By ANTHONY DOLCE

adolce@observertoday.com

CASSADAGA — Wilson Endurance Sports put on several successful events for the Village of Cassadaga during the 2021 season, generating revenue for the village and local businesses, while also donating a total of $12,335 to various organizations within Cassadaga.

For next year, the event dates for the races have already been set, as there are 11 events on tap, with all the events from 2021 returning for 2022, with each event happening during the same time of year as the year previously.

“They fall in line with where they’ve been historically,” Wilson said. “The exception is because Labor Day falls funny so the STTC is after Cassadaga Man, but those are the dates.”

With success comes room for improvement. Wilson Endurance Sports owner Mark Wilson asked the Cassadaga Village Board for a couple considerations on how the events can improve for next year, and his fellow board members were happy to oblige.

Wilson’s first request was to park everybody arriving for the events at the Village baseball fields.

Wilson said that he would check with local groups to make sure that the dates he needs wouldn’t interfere with any baseball activities at the fields that day, but outside of that, parking there is the easiest solution for everyone.

“It’s a huge lot,” Wilson said. “It’s gotten big enough for every event and annoying enough to locals that I don’t want this to happen again. I want people to be parked at the same place, at the same time and I want to train people to start doing that now.”

Wilson mentioned that for some of the bigger races, like Cassadaga Man or the Cassadaga Lakes Running Festival, he may provide a shuttle service from the ballfields to the event start for various spectators, should the budget allow for it.

“Spectators can’t walk all the time,” Wilson said. “So, I think that’s what I’m going to do. Most of the events aren’t big enough but for those ones.”

Wilson’s other request was that for the race dates in July and August, the Summer Rec program would not happen at the beach. He specifically asked for just those two Wednesdays so his events can be stress free for everyone involved.

“It’s less stressful for everybody involved,” Wilson said. “We’re willing to donate money for this to happen. It’s just a huge headache and I’d rather people save programs.”

Wilson specified that he does not want the entire beach shut down for his events, just that the Recreational program specifically did not happen on those two days.

“The rec program is the issue,” Wilson said. “Everyone is stepping on each other’s toes and it’s uncomfortable. It’s a major problem. It’s uncomfortable for me, it’s uncomfortable for the people working there, and it’s uncomfortable for the athletes.”

There was some question on if they could close the park off due to it being a public space, though the board was generally OK with Wilson’s request. Overall, Wilson Endurance Sports sees visitors from all around the country, which is something that makes Wilson happy, even if it’s something he can’t quite comprehend.

“People come from all over for these events,” Wilson said. “It blows my mind that people come to Cassadaga but having Buffalo right there for the airport is really convenient.”

The dates of the events for all of Wilson’s events were approved by the board, as was his request for event parking at the ball fields. Wilson’s request to close the beach programs on July 6 and August 3 were also approved.

The Wilson Endurance Sports 2022 events schedule is as follows: Frozen 50K – Feb. 5; Cassadaga Fireman’s Beer Mile – May 28; Cassadaga Lakes Running Festival – May 29; STTC Summer Tri Series – June 8, July 6, August 3, Sept. 7; Frickin’ Hot 50K – August 6; Cassadaga Kids Triathlon – August 13; CassadagaMan – Sept. 3; KBR Triathlon – Sept. 17.