[updates: Click for Stockade-athon 2009 photos; and more from Stockade-athon 2010]
.. runners in the 33rd Annual Stockade-athon pass the 9 Front St. “Blockhouse” ..
This morning, the annual Stockade-athon took place here in Schenectady. It’s called the “oldest major 15K road race in the USA” (by Schenectadians, at least). Over 1300 runners signed up to participate this year. As always, the course for the 33rd Annual version of the 15K event starts and ends at our Central Park, and a segment goes right through my Stockade neighborhood. [The Schenectady Gazette has an interactive map of the race route.]
I’ll have a few more photos and comments after lunch and a nap (or two).
jogging
just past the church
I clean my glasses
.. by Tom Clausen from Upstate Dim Sum (2003/I)
update (2 PM): The Gazette has the results here. (and see “Mort handily wins Stockade-athon,” Nov. 10, 2008, with its Photo Gallery): Highlights:
- Emory Mort, 25, of Ghent, was the first over the finish line, completing the 15-kilometer [9.3-mile] course through the city in 47:52
- The women’s winner was Kaitlin O’Sullivan, 23, of Syracuse, who crossed the finish line in 55:51
- Masters division winners were Jeff Niedeck of Canaan, Conn., in 52:03 and 1998 and 2001 women’s overall champion Emily Bryan of Schenectady in a record women’s masters time of 57:24.
Speaking of the Masters Division, these guys didn’t win, but they had a lot more heart than yours truly, the curbside photographer:
….. unidentified Stockade-athon runners on Front St.
The police escort car can be seen passing Lawrence the Indian at Front and N. Ferry Sts., behind two of the last runners (a few stragglers came walking by thereafter, bless their hearts and legs):
Boo! Despite plenty of publicity about restricted traffic, along with the protests of the traffic monitor, a trio of vehicles led by the lady in this Ford SUV insisted on driving up the narrow portion of Front St. from Washington Ave to Church Street, while it was still filled with runners. Many of the runners were quite vocally (and righteously) angry.
… pushy drivers on Front St. 
Finally, the last of the Stockade-athon traffic control workers strolls past a rather indifferent Lawrence the Indian, leaving the Stockade in a quiet autumnal bliss on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
15K race —
legs and arms ache
on the old photographer
…… by dagosan
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Comment by ershad — November 9, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
Just got home to Syracuse after the Stockadeathon – what a glorious Fall day!! It was perhaps the most beautiful weather I’ve ever experienced for this race!! Fun to see your posts here!! thanks!
Comment by coreen steinbach — November 9, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Hello, Coreen. It was indeed a beautiful day for a race or any other autumn activity (like watching a race). I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Come again when you can just stroll through my lovely neighborhood.
Comment by David Giacalone — November 9, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
i especially like the image of that guy with the white beard. :) so cool. i really should take up running again…
Comment by kouji — November 9, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Nice pics. Thanks for posting. This was a very well organized race. Thanks for inviting us into your neighborhood.
Comment by Kris — November 9, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
My son went to Union so I know your beautiful neighborhood well!!
Comment by coreen steinbach — November 9, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
Grreat Day!!! had soooooooooo much fun. Greaat pics I have run this sooo many times. See everyone next year Thanks Schenectady drummer at Gepettos always makes me happy!
Comment by Mary Franchini — November 9, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
Kris and Mary, many thanks for your kind words and bright spirits. Hearing from out-of-towners who love the Stockade-athon and our humble City is a special treat.
Comment by David Giacalone — November 9, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
Nice shots. I stood on that same block taking pics a few years ago but mine were not nearly as good.
I’m one of those back of the pack runners and have on at least two occasions almost been run over by vehicles encroaching on the course. They get more impatient the longer they have to wait. This year as I approached the intersection of Nott St and Erie Blvd an extremely irate and loudly abusive motorist was hassling the person directing traffic. He would have cut across my path if they hadn’t stood in his way to prevent it.
Comment by Jack Berkery — November 10, 2008 @ 11:46 am
Thanks for the compliments, Jack, and for sharing your frustrating experience with motorists.
Front Street and the weather were so lovely yesterday, that even this very amateur photographer couldn’t help but take good-looking pictures.
Comment by David Giacalone — November 10, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
This was my 25th Stockade-athon. I’ve grown accustomed to irate motorists.
I’m an amateur’s amateur. In 2005 I took over 250 shots of the inside of my lens cap at the Stockade-athon
Comment by Jack Berkery — November 10, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
I may not have taken 250 photos in my life yet, Jack. But, if I could ever get my lens cap to stay on, I surely would be shooting a lot of its inside.
the sumo wrestler
apologizing, releases
the sparrow
. . . by Kobayashi Issa, translated by D. Lanoue
Comment by David Giacalone — November 10, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
The weatehr was awesome. I’m sure it made the event that much better. Thanks for all of the great pics.
Comment by Chad Nash — November 11, 2008 @ 4:18 pm