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GBTC Grand Island 1/2 Marathon

Sat May 4, 2024 Grand Island, NY 14072 US Directions

Events

Half Marathon (In-person)

$90 $80 Registration ends May 4, 2024 at 9:00am EDT

Virtual Half Marathon

$80 Registration ends May 4, 2024 at 9:00am EDT

Duo Division Team 1/2 Marathon Run

$120
2 spots left. Registration ends May 4, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

Description

The ThermoFisher Scientific

30th Annual Grand Island 1/2 Marathon

Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Beaver Island State Park
The RRCA New York State Half Marathon Championships
A Buffalo Runner of the Year Race
Celebrating 30 years, The Grand Island Half Marathon has been providing runners a quality running experience and giving back to the community since our inaugural race April 15th 1995.
The Grand Island Half Marathon's principal beneficiary for this year's event is The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island, an all-volunteer organization that provides food assistance to in need residents of Grand Island. 
The Grand Island Half will also be making a contribution to Vision Niagara, Vision Niagara strives to create a thriving community that capitalizes on its waterfront location, international significance, rich heritage, and historic architecture.
Included in this year's race:
  • RaceJoy  

    Free phone live tracking, progress alerts, and cheer sending.

  • FREE Downloadable Photos!!!! Arranged by Bib number, Download your photos, Share them on social media, or even upload your own photos!! Photographers will be at the Start, Turnaround, and Finish line. You Deserve your Photo Finish                                                                                                                                                              
  • First Time Half Marathons receive their medal with a distinct ribbon acknowledging their accomplishment, and will have the opportunity to take a picture in front of a first-time 1/2 Marathon placard
  • Compete in the RRCA State Half Marathon Championships RRCA Championships are open to all runners of any nationality and ability and there are no requirements of membership in any organization.
  • Team Competition Join a team of four. Either all male, all female or mixed gendered. Join for fun with friends, club members, or to compete for the overall awards,THIS IS NOT A RELAY. **Awards and Prizes will be determined by the amount of teams that sign up**
  • Post Race Party held adjacent to the finish line with awards,Ben W-Tet Band, food, and refreshments.

EARN Cash Back by referring friends. Refer 3 or more participants and earn $20 back!  It's easy. Just share the special link you will receive in your registration confirmation email. Send the link to friends via email. Post the link on FB, Twitter, etc. You will earn cash back after 3 people register using your unique link!  

Race Fee: $80 for both in-person and virtual entries (plus $3.15 transaction fee at checkout) .  Virtual entries will receive their gear via US mail, mailing date TDB once we receive the race shirts from our vendor.  

Race day ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY.  NO REFUNDS.  Registrations may be deferred to the next scheduled Grand Island Half Marathon OR 10K until April 15.   You may transfer your registration to another runner at no charge.

Race fee includes:
-        chip timing, water and sports drinks at 6 hydration stations along the course 
-        post race party and beverages from 10:30AM - 12:30pm,   
​-        commemorative medal awarded to every Half Marathon finisher!
 
Half Marathon Awards:
The Overall male and female winners.
The Overall Masters male and female winners.
The Overall 19 and under male and female winners.
Top Three Finishers in each 5-year age division from 19 and under to 80+ 

RRCA Championship Awards,

  • Open male and female
  • 40+ male and female
  • 50+ male and female
  • 60+ male and female
  • Open challenged athlete male and female

Team Awards : **Awards and Prizes will be determined by the amount of teams that sign up**

EVENT RECORDS: ( ENTRY FEE REFUNDED TO ANYONE BREAKING THE RECORD IN THEIR DIVISION)

Overall:
Joseph Whelan 1:05:55 in 2023 ............ Christine Cote 1:19:54 in 1998

​Masters:
David O'Keeffe 1:09:36  in 1999 .................Jenny Keenen 1:21:17 in  2023

​ 
Race Day Details and Amenities:
 
Saturday, May 4, 2023

7:30 am Bib Pickup in the main parking lot adjacent to the Start/Finish.

9:00AM start at Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island,NY (between Buffalo and Niagara Falls). The race starts and finishes in the main parking lot.

Medals and other race giveaways will be available at the finish line. 

The course is flat, out and back, along the scenic Niagara River.
More than 85% of the course is closed to traffic. There is no time limit to complete the course.

