The ADIRONDACK is named after the mountain region in northeastern New York State, bounded by the Canadian border on the north, the Mohawk River valley on the south, the Saint Lawrence River and Black River valleys on the west, and the Lake Champlain area on the east. The Adirondacks are composed mainly of metamorphic and igneous rock, and are among the oldest in the world. Adirondack Park, established in 1892, houses Mount Marcy, the highest summit in the State of New York (5,344 feet).
The ADIRONDACK was run at Belmont Park in 1943, 1944, and 1945; and at Jamaica in 1953 and 1954. Not run in 1911 and 1912; from 1946 to 1952, nor from 1956 to 1961. Run as a handicap prior to 1946. From 1901 to 1993, with the exception of the years 1953 through 1955, when it was run at the distance of five and a half furlongs, it was run at a distance of six furlongs. In 1994, the distance was changed to six and a half furlongs. Open to both sexes prior to 1930.