Weather Challenges Await Participants in MVP Health Care Stockade-athon

The annual MVP Health Care Stockade-athon is set to take place on March 10, 2024, but participants may face challenging weather conditions. The forecast indicates rain and temperatures in the 30s Fahrenheit during the race, prompting race director Brian Northan to prepare for icy spots along the course. To mitigate risks, road salt will be available at water stations to counteract any ice that may form from discarded cups.

Race Details and Notable Participants

Last year, the Stockade-athon attracted an impressive 1,205 finishers through the historic streets of Schenectady, including the Stockade neighborhood and Central Park. As of the latest registrations, the top male finishers from the previous year, Alex Corbett of Massachusetts and Grant O’Connor of Connecticut, have not confirmed their participation. However, last year’s women’s champion, Cara Udvadia, is set to compete again.

Cara Udvadia, a former athlete from Mohonasen High School and UAlbany, won the women’s division in 2023 with a time of 53:50, just eight months after giving birth. She and her husband, Ryan Udvadia, who previously won the race in 2023 with a time of 47:33, could make Sunday’s event a family affair.

Participants should consider the unique layout of the course, which now begins at the MVP building on State and Nott Terrace, turning around in the Stockade before looping back through Central Park. Northan explained that the last mile and a half includes a significant downhill stretch, which can affect finish times. “You’ll be running 10 to 12 seconds faster than your overall pace for that last little stretch,” he noted.

Course Dynamics and Competitor Strategies

The Stockade-athon was redesigned to flip the traditional start and finish points, now placing faster miles earlier in the course. Northan emphasized the importance of maintaining a good mile time, especially for those looking to secure a victory. “If you’re in a pack at that point, it’s going to be the person who is the best miler that’s going to win the race,” he said.

For athletes aiming for personal bests, the mental aspect of the race is heightened. As Northan remarked, “Mentally, I think it’s a more difficult race than it used to be. Everybody has the GPS on; they know what they have to run for each mile, and you’re going to be behind your pace the whole way.”

In addition to the Udvadias, other top contenders registered for the race include Jack Huber, Hunter Brignall, and Nick Conway, who has recently turned 50 but continues to post impressive times under 50 minutes. On the women’s side, competitors such as Kerry Flower and Karen Bertasso Hughes are expected to make a strong showing.

With inclement weather on the horizon, participants will need to prepare not only physically but also mentally for the challenges that lie ahead in this year’s Stockade-athon.