West of the River Series
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Event Overview
The West of the River Series is a collection of three distinct running events held in the Rochester area between June and November. Participants have the option to register for individual races or the complete three-race series. The events are designed to be inclusive, welcoming walkers and mobility-impaired athletes.
Course Distances
The series features a variety of distances across its scheduled dates:
- 5 km (June Jaunt)
- 10 km (The Potato Run)
- 1/4 Marathon (Barbecue Bash Quarters)
- Half Marathon (Barbecue Bash Quarters)
- 3/4 Marathon (Barbecue Bash Quarters)
- Full Marathon (Barbecue Bash Quarters)
Locations and Timing
The series moves across different venues in New York. The first event, a 5 km race, takes place in Hilton. The second event, a 10 km race, is held at Greece Canal Park in Rochester. The final event, featuring four different marathon-based distances, starts at the Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum in Spencerport.
The Barbecue Bash Quarters marathon distance is a certified course, which allows participants to use their finishing times for Boston Marathon qualification. This specific event also permits athletes to adjust their distance downward during the race if necessary; runners who do not complete their intended distance will be scored for the last quarter they successfully finished.
Amenities and Participation
Each race includes food-themed amenities, such as a frozen fruit bar for the first race, a salt potato bar for the second, and a barbecue bar for the final event. Registered participants receive medals and technical race shirts if signed up by the specified cutoffs. The events support local food programs through fundraising and race-day food drives. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
