How to be a Warrior at Winter Warrior Half, Quarter or Relay Marathon!
Please Read So You Are Most Informed!

Winter Warrior

Half Marathon | Quarter Marathon | Relay

Saturday, January 6, 2024

10AM

Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY

1000 East Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14623

Easy Steps to a Successful Race!

Step 1: Go to Packet Pickup & Get Your Bib!


We highly advise going to packet pickup on Friday, January 5th to alleviate waiting on race day lines and reduce congregating. Others may get your packet for you. *Although there are specific "hat" rules - see below.


Here are packet pickup details:

  • Friday, January 5th from 10am - 6pm at Fleet Feet ARMORY location:
  • ARMORY: 155 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14620
  • Others may get your packet for you! *Although there are specific "hat" rules - see below.
  • Race Day, Saturday, January 6th, at the Monroe Community College Gymnasium from 8:45AM to 9:45AM. This is by the start/finish and parking. Reminder it is HIGHLY ADVISED to pickup on Friday at Fleet Feet as this is a very short period of time to do day of pickup.


Relay Teams: Your packets will be in one bag. When coming to packet pickup please have the captains name and team name. All Teams will see ELLEN for Friday packet pickup (she will be to the left when you enter the room) Please be sure to read this document on how the Relay's Work and making sure you do each loop and chip/bib passing correctly - CLICK HERE. It is the entire teams responsibility to understand how race day works and the exchange of the timing bib.


Virtuals: Your packets will be available during packet pickup. This way you will have your medal ready for you. Otherwise they will be mailed to the address in your registration next week. You will receive an email Friday AM and Sunday AM on how to submit results. Please be sure to submit your results by the date/time indicated as submissions do close.


Race Bib Details & Timing: Your timing chip is on the back of your bib you'll get at packet pickup. It is very important that the bib is worn visibly on the front torso of each participant. If you lose, forget or misplace your bib on race day, there is a $5.00 replacement fee. No chip, no time, no medal. Chips can not read through jackets, race belts, hydration belts nor human hand when you stop your watch, so please make sure the bib is on the front and visible. Like wise, if stopping your watch at the end of the race, please do not do this over the mat, again it is challenged to read over the human hand.


PS - Registration will remain open until Friday, January 5th at 5:45PM if you know others who'd like to join - UNLESS THE CAP is MET - There are 34 Spots Left for In Person 1/4 & 1/2


*PPS - Now about the Hats/Mugs at Packet Pickup*

As noted on website and sent via email several times, there are varying nuances about the hat/mug


Packet Pickup Special - we have 150 Special Edition Pink Hats. The first 150 individuals to packet pickup who want the pink hat get to choose this over the Black One. You can indeed still choose the Black One. Note: this is for that individual only, so if you are picking up for more than 1 person, you only get 1 Pink Hat. For example: if you are 1 person picking up for 2 or more people - you only get ONE PINK HAT. This includes relays. Relays are in one packet so we give out the relay bibs all at once. Therefore if more than one relay members wants a pink hat, you need the correct amount of people at packet pickup to get it.


NEW UPDATE as of Dec 23rd!! Registration is coming in great, but we only have 810 TOTAL hats. So in order to allow more people to register, for the 811th person and beyond to register you will get this awesome ceramic camp mug. NOW.... If you qualified for the hat and don't want a hat, you are welcome to the mug instead during packet pickup. This is applicable to in person registrations only.

Step 2: The Host Facility! Thank you Monroe Community College for having us back to where Winter Warrior began many moons ago. As gracious hosts please be mindful in keeping their property clean and orderly. Be sure to not litter. The restrooms will be open inside.

Step 3: Check your wardrobe & nutrition! Compared to some years the weather is currently looking no too bad. Mid 30s from start to finish. It is winter and you want to be smart and dress in layers. Stop into Fleet Feet and let the Outfitters, outfit you in proper base layers, midlayers, socks, accessories, hydration, nutrition, jackets and even footwear! Plus we re having an AMAZING APPAREL SALE during Friday Packet Pickup you will want to check out. We even have post race warm hang out cozy items so you can watch your fellow athletes finishing while eating pizza. Keep in mind our weather also functions as it chooses and should road conditions be poor be prepared with traction. Fleet Feet has a selection for you and can also provide studding services where we place the studs into the bottom of the shoe to help you feel more secure on snow or ice.

Step 4: Wear the Coveted Winter Warrior Hat!


Since the beginning this event has been known for its knit winter hat. It becomes the most worn hat of the winter and commemorates an incredible accomplishment! Being a Winter Warrior!


Reminder: Read Step 1 on how to get a Limited Pink Hat

Step 5: Wear That Finishers Medallion Proudly!


All finishers get a finishers medal. When you finish we will be providing you your medal and bottle of water. Wear that bling proudly, take pictures in front of the Winter Warrior Backdrop and tag @yellowjacketracing & @fleetfeetrochester, wear it to post race dinner, or even all day the day after on Sunday


Relays: Your entire team must be finished in order to get the team medal. You are welcome to finish together, BUT please recognize there are solo athletes around you so we ask that you allow room for any solo athletes to come through. Relays, You MUST give your timing belt back at the end of the race in order to get your medals. These aren't momentos, we need them for future events. Thanks!!


