Water station contest
The Water Station Contest
How it works
Two contests, one loud morning
Every finisher votes
Voting opens as runners cross the finish line and closes Tuesday at noon. Results are announced Tuesday evening on the contest page ↗.
Two divisions, two winners
One winner from Stations 1–5, where every runner votes. One from Stations 6–10, voted only by full-marathon runners; they're the only ones who see them.
Win on personality
Themes, costumes, music, signs: bring whatever makes runners remember you. Last year's ballots raved about a kid in a monkey costume with a squirt gun and an orange slice at the turnaround.
$500
to each division's winning group
$400
to each second-place team
$300
to every other team on the course
Every group walks away with a check. Thank you to Chrissy Beanz for sponsoring the contest, and to every volunteer who hands a cup to a stranger at mile 20.
Defending champions
The 2026 winners
Stations 1–5 · voted by every finisher
Sackets Harbor Girls Soccer
Water Station 2
From the ballots: "Really high energy"
Second place: Belleville-Henderson Panthers · Water Station 1
Stations 6–10 · voted by full-marathon runners
North Country Spouses' Club, Fort Drum
Water Station 10 · Full Turnaround
From the ballots: "They made me laugh and they did the let it grow dance"
Second place: South Jefferson Lacrosse Club · Water Station 9
Full placements and runner comments live on the Race Crew contest page ↗.
Want your group on the course in 2027?
We need ten teams. Your group raises real money ($300 guaranteed, up to $500) for a morning of cheering, and the dethroning of a champion is always on the table.
Sign your team up
2027 assignments
The ten stations
Stations 1–5 see every runner; stations 6–10 belong to the marathoners (and their own contest division). Teams land here as they sign up, and on their station's pin on the interactive map.
| # | Location | Runners pass at | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battlefield | Full & Half mi 1.5 · Half mi 11.5 · Full mi 25 | your group? |
| 2 | Ambrose St | Full & Half mi 3.5 · Half mi 10 · Full mi 23 | your group? |
| 3 | Sunoco | Full & Half mi 5 · Half mi 8 · Full mi 21.5 | your group? |
| 4 | Salt Point Rd / Rt 62 | Full & Half mi 6 🍌 · Half mi 7 · Full mi 20 🍌 | your group? |
| 5 | Half Turnaround | Full & Half mi 6.5 🍊 · Full mi 19.5 🍊 · cheer team + orange slices | your group? |
| 6 | Eveleigh Rd / Rt 62 | Full mi 8 🍌 & 18.5 🍌 | your group? |
| 7 | Jericho Rd / Rt 62 | Full mi 9 & 17.5 | your group? |
| 8 | Jericho Rd / Fields Rd | Full mi 11 & 15.5 | your group? |
| 9 | Fields Rd / Slater Rd | Full mi 12 & 14.5 | your group? |
| 10 | Full Turnaround | Full mi 13.1 🍌 · water + cheer | your group? |