2025 Save Our Switchbacks will be on Saturday, April 12th!
Sign-ups are now open: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Utica/SaveOurSwitchbacks
Race Information
This is a 7.5K (4.66mi) road race and the long standing Utica Roadrunners kick-off event for the race season. This year we are pleased to be partnering with the Utica Zoo again to end our course through Zoo property and will be bringing back the 1/2 mile kids fun run!
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
Packet Pick-Up
Friday, April 11th
- Pick up from 2-5pm at the Sneaker Store (24 Genesee St, New Hartford)
- Pick up from 5:30-8pm at the Beer Garden at the Burrstone Inn (1777 Burrstone Rd, New Hartford)
- This is also the Utica Roadrunners Happy Hour for April! Feel free to hang out for some pre-run carb-loading and hydration. Pizza and wings will be provided for UR members.
Saturday, April 12th
- 7:30-8:30am at the Parkway Rec Center on Memorial Parkway - park in the upper parking lot near the ice rink/pickleball courts and the UR tents will be set-up along the Parkway sidewalk leading to the Zoo
Day of Registration
You may register on Saturday, April 12th from 7:30-8:30am at the same place as packet pick-up. Please bring $35 cash. Shirts are on a first-come, first serve basis.
Run Route:
- Race begins on the Parkway to the East of Parking lot, and runners head East on the Parkway
- Turn right onto Valley View road, up into the parking lot, 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
- Go straight at the T intersection to head toward the Zoo
- Turn left to enter the Zoo gates (do NOT go up to the Eagle!)
- Follow the route past the animals, into the Zoo parking lot, and down the hill
- 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.