Sidewinder

Event Overview

Are you ready to launch your running to the next level in 2026? Join us for the first ever Sidewinder in Montour Woods Conservation Area, with proceeds benefiting the Hollow Oak Land Trust. Choose your distance: Half Marathon (hikers welcome), 20 Mile (hikers welcome), or the full 50K and expect a well-marked route, solid aid, and a welcoming first-year vibe.

Volunteer Information

Interested in volunteering at the race? Please fill out this form.

Event Details

• Date: September 5, 2026
• Time: All events will begin at 8:00 am
• Cutoff: 10 hour cutoff
• Location: Starting from the Clearview Pavilion in Moon Park (Google Maps location)

About the Course

Typical Western PA trail conditions: twisty dirt singletrack with plenty of roots, windy switchbacks, and rocky sections that keep you on your toes. The course will consist of three parts: Liftoff, Orbit, and Final Approach.

Liftoff

Starting at Clearview Shelter in Moon Park, Liftoff is a 1.3 mile segment that will connect you from Moon Park to Montour Woods. Expect a nice flowy, downhill section connecting to a wooden boardwalk to start your race and ensure that all systems are go.

Orbit

Time to start into Orbit, consisting of a 9 mile loop around the Montour Woods Conservation Area. Orbit will take you through all the must-see sites in Montour Woods.

• Reclaimed Sites: Cruise through the reclaimed concrete clearing of the old Nike missile site.
• Scenery: Wind up and down the mountain beside Meeks Run with a waterfall spilling over rock ledges.
• Old Features: Pass an old oil well tucked along the trail.
• Aid Stations: Available approximately every 3-4 miles along the loop.

Final Approach

50K and Half Marathon: You will climb into your Final Approach, a 2.9 mile, mostly double track loop around Moon Park.

20 Mile: You will climb back to the finish line, the same 1.36 segment as Liftoff but in reverse.

Vertical Gain per Distance

• 50K: ~4500 ft
• 20 Mile: ~3200 ft
• Half Marathon: ~1900 ft

Swag

• T-Shirts: Guaranteed if you sign up by July 31, 2026.
• Finishers Medal: All finishers will receive a medal.
• Awards: Given to the top male and female finishers of each distance.

Preview Run

Join us for a course preview run on Sunday, July 12 at 9:00 am! Sign up here.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Timing Cut-Off: All three distances will have a cutoff of 10 hours.
• Timing Company: Yes, Miles of Smiles will be timing the event.
• Nearby Hotels: Yes, there are plenty of nearby hotels in both Robinson Township and Moon Township.
• Packet Pick-Up: Details will be provided later: anticipating availability the night before the race and the morning of.

Thank You, Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors - without them, this race would not be able to take flight!

• Public Lands
• Pro Bike + Run, Robinson Township
• Gu Energy Labs

More Information

For additional information about the Sidewinder race, please visit the event page at Sidewinder Race.