Elaine Koss – walker. A part-timer in Stockport, Koss and her husband, Don, walk daily.

Elaine Koss,  Photo credit: Nuria Mendoza

How old are you – or, what is your age range?  I am between 75 and 75-1/2.

When did you start walking as a sport? I’ve always loved walking.  I used to work at the Frick Collection on the East side of Manhattan.  I live on the West side and every day I would walk to and from work.  When I retired, at 70, I thought the one thing I would miss was my commute.  So now, I am more conscious of walking – whether in the City or the country.

Who was/is your inspiration?  My Mother didn’t drive.  She lived in the suburbs and she walked everywhere.  She was probably considered the neighborhood eccentric, but she lived to be 95.

Do you have any specific goals?  I used to do the corporate walk in Central Park sponsored by my employer.  My aim was always to be as fast as I was the year before.  If you look at the results, I was probably last, but I was only competing against myself.  That kind of goal is easier than competing against others.  These days I try to walk 10,000 steps a day – the Fitbit thing.

What has been your longest competition?  The Ghostly Gallop 5K is the longest I’ve ever done.  The corporate walk in the city was the same length.  The GG benefits the Library up here and the one sponsored by The Frick was a charity for the Central Park Conservancy.  I do it more for the fund-raising benefit than the competition aspect.

Since this is a benefit for the Library, are there any books/films that motivate you?  We walk all the time and use two books as trail guides.  “Loops, Strings and Balloons: A Description of Fourteen Walks in Columbia County” by Edward and Martha Gibson and the new trail guide from the Columbia Land Conservancy.  It’s called “Columbia County Outdoors: A Guide to Recreational Areas in Columbia County NY” by Sheldon Evans.

What do you like about the Ghostly Gallop?  It’s for the Library.  I feel very strongly about keeping public libraries open for the whole range of services they offer.  Then, too, I like walking around Hudson.  We are weekenders here so any opportunity to meet and mix with the full time residents is a plus.  And, it’s at a beautiful time of year.  October is guaranteed to be gorgeous.

To register for the GG5K, GG Walk or GG Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, go to www.GhostlyGallop.info.  For daily tips and updates, go to www.Facebook.com/GG5K2017.

Brady Eschberger – 7-year-old champion

Although Brady has only been running since he was 5, he has amassed “lots” of medals – including two from earlier Ghostly Gallops.  Samantha Riegel, his marathon running Mom, better improve her times.  This kid is Olympic material!

What made you start running? My Mom asked me if I wanted to run my first race.  It was the Ghostly Gallop – two years ago.  I never ran in a race before and I wanted to see what it was like. For me, the best part was that I tried my best.

When/where do you run?  I run every day after school - 5 days a week.

When you compete, what distance do you generally prefer? I like the 800 meter.  I’m on the track team at school and that’s my race.  We’ve probably had 10 meets this year.  My time is 3:32.  I’m trying to get to 3:05.

What has been your longest competition? That was the Ghostly Gallop.  It was a little hard, but I just ran.  I had happy stuff on my mind and kept running and running and running.

Are there any books, stories/films that help keep you motivated? I like watching the Junior Olympics.  My goal is to complete in the Junior Olympic 800.

What do you like most about running? That you just have to keep trying and get better and better and better each time you try.

What do you like about the GG5K? It was my first race.  I was excited about it.  My first year, I finished in 12 minutes for the mile run.

To register for the Hudson Area Library’s Ghostly Gallop 5K, the GG Walk, or GG Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run, scheduled for Sunday, October 22^nd,  go to www.GhostlyGallop.info.  For daily tips to prepare for running or walking, go to www.Facebook.com/GG5K2017.

Sponsors: The Angels of the Event

The Ghostly Gallop 5K committee is currently seeking support for costs associated with this community event – now in its 17^th year.  For example, every child who participates in the One Mile Kids Fun Run receives a medal – an expense that needs to be covered.  Sponsors for the Library benefit can be recognized in race materials and marketing, on the race Facebook page and on race day. For sponsorship information, contact Race Director Gary Sheffer at sheffer70@gmail.com.  To sign up to participate, go to www.GhostlyGallop.info.

Sponsors Sought to Support Ghostly Gallop 2017

HUDSON – Throughout this summer, enthusiastic runners and walkers are training to participate in this year’s Hudson Area Library fundraiser, Ghostly Gallop 2017.  Scheduled for Sunday, October 22^nd, the walk/run has been on the autumn calendar every year since 2000.  But it doesn’t happen without a substantial amount of effort on the part of a dedicated committee and dedicated supporters in the community.

Right now, members of the Ghostly Gallop committee are out soliciting monetary and in-kind support to make the race a success.  “There are loads of ways the businesses in the county can participate,” said committee head, Gary Sheffer.  “Sponsors can provide general funding or support specific elements of the run/walk.”  Donations have already claimed a Water Station located along the course and the First Aid Station. New this year are plans to supply cash prizes to the top three male and female finishers and additional prizes for the fastest team and best runner’s costume.  “We are also seeking donations of food and drinks for the runners and cups, paper plates, etc. for post-race cool-down,” Sheffer added.

Two-thirds of the Library’s annual budget comes from community fundraisers like this.  Since the move to its new home in the former Hudson Armory, traffic and usage have increased dramatically.  With the Library busier than ever, there is more need for additional resources, more programming for children and adults and additional hours of operation.