CAZENOVIA — The Annual Mad Cow 5K will return to the Town of Nelson on Saturday, Aug. 7 at 9 a.m.
Now in its 13th year, the race will return to its traditional live, in-person format after last year’s virtual event.
Running through the rolling hills and farmland of Madison County, the USA Track & Field certified course begins in the hamlet of Nelson, proceeds along a section of US Rt. 20, and ends at the Nelson Town Hall Park.
Refreshments, prizes and awards will be provided immediately following the race at the town hall.
Leone Timing will provide race logistics.
Online registration ($40) through Runsignup.com will be open through Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. In-person registration ($50, cash only) on the day of the race will also be available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the town hall.
Racers who register before July 27 will be guaranteed hi-tech t-shirts designed by Jonny Haines and printed by CazGear LLC. The shirts will be available on a first come, first served basis to participants who register after that date.
“We are all excited to have the opportunity for everyone to be back in person in Nelson to share the Mad Cow experience together again,” said race director John Dunkle.
This is Dunkle’s second year as race director and his first year as a live, in-person race host.
Last year, he and Mad Tacos owner Jon Phillips co-directed the 2020 Virtual Mad Cow 5K after taking over for “In Your Pace Running Club.”
“We agreed to take over the race from its founders because the race is such a fun community experience, and we wanted to continue to provide the opportunity to bring people together in Nelson,” Dunkle said. “Next year we hope to organize a post-race party at the Nelson Farms parking lot with music, food trucks, and beer.”
Proceeds from the race will benefit local emergency service providers and the ongoing Nelson Walkability Project, an initiative that will eventually create a two-plus mile ADA-compliant walking loop through Town of Nelson parkland, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Nelson Swamp Unique Area, and the Nelson hamlet.
Upon completion, the loop will be incorporated into future Mad Cow 5K races.
This year’s race is supported by the following sponsors: Mad Tacos, Nelson Creamery, Nelson Farms, the Town of Nelson, Eagle Newspapers, Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, Seneca Street Brew Pub, Good Nature Brewing, Critz Farms, Madison County Distillery, Cazenovia Bagel Co., CazGear, 20|EAST, Cazenovia Equipment Company, Buell Fuels, Spruce Ridge Landscape & Garden Center, Better MultiMedia, and Lucky Lab.
The sponsors will provide participants with food, beverages, gifts, prizes and discounts, including a free taco and beer/beverage at Mad Tacos, a free ice cream cone at Nelson Creamery, and a free bagel from Cazenovia Bagel Co.
For more information, visit the “The Mad Cow 5K Nelson NY” Facebook page or madcowrace.com.
Questions about the race should be sent to [email protected].
