Montezuma Festival of Races (Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K)

MONTEZUMA FESTIVAL OF RACES | 13.1 | 10k | 5k |

Sunday-June 7, 2026 (Run events)

Saturday-June 6, 2026 (Island 25/15 Bike event) Please visit Island 25/15 race website if you are interested in registering or learning more.

Nestled in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, the tiny town of Savannah — home to a population of just over 1,700 year-round residents — is set to play host to the Montezuma Festival of Races. This series of races will take 5K, 10K and half marathon runners along country roads in low population density areas full of scenic views of rural Central New York.  It will be on mostly paved roads for the Half Marathon with a couple miles on packed dirt trails that will have you running on the outskirts of  Howland Island. The 10K and 5K are run entirely on paved roads (See Course Maps)

The race will benefit the important work and efforts of the Friends of Montezuma.Org

RACE WEATHER

Savannah, NY typically sees warm weather at the beginning of June. There will be plenty of hydration stations along the on course routes, as well as medical professionals on site. It is recommended that runners also be prepared with hydration belts and plenty of fluids. Thank you for your cooperation!

Packet Pickup (Pre Race)

DATE/TIME: TBD

Race Day Packet Pickup (Sunday, June 7) starting at 7:00am

Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 NY-89, Savannah, NY 13146)

Friends of Montezuma

100% of ALL donations will go directly to the Friends of Montezuma, a not for profit. The mission of Friends of The Montezuma Wetlands is to assist and promote wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation education, and public use within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC). To learn more please visit their website @ https://friendsofmontezuma.org/.  Please consider donating to this great cause.

HALF MARATHON (13.1 MILES)

START TIME: 8:00 AM EST
START/FINISH LINE:  Montezuma Audubon Center
THE COURSE:  A new 13.1 mile course for this year (2023) that will certainly give you a taste of Montezuma (Howland Island) but we have eliminated both the inner loop and the large stone gravel road section that leads to and from the inner loop trail. The new course should be much more "feet" friendly and faster without sacrificing to much of the scenic views of the Wetland Preserve. 

Course Map Course Map Half Marathon 2025

10K (6.2 MILES) 

START TIME: 8:15 AM EST
START/FINISH LINE: Montezuma Audubon Center
THE COURSE: The 10K COURSE will take place mostly on country roads in Savannah, NY. .

Course Map Course Map 10K (2025)

5K (3.1 MILES)

START TIME: 8:30 AM EST
START/FINISH LINE: Montezuma Audubon Center

Course Map Course Map 5K (2025)

Lodging

Clyde/Clyde Area:  

Erie Mansion  https://www.eriemansion.com/

Bear Creek Retreat (Cabin near Alloway) Air Bnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/569893711350528622?check_in=2023-05-12&check_out=2023-05-17&adults=2&children=0&infants=0&pets=1&source_impression_id=p3_1683906261_GC1KLe6Ag2B7aFVt

Savannah/Savannah Area:

Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina https://www.rccampground.com/

Country House Inn House (multiple rooms for rent – south of Rt. 31 near Armitage Bridge) AirBNB https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/29000855?adults=2&category_tag=Tag%3A8678&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=true&infants=0&location=Clyde%2C%20New%20York%2C%20United%20States&pets=1&check_in=2023-05-31&check_out=2023-06-05&federated_search_id=1a7f859d-5155-4f97-9f44-05914c61df3b&source_impression_id=p3_1683905435_%2FbuR1Y1fB0dq9hZI