The Foolish Bravado Rum Run

The Foolish Bravado Rum Run: A tribute to the Aiken’s Volunteers

A tribute to the Battle of Plattsburgh’s famous Aiken’s Volunteers and a new event will be included in the Battle of Plattsburgh line-up this year! In 1814, hearing of the British army march towards Plattsburgh, a group of boys were ready and willing to do whatever was needed. These young men are now known as the Aiken’s Volunteers. Many stories have been told about the heroics performed by the boys.  Among many brave and valuable acts, they also stole some cherry rum during the Battle of Plattsburgh.  The account is as follows:

“[They] are not only useful in watching our front line, but they are brave and daring in skirmishing with the enemy” (Eleazer Williams).  He spoke of the youthful, or perhaps foolish, bravado in three of their number stopping to unearth spirits known to them to be hidden in a nearby barn.  They were discovered by the British and fired upon, escaping back across the river under the cover of their comrades’ fire.”  (Herkalo, Keith. The Battles at Plattsburgh: September 11, 1814. The History Press, 2012. Paperback.)

Now it’s your turn to experience the race to the rum across battle lines!

Runners will start near the Kinetic Running store and will run from the south side of the SaranacRiver, across Bridge Street, and one mile north to Wilcox Dock. There, they will pick up their rum and run back to the finish line (2 miles total).  “British Soldiers” will run at a pre-determined pace.  If the British Soldiers beat runners to the finish line, those runners have to give up their rum.  If the runners beat the British Soldiers, they get to keep their rum.   

The running race will be 21+ and is limited to the first 100 participants to register.  Race day registrations will be permitted if space allows.  All registrants will receive a limited edition t-shirt and a small bottle of rum (if they beat the British Soldiers).  Anyone who loses their rum may buy it back at the end of the race (proceeds will support the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration). 

An additional 10 slots are available to register as a British Soldier.  All British Soldiers will receive a unique limited-edition t-shirt and their own bottle of rum.  British Soldiers must run together as a group and will be running at a pre-determined pace known only to the race organizer and the British Soldiers.  If you can run an 8 minute/mile pace, you will be fine (NOTE:  THIS IS NOT THE RACE PACE—IT WILL BE SLOWER THAN 8 MIN/MILE AND WILL BE KEPT SECRET UNTIL RACE DAY).

Register online at: www.adirondackcoastevents.com

Contact: Sandra Geddes at geddess@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov or 518-536-7458

Registration: Sat. Sept. 12 at 3 p.m

Start of Race: Sat. Sept. 12 at 4 p.m.