2017 Empire State Marathon Athlete Guide

2017 Empire State Marathon Athlete Guide



th Welcome to the 7 Annual Empire State Marathon, Half Marathon, & 10k starting at 8:00 am from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse!

We’re looking forward to an amazing, fun, safe event and hope you are too; this handy guide will cover the basic information for the event, and we want to stress: • Please be aware of your surroundings: there are sections of all courses that are not completely closed to car, bike, or pedestrian traffic that may cause a dangerous situation for runners. Even in closed areas, the unthinkable can happen. This includes keeping your eyes up and making visual contact with others around you – please be safe by being aware at all times. • Keep RIGHT During the Run: All distances of Empire State Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10k are out & back courses – in order to leave room for athletes returning toward the start/finish line, PLEASE RUN ON THE RIGHT and do not cross over and block oncoming runners for water or restrooms. • Keep your music low enough to hear staff, emergency personnel and vehicles: Music and earbuds are allowed under USATF rules provided you keep the volume low enough to hear everything that is going on around you. • Be courteous to your fellow runners and volunteers: This is a no- brainer, but sometimes we get a little carried away in the heat of the moment. We all share a passion for running, and are here for the fun of it!

• Keep Syracuse Beautiful: PLEASE keep your used gels or other trash with you and drop at an aid station bin, do not litter on the Onondaga Lake Park path, roads, etc. • Energy Gels: Gels will be provided and are various flavors from Hammer Nutrition; we cannot guarantee any specific flavors at either location, and occasionally runners will grab multiples and our supply may run out. We strongly encourage you to bring your own energy gels if possible to ensure that you will have a flavor that you like, and in-case of our supply getting gobbled up.

Courses: Course maps are available for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and both Family Home Run on http://empirestatemarathon.com where you can zoom in to see specific areas. We’ve added a color-coded signs for each distance to guide that match your bib and finish medal lanyard:



We also have some amazing volunteers – if you follow the signs and listen we’re positive you will not get lost – of course studying the course maps online will only help. PLEASE Stay to the RIGHT when running both out & back as all courses have 2-way traffic! The Empire State Marathon course has been certified as a Boston Marathon qualifying course. The Half Marathon course is also USATF certified. 10k Course is an out & back that exits NBT Bank Stadium and travels north toward the Salt Museum and loops back to Onondaga Lake Parkway near the kid’s splash park before returning back toward NBT Bank Stadium. PLEASE Stay to the RIGHT when running both out & back as all courses have 2-way traffic! 10k Aid Stations: •

Gatorade and Water at miles 2, 3, 3.5, 4.2

10k Course Detail

Half Marathon Course is an out & back that travels north through Onondaga Lake Park to the end of Cold Springs Trail just north of Wegman’s Dog Park before turning around at mile 6.55 (and the big “TURN AROUND” flag and volunteer) and staying on the right side of Onondaga Lake Parkway back under the Long Branch Road bridge and returning back to the finish line at NBT Bank Stadium. 100% of the Half Marathon course is the same, just an out & back. PLEASE Stay to the RIGHT when running both out & back as all courses have 2-way traffic! Long Branch Half Marathon / Marathon Split: While the half marathon course is the exact same out & back, the marathon course diverges around the 6 mile mark and then converges back with the half marathon runners at the same point after returning from an additional 5 mile run out & back on Hayes Road. Marathoners run approximately ¾ mile with the half marathoners, and then continue straight onto Long Branch Road while half marathon runners continue following the same path the went out on. See map below for more detail.

Half Marathon Aid Stations: • •

Gatorade and Water at miles 2, 3, 4, 5.2, 6.5, 7.75, 9.5, 11.2 Energy Gels at mile 7.75 (see “Energy Gels” above)

Marathon Course follows the same route as the half up until Wegman’s Dog Park where you will follow the signs to the right and run on the shoulder of Cold Springs Road* (370) and turn left on Hayes Road. Follow Hayes Road to the Y split with Surbrook Road and turn around (at the big “TURN AROUND” flag and volunteer) and travel back to Cold Spring Road (370) also on the shoulder to the right side of oncoming runners (you will need to be slightly in the grass – please be safe!) and then returning onto Onondaga Lake Parkway. Marathoners will be directed to the

left side of Onondaga Lake Parkway and up over the Long Branch Road bridge, then turning left and entering Restoration Way, which you will run all the way to the turnaround point at mile 16.6 (and another big “TURN AROUND” flag and volunteer) and back over the Long Branch Road bridge, and then a right turn on to the east part of Restoration Way at mile 21.1, then returning on Onondaga Lake Parkway and back to the finish at NBT Bank Stadium! Marathon Aid Stations: • •

