Pace Setter : July 2024

Run for Women 2024

by Meg Versteegen

Meg and Willow Street Athletic Club team members at the 2024 Run for Women, photo courtesy of Meg Versteegen

It’s always a good time when you get the chance to run with 3,000 other strong women through the streets of Albany, even if you keep messing up the new name for the race.

The 46^th [formerly Freihofer’s] Run for Women continued to build on its successful history, supported by the gorgeous June 1st day and great crowd support along the 5k course that loops through Washington Park. For those not familiar, the first mile is largely a straight shot up Washington Ave before a couple of quick left turns leading into the park. Mile 2 winds up and down around the park and the lake, before steering you back out to Washington Ave for most of the third mile and a nice downhill to the finish. On a personal note, this was my very first introduction to road racing way back when in middle school, and it will always hold a special place in my running heart! How can you not like a race that includes a box of cookies as part of your swag bag?

Who flexed better? Photo of Meg and other runners having fun at the 2024 Run for Women Award Ceremony, Photo courtesy of Meg Versteegen

I was honored to be included as a member of the Masters elite field this year, and tried my best to appear nonchalant and pretend like I belonged in the special yellow corral at the start. I lost my cool a bit when I realized that ***Keira D’Amato*** was standing just a few feet away. What a dream! It was a total fangirl moment, and I knew I’d be kicking myself later if I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to meet her. Not to worry, I managed to bumble through a thank you for coming to Albany, and probably definitely said some other nonsensical things. She was all smiles, just genuinely nice, and spoiler alert she led the entire race start to finish. What a privilege to run the same race with her and all the other incredible women who came out.

There were so many terrific performances across the board, and it’s exciting to see fellow local runners finish strong. We really do have a solid, speedy cohort of female runners in the Capital District, and the Run for Women has always been a community showcase for this talent. Whether it’s the longevity of the race, the field size, or perhaps the pull of the promised cookies, this is always a fun one where you’re pretty much guaranteed to ‘run’ into friends and colleagues, and even make some new friends along the way.

Delightful, indeed.

---