Thursday Night Hustle is a summer race series through August 7, 2025, for all levels. It’s a weekly series of low-key trail runs and mountain bike races that brings people together and sets them all in motion. Empowering and inclusive, these weekly events provide a fun way to move and mingle while enjoying the freshness of the forest at one of our local world class venues, Mt Van Hoevenberg.
And while one can consider them genuine races with perks, they can also easily be thought of as group runs and rides, offering us all a little extra motivation while enjoying a summer evening in the Adirondacks.
Seen from Different Angles
Says Timothy McCauley, who lives right next to Mt Van Hoevenberg, “I like to mix it up between riding my bike and running two or three days a week. I know these trails, so I know they’re in good shape. I think these races are a good thing, and I’d like to see more people get out here. If it’s your first time, just come on out and enjoy it.”
“I just really like the community feel of the race and the people who come,” says local skier and mountain bike rider Holly Erenstone. “It’s a way to ride and be competitive but also have a chill time. My dad is joining us tonight, and I’m just really glad this is happening. The staff is doing a great job making it happen.”
Having just moved to the area, Michael Dougherty is especially appreciative of the opportunity to connect with others. “The best part is just getting out and meeting people here. It’s actually perfect to meet other local people and interact with them each week. It’s also great to have a casual race. No stakes really. Just a fun race every week, and you can go as hard as you want. I like that there’s no barrier to entry. It’s always an approachable distance and course whether you’re an intermediate or beginner. It would be a good experience for anyone who’s never tried it.”
“The trails are amazing,” says Erik Steinberg, a mountain bike participant. “I only mountain biked at Van Ho once prior to the race, and now it’s cool being out here and doing more. There are people here of every ability level, so if people hear about this and are intimidated, they definitely shouldn’t be. It’s just a really fun way to get out on the trails and meet people in the community. I’d tell people if you own a mountain bike or just like to run, come on out. It’s so fun.”
For Colin Delaney whose family owns High Peaks Cyclery, it’s a fun form of nostalgia. “We used to put on an event here called the ADK 80k that used a lot of those same trails. Plus, one of my first summer jobs was guiding on the trails out here, so yeah, I’m really enjoying Thursday Night Hustle. I also just like the mission behind these races. I mean they make it so affordable and just promote it as a community driven thing. Word-of-mouth has generated a really strong turnout, and people are coming back week after week. It’s just a simple and fun way to spend a Thursday evening.”
“I’m back home visiting now,” says Erin Skufca. My sister and her husband have been doing this the whole season, and they invited me to come today. The fun thing is I actually ran cross country races here in high school for Lake Placid, and I’m excited now to see where the course takes us tonight. It’s such a cool opportunity to get out and see our local trails.”
Hillary Ryan especially appreciates the staff making the races happen each week. “They’re doing such a terrific job. They’re young. They’re enthusiastic. They give us a new course every week, and it’s well marked. They’re all so welcoming, and they’re doing a great job with the kids. I’m really impressed. I’ve been to five of these so far, and I love them. If you want a well-run and well-organized event, this is definitely the one to come to.”
Locally Significant Event with Globally Significant Values
Participant perspectives strongly agree that this community mountain biking and running series at Mt Van Hoevenberg is bringing people together, creating opportunities for social interaction, and fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants. Their shared passion for outdoor activity automatically strengthens bonds and promotes a sense of unity.
But those perspectives are not just a quaint reward for local amateurs; they are essential Olympic values that also drive the best athletes in the world. Join in the fun while you can, and the Thursday Night Hustle Series concludes on August 7th. For anyone interested in participating or just watching the fun, details and registration can be found here.