Summer Solstice 14K Trail Run

Last Wednesday Jenna and I went down to Lake Minnewaska State Park Preserve near New Paltz for the Summer Solstice 14K trail race. It was the perfect night. The race started near the upper parking lot and ran uphill to Castle Point. It was straight uphill for 3.5 miles. From there, it goes back down back to the start making a big loop. It’s part of the same course as the After the Leaves Half Marathon that they hold in November.

Jenna and I took a van down with the Albany Running Exchange! It was nice to not have to worry about driving down so late in the afternoon. The race started at 6:30PM.

There were gorgeous bushes of Mountain Laurel blooming all through the course. It was wonderful!

I love that the race has so many awesome views and takes place on wide carriage trails.

I finished in about 1hr, 35 minutes. Post-race refreshments included watermelon, strawberries and lots of other goodies! After staying for the awards (a lot of ARE members won in their age categories!), we got back in the van and headed back to Albany.  Minnewaska is really one of my favorite spots.