Falling Leaves Road Race Presented by Utica First Insurance
About this race
The fall classic is back once again this Sunday, September 27th 2026! This year we are running over 50 years strong. Join the Utica Roadrunners in downtown Utica at the State Office Building for the 5k or the scenic switchbacks 14k. We have a kid's run too! Please join us for the post-race party and awards ceremony at DoubleTree by Hilton Utica. There will be male and female awards for overall winners and five year age group winners for the 5k and 14k. If you are interested in being a volunteer or a sponsor, please send us a message or Click Here to Volunteer.
Packet Pick up and Registration:- Registration fees will increase to $60 on race weekend. Cash, check, and Venmo will be accepted.
- The first packet pick up is Saturday, 9/26 from 10am-4pm at the Sneaker Store. Stop on by for some great deals on shoes, apparel, and other runner goodies! KIDS RUN PACKETS ARE ONLY PICKED UP ON RACE MORNING.
- The second pack pick up is Sunday, 9/27 beginning at 7am at DoubleTree by Hilton Utica (NOT the Delta Marriott hotel). You can also register at the DoubleTree the day of the race until 8:30am. Kids Race Runners can pick up their bib and shirt at 7 am on SUNDAY ONLY.
Course Descriptions:
- The 5k course starts on a light incline for the first half mile. TURN RIGHT at the traffic circle to continue on to the 5k. The course then flattens out for the rest of the mile (mile 1 is near the corner of Oswego St.). The start of the second mile inclines slightly and finishes flat. The remaining 1.1 mile is pretty much the first mile in reverse.
- The 14k course starts out the same as the 5k, on a light incline for the first half mile. TURN LEFT at the traffic circle to continue on the 14k. The course then flattens out for the rest of the mile. Mile two continues up a slight incline and starts up a slightly tougher incline up the Parkway. Mile three works it's way up Valley View and into the park. The next three miles are the scenic but challenging switchbacks and park roads. The next mile is mostly downhill. The rest of the race is the more casual downhill of Oneida and Genesee Streets with a fast finish.
See you at the start line!
Pick your distance
Running
5K
The Falling Leaves is back on Genesee Street this year. The traditional 5k race starting and ending by the Utica State Office Building. Bear RIGHT at the traffic circle to continue with this course.
14K
The Falling Leaves is back on Genesee Street this year. The traditional 14k race starting and ending at Utica State Office Building. Bear LEFT at the traffic circle to continue with this course.
Kid's Kilometer Fun Run
The annual Kids Kilometer run up and down Genesee returns for 2025. Can't wait to see the kids and families before the main event!
Typical race-day weather
Based on 12 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Utica, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:54 AM and sets at 6:49 PM local time (EDT) in Utica on September 27, 2026 — 11h 55m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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2026 results — Falling Leaves Road Race Presented by Utica First Insurance
761 finishers across 2 distances · leading places in the 5K
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Putney | 18:13 | 5:52 /mi |
| 2 | Sarah Jonathan | 18:37 | 6:00 /mi |
| 3 | Derek Therrien-Bryant | 18:50 | 6:04 /mi |
| 4 | Marc Reina | 18:59 | 6:07 /mi |
| 5 | Scott Humphrey | 19:20 | 6:14 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
Other races near Utica
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Sitrin Riggie Run & Walk
The UR Four Race Challenge
Boolermaker Kid's Run presented by Gpo Federal Credit Union
Krampus 5K and Walk
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Utica
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Utica 5K Races 9 races
- Utica Running Calendar 2026 15 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 16 Utica events
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