Jim McGonagle ran his first half marathon on Saturday, Oct. 8 in Lake Placid. He is shown here with Jess McGonagle, son Jamison and Ruthie. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

The 51st running of the Lake Placid Classic Half Marathon and 10K began on a brisk but beautiful morning on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the North Elba Show Grounds.

By the time the race started at 8 a.m., temperatures were still in the low 30s as the sun intermittently peaked out, revealing mountaintops, hillsides, and lawns covered with a light dusting of snow. The light also brought out the dazzling red, orange and yellow leaves at the peak in contrast to bright snow. With pockets of fog about, the vistas were a marvel to behold.

“It’s pretty cold out this morning,” said racer Kirstin Smith before the start. “But we’re used to it; we’ll get through it. I want to get running as soon as possible.”

“It’s cold,” said Samantha Davies. “I hope I have on enough layers to keep my legs warm.”

“We were pretty prepared this morning; we felt no matter what, we’re going to do it,” added Smith. “It is what it is; at least it’s not raining.”

Volunteer Grace Corliss hands Gatorade to runner Catherine Drohan (bib 1094). (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

Most runners, though, were in constant motion as they waited for the race to start that initially took them in a broad loop around the backside of the show grounds, a course that allowed them to spread out a bit before crossing state Route 73 to head for the John Brown Road. Before leaving the start line, many tossed clothing to family and friends as they warmed up.

As the runners passed behind the ski jumps, the vista of the High Peaks opened up. As if on cue, the sun revealed a palette of colors and textures that brought gasps from many. The runners then took a sharp right back toward Old Military Road and onto the Adirondack Corner Store via Newman Road. There was another right back toward the show grounds, past the Olympic Jumping Complex to River Road, where the 10K and half marathon runners each had their own turnaround spot.

For some volunteers, their challenge began early in the morning.

“It was almost a blizzard at 3:30 this morning,” said race organizer Rick Preston. “It’s crazy how hard it was snowing when we set out the cones for the race. I was thinking, it’s going to be a long day. I know the racers are cold and want to get started as soon as possible. We plan to start the race right on time.”

The late veterinarian Dr. Robert Lopez founded the Lake Placid Classic. Lopez, also a founder of the Lake Placid Road Runners Club, ran in over 65 marathons and advocated the health benefits of running throughout the region.

Lisa Marvin, Mercedes Smith and Elyse Hathaway (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“The Classic is our major fundraiser of the year,” said Tina Clark, Lake Placid/Wilmington Connecting Youth and Communities Coalition director. “The Classic is organized as a nonprofit to support the health and well-being of residents, especially our youth. This race, which attracted about 450 runners, also provides our and other volunteers a chance to shine.”

Shine, they did. While the runners quickly warmed up for the volunteers directing traffic, crewing aid stations, putting out and retrieving cones, announcing the race, and managing tables at the finishing line, they were the heroes of the event. It was a bitter, damp cold. But when the sun came out, it was like standing under a heat lamp, though one too soon turned off. Critical, too, was the race sponsors, like Hannaford, that provided a large pile of bananas, granola bars, apples and other nourishment. Others supported the event financially.

“It takes lots of layers to stay warm,” said Mim Millar. “You can’t sit around. You’ve got to keep moving.”

“I volunteer because it’s fun, and you can get volunteer hour credits for school; you need 40 to graduate,” said Graham Scull. “I also came to support my mom. She’s running, and it’s her birthday, and I plan to give her a big hug when she finishes.”

“I’m the school psychologist,” said Amy Spiegel, a CYC board member and race volunteer. “I volunteer because I am interested in connecting the youth of our community with all the willing hands that want to support them and help out. CYC is a nice bridge. There are so many kids in our community who need help and a little more support than they necessarily get at home or in school because everybody’s hands are full right now; it’s gotten a lot worse with the pandemic. I don’t think many people know how close to home the needy kids are. People often think the challenges are elsewhere. Even though we have a very friendly community, they are also here.”

CYC Volunteers Graham Scull with Amy and Matt Spiegel (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“The course was nice, a bit hilly, and a little chilly to start, but I enjoyed it,” said 10K competitor Matt Deangelis of Lake Placid, who took a close second. “Once we got going, we warmed up, the sun started to come out, and with the beautiful foliage and the snow covering the lawns and mountains, it was nice.”

“My face is frozen from the cold wind,” said Michael Bodnar of Westport, winner of the 10K. “I can barely talk. I’m freezing. That’s the coldest race I have ever done. It was brutal. It was a close race. I was just behind Matt and managed to sneak past him at the end.

“It was fun,” said 10K winner Catherine Kluchinski, who recently moved to Lake Placid from Philadelphia. “It wasn’t too hilly, a grind at the ski jumps, but overall OK. I didn’t expect the snow this morning, but it wasn’t that bad for a race. I love the mountains, the beauty of this community.”

“This race was amazing,” said 10K second-place runner Elizabeth Izzo. “It was epic. Sprinting is so fun. That was one of the most competitive female fields I have ever run here.”

“It was a very strong female field,” said Samantha Davies. “If Elizabeth and I run, we are usually in the top three. But there were some very fast women today.”

“We were all within a minute of each other,” said Izzo. “You were constantly pushing yourself, and you couldn’t let up for a minute because someone would gain on you. It was amazing. The finish was the best part because then the suffering was done. On John Brown Road, it was sunny with blue skies, brilliant leaves, and snow-covered grass. It was glistening and glowing. I came out of my race frame for a second to think, ‘This is so pretty!'”

“A little chilly, but the scenery was perfect,” said runner Jimmy Kane of West Chester, Pennsylvania. “The colored leaves backdropped by the snow-covered hills were gorgeous. It was good to have the cool air, especially in the home stretch when your body temperature has gone up.”

(Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley. He has been covering events for the News for more than 15 years.)