LIVINGSTON COUNTY – This year’s Oak Tree Half Marathon, which is already established as one of the region’s most prestigious races, will be sporting several additions that make this year’s race even better.
Ben Gajewski, Executive Director of the Genesee Valley Nature Conservancy, says that the Oak Tree is now the featured distance event in the Rochester Runner of the Year Series, which culminates with crowning the top male and female runners in the area.
“To be part of that series is an honor,” said Gajewski. “A fairly high percentage of runners use our race as a training goal, and we should be seeing a lot of top runners. We are on track to break our attendance record.”
In addition to being part of the series, organizers have established a new elite field. Top runners from throughout the region can receive discounted entry into the race if they match set time standards.
In keeping with the local theme and character of the event, age group runners and random awards will be given out that include honey harvested from along the course, Monks bread, handmade medals from Hog Shed Studio pottery, and the top finishers will receive an Oak Tree grown from a Genesee Valley acorn donated by Palmiters Garden Nursery.