By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

This summer, the annual Mad Cow 5K race through Nelson will be held virtually for the first time in its 11-year history.

The event, which typically draws 150 to 200 participants, was originally scheduled for Aug. 1.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, race directors John Dunkle and Jon Phillips have organized a modified version of the walk/run, sponsored by the Town of Nelson, Nelson Farms, and Mad Tacos.

“The Town of Nelson loves to share our wonderful recreational opportunities, whether it’s our crystal clear lakes, miles and miles of hiking trails, outstanding restaurants, fresh farm products, [or] our physically challenging annual Mad Cow race tradition,” said Nelson Town Supervisor James Cunningham. “ . . . The Mad Cow race this year was developed to allow people to run or walk without gathering as a large collective group. [It is] certainly beneficial for everyone’s overall wellness during this challenging time to be outside breathing some of the Town of Nelson’s fresh air . . . Have fun and good luck”

The 2020 Mad Cow 5K will proceed as follows:

All registration fees will be waived. Instead, participants are invited to make a donation to a cause of their choice.

To sign up, stop by Nelson Farms or Mad Tacos after July 15 during business hours to pick up a race form. Nelson Farms is currently open Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mad Tacos is open Monday through Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Forms will also be available at facebook.com/madcow5k.

Walk or run the course anytime on July 31, Aug. 1, or Aug. 2, while practicing social distancing.

The start, finish and miles will be marked. Since there will be no traffic control, participants are asked to park legally and run safely.

The 5K will take runners/walkers on a scenic tour of the Town of Nelson, starting at the northeast corner of Route 20, traveling north toward Putnam Rd, left on Putnam all the way south to Route 20, then back down 20 to Nelson Rd, left onto Nelson and finishing at the town hall.

Participants will record their times and dates and deliver their completed race forms to either Nelson Farms or Mad Tacos.

Present a completed form to Nelson Farms before the end of August to receive a 20 percent discount on anything in the store (except beer, CDB, and gift boxes), and to Mad Tacos for a free taco.

Any participant who can show a receipt of purchase from Mad Tacos within seven days of race completion will get a free bag of chocolate covered espresso beans from Nelson Farms.

Times will be posted at the end of August.

According to Dunkle, who serves as town planning board chairman, the Town of Nelson has supported the Mad Cow 5K since the very first race.

“The town has always been a sponsor, through use of the town hall facilities for the start and finish of the race,” Dunkle said. “We felt that the race [would provide] an opportunity for two prominent local businesses in town, Nelson Farms and Mad Tacos, to become involved with the folks that show up and run past their doors.”

Located at 3261 US Route 20, Nelson Farms is a small-scale, FDA-inspected food processing incubator operated by the Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation. The facility also serves as an experimental laboratory for SUNY Morrisville students, offering real-world experience in agritourism, marketing, entrepreneurship, dietetics/nutrition, and value-added agriculture and development.

According to the SUNY Morrisville website, Nelson Farms has helped form some 1,000 businesses and developed more than 600 food products by providing entrepreneurial agribusiness opportunities to specialty food processors, farmers, growers and producers.

The Nelson Farms Country Store is a New York specialty foods market that features products made in the Nelson Farms kitchens, as well as other products from all regions of New York State.

“Both the Town of Nelson and Mad Tacos graciously reached out to Nelson Farms to see if we would be willing to participate [in this year’s event],” said Director of Retail Operations Samantha Clark-Collins. “Nelson and the surrounding communities have been very supportive of local businesses during this time, and now it is our turn to do something to support and encourage our friends, neighbors and customers . . . Being able to continue this tradition, even with the modification of going virtual, is important for our community members and neighbors. It is a great excuse to get outside, get moving, and enjoy the scenery. This has been a challenging few months for everyone.”

Mad Tacos is a casual craft beer and taco spot located at Nelson Corners (3264 U.S. Route 20).

Phillips opened the business last fall, selling nearly 40,000 tacos in the first four months and quickly establishing the restaurant as a bustling area hub.

As both a sponsor and co-director of this year’s Mad Cow, Phillips hopes to help keep the spirit of the event alive.

“It feels important to continue to act like a community during these times and to maintain the traditions that bring us together,” he said. “As the new kids on the block we want to do everything we can to take part in community events and to support those who support us.”

The 2020 Mad Cow 5K will be the first race organized by Dunkle and Phillips, who have taken over for the “In Your Pace Running Club.”

“The race directors for the past 11 years, who have done an awesome job of facilitating this event, decided to retire from organizing, so they were looking for volunteers to take over,” said Dunkle. “I was having a [pre-COVID] beer at Mad Tacos and talking with [Jon], who is also a runner, and we decided to step up and volunteer to take over organizing the race. What could go wrong with a plan fostered over beer?”

Dunkle and Phillips said they have big plans for next year’s event.

“We would like to grow the [race] to make it more of an inclusive daylong community event,” said Dunkle. “We would like the 200 or so people that show up for a couple hours on Saturday morning once a year to hang around a little longer. So we will be having an after race party at Nelson Farms and Mad Tacos, and perhaps combine it with other Nelson area events. Also, eventually . . . we hope to re-route part of the race course through the awesome new Nelson Swamp trail to be built by the town and DEC.”

According to Phillips, the organizers are also throwing around some ideas involving a block party featuring a number of local businesses.

“Whatever it is, it will be a fun weekend with great prizes for runners,” he said.

For more information on the Mad Cow 5K, visit facebook.com/madcow5k.