Date

Saturday September 19, 2026

Website

Bank of Utica - Canal Cities Classic

https://paddleguru.com/races/BankofUticaCanalCitiesClassic

Contact

Email Laura Cohen <lcohen@cityofutica.com>

About

18 miles of flatwater paddling beginning at Rome’s Bellamy Harbor and ending at Utica’s Historic Harbor Point. The race route features one portage at the Erie Canal Trail directly before Oriskany Street, a 500 yard carry which brings paddlers from the Erie Canal to the Mohawk River. Paddlers follow the winding curvature of the Mohawk River leading into the final stretch of the race at Utica’s Historic Harbor Point. 

Rules / notes

• Registration will be limited to 100 boats. Pre-registration Only
• PFD required

Location

• Start: Bellamy Harbor Park
• Finish: Harbor Point

Registration deadline, start time

• Registration will close on Monday, September 7th at 9:00 pm.
• Race begins at 10:00 am. Depending on how many people sign up, we will have two waves, with the second wave at 10:05.
• Mandatory pre-race meeting begins at 9:15 am.
• Paddlers have two options to pick up their race numbers and swag bag: Friday, September 18th at Bellamy Harbor from 4-8 pm, or the morning of the race, September 19th from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. 
  

Entry fee

• $45/paddler

 

Pre-race Events

Time to Ship Off Party

Teams and their families are invited to a pre-race party featuring live music, drinks by Copper City Brewing, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.

SFM Skate Park Build-a-Board

The skate park will sponsor a build-a-board workshop under the guidance of some epic shredders. Try out your new equipment on the pump track!

Post-race Party

Join us after the race for the History & Heritage Festival, featuring:

• Exhibit from Oneida County History Center celebrating 200 years of NYS Canals
• Live music – Our Common Roots
• Food trucks
• Saranac Beer Tent
• Utica Children’s Museum Mobile Museum
• … and more!