Fall Trail Races and Charity Walks

Fall Trail Races and Charity Walks:

Sarah Bishop Bushwack 10K, North Salem, Sun, 9/29: 9am: This challenging 10K trail race in North Salem’s Mountain Lakes Park traverses 1,000 acres of scenic woodlands, streams and lakes and offers beautiful vistas. The course features 1,000 feet of total elevation gain taking runners over Bailey Mountain – Westchester’s highest point. The course starts at Hemlock Lake. It passes Lookout Point and continues over Bailey Mountain (at 982 feet, the highest point in Westchester). Nearing the Connecticut border, the course passes Spruce Lake, then finishes near Hemlock Lake. (Mountain Lakes Park, 201 Hawley Rd., N. Salem, www.sarahbishop.org)

AHA Heart Walk, Kensico Dam, Sat, 10/5: 9am: Dogs and strollers are welcome at this American Heart Association walk at Kensico Dam in Valhalla. Register onsite beginning at 9am. Opening ceremony at 9:45am. The walk begins at 10am. Registration is free! Instead, participants are encouraged to fundraise so your impact is limitless (don’t worry, we’ll help!) and make a personal donation to support the Heart Walk. (Kensico Dam, 1 Bronx River Pkwy., Walhalla; www2.heart.org)

Support-A-Walk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, FDR Park Yorktown,Sun, 10/6: 9am: There’s free refreshments and entertainment after this 3-mile walk for Support Connection. But you may want to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park. Support Connection provides free support services for those living with breast and ovarian cancer throughout the Hudson Valley. Including counseling, support groups, and educational and wellness programs. They also maintain the upscale resale boutique, Fantastic Finds, in Chappaqua. (FDR Park, 2957 Crompond Rd, Yorktown Heights; www.supportconnection.org)

Rocky’s 5K, Rockefeller State Park, Sat, 10/19: 9am: This scenic course on well-maintained carriage trails through Rockefeller State Park Preserve is a runner’s paradise. You’ll find it right off Rt. 117 just past Pace College. It begins near the main parking lot and follows the scenic 13 Bridges and Gory trails. There isn’t a prettier place to run in our area. Best of all, your admission fee supports the park’s trail maintenance program. (125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville; www.friendsrock.org)

Run the Farm 5M & Kids Run, Muscoot Farm, Sun, 10/20: 8:30am: Muscoot’s farm races offer a tough (but scenic) 5 mile course around the farm and through the woods; a 1.1 mile race for kids (7-12), and a .6 mile run for kids under 6. Runners receive farm bucks to use at the Farmer’s Market. Kids races start at 8:30 & 8:45am. The Run the Farm 5M fun begins at 9:30am. Check out the farmers market, animals and historic buildings after the race. (51 Rt. 100, Katonah; www.runsignup.com)

Raven Rocks Run 10K, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River, Sun, 11/10: 9am: The 5th annual Raven Rocks 10K will start in the Meadow, the same spot where the Leatherman’s Loop begins. But instead of heading towards the river, the Raven Rocks Run 10k course climbs. Up to the two highest points in the park, Raven Rocks Overlook and the Fire Tower Summit. From there it heads back for a mostly downhill and relatively flat finish. (Reservation Road, Cross River; www.runsignup.com)

Bedford Turkey Trot, Bedford Village Elementary School, Sat, 11/30: 9am: Billed as “the hardest 5K in New York”, the Turkey Trot raises funds for Bedford Community Table. The course begins on Court Road at the Bedford Village Elementary School. The halfway point is at the top of Indian Hill Road – not for the faint of heart – and finishes at Bedford Village Memorial Park. There is also a 2-mile walk. Pre-registration required. (45 Court Street, Bedford Village; www.facebook.bedfordturkeytrot.com)