For more than ten years, the Sitrin Health Care Center’s Annual Stars & Stripes Run & Walk for our Nation’s Heroes has served as the primary fundraiser for Sitrin’s Military Program. This unique program provides comprehensive, complimentary care to post-9/11 veterans and service members affected by post-traumatic stress, suicidal ideations, traumatic brain injuries, depression, and other combat-related conditions.
In addition to innovative treatment, Sitrin offers the Military Civilian Coalition, designed to promote camaraderie, advocacy, educational opportunities, and transitional support to civilian life. The group meets at various locations in the community and enables veterans and civilians to interact through social and athletic endeavors. Activities include the annual Warrior Retreat at Camp Sitrin, TRX Suspension Training, golf, fly fishing, gardening, yoga, biking, therapeutic hand drumming, and more.
With a continued focus on supporting veterans and service members, Sitrin is excited to continue this event every year to support local veteran care!
The 4th Annual Riggie Run, Walk & Riggiefest will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus, and will feature a 5K Run, 5K Riggie Challenge, 5K Wheelchair Race, 5K Wheelchair Riggie Challenge, 2-Mile Walk, and a 1-Mile Kids Run.
5K Run and Wheelchair participants will have the opportunity to register for the Riggie Challenge in which they will be required to consume one bowl of chicken riggies at the halfway point of the race. For those who wish not to engage in the Challenge, a traditional 5K division will be offered. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each age division. Additionally, at the conclusion of the Run & Walk, a Riggiefest will be featured in the Wildcat Field House in which local restaurants will showcase their version of this famous Utica dish. All paid participants will be invited to taste the various entries, at no additional cost, and cast a vote to determine the area’s best riggies. Community members are also invited to attend (for a fee).
Registration will take place at 8:30 a.m., with the kids 1-mile run at 9:30 a.m., 5K wheelchair race at 10:05 a.m., the 5K run at 10:10, and the walk at 10:15. The Riggiefest will commence at the conclusion of the Run & Walk from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In addition, both the 5K Run and Wheelchair Race will be chip timed, providing runners with accurate times and instantaneous race results!
Packet Pickup: Saturday, October 10 from 11am to 3pm at The Sneaker Store in New Hartford - 24 Genesee Street, New Hartford, NY 13413
Oct 11, 2026
Distance — 1 Miles
Type — Running
09:30
$0.00
Oct 11, 2026
Distance — 3.1 Miles
Type — Running
10:05
$30.00
Oct 11, 2026
Distance — 5K Wheelchair Riggie Challenge
Type — Running
10:05
$30.00
Oct 11, 2026
Distance — 3.1 Miles
Type — Running
10:10
$30.00
Oct 11, 2026
Distance — 3.1 Miles
Type — Running
10:10
$30.00
Oct 11, 2026
Distance — 2 Miles
Type — Running
10:15
$30.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for October in Utica.
Learn more about the host city, Utica.
Utica is the heart of the Mohawk Valley and the seat of Oneida County in Central New York State. Utica offers the charm of small-city living balanced with the cultural and ethnic diversity of an international urban center. At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a truly scenic city that offers the pleasures of both a rural and urban setting.
Read more launchOfficial finishing times from previous editions of Sitrin Riggie Run & Walk.
| Place | Name | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Hermin Garic | — | |
| 🥈 | Michael Olsen | — | |
| 🥉 | James Joseph | — |
Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the Sitrin Riggie Run & Walk.
Be the first to share your experience with the community!
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location_on Utica, New York, US
calendar_today Jul 11, 2026
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