511 Tactical Riverfront Trail

The course of the Annual 511 Tactical Riverfront Trail Challenge is one of the many reasons to choose it as your next race. The challenges are run year-round in many venues. So you will always find something new and different to make the journey more interesting and exciting.

This trail is located on the banks of the Fox River and located right at the heart of Rensselaer County. It is part of the Teaneck Wastewater Treatment Plant. This plant and its three branches offer a variety of programs for students, employees, and tourists alike. This is the place where they used to dump the town's sewage and septic liquids before they moved to New Jersey.

At one time, the plant was called the Pit in the Water Facility, but the name has changed over the years. No matter, the name of the facility still sticks around for one reason only: because of the effluent that came out of it during the treatment process.

Because of this, many companies are eager to take advantage of the facilities and its services that this water facility offers. It also has a massive location. There is no other location like it in the region, and one of the best things about it is that it is relatively close to the city. The closest major cities are Albany, NY, and Freeport, NY.

When the facility started operating, it covered an area of about nine square miles, but today it covers about eight hundred acres, or almost half of Rensselaer County. So for those looking for their first big challenge, the Fox River course can be a great choice.

Start the race with a lunch break. The setting sun will damage your eyesight if you are doing a three or four mile run. The cool breeze will not only help with the burn of the heat of the day, but it will help reduce the "boiling over" effect that happens to runners who are running in the heat. Bring a headlamp or lantern to use to see in the dark.

The river runs along a little highway between the sewage plant and the town of Petersburgh. You can get there by driving on the west side of Rt. 35, or you can drive north from Princeton.

As you make your way through the town, take note of the pipelines that are running the effluent along the river and across the highway. Watch for the graffiti that can be found on the walls and fences surrounding the pipelines. These are reminders that the pipes were once used to transport untreated waste, and they have been left there to remind us that the plants need to be cleaned up after they go off-line.

When you come upon the river itself, look to your left. You will see a series of small dams that were built to keep the waterway from overflowing onto the highway and into the town of Petersburgh. This is just one of the many examples of infrastructure that has been placed on the river.

While you are going along the river, remember to pay attention to the plaques and statues that are scattered all over the waterway. There are numerous types of statues, some depicting famous athletes, some with wildlife that were killed by chemicals used during the production of the water, and many with quotes from artists. Any time you see a statue that you know speaks to you, take notice and pay attention.

Along the banks of the river, you will see how quickly the river moves. You can spot the Statue of Liberty right before the first turn and see the Hudson River in front of you right after. No matter what part of the river you are at, the water seems to move faster.

If you want to be challenged, try out the Fox River course for this competition in the Annual 511 Tactical Riverfront Trail Challenge. The challenges run year-round and you will always find something new and different to make the journey more interesting and exciting.