Run for the Hills Trail Race Happening September 5

The 5th Annual “Run for the Hills” Trail Race will be held by the Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve in Niantic, CT on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 9am. This year Hikers are encouraged to join the fun as well!

The technically challenging 3.3-mile course has 350’ of vertical elevation gain and is electronically timed by SNERRO Timing. The loop offers a spectacular tour of the Nature Preserve from the kiosk at Veterans Memorial Park across the bridge below Clark Pond, then following the blue trail to the northern reaches of the Preserve. The route returns on the red trail through a scenic section nicknamed the “Lunar Landscape”.

Runners and Hikers for this fundraising event can register at oswhills.org or runsignup.com.

Following the race, there will be an awards ceremony with the top three men and women in each of seven age groups awarded treasured mountain laurel medals hand crafted by the Friends. The mountain laurel wood is sustainably harvested from non-living specimens in the Oswegatchie Hills. Last year there were 117 finishers ranging in age from 6 to 74 years old.

The race course is similar to the Blue and Red Trail Loop which can be found on the popular AllTrails app at alltrails.com/trail/us/connecticut/oswegatchie-blue-and-red-loop-trail. The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve in Niantic, Connecticut, overlooks the Niantic River to the east, and was officially opened in 2007. The 457-acre Preserve was created by public/private partnership and is owned by the Town of East Lyme and managed by the Friends.

Major Event Sponsors are Boats Inc; Charter Oak Federal Credit Union; Chelsea Groton Savings Bank; Conway, Londregan, Sheehan and Monaco PC; East Lyme Rent-A-Space; Fast Signs and Riverhead Building Supply. All proceeds are used to help maintain this special place of quiet beauty for future generations to enjoy!

Registration Page: Run for The Hills 

More Details: Run For The Hills - Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve