To the Editor:

It is with great sadness that we will be canceling the annual Altamont 5K Run/Walk, which was to be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Crupe Bozenkill Park. It would have been our 23rd year for the event, which started at the Altamont Fairgrounds in 1998, with the blessing of then-manager Reid Northrup.

The reason behind the cancellation is the COVID-19 pandemic.

We must abide by the state and village guidelines, and with that, there would be no way to hold the event the way it should be held, with hundreds of athletes and spectators at the park.

The Altamont 5K has become an annual tradition over the years, and has had lots of support from village residents. It has also helped some participants choose Altamont as their current place of residence.

They would come here, run or walk the beautiful, scenic courses we have, comment on how nice this area is, and then some became our neighbors. Makes me proud that we may have had a hand in their becoming residents.

So, we will miss the event and all its fanfare, but we have already started on planning for 2021 and the “23rd” Altamont 5K. Bigger and better, with lots of awards, door prizes, music, T-shirts, refreshments and much more. Mark your calendars — Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Hope to see you there.

Stay safe, stay healthy.

Phil Carducci

Race director

Altamont