3 running events in Allegany County, New York

Swain Mountain Race

The Suffer Fest known as Swain Mountain Race is Back on August 1st!! SMR is a mountain/trail race that will cover approximately 6.5miles up and down the Swain Ski Slopes with nearly 2500ft of elevation gain. This race won’t be easy but we can promise it will be epic with lots and lots of steep climbs and descents, so embrace the challenge. The race course consists of 2 Loops, the first loop is approximately 1.8miles and climbs mile sweep. The second loop is approximately 4.8 miles and ascends up some of Swains most challenging climbs including Clark and Upper Robinson.

Post race: cheer in runners with food, drinks, and fun!!!

USATF Niagara Mountain Championships Swain Mountain Race will serve as the 2026 USATF Niagara Open and Masters Mountain Association Championships. The race will also be part of the 2026 USATF Niagara Runner Of The Year Series and Team Grand Prix Series. Due to the sanctioning of this USATF event and hosting the Association Championship Hiking poles are prohibited. Any 2026 USATF member will receive a $10 discount when you use your membership number when pre-registering online.

Registration

Price increases as it gets closer to race day so sign up early!

Packet Pickup

Race Day at the swain ski resort 7:30am - 8:15 am

Race starts at 8:30am!!!

USATF Niagara Overall Awards (Must be a 2025 USATF Niagara Member)

Overall (M/F)

1st TBD

2nd TBD

3rds TBD

MASTERS (M/F)

1st TBD

2nd TBD

Swain Mountain Race Age Group Awards: Top 3 (M/F): 19 and U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

Age group winners will receive!!!

1st place will win: A Jar of Once Again Nut Butter, $20 Gift Card to Rochester Running Co and a Swain Mountain Race Hat

2nd place will win: A Swain Mountain Race Hat

3rd will win: $10 Gift Card to Rochester Running Co

Robinson Climb: The Robinson Climb consists of Upper and Lower Robinson which is the races final climb and is one of Swain’s most challenging climbs. We will have split mats down at the bottom and top of the climb. The Fastest Male and Female that runs this climb will win a $50 sponsored by Derrick Jones. Robinson is approximately .35miles with 500ft+ of gain, its average grade is 25%. It’s not the hardest and steepest climb in the world but it will be a challenge!! Want to just get up the Robinson Climb? Not worried about how fast you go? We will be giving away a Nathan’s Hand held water bottle for the slowest climb of the day! We appreciate everyone that attempts to tackle this race regardless of ability and we are grateful for your race support!

Robinson Descent

Like bombing down hill? The fastest down hill split from the Top of Upper Robinson to the finish will win a $50 sponsored by Derrick Jones.

Tombstone Redemption: If you have the misfortune of DNFing the race we will honor you be making a tombstone with your name on it and the race year you DNF. It will then be on display at next year’s race. If you ever come back and then finish the race you will redeem yourself by winning your tombstone back!!

Sponsors

USATF Niagara

Rochester Running Company

Bergen Elite

Once Again Nut Butter

VJ Shoes

IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails is hosting the second annual trail run through the forested Phillips Creek, Turnpike, and Palmers Pond State Forest.

NEW THIS YEAR - we have added both a 10K distance walk and a 25K race course for runners. Improvements to trail 3 were completed in 2025 and the 5K course has returned to the distance advertised. All courses pass through rolling hardwood stands as well as sections of older pine plantations showing off the beauty of Western New York. Map of Palmers Pond, Phillips Creek ,and Turnpike State Forest Trails: Map of State Forest Trails

-The 5K run and walk follows the the Trail 3 loop clockwise finishing at the trail head of the State Route 244 parking lot. The route is rolling and may have wet spots to cross. The longest climb of 25m comes at the 4km mark.

-The 10K run and walk follows the West side of Trail 3 then continues north on Trail 4 to the Stewart Forest Road. It then follows a short section of the gravel road north before turning onto the Trail 5 loop and heading back south to Trail 4, merging with Trail 6, and finally heading south on Trail 2/6 before finishing at the trailhead of the State Route 244 parking lot. There is one creek crossing and potential for mud or wet spots to run/walk through. The topography varies greatly with many small hills while the overall elevation change along the 10K route results in a ~60m loss over the first 7.5 kilometers, which it gains back over the last 2.5 kilometers. The route is similar to last year when it was well received and considered a scenic and exciting challenge for trail racers. We hope it will be equally enjoyable and invigorating for walkers.

-The newly added 25K run follows both well traveled and little traveled trails along with some gravel and seasonal roads to connect trails of all three state forests. There are creek crossings and high potential for mud and wet spots to run through. Additionally, the topography varies greatly with many small hills and several larger ones making this a scenic, exciting and challenging 25K trail run!

The host, IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, is a non-profit volunteer lead, membership driven group dedicated to improving trail accessibility for all users to enjoy the natural wonders of Allegany County. All race proceeds and donations contribute to furthering the groups mission. Accomplishments of IMPACT are directly linked to the dedication of members and the Board of Directors. For more information see IMPACT Friends Group website

CHECK-IN / PACKET & BIB PICK-UP

Location: State Route 244 Phillips Creek State Forest Parking Area

Time: open at 6:40am on race day

25K RUN - Start time 7:15am

5K and 10K RUN - Start Time 8:45

5K and 10K WALK - Start Time: 9:15am

Special Note

This event is ONLY possible with the Generosity of Sponsors and help of Amazing Volunteers to which we are indebted.

Sponsors: you can be listed here and with all publicity! Sponsors for the inaugural event-2025 are listed below

Volunteers include but are not limited to:

• Emergency rescue services of Alfred Station Fire Company, Angelica Fire and Rescue.

• Ambulance and EMT services of Alfred A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company and Andover Ambulance Company.

• Communications assistance provided by local Ham Radio operators using the repeaters of Alfred and Wellsville

• Logistic assistance from local Scouts of America Troops

• Water distribution sites TBD

2025 list of Sponsors:

Platinum level

The Bethesda Foundation of Hornell

Gold level

Runnings

Ryan Agency - Insurance Protection You Can Rely On

ServU Credit Union

Zimmerman Outdoor Services

Silver level

Alco Federal Credit Union

Harrington's Grocery

Pauline E. Burnes Landscape Architect, PLLC

UR Jones Memorial Hospital

Wegmans

Bronze level

Ace's Coutny Cupboard, Fleet Feet, Larry's Latrines, Nicholson Pharmacy, Texas Hot, Vicky Westacott, Weyand Chiropractic Associates, W. Brooke Harris