GBTC Grand Island 1/2 Marathon

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Grand Island 1/2 Marathon

Presented by The Maguire Family of Dealerships

Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Beaver Island State Park  

The Thermo Fisher Grand Island Half Marathon is proud to announce its principal beneficiary for this year's event, The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island

The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island is an all-volunteer organization that provides food assistance to in need residents of Grand Island. 

New This Year;

• 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!!  
• TEAM COMPETITION: Featuring Cash Prizes and Awards Enter a team of three runners.REGISTRATION WILL BE RACE DAY This is not a relay. All runners must run the entire 13.1 Miles. Team results scored based on the aggregate finish time of team members.  **THIS ALL COMERS TEAM COMPETITION IS SEPARATE FROM THE USATF NIAGARA GRAND PRIX SCORING***  
  Cash Prizes and awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in Overall Open M/F and Overall Masters M/F
              
• 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     
• The GBTC Grand Island Half Marathon will be hosting the 2023 USATF Niagara Half Marathon Open/Masters Association Championships.  With the race being designated the Half Marathon Championship, this also includes being apart of the 2023 USATF Niagara Runner Of The Year Series and the USATF Niagara Team Grand Prix Series.  More Information TBA.  For membership information: www.niagara.usatf.org/membership and for additional USATF Niagara information: www.niagara.usatf.org 
• Registrants may participate in both the Team Competition and the USATF Open/Masters Association Championships

• All New Post-Race Farmers Market Enjoy the park and the Grand Island community as local vendors offer food and merchandise to participants. Food and Beverages will be served at the shelters.  Awards will be presented at the shelters

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Race Fee: $80 for both in-person and virtual entries (plus $3.15 transaction fee at checkout) until January 1st.  Virtual entries will receive their gear via US mail, mailing date TDB once we receive the race shirts from our vendor. $120 for Duo Teams.   

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 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 10AM - Noon,
-        A big comfy sweater either Pink or Blue
​-        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+ 

USATF Niagara Awards (Must be a current 2023 USATF Niagara Member to be eligible) Overall:  Male and Female 1st place $275, 2nd place $125.  Overall Masters Male and Female 1st place $100. 

Team Awards Cash Prizes and awards will be given to 1st($200) 2nd ($100)and 3rd place(Athletic Brewing Beer)  for:
Overall  Open Men 
Overall  Open Women
Overall Masters Men
Overall Masters Women

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

Overall:
James Dickinson 1:06:47 in 2021 ............ Christine Cote 1:19:54 in 1998

​Masters:
David O'Keeffe 1:09:36  in 1999 .................Susan Munson 1:24:32 in  2002

​ 
Race Day Details and Amenities:
 
Saturday, May 6, 2023

6:30 am Bib Pickup in the main parking lot adjacent to the Start/Finish.

8:00AM 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 swag 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.

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

Duo Division

A "Duo Team" is  composed of one runner pushing one person with a permanent disability in a racing wheelchair. 

Duo Team Division rules:
- Both entrants must sign the race waiver
- One runner is allowed to push the other team member the entire race distance
- The runner must be tethered to the chair and the rider safely secured
- The duo runner will appear in the overall and age group results based on the team's finishing time.  The duo rider finish time will be listed in the "Duo" division based on the team's finishing time. 
- Duo Team registration is available for the in-person event only

QUESTIONS? Send an email to greaterbuffalotrack@gmail.com