Happy Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, May 11, 2024 • Ellicottville, NY • Course Map

Known for its skiing and annual winter blues festival as well as its plentiful outdoors activities in the warmer months, this small town in western New York state plays host in the spring to the 6th annual Happy Half Marathon, which also features a 5K race and a Beer Mile for “those with iron stomachs,” organizers say.

Runners follow an out-and-back course for the half marathon, which starts and finishes next to the Holiday Valley Resort just off highway 219. This four-season resort offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter, and a par-70 golf course and a spa in the summer.

From there, they’ll follow 219 until the race turns left onto Brewer Road, and then turns right onto Moore Road, which later becomes Sugartown Road. The race follows mostly an overall uphill climb (a gradual one) in the first few miles, followed by a long, gradual descent after runners pass the mile 5 marker .

The long stretch downhill unfolds along Salamanca Sugartown, and then begins heading uphill again (gradually, again) after the right turn onto Martin Road between miles 9 and 10. After that, runners head back north to the Holiday Valley Resort for the race finish.

The course time limit is 3 1/2 hours, and organizers say the race unfolds mostly through scenic, rural roads that are lightly traveled and offer the chance for fast times.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled among the hills and hollows of western New York state, roughly an hour’s drive south from Buffalo, Ellicottville typically sees mild to warm weather in May, with temperatures typically ranging from the low 50s to the high 70s.

On race day (May 11), the average low is 53ºF and the average high is 77ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Happy Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

9:00 AM

Fees

$70 and up – half marathon
$30 and up – 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Ellicottville’s Happy Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

happyhalfrun.com

Comments

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