PGXC
Pete Glavin Cross Country Series 2025
This year marked the 3rd time I’ve run Pete Glavin Cross Country with the Finger Lakes Runners Club team after a long gap from the first 2 seasons I ran. For this season my goals were simple. I would try not to be too anxious before races, I would focus on having fun, and stay positive.
Race #1 (5K)
On a very warm September day, Scott and I made the five-hour round-trip trek to Williamsville, NY, for a 5k at Bassett Park. Many friends were shocked that we drove that far for a short race, but the enjoyable, shared time together in the car and the camaraderie with our team made the long journey completely worth it.
The course itself was a fun, loopy 5k with some welcome shade in the woods. It was mostly flat, providing a fast pace, though one memorable section featured a tough, steep, and sudden downhill/ascent combo that certainly tested our legs.
This was a fun 5K race! Our teams did well and I wasn’t too scared once I got going.
Overall results - 192/245 and 5/11 for female 50-59.
View the flyover and see the Strava details.
Race #3 (6K)
We missed race #2 to cheer on Elizabeth at the Wineglass Marathon. This day brought another warm race, this time with significant wind. The race occurred just before my sister left after visiting to support my dad following his surgery.
The one-and-a-half-hour drive was a welcome relief, and I enjoyed a quick warm-up with a new teammate running her very first race.
The course was great, offering a variety of terrain and just enough loops to be fun. The starting gun sent us immediately up a long, challenging hill. I channeled the energy of cheering cross-country parents and my hard Tuesday hill workouts, successfully powering up the first ascent. Though I walked a bit of the next hill, I was most proud of successfully powering through the second time up that initial, steep climb.
The post-race reward was a delicious, rival-of-New-York bagel—a perfect end to the challenging morning.
Overall results - 186/241 and 9/14 for female 50-59.
View the flyover and see the Strava details.
Race #4 (8K)
Our home race was held in Robert H. Treman State Park, a favorite spot just 20 minutes from the house where I often hike. Knowing the course included some decent vertical gain made me a little nervous, but it was a beautifully crisp day for the first Sunday in November, chilly enough for gloves. The atmosphere was incredibly celebratory, thanks to the huge turnout from our local FLRC club.
After a short warm-up, the race began with a quick loop that brought us right back past the start. The main climbing began at mile three as we transitioned onto a single-track trail. It was ideal—by that point, the field was well-spaced, eliminating traffic issues. At the peak of the ascent, we merged onto a wide road with two-way runner traffic, which felt lively and fun. Before long, it was time to turn and enjoy the descent, zipping down the road and back onto the flats for a fast final mile and a half.
After the race, we hung out a little bit before heading home. I capped off my day with a Taughannock Hike with Elizabeth, another favorite hiking spot!
Overall results - 190/230 and 10/12 for female 50-59.
View the flyover and see the Strava details.
Race #5 (8K)
The final race brought the cold, rainy weather we’d managed to avoid all season. We made the trip back to Fairport, the town where we lived early in our marriage. It was fun to see the additions to the Perinton Community Center, which brought a wave of nostalgia.
After a minimal warm-up, we started the race. The course offered fun, woodsy sections alongside two loops around a field that Scott and I once played soccer on—now surprisingly surrounded by houses. By the time I hit the Mile 2 marker, the effort was already real, but my teammate Tanya’s encouragement got me through. I realized I had significantly overdressed and quickly shed my gloves and jacket.
Despite the challenging conditions and the course’s hills, I felt strong the entire way and finished with a powerful kick. Though not my fastest time, it was a very enjoyable effort.
The post-race celebration included pizza and awards, though the freezing weather required me to borrow a hat (thanks, Ruth)! I was proud to finish 9th in my age group for the season which earned me a celebratory bottle of wine. Our Vets Team took 1st place overall, so I got a great pint glass!
View the flyover and see the Strava details.