Earth Day 5K Steps Off Saturday in Stamford

STAMFORD –Hopefully Mother Nature is going to cooperate with some warmer (48-degrees) weather and therein will hold off until later in the day this Saturday as  the community comes out to enjoy Earth Day with a fun run and walk over a one mile or a 5 kilometer course.

This will be the fourth Earth Day 5K Fun Run and Walk, sponsored by the Stamford Business Alliance. It is an event that has continued to grow, drawing more than 120 participants of all ages last year. The race is followed by a morning filled with family-friendly, eco-friendly Earth Day activities.

It is a day to promote environmental protection and communities host a myriad of activities. The community has already turned out to pick up trash along the Catskill Scenic Trail, which is where much of the run/walk takes place. There was a good turnout for the cleanup, despite some chilly and unpredictable weather that is spring with some working despite a wet snowstorm. The Earth Day 5 K brings awareness to the environment and gets people out and  into the environment along a scenic route.

The proceeds this year will go to the not-for -profit Friends of the Catskill Scenic Trails. The "Friends" were out in force to help with the cleanup on Monday. The trail, which they utilize and promote, is a popular attraction for locals and visitors as a hiking, biking venue. It is the ideal location for the one-mile fun run that precedes the 5K race. Snowmobilers and cross country skiers also love the trail, which follows an old railroad bed.

The "Friends" organization is dedicated to the preservation, enhancement, enjoyment and promotion of the 26 miles of the Catskill Scenic Trail. They are passionate in advocating the trail's importance as a community asset, tourism destination and nature connection resource. They add that it is a source of pride for surrounding towns as well.

There is always someone walking, biking, horseback riding, running or hiking along the trail. In winter, it attracts cross country skiers and snowmobilers. It is used constantly all year long.

A 5K fun run and a one mile fun walk will kick off this Saturday, April 25. The walk steps of at 9 a.m. from behind the Stamford Library, while the run kicks off at 9:45 a.m. from the same location. There are various categories for racers to enter, with times recorded. There will be someone to help you get warmed up, or some are using the one-mile fun race as a warmup to the longer run

Walkers, runners and dogs are welcome, it's a family affair. Family fun will be provided by the Grand Gorge Girl Scouts, there will be kids crafts and movement, a trail tale experience and racers will receive a free re-usable swag bag and there will be live DJs by the local radio station The PULL. The state Department of Environmental Conservation will provide free tree saplings, ACE Hardware is providing free seeds and there will be coffee, water and snacks. Throughout the village, businesses have been asked to participate with village-wide markets.

You can register online at: stamfordearthday5kandfunrun@itsyourownrace.com ahead of race day or the registration booths will open at 8 a.m. this Saturday. They will be located near the Robinson-Broadhurst Memorial Swimming Pool behind the Stamford Library, at the east end of the Tops parking lot. It will also be the step off point of the race and members of the Stamford Fire Department will be located at crossing areas along the course to help participants safely cross traffic areas.