The Shawangunk Runners is a Hudson Valley-based nonprofit running club. A host of many events throughout the year as well as informal workouts and community outreach, the club is looking forward to its 2025 season.
The club formed in 1981 and has been putting on running events ever since. Centered around the notion of keeping running affordable for everyone, the club’s races are inexpensive, relative to the increasing prices of races and running events.
The club puts on a plethora of races and events throughout the year. One of their most popular programs is their summer running series, which they have hosted since 1974. Aimed at showcasing the running opportunities in and around the Shawangunk Ridge, the series offers a variety of scenic courses for participants to complete.
Additionally, the club puts on races of varying distances throughout the year, ranging from 5K races to half marathons. This is part of the club’s mission to offer running opportunities and events for runners of all kinds, creating a community aspect in the sport.
The Shawangunk Runners have been putting on their “After the Leaves Have Fallen” half marathon for over 40 years. The race takes place in late November, when fewer outdoor running events are being hosted, especially in nature preserves and local parks.
“These events are supposed to be lean and focused on running and the joys of running in a beautiful place,” said Club Treasurer Jason Taylor. Seeking to support local nature preserves and parks, the club often works alongside the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve to place emphasis on running outdoors and supporting local efforts to preserve the natural landscape around the Shawangunk Ridge.
Throughout 2024, the club sought to expand their impact beyond just the racing community. This was done through hosting group workouts and group runs led by club board members, especially through the winter. These outreach efforts provide club members with more opportunities beyond races to come together and run as part of an organization.
While focused on organizing events of all kinds to bring runners together and provide them with a community, the Shawangunk Runners also take on volunteer-based and supportive roles at other running club events, creating a support system throughout the Hudson Valley.
“Our mission as a club is to promote grassroots running events in and around the Shawangunk Ridge,” Taylor said. “If we’ve got the skills, equipment and capacity that we can use to help some other group make their event better, then we tend to raise our hands and do that.”
The club is a nonprofit organization, meaning the club uses their budget for community events and running programs. In addition, the club puts money toward scholarships to support high school students and memorialize community members.
Since the very beginning of its formation, club president Steve Schallenkamp explained, the club “was never about making money.” As running becomes more commercialized following a “running boom” in the 1990s which put greater emphasis on more expensive running gear, Schallenkamp emphasized the importance of keeping running affordable and not directed toward high-end technology or gear.
“Years ago, they used to describe it as ‘blue collar,’ because it was cheap, other than a good pair of running shoes,” Schallenkamp said.
As per the club’s grassroots-based mission, Schallenkamp and the rest of the board have made efforts to keep race registration fees low and put emphasis on the running and community aspects of the sport.
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