Winter Warrior Half Marathon Set to Be Warmest Temps in Race History

MEDIA ADVISORY/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Brenner-Boutillier, VP/CFO YellowJacket Racing & Fleet Feet

585-697-3338; ellen@fleetfeetrochester.com

Winter Warrior Half Marathon Set to Be Warmest Temps in Race History

Rochester, NY January, 3, 2019: For the fifth year in a row, 1000 will be grabbing their Winter Warrior Hats to participate in the Winter Warrior ½ Marathon, ¼ marathon and Relay on Saturday, January 5th at 12PM at Rochester Tech Park.  Produced by YellowJacket Racing this event is a 4 loop course around Rochester Tech Park comprising 13.1 miles total for the Half Marathon.  However participants can do the NEW Quarter Marathon option of 2 loops or a 4 person team, where each team member does one loop.

Historically speaking this event is notoriously infamous for its bone chilling arctic temperatures.  As recent as last year, YellowJacket Racing had to do a last minute race alterations to allow people to do shorter loops due to the sub zero temperatures and wind chills.  The event used to also begin at 4PM and finish in the dark, but due to the historic reputation of the event, YellowJacket Racing changed the start time to be at noon this year so all participants can start and finish in daylight.  “While starting at 4PM, running through dusk and into the night certainly was unique and created a different set of adversities for athletes, after much feedback, we decided for a change in 2019 to a noon start time.” Stated Ellen Brenner-Boutillier, Co-Owner of Fleet Feet & YellowJacket Racing.

This change is proving to be popular, as the Quarter Marathon and relay is now closed to registration, and just 59 slots remain for the Half Marathon as of January 3^rd.  There will be 28 teams and 320 Quarter Marathoners competing and 600 Half Marathoners expected.

The Winter Warrior Half Marathon also marks the first race of the Four Season Challenge Long Course Road Series, where 250 athletes are registered and committed to run 4 Half Marathons in 2019.

“This event has always been unique, has always had a special personality and every year has a crazy story to follow it”, claims Brenner-Boutillier. ”We’re looking forward to the noon start time, and seeing what nuance and tale it brings to this remarkably notable event.”

This is the 3rd year the event is hosted at Rochester Tech Park.  Year one was at MCC.  “The Rochester Tech Park has been a great locale because it has little to no traffic, the course is contained, Gates is great to work with and it’s perfect loops for a winter event”, states Brenner-Boutillier. 

“We love this event because it shows just how hardy Upstate NY Runners and Walkers can be.  Year one was 8 degrees, Last year was sub zero and in between there has been 20-40 degrees.  The course is so spectator friendly as they can see the athletes 4 times and it is an extremely non lonely course.  Athletes are with someone at almost all times” says Brenner-Boutillier.

For more information visit http://yellowjacketracing.com/races/winter-warrior-half-marathon-quarter-marathon-relay

About Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet is a locally owned and operated specialty store carrying footwear, apparel and accessories for walkers and runners. At Fleet Feet, you will find a welcoming environment where runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities receive unparalleled service and support. For more information, visit www.fleetfeetrochester.com

About YellowJacket Racing—YellowJacket Racing is a locally owned event production and race timing company, producing upwards of 45 events including the Webster Turkey Trot, Flower City Challenge, Rochester Marathon, FireCracker Five Mile and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce 5K; plus providing timing services to upwards of 40 events within New York State.  For more information, visit www.yellowjacketracing.com.   END   ###