This is how it can.  Whether you’re a runner or a walker – young or old – the second annual Race for Open Space 5K Fun Run/Walk and 10K Run is for you! Communities are coming together this summer in support of local family farms. This race is open to all ages and ability levels – families and kids are encouraged to participate!

The race will be held Saturday, June 2, 2012 starting and finishing at the Philadelphia Town Park, Route 29 in Philadelphia, and is organized by local nonprofit, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust. Both the 3.2 and 6.4 mile routes will go directly past several family farms permanently protected by Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust as part of the Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) Program.

This community-wide event is a great opportunity to get outside this summer with your friends and family and walk or run in support of local farmland conservation.  Participants are encouraged to pre-register online at www.active.com and search Race for Open Space. Pre-registration is $10 and ends Friday, May 25. Race-day Registration is $15 and will be held at 8:30am, Saturday, June 2 at the Philadelphia Town Park. The  race will begin at 10:00am.

All participants that pre-register are guaranteed a race-day t-shirt.  Prizes and awards will be given to winners in every age category as well as for overall winners.  To celebrate our participants and the sense of community, participants and volunteers are invited to a burrito breakfast after the race.   This race is supported by generous local sponsors  including  our gold level sponsor Community Bank, NA and silver level sponsors The Upstate Bank, Countryman’s Garage, and Otter Creek Winery as well as, Price Chopper and Nirvana Spring Water.

The race route travels by farms protected by the ACUB program which establishes buffer areas around Ft. Drum to limit effects of encroachment and maximize land inside the installation that can be used to support the installation's mission.  Landowners continue to own their land and are paid to limit development, the land trust forwards their missions of protecting working farms and valuable natural resources and the army has a buffer around the installation to keep Ft. Drum’s training facilities viable To-date the ACUB program has worked with nine families to protect over 1,900 acres along the west side of Ft. Drum.

Tug Hill Tomorrow provides opportunities for private landowners to protect their property, including working farms, forests, recreation lands and natural places. The local land trust also works to increase the awareness, appreciation and stewardship of the Tug Hill region and surrounding areas through publications, fieldtrips, and special events. For more information visit our website at www.TugHillTomorrowLandTrust.org, email thtomorr@northnet.org, call (315) 779-8240 or write P.O. Box 6063, Watertown NY 13601.