6 hydration stations along the course. Race Volunteers will place cups of water and Gatorade on tables for runners to pick up. Cups will not be handed to runners in order to reduce contact.  Runners may also carry their own water bottles to refill along the course.

8 portable toilet stations along the course plus additional in the start/finish area.

QUESTIONS? Send an email to greaterbuffalotrack@gmail.com

Place

Beaver Island State Park
2136 W Oakfield Rd
Grand Island, NY US 14072

Race Website

Additional race information can be found at http://www.greaterbuffalotrackclub.com.

The Grand Island Half Training Plan by Next Level Training

The Grand Island Half Training Plan

 This training plan is a 16-week build up to the Grand Island Half! It starts mid-January and builds up both total volume of miles, and the distance of the long run to peak training weeks in April before tapering down to the race. This is a structured program, but it’s good to maintain some flexibility during your training, too. If you get sick or are derailed by weather or a vacation, it’s okay to make adjustments. Do your best to stay on schedule but allow yourself space to listen to your body and do what’s right for you.
NEXT LEVEL UP:
This training plan is a basic option for beginner half marathons to follow on their own, put together by Melina Terranova from Next Level Running. As a coach, Melina writes personalized training plans for runners that are more customized for the individual runner’s goals, schedule, and fitness level. She also provides one-on-one consultations along the way, including pre-race strategizing. So if you’re interested in a more personalized experience and some online coaching for accountability and advice, email Melina@NextLevelRun.com. Anyone registered for the Grand Island Half will get $10 off any training package for this year’s race!
SPEEDWORK:
The plan includes some speed workouts every Wednesday! To maximize your training, you want to run at a variety of paces, depending on the intention of the workout. Doing specific pace-based workouts will help boost your fitness and dial in on goals and expectations for the race. Next Level Running hosts Wednesday night group runs every week, and these speed workouts will often align with those group runs! If you’d like to join in for a group run, email Melina@NextLevelRun.com to learn more, or visit nextlevelrun.com to register for a run. GBTC also does weekly speedwork! Their workouts are on Tuesday nights, currently at Delaware Park at 6pm. The GBTC workouts will be different from what’s on the plan below, but would still be a great option to help you get out of your comfort zone with some pace-based training. If you end up doing speedwork on your own, refer to the bottom of this training plan for explanation on execution. Next Level also does Saturday morning group runs, if you’re looking for some company on your long runs!
CROSS-TRAINING:
This training plan includes the option to do some cross-training (“XT”) during the week. Good examples of cross-training would be cycling/spinning, swimming, rowing, or other medium- to higher-intensity cardiovascular exercise. If you’re a person who already does and enjoys other types of exercise, that cross-training can be a good supplement to your running mileage. If you’re not, that’s ok and it’s not required! Stick with the running miles and take full rest on other days. Strength training is another good supplement to your running. It’s not just beneficial for your overall fitness but can help to avoid injury and increase mobility as well as general strength. Next Level offers 30-minute group strength training classes post-run on Wednesday nights, which are open to all fitness levels. (Visit nextlevelrun.com to learn more or register.)

                                                                                     

On your weekly long run, it’s good to run a mix of easier paces and some sections at goal pace, particularly in the middle or towards the end of some of these runs. This will help you figure out just what your goal pace should be. On your in between/recovery days, the intention is mainly maintaining fitness and adding mileage. It’s important to take these runs easy to allow your body to recover well.
Pickups: A pickup is a short burst of speed. So within the scheduled miles, you are to pick up the pace for about 20-30 seconds, then slow down again for 40-60 seconds, then repeat. For each pickup, you want to focus on opening up your stride, running tall and strong, and quickening your turnover. In between, feel free to run even at a very easy pace, nice and relaxed.
Tempo Runs: In a tempo run, we are running right on the edge of the pace that makes your body fatigue. By pushing this threshold, we improve metabolic fitness and our bodies learn to push that pace down. Perceived exertion should be at about an 8, what I like to call “comfortably hard.” Always start with at least one easier mile to warm up.
Progression Runs: In a progression run, the pace begins comfortably, and incrementally decreases. This is another very useful workout in that you are running very negative splits, and learning to pick up the pace after you’re already fatigued. You should aim to increase pace each mile by 10-20 seconds per mile each time.

Sponsors


Scenic course along the river!

RRCA New York State Half Marathon Championships

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