Seneca White Deer, Inc. are set to host their historical and unprecedented Run With the Deer 5k, 10k and 13.1 half marathon race series this Saturday, October 5 at the former Seneca Army Depot in Romulus.
Runners will race the within bordered-fencing of the actual wildlife complex preserve where they may encounter the famed white white-tailed deer, which has been considered to be the largest herd in the world with an estimated population of 75 deer, based on a recent census count that was conducted a few years ago.
Dennis Money, president of Seneca White Deer, Inc. is utterly proud that his not-for-profit organization has expanded ever since 1998 but especially within the last two-years when SWD started offering the first tours of the historic Seneca Army Depot and its unique deer specimen.
This event is the major step forward in Money’s main mission to expand recreational usage of the property while maintaining and preserving the quality of life for wildlife.
Currently, they offer bicycle tours and seek to start hiking tours. Money also mentioned that SWD shall being horseback riding tours the complex sometime in mid-October.
But as for Saturday, Money shared that running shall begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 11 a.m.
Following the races, celebrations shall commence in form the Seneca White Deer first-annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission to the festival is free and open to the public with live entertainment, music, food trucks, vendors, tours and even helicopter rides.
Woodcarving demonstrations, birding hikes as well as presentations about the Seneca Army Depot and deer management are also scheduled during the festival.
With more than 320 participants who already took slots to run on the property, Money notes that there are still some spaces left for runners to jump-in.
Those interested in running may sign-up by visiting www.runsignup.com/whitedeer.
The SWD are also searching for eager volunteers to manage water stations and assist staff; anyone who is interested are urged to call their main office at 315-759-8220.
– Reporting & Photos by Gabriel Pietrorazio
An undergraduate student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Pietrorazio has written for the Town Times of Watertown, Connecticut and Finger Lakes Times in Geneva, New York. He’s currently a reporter for FL1 News, and can be reached at [email protected].
Gabe covered health and indigenous affairs in the Finger Lakes between 2019 and 2022. His award winning coverage was cited by the federal government and provided residents with an invaluable service during the coronavirus pandemic.