As you prepare to run this year’s Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support and highlight one of the important causes that your registration supports. Since the inaugural race on September 21, 1997, organizers realized that this is more than just “the most beautiful 26 miles, 385 yards you’ll ever run”, as it’s a powerful platform for doing good in our local community and beyond through meaningful charities and scholarship grants. Each year, we are able to offer scholarships to local students who not only exceed in the academic and athletic realms but are also leaders among their peers through volunteer programs in their communities.
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival (AMDF) is pleased to announce its 2021 scholarship winners. AMDF offers four $1,000 in scholarships to well-deserving students in the North Warren and Schroon Lake school districts. The scholarship awards are in memory of five influential community members who exemplified community service and were devoted to the success of the Marathon weekend – Peter Gushee, Donald Nieradka, Daniel Perry, Michael Terrio, and Thomas Williford.
Race Director, Joel Friedman announced that North Warren’s senior, Emma Phelps, is the recipient of this year’s Daniel Perry and Michael Terrio Scholarships totaling $2,000. This fall, Emma will attend Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Emma was a stellar student, while also participating in several sports during her high school years. Her many volunteer activities included serving as Treasurer of the Students Against Destructive Decisions club and training Police K-9 bloodhounds. She was nominated by her peers as a Natural Helpers Team member.
The $1,000 Williford-Nieradka Scholarship goes to Schroon Lake Senior, Oliver Higgens, who will attend SUNY Cortland this fall with a major in physical education. Scholastically, his dedication to excellence was exemplary. He excelled at several sports and proved himself to be a natural leader. Additionally, he volunteered with the Marathon and Lions Club. Oliver achieved the highest honor in the Boy Scouts, the rank of Eagle Scout.
Schroon Lake’s Emma Haneman, the recipient of this year’s $1,000 Peter Gushee Scholarship, will attend Word of Life Bible Institute in the fall. Emma’s willingness to take on challenges was evident when she tackled two college-credit math courses in the same year, College Statistics and College Algebra. Emma was the leading scorer on Schroon Lake Central’s basketball team despite not having played until later in her high school career. Emma volunteered in various capacities with the Adirondack Marathon and, with her family, is part of an organization called Village Missions.
This year’s 25th Anniversary Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival will return to an in-person event October 2nd & 3rd offering a Marathon, Half Marathon, 2 & 4 Person Marathon Relay, 5 & 10K and Kids 1K Fun Run. We hope you will join us at this exciting even
The Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival is pleased to be able to recognize both these recipients – Oliver Higgens, Emma Haneman, Emma Phelps and – as well as the honorees Michael Terrio, Dan Perry, Peter Gushee, Thomas Williford and Donald Nieradka. We also want to thank each of you who participate in this event and support the Scholarships through your registration fees. We thank you all and wish you a great race!
