Pace Setter : October 2025

A Schenectady Tradition: How Stockade-athon Runners Help Families in Need

When runners arrive at Fleet Feet on Nov. 8 to pick up their Stockade-athon packets, they will be greeted by a familiar sight. For the past 20 years, HMRRC and Fleet Feet have generously welcomed Concerned for the Hungry to host a food and fundraising drive during race registration.

Who are we?
Concerned for the Hungry is an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to addressing hunger in Schenectady County. The Stockade-athon food drive supports our 46th annual Thanksgiving food program. Each year, we provide food for more than 2,000 families, enough to last four days. The generosity of Stockade-athon runners plays an important role in making this possible.

We succeed because the community makes it happen. More than 300 volunteers give their time each year, while businesses, schools, and organizations hold food drives on our behalf. We also rely on fundraisers and individual supporters to keep the program strong.

Why the Stockade-athon?
Twenty years ago, at the end of my own racing career—after running the 15K race 20 times—I knew the Stockade-athon was one of Schenectady’s biggest events. I also knew many runners to be caring, generous people. At the time, Concerned for the Hungry was facing financial challenges and looking for new ways to raise funds. Partnering with the Stockade-athon was the perfect fit, and the tradition has continued ever since.

How you can help
When you pick up your packet, we ask that you bring either a monetary donation or a non-perishable food item. All food collected goes directly to families in need, while monetary donations help us purchase additional supplies—over $50,000 worth last year alone. With rising food prices, increased need, and cuts to federal programs, your support is more important than ever.

While we can’t guarantee that making a donation will shave minutes off your race time, we can promise that you’ll be part of a meaningful Schenectady tradition. Please consider helping us feed local families when you come to packet pick-up this year.

Volunteers at Fleet Feet at Packet Pick-up

The food all packed for large families

Volunteers preparing food boxes

 

Contact for this article: Larry Lewis   larrylewisnotge@gmail.com