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.
Happy Half & 5k
Date
May 10, 2025
Starting Time
9:00 AM
Course
Road
Fees
$70+
Location
Ellicottville
Participants
100-500
Terrain
Downhill
Environment
Temperature
High: 77°
/ Low: 53°
Overview
Course Description
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.
Past Results
