Lake Effect Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & Moose Mile Fun Run

Sunday, February 17, 2024 • Syracuse, NY • Course Map

Runners get the chance to trek along the shoreline of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse and run through the park known affectionately to those in the region as “the Central Park of central New York” at the Lake Effect Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & Moose Mile Kids’ Fun Run, which unfolds along the trails and park roads of Onondaga Lake Park, starting and finishing in the small village of Liverpool along the lake.

Sponsored and organized by the locally-based Lake Effect Run Club — named for the weather phenomenon known as lake effect snow, which is quite common here in the winter as the wind blowing in from Lake Ontario creates its own weather across the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse areas — the race features an out-and-back course that the organizers say is very flat, and “has the potential to be a PR course” for runners looking to set personal record times.

The half marathon race starts and finishes at the Salt Museum, which is located on Lake Drive along the northern shore of Onondaga Lake and tells the story of the history of the salt industry here in New York state (and without which the city of Syracuse might never have been founded).

From there, runners head out onto the East Shore Recreational Trail, which stretches all the way around the lake, toward Willow Bay and then to the Wegman’s Dog Park. Once runners reach the turnaround point, they head back toward the museum and then continue on to the Griffin Visitors Center, completing the first of two legs for the race.

Once they reach the visitor center, they then start the second out-and-back leg of the race, running the course again all the way back to the museum for the race finish.

The race is limited to 500 entrants, so runners thinking of participating in the race are encouraged to sign up early.

Runners also are strongly encouraged to come prepared for very cold winter weather, as Syracuse is one of the nation’s snowiest cities in the winter — the record high temperature this time of year is 66°F, while the record low is -10°F. So come prepared for anything, but certainly come prepared for the cold.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled along the northern shoreline of Onandaga Lake in western New York state, about 5 miles northwest of Syracuse and roughly 145 miles east of Buffalo, Liverpool typically sees February temperatures that average between 34°F and 18°F, while precipitation amounts average just over 2.1 inches for the month, making February the village’s driest month of the year.

On the day of the race (Feb. 17), the average low is 19°F and the average high is 35°F.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Lake Effect Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

see event website

Fees

$50 for the virtual half marathon
$45 for the virtual quarter marathon
see event website for in-person pricing

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Liverpool’s Lake Effect Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon or Moose Mile Fun Run for kids, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.lakeeffecthalfmarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the Lake Effect Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.