Be proud to be a Winter Warrior and wear that finisher gem!

Step 6: Thank a Volunteer!

Winter Warrior isn't just another half marathon, quarter marathon or relay. It has a mystique, a personality, a very vivid history and part of what makes this event what it is, are the volunteers. So thank ALL of them. On each lap too!

Step 7: Parking


Parking is available around the back of the school in Lot G an M. Please do not drive on the course to get in and out of your spot so we can keep the athletes safe from vehicles. Please do not park at Bill Grey's IcePlex. When entering and exiting the complex please exit going counterclockwise so you aren't on the same side as the course. View Parking Areas at Website

Step 8: Awards


Half Marathon Awards

  • Top 3 Overall Male/Female
  • Age Group Awards to Top 2 in Male/Female 5 year age groups. (19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & up)


Quarter Marathon Awards

  • Overall Male/Female
  • 1st place in 5 year age groups (19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & up)


Half Marathon Relay Team Awards

  • Top 3 combined teams


Please note there is no awards ceremony per se, but there will be an awards table in the Gymnasium where you can get your award. Please be sure to check the results on the Run Sign Up Page BEFORE heading to the table to see if you won. This alleviates the lines. There are A-Frames around the finish with the results QR Code you can check via your phone before going to the table.


Quarter Marathon Awards will be ready at the table starting at 11:15AM. We need to have the majority of athletes through first. The Half Marathon Awards will start to become available at 11:30AM, then an updated list will be provided every half hour until 1PM. Again, Please be sure to check the results on the Run Sign Up Page BEFORE heading to the table to see if you won. This alleviates the lines. There are A-Frames around the finish with the results QR Code you can check via your phone before going to the table.


Awards are not mailed.

Step 9: Tips for the Course


Winter Warrior is a loop course. The Half Marathon is 4 loops. The Quarter Marathon is 2 loops. The 4 Person Relay is one loop per team member. All events start at 10AM. For the Half & Quarter Marathon you must start your final loop by 12:30PM. Course Closes at 1:30PM. The start and finish are in the same spot behind the building between the gymnasium and Lot G.


Please keep in mind that you will see athletes constantly, as you pass athletes and athletes pass you. Cheer and Support each other as you go!! Please use etiquette when passing, letting folks know which side you are passing on. As you come towards the Start/Finish area and need to continue on for more laps please stay left to continue onward. If you are finishing, then finish in the right side of the Start/Finish. Only come to the right if you are completely done with your event. There will be cones down the center to help partition this off. When you do finish please dart off to the right so you don't impede any athletes continuing onwards in the left lane.


Relays - During the race ONLY THE FINAL Lap Person goes to the Right through the finish. Yes the full team can join this final lap person, but please be cognizant of not impeding the way of other finishers. All other laps stay in the left lane so they can easily head to the Relay Exchange Zone.


Course Map


Relays: Your exchange zone with your next athlete is just beyond this Start/Finish area on the right hand side. Please be sure to exchange your timing chip/belt at this zone only. The belt must be returned in the finish chute when complete.


Relays Please Keep in Mind to stay off the course while you are waiting and when you complete your lap. It's easy to congregate on the course at that exchange spot. Please don't.


Water Stop: Please do not litter any where on course, but at water stop either. There is one water stop that you'll pass each lap.


Porto Pots: There are bathrooms available inside MCC prior to the race. When on course there will be 2 porto pots just beyond the Start/Finish on the right hand side in the parking lot. You will see these each loop. In addition, two porto pots have been added to the opposite side of campus/the course.

Step 10: When you Finish

You will receive your medal and bottle of water. Be sure to go Right once you finish. If you go left, you may run into an athlete finishing other laps. Please be cognizant of your surroundings. Relay members for Legs 1-3, you'll need to wait for your final relay member to finish to get your medal. You can finish together as long as you allow room for other solo finishers to come through.

Relays: You MUST give your timing belt back at the end of the race in order to get your medals. These aren't momentos, we need them for future events. Thanks!!

We will have post race Salvatore's pizza and other snacks in the gym post race for athletes only. Please do not litter and leave things behind.

Step 11: Post Race Gear is Key


As soon as you cross the finish line go get dry clothes on, this is hugely important. Change everything and put on a big heavy jacket, boots and hat. Then hang out (with your medal on of course and pizza) and cheer the other athletes. For those fortunate enough to get the cool Winter Warrior Sweatshirt, now is the time to wear that!

Step 12: Have Fun! Smile!


We are so excited to have Winter Warrior with over 900 people and you get huge bragging rights for accomplishing this in the winter. Enjoy every step. Remain positive. Cheer and Support each other as you will also be each others spectators. Thank you so much for joining us!

Step 13: Go to Packet Pickup on Friday!


We look forward to seeing you Friday, January 5th between 10AM and 6PM for Packet Pickup at the Armory. You may pickup for others too. (See Step 1 Rules about the Pink Hat though) Be sure to ask Fleet Feet Staff to help you find any lucky items you may need for race day from socks, to gloves, hats, nutrition or perhaps the perfect winter pant, top or jacket! Check out that amazing apparel sale!!

Winter Warrior Website
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram