8th Annual Earth Day 7k Recap!
The flags have been picked up, the apples have been eaten, and photos have finally been rounded up, but we're still thrilled with the turnout and fun had at this year's 8th Annual Earth Day 7k! With almost 70 registrants and over $1500 raised, the North Country community demonstrated what generosity, grit, and passion look like this past Sunday, April 21st, 2024. With the course starting on the muddied Kip Trail shoe laces were tested and shoes were lost (temporarily) as the mud grabbed at our runners and walkers. After our participants navigated the marsh, they were rewarded with parting clouds as they entered the Saddlemire Trail on their way back towards St. Lawrence University. Avoiding the 9th tee and bearing left onto the Avenue of the Elms, the end was almost in sight! After stopping by our final aid station as they entered campus, runners and walkers dashed through campus, turned left onto Park St., crossed the Little River, and returned to the finish at the Wachtmeister Field Station.
Part of the learning curve for new Nature Up North team members this year was timing the race. Excited to see participants on the course and underestimating the pace of our fastest runners, we missed our first finishers! However, thanks to their quick wit we were able to recover the times based on their finish times and a little bit of math. You can find an attached finish order and timing below!
We also want to thank our sponsors for this race, Nature's Storehouse and Northern Power and Light! Thanks to their generosity, we were able to stock two aid stations and our registration table with plenty of race day snacks to fuel hungry racers. They also donated gift cards to our raffle prizes! Additional thanks is due to Raquette River Brewing, Birch Boys Inc. Jreck Subs, Kunoco, Wimpy's Inn, and Gamer Craze for rounding out our raffle prize pool. Finally, thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the trails and the spring weather, celebrate Earth Day, and support outdoor engagement and stewardship with Nature Up North!
Both the Kip and Saddlemire trails are open year-round for the public to use, and we hope you do!
Dan French is a 2021 graduate of Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. While there, he majored in Sustainability with minors in General Business and Management. As an undergrad he had the opportunity to intern with the National Park Service's Office of Policy in Washington D.C., conduct self-led research on the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid's impact on North American species of Hemlock, and was elected sectetary of his universities ultimate fresbee team, Bentley Icehouse. A native of Potsdam NY, Dan spent many summers cultivating his love for outdoor education at 4-H Camp Overlook where he was a camper turned staff for a total of 14 years. In his free time, Dan enjoys hiking in the Adirondacks and skiing when the snow allows. Most recently, Dan returned to the North Country after a one year term of service as an AmeriCorps member in Montana. He served as the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife (TM) Coordinator in Missoula and the surrounding area. Now that he's back, Dan hopes to expand his connection to the environment through whitewater kayaking, backpacking, and expanding access to the wonders of the North Country to anyone and everyone who wants to tag along.