By Julia Kelly SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) The 7th Annual Syracuse Half Marathon kicks off Sunday, Nov. 11. Forty three hundred people have registered to run in one of the biggest races in Syracuse.
Event organizers said they are prepared to create an event that meets the expectations of a big-city race.
“We really have tried to go for the big race feel, which you typically only get in major events in major cities,” said Matt Werder, vice president of Upstate Event Management. “We try to do everything premium.”
Werder said people who registered received a jacket. People who finish the half marathon receive a medal. A party with a band and food will be held at the OnCenter after the race.
Werder attributes the community response to the experience the Half Marathon provides. He said the event is not possible without hundreds of volunteers work from the Saturday evening into the Sunday morning of the race.
“It’s a pretty massive effort to pull off something of this size,” said Werder.
From the volunteers to the runners, Werder said the people make the experience worthwhile.
“The thing that makes the biggest impact on me personally is the stories of people who do this as their first half marathon … and just being able to see those folks as they cross the finish line,” said Werder.
The 13-mile course begins at the OnCenter in downtown Syracuse and winds around the city. The finish line is in front of the War Memorial.
Werder said organizers expect to raise thousands of dollars this year, and the money will benefit four local animal shelters. Runners donated when they registered, and picked up registration packets from Fleet Feet, a store for runners. The store’s owner, Ed Griffin, is director of sponsorship for the marathon.
