Julie Stokes, Saratoga PLAN, and Colin Klepetar, Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network

Long before any horses enter the starting gates at Saratoga Race Course this weekend, runners will line up bright and early Saturday morning to kick off a race of their own. The Saratoga Derby, an annual 5-kilometer Run & Walk to benefit local environmental organizations, will begin at 8 a.m. directly across from the Saratoga P.L.A.N. offices at 112 Spring Street.

The race is open to walkers and runners of all ages and abilities, and families are encouraged to attend.

Proceeds from the derby go toward the Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network and Saratoga P.L.A.N. (Preserving Land and Nature), two organizations who share a common mission of protecting and preserving the environment.

“We are two groups that look at the environment as one of our most important resources,” said Colin Klepetar, representative of the Saratoga Healthy Transportation Network.

Colin’s older brother, Ian, formed the Transportation Network in 2005 in an attempt to provide a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly Saratoga.

By creating more bike lanes and encouraging people to use non-motorized modes of transportation, the organization aims to improve the personal health of citizens while benefiting local commerce and the environment.

“We challenge people to do what at first may seem a little more inconvenient,” said Klepetar, “But over time, they realize the many benefits.”

The benefits are far-reaching, and include improved quality of life, decreased reliance on gasoline and oil and added pollutants into the air, relief of city congestion, and additional availability of parking for long-distance commuters.

The biggest achievement of the organization to date is the Bicycle Benefits commuter program, which provides discounts to more than 40 downtown businesses to those that arrive on bicycle. The program is free of charge and can be joined through obtaining a helmet sticker from the Transportation Network.

Helping to ensure bike trails are available for riders is Saratoga P.L.A.N., a land trust organization that works to protect land and water resources throughout Saratoga County. P.L.A.N. has had active roles in the development of trails throughout the county, and works to advocate smart growth and development to preserve farmland and nature preserves.

“We make sure trails are available by helping to acquire land and making sure governments take an active role in making sure these corridors are available,” said Julie Stokes, chair of board of directors.

Recent P.L.A.N. projects include the near completion of the Zim Smith trail connecting Ballston Spa and Round Lake, and extension of the Spring Run trail from downtown Saratoga to the end of Excelsior Avenue and along Weibel Avenue, where it will ultimately connect with the Bog Meadow Brook nature trail.

Stokes noted the importance of providing bike trails as corridors between local communities, providing pedestrian and bicycle access for nearby citizens. “People in neighborhoods fight for access to trails,” said Stokes. “As a result, there is growing interest [in providing trails] from the real estate and economic development communities.”

The development and growth of Saratoga Springs and surrounding communities is likely to continue, and it is organizations like these that protect much of the region’s beautiful landscapes and maintain environmentally- friendly communities supportive of pedestrian and bicycle transportation.

For more information on the Saratoga Derby and the Saratoga Healthy Transportation and Saratoga P.L.A.N. organizations, visit their Web sites at www.healthytransportation.org and www.saratogaplan.org.