Registration Opens for 2022 Oak Tree Race
Registration is now open for the 18th annual Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K taking place in Geneseo NY on September 4th, 2022.
The area’s largest running race is returning to Geneseo over Labor Day weekend. Registration opened on June 1st for this annual event, in its 18th year, which raises funds to support the local land conservation efforts of the non-profit Genesee Valley Conservancy.
The Oak Tree Half Marathon allows runners to compete along a unique course that features historic downtown Geneseo and the rural countryside of Nations Road that offers scenic vistas of farms and forests for runners. The Oak Tree 5K brings runners past the Conservancy’s Island Preserve, through historic downtown Geneseo, and through several residential streets in the Village. Both courses end at the Geneseo Central School track.
Organized by Genesee Valley Conservancy, the event is the largest fundraising event for the organization. Executive Director Benjamin Gajewski says “Not only does this event raise important funds for local conservation work, the courses show off over 3,000 acres of lands protected by the Conservancy, including the Island Preserve which is used by every student during their time at Geneseo Central School.”
This year, funds raised will help support Genesee Valley Conservancy’s latest conservation project: The Gully Preserve. This property, acquired last November, is a stunning hemlock forest that helps protect the Dansville drinking water supply. Little Mill Creek, which flows across the property, has over a dozen waterfalls on the preserve.
Donated by a landowner seeking to ensure continued public enjoyment of her property, the Conservancy is now working to create new trails, improve safe public access, and take measures to protect and improve the drinking water stream that flows over the property.
The Oak Tree Races take place on Sunday September 4th starting with the 8am Oak Tree Half Marathon which begins on Route 39 near the Geneseo Central School, travels to main street, before returning north to Nations Road, Roots Tavern Road, and Huston Road, before returning to the school for the finish.
The companion Oak Tree 5K race begins just after, starting at ~8:15 and circles through the Village of Geneseo before finishing at the Geneseo Central School Track.
The minor modifications made to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 will continue this year; packet pickup will be held outdoors, food will be served by gloved volutneers. Otherwise, this outdoor event will see little change from years past.
Gajewski expects numbers will grow from last year, when promotions were limited due to the uncertainty and advanced planning needed for such a large event. This year, he expects no such hesitations in organizing and hosting this race. “We’ve had a few years where we cut back on our organizing effort, but this year is full steam ahead and we can’t wait to have a full field of runners set to compete!”
The Oak Tree Race is supported by Tompkins Community Bank, as it has been since its inaugural year, among a dozen other local businesses that support the race and the mission of Genesee Valley Conservancy to protect land in the Genesee Valley.
To register, visit www.oaktreerace.org
Village of Geneseo residents are encouraged to avoid driving between 7:45am and 9am on Sunday September 5th, to avoid the road closures that result from the race. Residents along the course will be notified in the week prior to the race. Says Gajewski, “If you’re not going to run, come volunteer or cheer on our runners. Runners appreciate the community effort and support it takes to pull off the Oak Tree each year!”