Welcome All -- every single runner, family member, friend and volunteer. We offer you a huge hat tip for being here. You guys are amazing. So here we are, with a little insider’s guide, sharing with you a couple of changes this year in the town of Schroon and on the course.

While here, we encourage you to enjoy all Schroon and the Hamlet of Adirondack has to offer. For those who have been here before, there are a couple of new faces in downtown Schroon.

9 Mile Coffee (at the start line of the marathon next to the Community Garden, offers a variety of authentic Italian style beverages.

Pine Cone Provisions offers awesome fresh edibles, including organic produce from Juniper Hill Farm and Gather It Up Farm. Their farm-store is stocked for the weekend! With new jams, cocktail mixes, mixed nuts, local cheeses, meats and yogurt.

Along the way up Route 9, runners will notice the newly expanded beer garden tent outside at the award winning Paradox Brewery.

While we do not recommend you stop for a cold ale during the race, (although that is entirely up to you), it is a must go to destination this coming weekend:  both pre-race with your friends and family on Saturday, or for a celebratory ale or two, post-race Sunday. With growlers to go, you can take back home a drop of the Adirondacks. While there, check out their scrumptious homemade salted pretzels – great for carb loading.

A little closer to town the folks at Sticks and Stones are gearing up for a big weekend, welcoming runners and their friend and family with their wood-fired pizza.

If there’s a nip in the air, there will be a roaring fire out front on their lawn and a blazing one inside their massive fireplace. The crowds there speak for themselves, as this popular spot grows year to year.

Other notes: Alpine Pizza’s hours are 4 pm - 9 pm. Pitkin’s hours are Monday - Friday 11 am to 8.30 pm. Saturday and Sunday: 7.30 am  to 8.30 pm.

DeCesare’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant: Friday: 4 pm – 9pm. Saturday and Sunday: 11.30 am – 9 pm

The new Barkeaters store — featuring ADK themes clothing and accessories (next to Flanagan’s) is open from 9 am September 21 - September 23.

H & J Cafe (next to the Timberwolf) is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner from 6 am. 

Book Lovers in search of a bargain can still get their fix every Saturday at the Library’s Used Book store in the basement of the Hudson Headwaters Health Building from 10 am - 2 pm through the fall.

And there’s a huge 20 per cent off sale on select items at the Towne Store. They have Friday to Sunday hours through the Marathon Weekend. 

Witherbee's new hours are Wednesday to Sunday. They open are 3 pm.

Pinecone Mercantile, fast becoming the go to Adirondack home decor store, are open 10 am to 5pm Wednesday through Sunday. They have a huge new line of merchandise to celebrate the end of summer. And for the best bread and baked goodies in the ‘Dacks, the aromas wafting from the back of the store will act like a magnet drawing you to the North Wood Bread Co.

Also on Main Street, be sure to visit our friends at the Schroon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has undergone a makeover with gorgeous new floors and a ton of Schroon Lake bling, at great prices.

Looking for a short hike? The chamber staff has advice on a couple of our favorites: Gull Pond and Mt. Severance. Both easy and the view from the top of Severance will blow your mind.

If you have never been here in the winter, and would like to take a walk on the lake -- after skiing at nearby Gore Mountain -- consider visiting the Jones Family, the owners of the Schroon Lake Place, the only beach front accommodations just steps from all of the action of downtown. Look your room for the coming fall leaf peeping season and winter fun.

If you are looking for an excuse to explore our lake, please visit our friends at the Schroon Lake Marina, where you can rent a pontoon or speedboat. These guys are experts in helping you out.

They also offer a range of paddleboards, canoes and kayaks. It’s a great excuse to explore the lake, and check out the early fall foliage lakeside.

Water not your thing?

There’s a stunning short drive to nearby by North Hudson and a working Bison Farm. Not only will you see these majestic animals in their natural environment, you can visit the farm store and buy some of the juiciest, succulent buffalo meat around. (As well as a whole lot of home baked goodies). Check out our recent story here.

In addition, there’s Golf: Our gorgeous nine whole course: It’s one of the sweetest little courses you will play in the North Country.

Of course the other eateries and bars on Main Street will be hopping and there’s the post race party at Witherbee’s on Sunday, an official sponsor of the weekend.

Over in Pottersville, The Natural Stone Bridge Caves is a great way to enjoy an early fall afternoon.

On the other side of the lake, in the little hamlet of Adirondack, the Adirondack General Store is sure to be busy, from breakfast on: Our tip: Yum, Yum, Yum -- great pies.

And if you are looking to really pack your Saturday, head on over the hill to Fort Ticonderoga. There is a TON OF FUN for the entire family. So enjoy yourselves – it’s gonna be a very memorable and fun weekend!