Swain Mountain Race

🏔️ 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 6.5 miles 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 1.8 miles 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 Festivities

• Cheering: 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 Information

• Early Registration: Price increases as it gets closer to race day so sign up early!
• Packet Pickup: Race Day at the Swain ski resort 7:30 am - 8:15 am
• Race Start: Race starts at 8:30 am!!!

🏅 USATF Niagara Overall Awards

(Must be a 2025 USATF Niagara Member) Overall (M/F)

• 1st: TBD
• 2nd: TBD
• 3rd: 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: A Jar of Once Again Nut Butter, $20 Gift Card to Rochester Running Co and a Swain Mountain Race Hat
• 2nd place: A Swain Mountain Race Hat
• 3rd place: $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 .35 miles 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 by 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

🔗 More Information

For more details and registration, visit the Swain Mountain Race page.