Sunday marks the 31st year of the Great Race.

In those three decades, the race has grown into one of the largest athletic events in the area, drawing, on average, more than 500 teams each year.

It's a late summer tradition. But unlike most, it's a tradition that continually changes.

“We used to just have a five-mile run from the high school,” said Jim Hanley, one of the race's founders. “The bikes used to ride up West Lake Road. We used to just have the long course, now we have the long course, the short course, the kayaks, the long and short kayaks. The race just keeps growing and we keep working to keep improving it.”

While Hanley said in many ways the race is a well-oiled machine after all these years, there is always room for improvement.

In recent years the addition of a computer chip timing system has been one of the biggest improvements to the race.

“We are always looking for ways to improve,” Hanley said. “The chip system is pretty amazing. It has been working really well and it allows us to get very accurate times for everyone.” There is also a new long bike course this year.

Hanley said that due to issues with permits, the race committee had to change what has become the traditional course, keeping the entirety of the bike portion in Cayuga County.

This year's course will take long course riders along 38A (East Lake Road) to Valentine Road to Harter Road to Twelve Corners Road which crosses 38A where it turns into North Road to Swartout Road and then returning to 38A to the change-over zone.

“I think it is a good course,” Hanley said. “I think those that are doing the long course will be happy and find that it is a good course.”

Hanley said there will be volunteers stationed along the course to help direct riders and prevent any confusion on the new path.

Also new to riders this year will be speed bumps in the change-over zone.

They have been introduced this year as a precautionary measure.

“(The bikers) come in and out of there really fast,” Hanley said. “We just want to make sure everyone is safe and that we do everything we can to avoid accidents.”

Hanley said the days leading up to the race are always a hectic time.

With the new changes in place there are still last-minute details to deal with, from volunteers stuffing information packets to making sandwiches for racers.

Hanley said the race volunteers, like every year, are an integral part of keeping things running smoothly.

“We can always use more,” Hanley said. “Somehow it all always comes together on race day, but we can always use more people. We need people to direct traffic for the bikers and runners - that is a big responsibility. Volunteers are very important to what we do.”

Hanley said that as of Thursday, more than 500 teams were registered and he expected to pick up more over the next few days. He even anticipated more teams signing up the morning of the race.

With all the changes in place and all the work in full swing leading up to the race, Hanley said he is anticipating a good race this year.

“We'll be keeping an eye on the weather,” Hanley said. “You never know what you are going to get until race day. But we think things will go well. And at our next meeting later in August after the race, we'll all be discussing the race this year and how things went and what worked and what didn't work and look at ways we can keep improving. We are always working on improving and doing all we can to make sure that we have a good race.”

If you go

What: 31st annual Great Race

When: Sunday, 9:30 a.m.

Where: Emerson Park