3 events in City of Utica, New York

Celebrate over 50 years of running with the Utica Roadrunners with the Four Race Challenge!

Starting January 1, 2026, runners can sign up for all of our four core events at once! Just $120* for current 2026 Utica Roadrunner members and $145* for non-members - and there's a $20 discount if you if you sign up by January 15th! Your member discount will be applied at checkout. *prices do not include Runsignup fees

The UR Four Race Challenge consists of our core races:

• SAVE OUR SWITCHBACKS 7.5k-South Woods, Utica, NY - Saturday, April 18th

• THE SUMMER SIZZLE Five Mile Road Race, Proctor Park, Utica, NY - Sunday, June 21st

• FALLING LEAVES 5k or 14k Road Races, Utica, NY - Sunday, September 27th

• SKELETON RUN 5k Trail Race, Deerfield NY - Sunday, October 18th

In an age when many other local races are charging $70-100 for one event, we are keeping our rates low!

Sign up for the Four Race Challenge and get a short sleeve performance shirt.

You will also get ALL the SWAG from each event you enter. That includes medals, shirts, and any other giveaways.

The Ted Petrillo

Save Our Switchbacks

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

9:00AM start time

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

**Miss the sign-up?? You may register on Saturday, April 18th from 7:30-8:30am at the same place as packet pick-up. Please bring $40 cash. Shirts are on a first-come, first serve basis.

The Utica Roadrunners are happy to announce the return of The Grateful For Graham 5K Run/Walk! Graham Robertello is a 6 year old boy who was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) - a rare genetic disorder where the body is unable to produce a critical protein that binds the layers of skin together. This results in the skin tearing, blistering, and even shearing off. The wounds that result are severely painful, can lead to disfigurement, and some (they can also be internal) may never heal. There is no cure for EB at this time, but with everyone's support in the past 5 years, we finally have the first THREE FDA approved treatments for the effects of EB! A cure is in sight... Join us in the fight to find a cure for EB once and for all!

All proceeds raised will go directly to the EB Research Partnership to help find a cure and additional treatments for EB!

The event will be a 5K "out and back" run and walk. The course is a fairly flat course along the Rayhill Memorial (Rt. 840) Trail, starting and finishing at the trailhead near BOCES on Middle Settlement Rd (see map below). Parking will be available in the nearby BOCES parking lot. Awards will be given to the fastest overall male and female participants (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and 1st place in each 10 year age group (teen groups will be ages 13 - 19, no age group awards for 12 and under).

All PAID registrations will include a 2026 Grateful for Graham t-shirt! Unfortunately, we are unable to provide shirts for free registrations (5 and under or virtual) or to ship for non local registrations. If local and planning to participate virtually but still want a shirt, please sign up for the in-person event and get your shirt at packet pickup. To guarantee a shirt & your desired size, registrations must be completed before April 10, 2026. We will do our best to accommodate your shirt request, but can not guarantee your selection after this date, so register early!!!

We will also continue the Stroller Division again for this year! Because Graham LOVES going out on runs in the stroller with mom, we invite you to join us for a friendly stroller competition! Awards will be given to the fastest female and male who participate pushing their child in a stroller.