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Albany Ultimate Disc Association
Building Community Through Sport
By Mike Eisenstein
If you have ever wanted to try a team sport but felt intimidated by expensive gear, complicated rules, or ultra-intense sports culture, ultimate frisbee might be exactly what you’re looking for. Played on a field similar to soccer, ultimate is fast, athletic, and surprisingly easy to learn. Players score by catching the disc in the end zone, and most people can jump into a game after only minutes of instruction.
What truly sets ultimate apart is how it is played. The sport is largely self-officiated, meaning players call their own fouls and resolve disagreements on the field. This system is built on a philosophy called Spirit of the Game, which emphasizes honesty, respect, and communication. Competition is real, but so is accountability. That balance creates an environment where people push themselves physically while still looking out for one another.
That culture is exactly what the Albany Ultimate Disc Association has built in the Capital Region. AUDA is not just a league organizer; it is a community centered on inclusivity, development, and connection. Through youth programs, adult leagues, clinics, and outreach, AUDA creates space for beginners and experienced athletes alike.
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Moxham Mountain
An Exciting Adventure for All Ages
By Bill Ingersoll
Moxham is a multi-peaked mountain that straddles the Essex-Warren county line. At about 2,441 feet in elevation, it is well off the list of the highest summits in the park – actually, its highest point is just about even with quite a few ponds in the central highlands.
But driving past Moxham Mountain on NY Route 28N between North Creek and Minerva, its profile is nothing short of monumental. That’s because it is the epitome of a homocline, a mountain type that is common throughout the Adirondacks but reaches its most impressive form here. Homoclines have gentle northern slopes and precipitous, often rocky southern faces. But to say that Moxham’s southern slope is merely rocky would be an understatement – parts of the mountain are sheer cliffs!
Therefore, Moxham is a sight to behold as much as it is a mountain to climb. The easternmost extent of the mountain, called Moxham Point, is an imposing landmark as viewed from Route 28N, like a scale model of one of Yosemite’s signature cliffs. The portion of the mountain that the trail visits is the central and highest summit, which is less cliff-like. Nevertheless, it offers unobstructed views of the chain of ponds at its foot. The state’s ownership of the mountain is incomplete – the foot of the mountain, for instance, is privately owned – but what the public does have access to is pretty outstanding. This is a favorite hike, worth visiting time and again.
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OUR BEST BET EVENTS
Included events are Upstate Sports advertisers and/or exhibitors
March issue ad deadline for Upstate Sports and
Vermont Sports magazines: Friday, 3/6
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Wed, March 4, Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7
International Biathlon Union Cup. Elite level U.S. and international biathletes compete with cross-country skiing speed and shooting precision. WED – 10:45am: Men + women 4x6 mixed relay & 2pm: Men & women single mixed relay. FRI – Women 7.5K sprint competition & 2:15pm: Men 10K sprint competition. SAT – 10:45am: Women 12.5K mass start 60 & 1:30pm: Men 15K mass start 60. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. Info & volunteer sign up: mtvanhoevenberg.com.
Saturday, March 7
4th Saranac Lake 3P. 9am. 13.4M with five sports across six segments: pole, pedal, pole, pedal, paddle, run. Open to solo & relay teams. After party! All ages and abilities welcome. Mt Pisgah, Saranac Lake. Details and register: saranaclake3p.org.
6th Electric City 10K Road Race. 9:30am. Race #1 of AREEP 29.3 Challenge. Mohawk Harbor, Schenectady. areep.com.
Cardboard Sled Race. Annual family-friendly event with categories and trophies for fastest sled and most creative design across different age groups (7 & under, 8-14, 15+). Participants construct sleds using only cardboard, tape, and glue. Oak Mountain, Speculator. oakmountainski.com.
IditaFat Fat Bike Race & Rides. Citizens 8M: 9:15am. 20K race: 9am. 40K endurance: 9am. CCC Camp, Winona Forest Recreation Area, Mannsville. bikereg.com.
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Sunday, March 8
Albany Ultimate Disc. 3-5pm: Free Girls Clinic, ages 8+. All welcome. SPORTIME Capital Region, Schenectady. albanyultimate.com.
Saturday, March 14
20th annual Upstate Sports Summer Expo. Sat: 10-5. Sun: 10-4. The Northeast’s running, biking, paddling, hiking, triathlon, skiing, snowshoeing, health, fitness, recreation, travel destinations, and a little bit of winter show with 200 exhibitors. Sales, activities, demos, prizes, films, clubs, events, races, information, education, family-friendly programming, and food/drink. Free admission with 12,000 attendees expected. Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs. upstatesports.fun/summer-expo.
HMRRC Runnin’ of the Green 5K Run/Walk. 10am. Also, mixed team competition. Schalmont High School, Rotterdam. hmrrc.com.
ADK Tour de Ski: Cross-Country Ski Race Series #6. Adults and juniors welcome. Paul Smith’s College VIC, Paul Smiths. adktourdeski.com.
