing was faster than expected at the start, but as the miles wore on, it slowed considerably.
At the two-mile mark, I felt a sudden, stinging pain on my right leg. Looking down, I saw a small cut on my lower leg, thankfully with no blood oozing out. It illuminated the risk of trail races, where mosquitos, ticks, and other small creatures roam freely. Recovering myself from the sudden pain, I continued onward as Jane Labombard passed on my left. The amount of switchbacks was dizzying, as the course zigzagged throughout the forest. The elevation was excruciatingly steep, providing a good workout for the calves.
Around mile four, I tripped on one of the hundred roots scattered throughout the course. I caught myself with extended hands, thankful that no one was around to witness my stumble. Dusting myself off, I bravely ventured forward, mentally counting down the distance left in the race. Up ahead, I caught up with Kevin Crossman, a triathlon coach. He was wearing a multicolored racing shirt advertising his business, T3 Coaching. I learned that he has helped train countless athletes for triathlon races since 2006 as a USAT-certified coach. Given his expertise, he had the foresight to run with trail poles, creating some stability on the hills. As I followed behind, he performed an amazing trick where he used the poles to catapult over a particularly large tree branch that was blocking the course. It was marvelous to witness, and I exuded my praise as I passed by.
The last mile seemed to last forever, daylight piercing through the trees. Given the dense forest, the distance on watch surmised that I had covered more than five miles. And I wasn’t the only one, as Alex and Mike had the same experience. Jane Labombard and a few others got lost in the course, causing them to run an additional mile by the time they found the finish. When I crossed the finish line, I was relieved as I walked toward Alex, who handed me a cup of Gatorade.
Despite the drastic uptick in participants from precious years, some familiar faces from the Glens Falls Run Club and Adirondack Runners won some awards. Alex won second, Mike won third, and Mark won second in their respective age groups. Raymond Lee, still running at 83, was first and only in his age group, inspiring countless people to hope that their own legs allow themselves to continue running well into retirement. After the awards, all of us waved goodbye and headed in opposite directions toward our cars to enjoy the rest of the weekend. The following day at Gurney Lane would be filled with participants for a different kind of race: mountain biking. Maybe I’ll procure a mountain bike to compete in a mountain bike race next year.
All in all, the Churney Gurney 5-Miler is a challenging trail race, offering steep inclines and dizzying switchbacks. The map recorded from my watch certainly illuminates the dizzying nature of the course. The race amenities, from a complimentary swimming pass, race shirt, and socks, more than cover the race entry fee. I look forward to conquering the trail again next year. Perhaps even making a weekend of it, with running and mountain biking.
