2 - Valley News • TL
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April 26, 2014
New 5K run aims to honor local resident By Pete DeMola
pete@denpubs.com WESTPORT Ñ Lightfooted locals are encouraged to lace up and register for a new 5K run designed to honor a local educator and community fixture. Spearheaded by Moriah Central student Halie Snyder as part of her senior project, the Dan McCormick 5K Dudley Run, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 4, takes its name from the former Westport guidance counselor and prospective assistant coach who is recovering from a stroke. Ò She wanted to do something to honor Dan,Ó said Howard Hammonds, co-coach of the combined EKMW track and field team that comprises student athletes from the Elizabethtown, Keene, Moriah and Westport school districts. Ò It was touch and go there for a while.Ó Ò WeÕ re running for him,Ó said Snyder. Runners will take off from the pillars outside of Camp Dudley on Dudley Road and end 3.1 miles later at the facilityÕ s track. McCormick lives on the street and his driveway will act as the turnaround spot for the 100-or-so runners who are expected to participate. Hammonds said five kilometers is the standard for the road races that are gaining in popularity in the region. Ò ItÕ s a good distance that most people can run without a lot of training,Ó he said. The average time runs about 16 minutes, he said. Ò YouÕ ll be a national contender if you break 15.Ó Hammonds said he hopes the event will become an annual tradition. Ò The running boom is coming late to the North Country with
the weather and all, but itÕ s growing,Ó he said. All proceeds will go toward the EKMW track and field team: $20 for adults, $15 for kids under 12 (or $15 and $10, respectively, without a t-shirt). Deadline for registration is Saturday, April 26. Email ekmwtrack2014@aol.com for more info or download the registration form at ekmwtrack.org.
CATS hike drawing visitors from afar WESTPORT Ñ The Champlain Area Trails Grand Inn-to-Inn Hike is attracting local residents, people from neighboring counties, and out-of-state visitors to walk on trails and scenic back roads from the Westport Hotel & Tavern to the Essex Inn on Saturday, May 3. The hike will be followed with a block party celebration at the Essex Inn featuring the Wadhams Waddlers Band, restorative yoga and chair massage from Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness, and a photo booth. Ò We expected hikers from around here and as far away as Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake, and Peru,Ó said Chris Maron, CATS executive director, Ò so it has been a big surprise to see people register from Saratoga Springs, Connecticut, Vermont, and even Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are expecting the trails to be in good shape for everyone.Ó The hike starts at 9 a.m. at the Westport Hotel where breakfast is available at 7:30 and check-in begins at 8. Participants can park there or in Essex where a free shuttle will take them to Westport. The block party begins at 5 in the Essex Inn courtyard. Everyone is welcome for the hike and block party, which nonhikers can attend. There is a registration fee of $5/person or $10/ family for the hike. The block party is free and open to all. To preregister go to the CATS website ChamplainAreaTrails. com or call 518-962-2287.
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