Laura Clark. Photo by by Brian Teague.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – After being nominated by her daughter Jacky Gilchrist, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club has named its 2018 Senior Citizen of the Year as Queens native Laura Clark.
For 20 years, Clark has been a co-director of the St. Peter’s Keys Run, a road race benefitting hospice and other charities. She also supports Winterfest and Camp Saratoga, organizing and running snowshoe race events that benefit parks in Wilton and Saratoga Springs.
Clark is involved in many other endeavors, such as: Ainsley’s Angels of America, where she assists special-needs racers; the Jailhouse Rock Race to benefit the Brookside Museum; and she is president of Saratoga Stryders, a local running group.
Her other honors include the Parks and Trails New York Trail Heroes “Get Outdoors Award” for organizing races, hikes and group runs; the 2017 World Snowshoe Federation World Snowshoe Racing Champion in Age Group; and the 2018 World Snowshoe Federation North American Racing Champion in Age Group.
The 71-year-old Clark was married for 44 years to the late Jeff Clark, a 22-year Army veteran, and former president of the Saratoga Downtown Business Association. He passed away in March 2014. Today she has three daughters and five grandchildren.
Clark is also being honored with the Metamorphosis Award for the Wild About Blue fundraiser, which is being awarded for her dedication to promoting environmental education and outdoor recreation among kids.
For more information, visit the website www.saratogaspringsrotary.org.
