Elizabethtown, NY – Runners and walkers are invited to step outside this spring and support local health care at the 46th Annual Doc Lopez Run for Health, taking place Saturday, April 25 and benefiting University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

The long‑running Adirondack tradition brings together participants of all ages for a scenic race experience that raises funds for local programs that help keep care close to home.

Registration is now open:
👉https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Elizabethtown/DocLopezRun

Race Day Schedule

The event offers multiple race options with staggered start times:

• Half Marathon (13.1 miles) – startsat 9 am
• 5K Trail Race – starts at 10 am
• Kids 5K Fun Run – starts at 10 am
  Open to children ages 10 and under, the kids’ race is free and designed to encourage young participants to get moving and join the fun.

Race Options and Registration Fees

Participants can choose from two adult races, each offering a unique Adirondack experience:

• Half Marathon:
  A scenic point‑to‑point course beginning in Keene Valley and following NY Route 9N into Elizabethtown. Known for rolling hills and mountain views, the race honors Dr. Robert “Doc” Lopez – veterinarian, accomplished runner and Adirondack icon.
  Registration fee: $52
• 5K Trail Race:
  A family‑friendly race welcoming runners, joggers and walkers of all experience levels. The course features a new trail route this year, offering a fresh and accessible way to enjoy the outdoors.
  Registration fee: $31.40

Supporting Local Health, Close to Home

Proceeds from the Doc Lopez Run for Health directly support community programs through Elizabethtown Community Hospital that remove barriers to care and promote healthier lives. Funds raised help provide:

• Food and essential supplies through the Community Cupboard
• Free health clinics focused on diabetes, heart health, women’s health and more
• Comfort items for patients undergoing chemotherapy
• Home health and safety tools such as blood pressure cuffs and pill organizers
• Travel assistance, including gas and ferry cards, for patients needing help getting to medical appointments

Even if you’re not a runner, you can still support population health in our area by donating through the registration website. All funds raised through the race stay local and support patients and families throughout the region.

A Legacy Spanning More Than Four Decades

The Doc Lopez Run for Health began in 1980 after Dr. Robert “Doc” Lopez carried the Olympic torch through Westport and Elizabethtown during the Winter Games. A lifelong runner who completed 60 marathons by age 60, Doc believed strongly in outdoor activity, community connection and giving back.

Nearly a half-century later, the race continues that legacy under the direction of his daughter, Sue, and remains rooted in the original goal of inspiring people to get moving for a good cause.

Register Today

Whether competing, walking with friends, or cheering on young runners, the Doc Lopez Run for Health offers a meaningful way to help the community while enjoying the Adirondacks.

To register or learn more, visit:
👉UVMHealth.org/echdoclopezrun

University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932

###

About Elizabethtown Community Hospital

University of Vermont Health – Elizabethtown Community Hospital is a not-for-profit critical access hospital with locations in Elizabethtown and Ticonderoga and six community-based primary care centers serving Essex County and the Adirondack Park region. As part of a rural academic health system serving Vermont and northern New York, we provide essential emergency, inpatient, rehabilitation and specialty care close to home. Together, we deliver access to leading-edge technology, advanced treatment options and the highest level of compassionate care while addressing the critical needs and unique challenges facing our patients, their families and our employees.

About University of Vermont Health Network

University of Vermont Health Network is a rural academic health system with more than 100 years of service to small towns and cities across Vermont and northern New York. We are deeply committed to reimagining rural health in ways that will benefit our communities for generations to come and keep exceptional care close to home. Our system includes an academic medical center, two community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a children’s hospital, a cancer center, a multispecialty medical group, 154 outpatient sites and care beyond the hospital through home health, hospice care, four skilled nursing facilities and other support services. Our care is informed by an essential partnership with University of Vermont’s The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Together, as a health system serving a rural area, we are tackling health care’s biggest challenges — supporting the communities we serve and investing in our employees by addressing housing affordability, quality childcare and professional development needs. To learn more, visit us at www.uvmhealth.org.