Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon
- Date
- May 1–8, 2027
- Distance
- Half Marathon (In-person) · Virtual Half Marathon
From the Organizer
33rd Annual Grand Island Half Marathon
Saturday, May 1st, 2027, at Beaver Island State Park
A Buffalo Runner of the Year Race
A Buffalo tradition the Grand Island Half Marathon has been providing runners a quality running experience and giving back to the community since our inaugural race April 15th, 1995.
What's Included in This Year's Race
- RaceJoy Live Tracking: Free phone live tracking, progress alerts, and cheer sending for all participants.
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FREE Downloadable Photos: Find your photos easily, arranged by bib number. Share them on social media or even upload your own! Photographers will be at the Start, on the course, and at the Finish line to capture your photo finish moment.
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Commemorative Race Shirt and Medal: Every Half Marathon finisher receives a medal and high-quality shirt to remember your accomplishment.
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First-Time Half Marathoners: Receive a medal with a distinct ribbon acknowledging your achievement and have a dedicated photo opportunity in front of a first-time 1/2 Marathon placard.
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Post-Race Party: Held adjacent to the finish line with awards, food, drinks, and music from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Race Amenities and Logistics
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Chip Timing: Included for all in-person runners.
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Hydration Stations: Six stations along the course with race volunteers handing out water and sports drinks for runners, and runners are also welcome to carry their own bottles.
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Restrooms: Portable toilet stations along the course, plus additional facilities in the start/finish area.
Race Day Details: Saturday, May 1st, 2027
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Bib Pickup: 7:30 AM in the main parking lot adjacent to the Start/Finish.
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Start Time: 9:00 AM.
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Location: Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island, NY (between Buffalo and Niagara Falls). The race starts and finishes in the main parking lot.
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The Course: Flat, out-and-back, along the scenic Niagara River. More than 85% of the course is closed to traffic, and there is no time limit to complete the race.
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Race Gear: Medals and other race giveaways will be available at the finish line.
Awards and Records
Half Marathon Awards
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Overall male and female winners.
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Overall Masters male and female winners.
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Overall 19 and Under male and female winners.
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Top Three Finishers in each 5-year age division from 19 and under to 80+
Event Records (Entry fee refunded for anyone breaking a record in their division)
| Division | Male Record | Year | Female Record | Year |
| Overall | Joseph Whelan 1:05:55 | 2023 | Christine Cote 1:19:54 | 1998 |
| Masters | David O'Keeffe 1:09:36 | 1999 | Jenny Keenen 1:21:17 | 2023 |
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
63°
Typical Low
42°
Chance of Rain
43%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Niagara Falls, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Grand Island, NY
Elevation
595 ft
Nearest Airport
BUF
Buffalo Niagara International Airport · 13 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
327
Days to train
- Race
- Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon
- Date
- May 1–8, 2027
Coming Up
More Running races near Grand Island, NY
Dick Bessel Independence Day Run
Less than a mile away
Okay 5k
5K
12 miles away
Jolly Jog 5k Run
5K
6 miles away
Howl on the Niagara
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon?
- Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon is a running race held in Grand Island, New York on May 1, 2027. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon?
- Saturday, May 1, 2027 in Grand Island, New York at Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island, NY. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Greater Buffalo Track Club Grand Island Half Marathon
May 1, 2027