Twice now I have made the 5 hour drive to the Syracuse Half Marathon. Why? Because it's amazing. I've done this race in 2014 and 2015, and the half marathon is one of the best-run events I have ever done. You can tell this is a race put on by runners for runners.

First, parking is free and convenient. You park in the garage outside the Oncenter, where the packet pickup and expo are held on Sunday. The expo booths and vendors are there on race day morning, so you don't miss out on visiting the booths. If you buy something at the expo, you can bag check it there instead of going back to your car. The pre-race waiting area is inside the convention center, so you can stay warm before the start (and go to the bathroom indoors).

Twice now the race directors have had to deal with race-morning snow, and they pulled off the event without issues. The course has flat and hilly sections, and it takes you on a tour of Syracuse, through neighborhoods and to downtown. The aide stations are adequately stocked, and locals come out to cheer (even in the cold!) The course is almost entirely closed to traffic, and the four-hour time limit welcomes walkers.

What makes this race so awesome is what you get for your money. In 2014, you had a choice of swag: t-shirt, beer mug or hat, plus the medal, plus the great post-race food party. In 2015, our swag was an awesome warm Brooks running jacket (plus medal and party). The race is extremely reasonably priced for what you get.

And can you say post-race food goodness? Finishers come back into the convention center to three buffet-line tables with: pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, cookies, bananas, yogurt, and more. Go through the food line and sit down on at one of the 20+ round tables set up so you can sit and enjoy your food. The race does cool things like set up a display board with the race logo and a computer where you can walk up with your bib and your name and finish time displays (a great photo op).

If you need a March half marathon in New York, this is one I would definitely recommend.