Lace Up For The Farm! The 6th Annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run Returns To Pitney Meadows Community Farm!
Pitney Meadows Community Farm will once again welcome runners, families, businesses, and neighbors to the farm for the 6th Annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run on Saturday, October 10th, 2026. This signature community event brings people of all ages together for a morning rooted in health, connection, and a shared love of the outdoors, all the while supporting the work of Pitney Meadows Community Farm throughout the year.
To register for the 6th Annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run, or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit pitneymeadows.org/michael-j-pitney-run.
Race morning will begin with the Youth 1 Mile Timed Run at 8:30 am., followed by the 5K Run at 9:00am, and the Youth ½ Mile Fun Run at 10:00am. From young runners experiencing their first race to seasoned competitors looking to challenge themselves, the Michael J. Pitney Farm Run offers an opportunity for the whole community to get moving and enjoy a fall morning at their Community Farm!
The Michael J. Pitney Farm Run will once again take place alongside the Saratoga XC Invitational, bringing some of the region’s top high school cross-country runners to Pitney Meadows following the community race. The day offers a unique celebration of running at every level, as families and recreational runners share the farm with high school athletes competing on the same trails.
“The Michael J. Pitney Farm Run is a special day because it brings the entire running community together… from kids taking their first steps into the sport to families, recreational runners, and high school athletes,” said Shane Zanetti, teacher and Cross-Country and Track coach at Saratoga Springs High School and Pitney Meadows Board Member. “The Farm Run and Saratoga XC Invitational create a full day of running at Pitney Meadows, and it’s exciting to see people of all ages sharing the trails, supporting one another, and celebrating this beautiful place.”
More than a race, the Michael J. Pitney Farm Run helps advance Pitney Meadows Community Farm’s year-round mission to cultivate healthy land, healthy food, and a healthy community. Proceeds from the event support sustainable agriculture, food access, educational programming, public trails, and community wellness initiatives… helping ensure that Pitney Meadows remains a resource for the entire community.
Honoring a Legacy of Adventure
The Michael J. Pitney Farm Run honors the memory of Michael J. Pitney, an avid outdoorsman whose adventurous spirit continues to inspire visitors to Pitney Meadows. A passionate fisherman, golfer, and hiker, Michael completed all 46 Adirondack High Peaks and hiked both the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, covering 4,660 miles between 2016 and 2017.
Today, his legacy lives on through the 1.7-mile trail loop at Pitney Meadows named in his honor. The trail provides a place for visitors to walk, run, explore, and connect with the landscape… reflecting the sense of adventure and appreciation for the outdoors that Michael held throughout his life.
A Race Through the Farm
The Michael J. Pitney Farm Run offers participants a scenic course unlike a traditional road race. The 5K route travels through the grounds of Pitney Meadows on a combination of grass and stone dust trails, winding through open fields and alongside the working farm. The primarily flat course includes gentle rolling sections and no road crossings, creating a welcoming experience for runners of different ages and abilities. The start and finish areas are also easily visible from the course, making it an engaging and spectator-friendly event for families, friends, and supporters.
Race awards (a Farm Stand basket!) will recognize the top overall male and female 5K finishers as well as the top male and female Masters finishers (40+). The Kids 1 Mile Run will recognize the top overall male and female finishers, while the Youth ½ Mile Fun Run will focus on participation and fun… with no awards and carrots for everyone!
Sponsorship Opportunities: Support a Vital Community Resource
Local businesses, organizations, and families are invited to sponsor the 6th Annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run and join a growing group of community partners supporting Pitney Meadows.
Sponsorship of the Michael J. Pitney Farm Run supports more than a single day of racing. Proceeds help sustain the programs and spaces that serve the community year-round, from sustainable agriculture and food access to youth education, public trails, and opportunities for recreation and wellness.
Sponsors are recognized as community partners committed to wellness, sustainability, food security, and local quality of life, with benefits providing meaningful visibility before and during the event. Sponsorship also offers organizations an opportunity to engage their teams through employee race teams, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to participate together.
To learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits, visit pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org/michael-j-pitney-run/sponsorship-opportunities.
Join Us for the 6th Annual Farm Run
Six years in, the Michael J. Pitney Farm Run has become a celebration of what makes Pitney Meadows special: people coming together on the land. Whether running the 5K, cheering on a young runner, volunteering along the course, or watching the Saratoga XC Invitational unfold, there are plenty of ways to be part of the day.
“This event brings together so much of what we value at Pitney Meadows… movement, community, access to the outdoors, and connection to place,” said Brooke McConnell, Executive Director of Pitney Meadows Community Farm. “And because the race directly supports our year-round work, every participant, volunteer, and sponsor is helping make that work possible. We’re excited to celebrate the sixth Farm Run with our community this fall.”
To register for the 6th Annual Michael J. Pitney Farm Run, or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org/michael-j-pitney-run.