2024 Save Our Switchbacks will be on Saturday, April 20th!
Sign-ups are now open: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Utica/SaveOurSwitchbacks
- Discounts are available for Utica Roadrunners, Roman Runners, and Mohawk Valley Hill Striders members!
- The price goes UP April 1st
- Sign-up by April 5th to guarantee your T-shirt
Race Information
This is a 7.5K (4.66mi) road race and the long standing Utica Roadrunners kick-off event for the race season.
Help support the South Woods Trails Project while running "Half a Boilermaker"
A Utica Roadrunners Grand Prix Event
We need Volunteers!
Not running? Please sign-up to volunteer to help out with water stops and runner directions: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/NY/Utica/SaveOurSwitchbacks
Details
Early packet pickup will be at the Sneaker Store (24 Genesee St, New Hartford) on Friday, April 19th, from 2-6pm, and then also at The Beer Hub (2643 Genesee St, Utica) from 6-8pm. You may pick-up your packet or register to run in the morning on April 20th at the Parkway Rec Center (upper parking lot) from 7:30-8:30am.
Run Route:
- Race begins on the Parkway to the East of Parking lot, and runners head East on the Parkway
- Turn right into the Golf course parking lot (or along Valley View road, construction is uncertain), and get on the trail that runs along Valley View
- Enter the golf course on the trail, and continue to the South Woods Switchbacks entrance
- Turn left to head into the Switchbacks, and stay LEFT at the fork to head up the hill
- Follow the marked pathways through the woods to loop back around the Switchbacks to where you entered
- Upon exiting the woods, head straight out and up the hill through the golf course along the Boilermaker route
- Turn right at the T intersection to head down the hill back toward the Parkway (do NOT go up to the Eagle!)
- Turn left onto the Parkway, remaining on the sidewalk, and Finish at the same spot you started
Awards Ceremony
The ceremony will start shortly after the completion of the 7.5K race. Awards will be given to the top male and top female overall, and also to male/female 1st place finishers in their age bracket (0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 606-69, 70-79). You must be present to accept awards.
Food/Amenities
There will be food and drinks available for runners after the race in the upper parking lot area of the Recreation Center. The Recreation Center will be open for restroom use.
In the spring of 1996, following a particularly harsh winter, the 2-mile South Woods trail through the Roscoe Conkling Park had deteriorated to a safety hazard. Responding to the imminent loss of the South Woods trail, the Utica Roadrunners prevailed upon the city to allow the club to temporarily repair the most severely damaged sections, reopen the trail, and embark on a long term plan to restore the South Woods trail. Since then, the SOS project has expanded to include the running path alongside Valley View Road.