Bicentennial Torch Relay

200 Miles of History 

Wayne County’s yearlong Bicentennial Celebration will include a 200-mile Torch Relay that will travel through the towns, villages, and hamlets in Wayne County.Torch-Relay The relay will begin at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on Monday, August 14th and end at the Fairgrounds on Friday, August 18th.  The route will average about 40 miles per day and travel past over 100 historical sites. Runners will traverse the Canal Path along the historic Erie Canal, have gathering stops at select historic sites, be accompanied by historic vehicles, and be followed by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department for safety. 

Each runner will run approximately one mile. If needed, transportation will be available to get runners from the nearest gathering point to their starting point and then back to their gathering point. All registered runners will be invited to run the last mile on Friday, August 18 that will lead the Wayne County Fair Parade to the County Fairgrounds.  Want to run with someone? Up to two runners may register for each mile.

Runners must be at least 16 years of age. For those runners 16 and under, we are planning to have a special Children’s Torch Relay at the Sodus High School Track (pending approval) on Tuesday night, August 15th.   Children under the age of 16 can run laps on the track and be a part of this special event. More information on this event will be posted on this website as it becomes available. Walkers and people with disabilities are also encouraged to participate as well where logistically possible or at the Sodus High School event on Tuesday night.

The route will vary from village streets, to rural roads, to the canal path. See maps for miles and route description. Runners should be prepared for all types of weather, and other conditions that may occur while running on varying surfaces. Commemorative medals, a collectable race bib, and T-Shirts will be given to registered runners. 

Registration can ONLY be done through an online portal, Run Sign Up, with a total fee of $22.20. 

Route Description and Route by Day

Relay Time Schedule

DAY 1 - Monday, August 14, 2023

Day 1 begins in Palmyra at the Wayne County Fair Grounds and continues through Macedon, Macedon Center, Walworth, Gananda, Walworth (again), Lincoln, Ontario Center, and concludes in Ontario at Casey Park. 

DAY 2 - Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Day 2 starts at Casey Park in Ontario and moves on to Pultneyville, Williamson, E. Williamson, Marion, Fairville, and ends in Sodus at the High School where we will need six runners to run a mile each on the track. Our younger runners (children under 16) will also be using the track during this time (pending approval). 

DAY 3 - Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Day 3 will begin at the Sodus School and travel through the village and then on to Sodus Center, Wallington, Sodus Point, Huron, Rose, N. Rose, and back into Huron finishing at Chimney Bluffs State Park. 

DAY 4 - Thursday, August 17, 2023

Day 4 kicks off at Chimney Bluffs State Park in Huron and moves on to Wolcott, Red Creek, Butler Center, S. Butler, and will conclude at the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah. 

DAY 5 - Friday, August 18, 2023

Day 5 begins at the Audubon Center and heads into Savannah continuing to Clyde, Lyons, Newark, Marbletown, back into Newark, E. Palmyra, and finally back to Palmyra (where we will be using the Erie Canal Path in some sections) to finish this Historic Event by leading the parade into the Wayne County Fairgrounds.