Suffolk Marathon Returns, With New Course That Goes Over The Bay

BABYLON, NY—This weekend is the 7th Annual Suffolk County Marathon, but the first with a brand-new race course that will take runners from downtown Babylon Village over the bay bridges and end in West Islip's Gardiner County Park.

The marathon is only one of several events on Sunday. There are also half marathon, 10K, 5K and a kids' fun run 1K distance races. There is also a family 5K fun run/walk where strollers are permitted.

Freedom Fest is an accompanying outdoor festival with live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, local artisans and businesses, children’s activities, local food and craft beer that will take place on both Saturday and Sunday at Gardiner County Park.

Sand City Brewery in Lindenhurst will host a brewery night on Thursday for race participants. Runners looking to "carb-load" can get all-you-can-eat pasta at a pasta night at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians in Babylon Village.

This year, the proceeds of the races will go toward Long Island nonprofits benefiting local veterans. The race is sponsored by Catholic Health Services.

The marathon and half marathon kick off at 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

Residents should expect road closures. The northbound lanes of the Robert Moses Causeway from Captree State Park to Montauk Highway will be closed from at least 5:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Drivers can travel south and use Wantagh Parkway to travel north from Ocean Parkway. The full list of road closings can be found here.