Gatorade and Water at miles 2, 3, 4, 5.2, 6.5, 8.5, 10.5, 12.5, 13.7, 16.5, 18.5, 20, 21, 22.5, 24.2 Energy Gels at miles 13.7, 18.5, 21 (see “Energy Gels” above)

PLEASE Stay to the RIGHT when running both out & back as all courses have 2-way traffic! *MARATHONERS - IMPORTANT: Cold Spring Road (370) and Hayes Road are NOT closed to traffic; you will be running on a coned-off shoulder on (370) and on the right side of Hayes Road. It is critical that you be extremely aware of the traffic around you while running on Cold Springs Road (370) and Hayes Road. Finish Line: •

Water, Muscle Milk, bananas, 1 Free Beer w/ticket inside NBT Bank Stadium

Schedule of Events Saturday, October 7 Race Expo - 9am - 5pm. Packet Pick-Up & Late Registration - NBT Bank Stadium 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse, NY 13208 Saturday Family Home Run “Fun Run” – 12pm – 1pm. Pick up tickets at the Expo for $5 from 9am – noon. Family-friendly run/walk around the NBT Bank Stadium, each loop is .25/mile, it’s up to you how many laps you do! Top 3 # of laps will receive an award at 1:00. Sunday, October 8

NBT Bank Stadium 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse, NY 13208 6:00am: Parking Lot Opens, Last-Minute Registration & Last-Minute Packet Pick Up Please note: Last-Minute Registration and Packet Pick Up is not guaranteed to receive their preferred t-shirt size 6:00am – 12:00pm: Sunday Family Home Run tickets available right the finish line. Support (2) local charities and purchase a wristband to run with your friends/family to the finish line! 7:35am National Anthem sung by Ashley and Hannah Williams 8:00am Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10k Start 8:30am Sunday Family Home Run & After Party kicks off inside NBT Bank Stadium 10:00am 10k Awards 12:00pm Half Marathon Awards 1:00pm Marathon Awards 3:00pm Courses Closed, 7-hour time limit. Any runners who chose to stay on the course after the volunteers and EMT sweep the course will be considered pedestrians and MUST obey all traffic patterns. Timing, police, and EMT’s will be departing the course and the roads will be open to traffic. While we strongly encourage any runners still on the course to ride with us back to the finish, if you choose to continue on your own please understand you are just that – on your own. If you make the choice to become a pedestrian, you are not covered by event insurance in any way. 5:00pm After Party concludes FAQ’s Where are the port-a-potties?

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NBT Bank Stadium has REAL restrooms for your use before & after your run!

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There will be a bank of “last minute pee” porta johns conveniently located in the NBT Stadium parking lot right near the start line. We strongly recommend these for just a quick stop before the start of the race; use the large restrooms inside for “longer” visits pre-race.

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At aid stations 2, 3, 4 on the east trail, there is a public restroom with hot/cold water and flush toilets maintained by Parks and Rec

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At aid station 7 on the west trail there is a public restroom with hot/cold water and flush toilets maintained by Parks and Rec

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At aid station 8, the second marathon turn, there are porta johns about 150 yards from the turn and in the parking lot

Where do we park on race day? •

The NBT Stadium parking lot can easily facilitate parking race morning, and opens at 6am.

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There are several workers assisting parking cars

Will the course be marked? •

Yes, very well marked with color-coded signs specific to each distance

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There will be volunteer course marshals and police closing traffic and pointing the way

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There will be a lead bike from the Full, Half, & 10k start

Will we receive a Finishers Medal? Overall and Age group awards? •

All marathon, half marathon, and 10k participants will receive finishers’ medals.

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Overall male and female top 3 for marathon, half marathon, and 10k will receive an overall award

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The marathon, half marathon, and 10k events will have age group awards in five year increments – Male/Female starting with U19, 20 – 24, etc. will receive a glass etched pint glass with the new ESM logo.

