This is a half or quarter marathon that takes place in Minoa, NY, a suburb of Syracuse. I did the quarter marathon this year since I was on call but … MORE
This is a half or quarter marathon that takes place in Minoa, NY, a suburb of Syracuse. I did the quarter marathon this year since I was on call but would have dropped down anyways with my injury. The race is located at a park and they send out an athlete guide with where to park. I arrived about an hour early and got one of the last parking spots near the start/finish line. Packet pick-up was indoors. Packet included bib and a really nice, colorful long sleeve tech shirt with a tote bag. There was also coffee and donuts inside. One critique of the start area is there was not enough porta potties. This is a mid size race with a few hundred runners so there was just a mass start with no corrals. It was fine for the size. As this race is in February in Syracuse you can expect bad weather. We lucked out this year and it was one of the warmer days with temps in the 30s. There was a bit of hail/show for about 10 to 20 minutes during the beginning of the race and some strong winds but the end was clear and I even saw a bit of sun. Overall pleasant weather for Syracuse in winter. The course is pretty boring just through neighborhoods. The half marathon is two loops of the quarter marathons. You just pass by houses but there are no unpleasant scenery and there is decent spectator support especially for a smaller race in the winter. Course really well marked and had mile markers. Mostly on coned off roads with plenty of marshalls so felt safe. There were 3 water stops (so 6 for the half). They called your name out at the finish line and you got a nice distance specific medal. In the indoor area there were lots of post race food – donuts, coffee, granola bars, monster energy drink, wraps – including vegan and gluten free, chips, etc. Overall it was not the most exciting course and the weather could potentially be terrible but it was well-organized with nice swag for a smaller, local race. I would do it again and recommend it to locals but it wouldn’t be my first choice for 50 staters unless it fit perfectly in your schedule or you really want to experience winter here
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Only a Little Lake Effect This Year
This is a half or quarter marathon that takes place in Minoa, NY, a suburb of Syracuse. I did the quarter marathon this year since I was on call but … MORE
This is a half or quarter marathon that takes place in Minoa, NY, a suburb of Syracuse. I did the quarter marathon this year since I was on call but would have dropped down anyways with my injury. The race is located at a park and they send out an athlete guide with where to park. I arrived about an hour early and got one of the last parking spots near the start/finish line. Packet pick-up was indoors. Packet included bib and a really nice, colorful long sleeve tech shirt with a tote bag. There was also coffee and donuts inside. One critique of the start area is there was not enough porta potties. This is a mid size race with a few hundred runners so there was just a mass start with no corrals. It was fine for the size. As this race is in February in Syracuse you can expect bad weather. We lucked out this year and it was one of the warmer days with temps in the 30s. There was a bit of hail/show for about 10 to 20 minutes during the beginning of the race and some strong winds but the end was clear and I even saw a bit of sun. Overall pleasant weather for Syracuse in winter. The course is pretty boring just through neighborhoods. The half marathon is two loops of the quarter marathons. You just pass by houses but there are no unpleasant scenery and there is decent spectator support especially for a smaller race in the winter. Course really well marked and had mile markers. Mostly on coned off roads with plenty of marshalls so felt safe. There were 3 water stops (so 6 for the half). They called your name out at the finish line and you got a nice distance specific medal. In the indoor area there were lots of post race food – donuts, coffee, granola bars, monster energy drink, wraps – including vegan and gluten free, chips, etc. Overall it was not the most exciting course and the weather could potentially be terrible but it was well-organized with nice swag for a smaller, local race. I would do it again and recommend it to locals but it wouldn’t be my first choice for 50 staters unless it fit perfectly in your schedule or you really want to experience winter here
Flat, scenic, at mercy of the weather
Very flat paved course running 2 out and back loops. As advertised, "Lake Effect" weather was a factor. 30 with wind chill down to 17 and snow squall at start … MORE
Very flat paved course running 2 out and back loops. As advertised, “Lake Effect” weather was a factor. 30 with wind chill down to 17 and snow squall at start of race. Paved course clear of snow and nothing else stuck from snow during race. If weather was better (recognized this is Feb in central NY), this would be great opportunity for PR.
Nice schwag with cool long sleeve tech shirt and medal.