_ NEW COURSE FOR 2026! _

Due to the pending reclamation of the former Slickville coal mounds, we will no longer be able to use those grounds as part of our Coal Mine Climb 5K. A new course has been selected which will still provide a challenging, hilly racecourse and uses most of the former course but in the opposite direction. See below for the new course description and maps. Runners and walkers will still be running/walking past the former mine site. Also new in 2026, walkers will now have the option to choose between an easier and more challenging (and scenic) walking route. After completing the run/walk, all participants will be treated to a COMPLIMENTARY PANCAKE BREAKFAST with locally sourced genuine maple syrup courtesy of the Slickville Community Church and Maple Lodge. Participants are asked to bring a canned good or other non-perhishable item for donation to the Westmoreland County Food Bank. Be sure to sign up early to guarantee receipt of an event sports shirt in your preferred size.

Registration is open on race day from 7:00 AM to 8:15 AM. The run/walk begins at 8:30 AM. An awards ceremony will follow around 9:30 but feel free to stay or come back later to check out the other events including a car show, craft and food booths, children's activities, a cow patty bingo and musical entertainment throughout the day and evening. A fireworks display will take place shortly after dark.



5K RUN COURSE DESCRIPTION

The 5K course will start and end at the Harold Shawley Centennial Amphitheater. Runners will exit the fireman's grounds behind the amphitheater heading west briefly on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) before turning south on PA 819. This is a slowly increasing incline until turning left onto Sportsman Rd where you will be challenged by a much steeper climb until you reach the peak of the hill overlooking the Slickville Sportsman's Grounds. Watch out for wildlife as runners in 2025 had to run around turkeys on the course here. After summiting the hill you will have a long and fast downhill grade on a back country road until intersecting the WHT at the base of the hill just after the first mile. An aid station is located at this intersection. You will then cross County Road and encounter the 2nd sharp hill climb up Jamison Street to make a loop through the east side of Slickville past Elrico Park before descending back down Jamison St. and across County Road to the aid station at the WHT. From there you will have a steady uphill ascent on the WHT to the finish line back at the amphitheater.

5K COURSE MAP:

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GARMIN MAP OF 5K COURSE:

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5K COURSE ELEVATION PROFILE:

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2 MILE FUN WALK COURSE DESCRIPTION

The 2 Mile Fun Walk course will start and end at the Harold Shawley Centennial Amphitheater. Walkers will exit the fireman's grounds behind the amphitheater heading west briefly on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) before reaching PA 819. Walkers then have an option of taking either an easier or more challenging course. For the easier route, the walkers will make a U-Turn and head down the WHT until reaching the aid station at the intersection of Sportsman Rd where they can refuel before heading back up the WHT to the finish line at the amphitheater. Walkers are asked to keep right on the trail to make room for runners on the left competing in the 5K run. For those walkers wanting a more rigorous walk, they should turn left on 819 and follow the runners south on 819 before turning left on Sportsman Rd. This is rigorous uphill walk until you reach the top of the hill overlooking the Slickville Sportsman's Grounds after which you will make a long descent on a pleasant backroad of our community until reaching the aid station at the intersection of the WHT at the bottom of the hill. Here you can refuel before proceeding up the WHT to the finish line at the amphitheater.

2 Mile Fun Walk Map:

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