Local runners share favorite places

By Pete Colaizzo
Poughkeepsie Journal

- Mike Bakker, Fishkill -- Responding via Internet poll, Bakker said the carriage trails at Minnewaska and Mohonk in Ulster County are his favorite places.

- Peter Curtis, Fishkill -- Curtis enjoys training in his Dutchess Park neighborhood in Fishkill and East Fishkill. ''This is where I do all my speedwork on the road,'' he said. ''I can get 8-10 miles and it's all hills.''

- Doug Freese, Saugerties -- A veteran of numerous 50- and 100-mile races, Freese trains on and around Overlook Mountain near Woodstock. ''The hill has 2,500 feet of elevation,'' he said. ''I do laps on that bloody beast, and it gets me in shape.''

- Stacy Kearse, Beacon -- Responding via Internet poll, Kearse cited the Shawangunk Mountains as her preferred spot to train.

- Irvin Miller, LaGrange -- The former Dutchess County Classic race director, Miller gave two venues as his favorites. One is the Spackenkill High School track, where he can be found several times per week as he recovers from leg injuries. Prior to his recent spate of injuries, Miller enjoyed the challenge of running up ''Blueberry Hill,'' the grueling climb that was highlighted in the Union Vale bicycle race earlier this month.

- Mike Rawdon, Poughkeepsie -- Responding via Internet poll, Rawdon said the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge walkway was his favorite place. He also noted he would like to see more parking on the Beacon side of the bridge.

- Jonathan Tuscanes, High Falls -- Responding via Internet poll, Tuscanes said he enjoys running on the beautiful carriage trails at Mohonk Preserve.