Sidewinder
- Date Sat 5th September 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
- Price $48.95 - $70.15
- Races 3 races
- Distances Ultra, Half Marathon
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating running experience at the inaugural Sidewinder event on Saturday, September 5, 2026, set in the beautiful Montour Woods Conservation Area. Participants can choose from three exciting race distances: a Half Marathon, a challenging 20 Mile race, or a full 50K adventure, all with a welcoming atmosphere perfect for both seasoned runners and hikers alike. The event kicks off at 8:00 AM from the Clearview Pavilion in Moon Park, providing a well-marked course filled with twisty dirt trails, scenic views, and the thrill of nature.
Each distance features a unique course that will keep you engaged and motivated. The Half Marathon includes one loop around the stunning Montour Woods, while the 20 Mile and 50K races challenge you with multiple laps, taking you through breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems like waterfalls and old oil wells. With aid stations every 3-4 miles, you’ll have ample support along the way. Plus, all finishers will earn a medal, and awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in each category. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a trail-running community that supports the Hollow Oak Land Trust, enhancing greenways and preserving the natural
Each distance features a unique course that will keep you engaged and motivated. The Half Marathon includes one loop around the stunning Montour Woods, while the 20 Mile and 50K races challenge you with multiple laps, taking you through breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems like waterfalls and old oil wells. With aid stations every 3-4 miles, you’ll have ample support along the way. Plus, all finishers will earn a medal, and awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in each category. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a trail-running community that supports the Hollow Oak Land Trust, enhancing greenways and preserving the natural
Organiser's Description
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 [https://hollowoak.org/]*. 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.
Interested in volunteering at the race? Please fill out this form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwlfC-j7IwJdHt8ygmL95N9iCdgzelwnsp1oMbKSspSpdlUQ/viewform?usp=dialog].
All events will begin at 8:00 am with a 10 hour cutoff. The event will start from the Clearview Pavilion in Moon Park (Google Maps location [https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ea15146vZ5vfuDk4A]).
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. Youll cruise through the reclaimed concrete clearing of the old Nike missile site, pop out under the powerline, wind up and down and around the mountain, settle into a scenic stretch beside Meeks Run (with a waterfall spilling over rock ledges and a cave feature that feels like a hidden trail secret), and pass an old oil well tucked along the trail. Aid stations will be available approximately every 3-4 miles along the loop. One Orbit loop for the half marathon, two for the 20 milers, and three for those completing the 50K.
FINAL APPROACH
50K and Half Marathon: As the end of your journey draws near, you will climb into your Final Approach, a 2.9 mile, mostly double track loop around Moon Park. The loop gives you that perfect ending, knowing your journey is coming to a close and you're about to achieve your goal.
20 Mile: As the end of your journey draws near, you will climb back to the finish line, the same 1.36 segment as Liftoff but in reverse. An uphill push to the end, you'll be digging deep to finish strong and achieve your goal.
Vertical Gain per Distance:
50K: ~4500 ft
20 Mile: ~3200 ft
Half Marathon: ~1900 ft
--
*Hollow Oak Land Trust partners with municipalitiesincluding Moon and Robinson Townships, Coraopolis Borough, and the Avonworth Municipal Authorityto create interconnected greenways that link parks, conservation areas, and communities. These greenways serve as both wildlife corridors and trail connectors, expanding access to nature while protecting habitat and improving environmental resilience.
SWAG
T-shirts are only guaranteed if you sign up by July 5, 2026.
All finishers will receive a medal.
Awards will be 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 [https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coraopolis/SidewinderPreviewRun].
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS THE TIMING CUT-OFF FOR THE RACE? All three distances will have a cutoff of 10 hours.
WILL THE RACE BE TIMED BY A TIMING COMPANY? Yes, Miles of Smiles will be timing the event.
ARE THERE NEARBY HOTELS? Yes, there are plenty of nearby hotels in both Robinson Township and Moon Township.
WHEN WILL PACKET PICK-UP TAKE PLACE? We will provide more details on this later, but are anticipating packet pickup to be available 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 [https://www.publiclands.com/]
Pro Bike + Run, Robinson Township [https://www.probikerun.com/about/robinson-pg205.htm]
Gu Energy Labs [https://guenergy.com/]
Interested in volunteering at the race? Please fill out this form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwlfC-j7IwJdHt8ygmL95N9iCdgzelwnsp1oMbKSspSpdlUQ/viewform?usp=dialog].
All events will begin at 8:00 am with a 10 hour cutoff. The event will start from the Clearview Pavilion in Moon Park (Google Maps location [https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ea15146vZ5vfuDk4A]).
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. Youll cruise through the reclaimed concrete clearing of the old Nike missile site, pop out under the powerline, wind up and down and around the mountain, settle into a scenic stretch beside Meeks Run (with a waterfall spilling over rock ledges and a cave feature that feels like a hidden trail secret), and pass an old oil well tucked along the trail. Aid stations will be available approximately every 3-4 miles along the loop. One Orbit loop for the half marathon, two for the 20 milers, and three for those completing the 50K.
FINAL APPROACH
50K and Half Marathon: As the end of your journey draws near, you will climb into your Final Approach, a 2.9 mile, mostly double track loop around Moon Park. The loop gives you that perfect ending, knowing your journey is coming to a close and you're about to achieve your goal.
20 Mile: As the end of your journey draws near, you will climb back to the finish line, the same 1.36 segment as Liftoff but in reverse. An uphill push to the end, you'll be digging deep to finish strong and achieve your goal.
Vertical Gain per Distance:
50K: ~4500 ft
20 Mile: ~3200 ft
Half Marathon: ~1900 ft
--
*Hollow Oak Land Trust partners with municipalitiesincluding Moon and Robinson Townships, Coraopolis Borough, and the Avonworth Municipal Authorityto create interconnected greenways that link parks, conservation areas, and communities. These greenways serve as both wildlife corridors and trail connectors, expanding access to nature while protecting habitat and improving environmental resilience.
SWAG
T-shirts are only guaranteed if you sign up by July 5, 2026.
All finishers will receive a medal.
Awards will be 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 [https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coraopolis/SidewinderPreviewRun].
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS THE TIMING CUT-OFF FOR THE RACE? All three distances will have a cutoff of 10 hours.
WILL THE RACE BE TIMED BY A TIMING COMPANY? Yes, Miles of Smiles will be timing the event.
ARE THERE NEARBY HOTELS? Yes, there are plenty of nearby hotels in both Robinson Township and Moon Township.
WHEN WILL PACKET PICK-UP TAKE PLACE? We will provide more details on this later, but are anticipating packet pickup to be available 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 [https://www.publiclands.com/]
Pro Bike + Run, Robinson Township [https://www.probikerun.com/about/robinson-pg205.htm]
Gu Energy Labs [https://guenergy.com/]
Races
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Location
1367 Joe DeNardo Way, Coraopolis, 15108, PA, United States
Sidewinder
