NELSON — This summer, the Town of Nelson’s 13th Annual Mad Cow 5K is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6, at 5:30 p.m.
The timing of this year’s race has been adjusted to tie the event in with the first annual Nelson Corners Festival, a post-race community celebration at Nelson Farms Country Store at 3261 US-20.
The Mad Cow course begins at 4085 Nelson Road, proceeds to Putnam Road, loops around to historic US Route 20, and then heads back to Nelson Road, ending at the Nelson Town Hall Park, where refreshments, prizes, and awards will be provided immediately following the race.
“The Mad Cow 5K event is a family-friendly run/walk through the picturesque hills and valleys of the Town of Nelson,” said Nelson Town Supervisor James Cunningham. “After the race, explore our nearby Nelson Unique Swamp trail system or our 19 miles of trails at Stoney Pond state park. This year’s race/walk will be followed by the Nelson Corners Festival, sponsored by Nelson Farms and Mad Tacos, with local craft breweries, live music, and great food that brings our community and runners together.”
According to Race Director John Dunkle, last year’s Mad Cow drew more than 160 runners.
This year, the community organizers introduced the Nelson Corners Festival to keep people in town after the race.
“[The organizers also wanted] to have an event that brings the Nelson community together to support our local businesses,” Dunkle added. “The race time was changed to offer the racers a post-race event that wouldn’t work as well at 10 a.m.”
Leone Timing will provide race logistics.
Sign up for the race at runsignup.com/Race/NY/Cazenovia/MadCow5KRun.
Online registration is $55 with Runsignup and will be open until Aug 3.
In-person registration is $65 and cash only, and will be held on Aug. 6 will be from 3:30 until 5 p.m. at the town hall.
Racers who register online before July 29 will be guaranteed a hi-tech t-shirt 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.
According to Haines, this year’s shirt design is inspired by the “Four Corners” formed at the intersection of Nelson Road, Erieville Road, and Route 20 East.
“[There’s also] a playful cow crossing the street,” said Haines. “We show the logos of the Nelson-based businesses on the front to pay homage to the people who are helping to make Nelson a great place to live and work.”
All proceeds from the race will support local emergency service providers.
This year’s race sponsors will provide food, beverages, swag, door prizes, and discounts to all registered racers.
The post-race party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Nelson Farms Country Store parking lot.
BARKER*BLAZE, a duo whose motto is “We Rock Up the Folk and Folk Up the Rock,” will perform, and food and beverages will be provided by the following vendors: Nelson Farms (local food, gifts, and beverages), Mad Tacos (tacos and beverages across the road), Erieville Fire Department (chicken BBQ, sides, and beverages), Margie’s Hot Dog Cart (hot dogs, chips, and beverages), Meier’s Creek Brewing Company (craft beer and seltzer), Good Nature Brewing (craft beer and seltzer), Foothill Hops Farm Brewery (craft beer), Grow Brewing Co. (craft beer), and ONCO Fermentations (craft beer).
All proceeds from the chicken BBQ will benefit the Erieville Fire Department.
Racers will receive a discount for all the party vendors, but the event is open to all members of the community.
Any questions about the Mad Cow 5K can be sent to [email protected].
