Ben Allen and Mary LeBrun Schultz win respective 25k races
From IMPACT Friends of Allegany County Trails Inc, pictured are 10K Mens winners
Weather conditions were perfect with cool temperatures and beautiful blue skies shining on IMPACT’s second annual trail walk/run held Saturday, August 29, 2026. The event attracted 171 participants with walkers and runners spread out along 3 different routes in Phillips Creek, Turnpike, and Palmer’s Pond State Forests.
5K Walk = 52 10K Walk = 22
5K Run = 46 10K Run = 26 25K Run = 25
The challenging 25K trail race began promptly at 7:15 am starting at the Phillips Creek trailhead, requiring volunteers to be in place along the racecourse in the early morning hours. Trail sweepers on foot, bicycle, and horseback ensured that all trail/walkers and runners were safely out of the woods.
Participants Study the Racecourse Map
There were over 90 Volunteers who contributed to the success of this event!
Clearing and marking racecourse trails prior to August 29th and providing emergency and water stations along the routes were an important feature of this event.
Special thanks go to:
Communications:
KLARA – Ham Radio Operators
Trail Services:
A.U. Honors Student Service Committee
A.U. Women’s Soccer Team Members
Scouts of America – Troop 19 of Alfred
IMPACT members & friends
Trail Riders (NYS Horse Council Inc. & friends)
Emergency Response Team:
AE Crandall Hook And Ladder Co.
Alfred Station Fire Co.
Allegany County Sherrif’s Office
Andover Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Angelica Fire Rescue Co.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Rangers
West Almond – MTS
The Trail Rider Sweep Team at Palmers Pond checkpoint
The results of the trail running divisions are:
| 5K Mens Race | 5K Womens Race | |||
| 1 | Nickolas Schoenthal | 1 | Kirsten Dininny | |
| 2 | Ryan Baird | 2 | Vladyslava Makarenko | |
| 3 | Robert Keir | 3 | Caitlin Clarke | |
| 10K Mens Race | 10K Womens Race | |||
| 1 | Elijah Latko | 1 | Heidi Strauss | |
| 2 | Nicholas Bohdanowycz | 2 | Lacey Gardner | |
| 3 | Daniel Harris | 3 | Jackie Eason | |
| 25K Mens Race | 25K Womens Race | |||
| 1 | Ben Allen | 1 | Mary LeBrun Schultz | |
| 2 | Patrick Hager | 2 | Joann Bloxsom | |
| 3 | Joe Silliman | 3 | Rebecca Guinnip | |
25K Women’s Race
First Place Mary LeBrun Schultz
Second Place (on left) Joann Bloxsom
Third Place (on right) Rebecca Guinnip
25K First Place Ben Allen
Second Place Patick Hager
with IMPACT President Glenn Gebhard
25K Third Place Winner Joe Silliman
IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. organized this community event with support from the following business and individual sponsors:
WALNUT ($1000 plus)
Saputo USA
Bethesda Foundation of Hornell
Community Bank, N.A.
MAPLE ($500)
Cunningham, Stauring & Associates, Inc.
Higgins Family Trust
Larry’s Latrines
Runnings
SPRUCE ($250)
Alco Federal Credit Union
Allegany County Area Foundation
Fleet Feet Buffalo
Genesee Valley Media
Hess Tire Service
Jones Memorial Hospital
Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes
Pauline E. Burnes, Landscape Architect, PLLC
The LC Whitford Company
Wegmans
Wellsville Hardware, Inc.
PINE ($100
Ace’s Country Cupboard
Andover Hardware
Brian Schu, Attorney at Law
W. Brooke Harris
Allen Kerkeslaager
LaForge Disposal Services, Inc.
Texas Hot
Weyand Chiropractic Associates
IMPACT is planning to hold its THIRD Annual Signature Event on the 4th Saturday of August in 2027! Mark your calendars and invite your friends!
If you would like to JOIN IMPACT, and help with the next trail maintenance day on September 19th, visit www.impactfriendsgroup.org!
Happy Trails!
