Rattlesnake Run sees biggest turnout in five years

AMENIA — The rain held off for the fifth annual Rattlesnake Run on Saturday, June 14, which took place along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.

With more than 110 registered runners, this year marked the largest turnout since the race’s inception in 2020, race organizer and founder Florent Lacroix said.

Photos By Aly MorrisseyGordon Simpson, 2, gets a head start during the 10K heat.Photo by Aly Morrissey

“It’s a fun community event,” Lacroix said. “The goal was originally to connect the towns of North East and Amenia, and the event keeps growing every year.”

In a shift from last year’s format, this year’s course began and ended in downtown Wassaic, allowing runners to pass each other along the trail for a more communal, interactive experience.

Participants chose from three distances — a half marathon, 10K, and 5K — each drawing a sizable group of runners.

Rattlesnake Run founder and organizer Florent Lacroix with Wassaic Project music director Tim Love Lee, who set the vibes as DJ for the event.Photo by Aly Morrissey

Named for the mountain that looms nearby, and surrounded by the vibrant presence of the Wassaic Project, the event offered a colorful and scenic environment. Spectators and runners alike enjoyed a festive atmosphere featuring a bake sale, live DJ, arts and crafts, and even a child magician.

Lacroix says he will connect with runners to see how they felt about the “out and back” format along the trail before determining the format for next year.

Sponsors of the race included Wassaic Project, Jack’s Auto Service, Four Brothers, Silo Ridge, Stoneleaf, St. Thomas Church, and the Food of Life Food Pantry. The logo and branding for the race were designed by Studio Bueno.

Photo by Aly Morrissey