West Almond Trails IMPACT Run

Event Overview

The West Almond Trails IMPACT Run is a trail event hosted by the non-profit group IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails. It is the second annual edition. The event takes place through the Phillips Creek, Turnpike, and Palmers Pond State Forests near Belmont, New York.

Distances

The event offers multiple distances:

• 5K (run and walk)
• 10K (run and walk)
• 25K (run)

For the current year, a 10K walk and a 25K run have been added as new distances. Improvements to Trail 3 were completed in 2025, allowing the 5K course to match its advertised distance.

Course Details

All courses pass through rolling hardwood stands and sections of older pine plantations.

The 5K follows the Trail 3 loop clockwise, finishing at the trailhead in the State Route 244 parking area. The route is rolling with potential wet spots. Its longest climb is 25 meters near the 4 km mark.

The 10K route follows the west side of Trail 3, continues north on Trail 4 to Stewart Forest Road, uses a short gravel road section, then incorporates Trail 5 and Trail 6 before finishing at the same trailhead. It includes one creek crossing and potential for mud or wet spots. The topography has many small hills, with an overall elevation loss of about 60 meters over the first 7.5 km, which is regained over the final 2.5 km.

The new 25K course connects trails across all three state forests, using both well-traveled and less-traveled paths, along with some gravel and seasonal roads. It features creek crossings and a high potential for mud and wet spots. The topography varies greatly with many small hills and several larger ones.

Organizer and Mission

The host organization is a volunteer-led, membership-driven non-profit dedicated to improving trail accessibility in Allegany County. All race proceeds and donations go toward this mission. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.