Running through Roundabouts in Malta, NY
Waking up early on a cloudy Saturday morning, I had subdued excitement to travel thirty minutes down the highway to Malta, New York for the Roundabout Runner’s annual Malta 5K. It began sixteen years ago as a fundraiser to support local veteran organizations and emergency responders, especially given its proximity to the tragic events in September of 2001.
The course moves through roundabouts and parking lots surrounding the GlobalFoundries manufacturing campus. I have run this race for four years as an employee of its title sponsor, GlobalFoundries. But this year, I signed up to run with Saratoga’s iRun Local, an independent running store that organizes group runs in the area. When I arrived at the registration table, I saw a former coworker, Doug Kesler, who was rocking a new look with a snazzy mustache. After reconnecting and wishing him luck in the race, I snagged my race number and headed over to the iRun Local sign propped up nearby.
I chatted with familiar faces, like Sue Nealon and Kathy Pfeiffer, as well as a few others. I learned that the iRun Local group spurred another Saratoga organization, Healing Springs, to join in the race. I learned that Healing Springs is an addiction recovery center that offers peer-to-peer support and other resources on the tumultuous path to abstinence from substance abuse. Running, or any aerobic exercise, has a host of benefits to improve the brain’s resilience through recovery, as one study from the National Institute of Health reports.
After we gathered together for some celebratory, pre-race group photos, all of us started walking toward the starting line. The race begins near the intersection of Hermes Road and Tech Trail, with a view of the first roundabout ahead. A firetruck was parked on the side of the road, with its ladder extended to hold a giant, unfurled American flag above. The head of GlobalFoundries Human Resources rallied the crowd, noting that there were six hundred runners signed up with seventy from the company. All of the employees were easy to pinpoint, as they donned bright yellow shirts with the unique company logo and the word “unstoppable”. I still had two shirts in my drawer at home from previous races.
With the sound of the firetruck horn, the race began, as all of us runners marched forward. Given the crowd, it was a tight squeeze for the first half mile as we rounded around the first roundabout toward Rocket Way. Passing by Luther Forest Athletic Fields, Jane Lombard cruised up behind me. We had just saw each other last night for Indivisible’s Town Hall with NY-21 Candidate Blake Gendebien and Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin. For those of a certain political persuasion, it was an uplifting rally of resurgence from the tyrannical leanings of the current state of politics.
Back to the race, the lead runners were coming up on the left side of the road, as the course loops back on a roundabout up ahead. The speed and cadence of the lead runner, Ryan Udvadia from Clifton Park, New York, was break-taking to witness. Within a few minutes, we sped around the circle, as Jane picked up speed.
The road began its incline along Stonebreak Road Extension toward the GlobalFoundries campus. A couple tables ahead were staffed with volunteers handing water as we diverted right and around a roundabout toward the entrance to the parking lot. I smiled as I passed the security guard shack, reminiscing about the thousands of early mornings with my badge scanned to begin the workday. The GlobalFoundries building was up ahead, its beige exterior almost invisible under the clouds. The glass windows reflected the dreary atmosphere, but the orange color of the company’s logo imbued a radiant glow.
The GlobalFoundries Emergency Response Team helped guide the runners around the large circle around the parking lot, with their vehicles parked along the perimeters. I saw some familiar faces, waving as I passed. Another firetruck was parked, its ladder extended, holding a giant American flag as we finished the loop around the lot. Less than a mile to go, we exited the campus, moving swiftly back to the start. I saw Doug Kesler and Sue Nealon heading into the campus, shouting words of encouragement.
When I rounded back to Hermes Road, I saw the finish line banner, gleaming in the distance, with the time clock noting twenty-seven minutes. I steadily increased my speed, crossing the finish line before it turned twenty-eight. As we walked along the finish corral, volunteers handed everyone Malta 5K finisher stickers and bottles of water. Up ahead, there were a few tables filled with Hannaford-branded merchandise, from tote bags, lunchboxes, hand sanitizer, and more, as well as bananas, chocolate milk, and apples. Along with GlobalFoundries, Hannaford, a local grocery store, is also a big sponsor of the race.
After snagging some sustenance and merchandise, I walked back to the finish line, cheering on the other runners that were finishing the race. There was a five-year-old wearing a Sonic the Hedgehog shirt speedily running with this father, both of them smiling as they crossed the finish line. It was an uplifting sight, watching smiling (or strained) faces as they finished the winding, three-mile course. The race announcer noted a short while later that the award ceremony would be taking place at nine-thirty.
During the award ceremony, I saw Jane Lombard, carrying two large trash bags filled with empty plastic water bottles, as well as Kathy Pfeiffer, who was organizing everyone for a finisher photo. After it concluded, we wished each other well as the clouds darkened, signaling impending rain showers. Feeling grateful that the rain held out until after the race, I drove on home.
The race is exceptionally well-organized, offering a unique course filled with winding roundabouts on moderately flat roads. The race has raised close to $400,000 for local veteran organizations and emergency responders and brings together lots of running groups in the upstate New York area. If you haven’t ran in this race, maybe I’ll see you next year.