Garnet Hill 5K Snowshoe Race. 10am. Dion Snowshoe Series. Garnet Hill Lodge, North River. garnet-hill.com.
Oak Mountain Slalom Race. Oak Mountain, Speculator. oakmountainski.com.
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Sunday, March 15
20th annual Upstate Sports Summer Expo. Sat: 10-5. Sun: 10-4. The Northeast’s running, biking, paddling, hiking, triathlon, skiing, snowshoeing, health, fitness, recreation, travel destinations, and a little bit of winter show with 200 exhibitors. Sales, activities, demos, prizes, films, clubs, events, races, information, education, family-friendly programming, and food/drink. Free admission with 12,000 attendees expected. Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs. upstatesports.fun/summer-expo.
Upstate Sports Summer Expo: Neighbor Running Shakeout Run/Walk & Mizuno Running Shoe Demo. 9am. Free, all welcome. Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs. upstatesports.fun/summer-expo.
Shamrock Shuffle 5M Road Race. 11am. Also: Leprechaun Leap for Kids. An Adk Runners event. Glens Falls High School, Glens Falls. zippyreg.com.
It’s a Bug’s World: Insect Expo. 10am-4pm. Displays, exhibits, presentations, crafts, activities. Free fun & education. Families encouraged. Hosted by Entomological Society of America, during Upstate Sports Summer Expo. Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs. entsoc.org.
Albany Ultimate Disc. 1-3pm: Free youth clinic, ages 8-16. All welcome. SPORTIME Capital Region, Schenectady. albanyultimate.com.
Albany Ultimate Disc. 3pm-5pm: Free adult clinic, ages 16+. All welcome. SPORTIME Capital Region, Schenectady. albanyultimate.com.
IFSA Empire Freeride Ski & Snowboard Series. Qualifier & two junior events in the Darkside Glades. Gore Mountain, North Creek. goremountain.com.
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Thursday-Sunday, March 19-22
Stifel Lake Placid: Coop FIS Cross-Country Skiing World Cup Finals. Thu: Training. Fri: 10K interval start classic. Sat: Sprint freestyle. Sun: 20K mass start freestyle. Top US & international cross-country ski racers including Olympic & world champions. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. Tickets & volunteer: mtvanhoevenberg.com.
March 23-May 30
Delightful Run for Women: Training Challenge. Walk or run, cross the line with a smile. Program: 3/23-5/30. 10-week training only $55 with up to three weekly workouts: race course preview, support from mentors, education, private race day tent, performance shirt. All ages & abilities welcome. Capital-Saratoga Region locations. Register: runsignup.com.
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March 21
Pond Skimming. 1pm. Dress in your pond clothes (costumes encouraged) and try your luck in Matt O’Brien’ version of a swimming pool on your skis or snowboard. Ages 12 and older. No entry fee and only 50 entries allowed. Registration begins at 8:30am. Spectators bring your cameras. Trophies for best splash, costume, and skimming. Live music & karaoke: 5:30pm on. Base area, Oak Mountain, Speculator. oakmountainski.com.
March 22-April 26
Albany Ultimate Disc. 1-3pm: Masters League ages 30+. Sportime Capital Region, Schenectady. albanyultimate.com.
Albany Ultimate Disc. 3-5pm: Spring mixed League. Sportime Capital Region, Schenectady. albanyultimate.com.
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March 26-29
Great Upstate Boat Show. Summer starts here: 60+ boat brands, 175 boats on display. Afrim’s Sports Dome, Queensbury. greatupstateboatshow.com.
43rd NYS Outdoor Guides Association Winter Rendezvous. Four days of training, seminars & certifications for outdoor guides & aspiring guides. Get licensed, grow your business, expand guiding expertise, network. Tailwater Lodge & Conf Center, Altmar. Info/reg: nysoga.org.
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March 28
16th Run 4 Your Life 5K Run/Walk. 10am. Supports Firefighter Cancer Awareness. Post-race chowder. Central Park, Schenectady. neverfightalone.org.
16th Ice Breaker Challenge 5K Run/Walk. 10am. Race against rowing sculls on the Hudson River on out/back course. Unique prizes. Free 0.5M Kids Run (10-under): 9:30am. Benefits Albany Rowing Center. ARC Boathouse/Launch, Albany. runsignup.com.
Mt Van Ho: Full Moon Party. Guided group skiing, bonfires, après ski party w/live music in the lodge. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. mtvanhoevenberg.com.
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MON-FRI Rock Your Fitness: Boot Camp Workouts. Mon/Wed/Fri: 5:30am, 6:30am, 9am. Tue: 5:30pm. Sat 8am. Special offer: Free week of class with registration for 2x/3x per week option. To register, text and use promo code “ADK fit” to 518-522-9765. Malta Community Center, Malta. facebook.com/rockyourfitnessllc.
THU Winter Pool Sessions for Paddlers. 6pm. 1/22-3/26. ADK Albany-Schenectady Chapter & ADK Whitewater Paddlers. 4everbods Fitness, Delanson. Info: albany.adk.org.
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