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Alex Epifani accomplished a goal she never imagined she could reach when she ran the Syracuse Half Marathon Sunday morning. This was the first race the Syracuse local had ever completed, as she memorably checked it off her 2025 bucket list.

“I think having Syracuse come out and just seeing the community coming together, I think it’s really important,” she said. “You see signs saying, ‘You got this, stranger,’ so it’s like we’re all together.”

Sunday marked the 12th annual Syracuse Half Marathon. Runners took off at promptly 7:53 a.m. and made the loop through Syracuse neighborhoods, starting and ending at The Oncenter.

Despite a break from training while on a month-long trip to Hawaii, Epifani ultimately was motivated to stick with running the race. She ran Sunday for all of those who can’t, like her dad who suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. She said he would have loved to run the race if he was able.

Runners of all ages, skill levels and experiences took to the streets. John Salva placed ninth overall, running at a 5:38-minute pace. He ran in both high school and college and has been completing races for the past 10 years.

Salva, 32, made the trip from Conklin, New York, just over an hour south of Syracuse, to run the course for the third time. He said he enjoys this race specifically because it helps him prepare for longer runs, and is overall a fun course to complete.

At the finish line, the sound of music coming from the after party and cheering from the fans lining the fences filled the cold air. As runners stepped across, they were met by their supporters offering warm embraces and congratulations.

Andrew Lukowski, a Syracuse area resident, has been running on and off for the last 30 years. He kicked off the race alongside a coworker, emphasizing that running is a team-building activity.

“You are competing against yourself more than you’re competing against other people, and runners are some of the best people,” Lukowski said.

Lukowski has completed a few races in the past, including the “LOOP THE LAKE” half marathon in October that circles the Onondaga Lake. However, Sunday marked his first time running the Syracuse Half Marathon. His motivation?

“It’s actually got one of the best afterparties,” Lukowski said.

The afterparty started at 9:10 a.m. in The Oncenter and runners enjoyed live music by Tom Chick, an open bar and an assortment of food. Local vendors and sponsors lined the walls of the crowded space, including Fleet Feet, a locally-owned and operated running store.

Ed Griffin, a founder of Fleet Feet, sold the business in 2021. He’s since partnered with Pat Leone, founder and owner of Leone Timing & Results Services, to launch Upstate Events, a company that plays a key role in organizing and operating the Syracuse Half Marathon. On race day, Griffin’s role is to oversee the operation of the after party in The Oncenter from 6 a.m. until late afternoon.

Race participants receive a jacket, a finisher medal and a post-race celebration, featuring hot food and free beer. Each runner’s name is printed on their race bib, adding a personal touch so spectators can cheer them on by name.

Finishers also get the opportunity to pose in front of a digital scoreboard displaying their name and finishing time.

“So many people win on this event — all the hotels downtown were booked, all the restaurants last night were crowded,” Griffin said. “It’s good for the participants, it’s good for the community.”

Aileen Lange traveled to Syracuse from Buffalo and stayed in a hotel with friends from her local run club to get up and run the Half Marathon. She’s been running since she was 8 years old, and has now completed five marathons and three half marathons.

“Any race that Pat and Rick are in charge of is just so well organized and efficient, probably because they are runners themselves,” Lange said. “I think that is just very appealing, to come out and know you are in good hands.”

When asked about her favorite part of the race Sunday, Lange laughed and said, “I think finishing.”

Published on March 24, 2025 at 7:28 pm