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We cannot ship age group or overall awards as they are glass. Please pickup

your award prior to leaving or coordinate with a friend to grab it for you. Will I receive an ESM Finisher’s shirt? •

Yes, all registered participants receive an unisex long-sleeve tech shirt

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If your shirt is too big/small you can exchange after the event depending on availability

Is the course hilly? •

The course is relatively flat and fast. The marathon map shows 426 feet of “gain” which is a combination of all the rolling hills over the course. You could PR on October 8!

What time will the finish line close down and can I start early? •

There is a 7-hour time limit on the marathon and half marathon, no runners can be on the course before 8:00am or after 3:00pm.

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All roads must reopen at 3:00pm and everyone must be off the course. Athletes that choose to remain on the course are no longer covered by insurance or safety personnel and are considered pedestrians.

Can we use headphones or iPods? Can I push a child in a stroller? How about the dog? •

Following USAT rules, you may wear headphones, but are required to keep the volume low enough to hear traffic, emergency, and course personnel.

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No dogs on the trails

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For safety reasons, no strollers on the course

What will the temperature be? •

At 7:00am the temps should be in the very low 50’s, possibly high 40’s; sunny and slight breezes off the lake. By noon, the temps could be in the mid 60’s.

Is this race a Boston Qualifier and what about timing?

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Yes, the marathon is certified as a Boston Marathon qualifying race; the half is USATF certified.

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Bib Placement: Each bib has a timing chip secured on it. Please place your bib on your outermost running garment. Do not cover up your bib. In order to cross the finish line, and receive a finisher’s medal your bib must be visible. This ensures timing results and accuracy while preventing “bandits”.

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Times will be posted on www.leonetiming.com

Where should my friends and family position themselves for good viewing and picture taking? Once the race begins it is quite difficult to access a majority of the course as the roads are closed. Recommendations include: •

The Salt Museum (all distances)

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The corner of Sycamore Street and the course at the Onondaga Marina Yacht Club

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Willow Bay Pavilion near Long Branch Road (marathon & half)

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The west shore trail and is near the pedestrian bridge off Pleasant Beach Road.

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Wegman’s Good Dog Park

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Enjoy the start & finish line as well as the live bands inside NBT Bank Stadium!

What about race photographers? Can we buy some photos? •

Photos will be available after the race to download for free right here: http://www.backprint.com/pathendrickphoto

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Also check our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/empirestatemarathon) for photos

Is there a bag drop? •

No; your car is in the parking lot right by the start/finish and very convenient

What about medical staff?

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Yes, there’s a full team in the medic tent and at several locations on the course.

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EMS will be standing by in multiple locations around the course on carts to respond immediately to any emergency. If you see someone who needs help, please alert any race staff at an aid station or an EMS worker immediately.

How do we sign up for the Family Home Run on Saturday or Sunday? •

Saturday’s Family Home Run “Fun Run” begins at noon as parents & kids make .25 mile loops around NBT Bank Stadium. The top 3 runners with the most loops win a prize. $5 wristbands will be available for purchase at the Home Run booth, each participant will get a keepsake Empire State Marathon silicone wristband.

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Sunday’s Family Home Run takes place from the ESM Home Run tent right at the finish line where runners and families can run into the stadium, cross home plate, and see their face on the jumbotron! 100% of the proceeds from the $10/ea. (or $25 for families with 3-5 participants) wristbands goes to our charity partners. Each participant and runner must have a wristband to be allowed on the field. Wristbands are for sale all day Saturday and Sunday right at the Home Run tent.



Who are your charity partners for the Sunday Family Home Run? •

Brian Collins was the passionate founder of this event who passed away suddenly two years ago. 50% of Sunday’s Family Home Run donations will assist his children with their education.

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Kelleigh’s Cause (https://www.kelleigh.org/) fundraising and educational organization to support medical research in order to find better treatments and a cure for Arteriovenous Malformations.

Official ESM Gear Official XRacewear ESM-branded gear will be available all-day on Saturday & Sunday during the Expo inside NBT Bank Stadium. ESM Beanies, hoodies, headbands, T-shirts will be on sale as well as the entire line of XRacewear gear – including their brand-new Breeze Series that is making its debut at Empire State Marathon! Thank You, Let’s RUN*SYR Together! Thank you so much for participating in the 7th Annual Empire State Marathon, we look forward to enjoying this awesome event with you for many years to come! Brett Stewart ADV.FIT – Adventure Fitness [email protected]