Nancy Weber bikes on a regular basis, but she says she's not an avid racer. Except for once a year, when the Baldwinsville resident comes to Emerson Park to compete in the Great Race.

This year, Weber, 43, is the cyclist on a three-person team that also includes a runner and a kayaker. Her teams have done well in the past, though she says that is not the main objective.

“We're there to have fun,” Weber said. “We're not a real competitive team that's out there for blood and guts.”

Weber will be one of many racers from outside the area who compete in the team relay event. Every year, hundreds of runners, bikers and paddlers come from all around central New York to take part in one of the region's most unique races.

The 30-plus year event combines multiple courses and team sizes, but the basic premise is the same for everyone. Each race has three legs: for cyclists, runners and either canoes or kayaks.

Because of the team structure and competitive fun, people come from both in and out of the state to participate in or near Owasco Lake.

Weber said she has come to the race at least 10 times. Right now, she's on a three-person team in the short race - a five-kilometer run, 10-mile bike and two-mile canoe course. The longer race is twice that length.

Many of the racers are very competitive, Weber said. But she also said she enjoys the fact that a lot of the people who come are there to have a nice day.

“You meet a lot of people. I think it's a nice mix,” she said.

At last year's Great Race, 560 teams competed, race director Marty Keough said earlier this week. The race has grown in size and stature since it started, Keough said. At the time, there were quite a few similar events, most of which have folded.

Keough said he believes one of the reasons the race maintains its popularity is the fact that there is a short and long race.

“People were saying they were getting too old to do it. And some said they had never tried it and were interested, but it looked too long,” he said.

He also pointed to the hundreds of volunteers and committee members who give their time and money every year to make sure it's a smooth race. There are sponsors, city and county officials, emergency workers, doctors and nurses to man the medical tent, and others who all come together, Keough said.

That organization is one of the reasons Mary Begly returns regularly from Cross Lake, near Manlius. Begly has participated in the Great Race a number of times over more than 20 years, as both a runner and paddler.

This year, she's running with a team for the small race, and she said her goal is to break 29 minutes for the five-kilometer run.

Begly said she has run in various races, and this competition is run especially well.

“It's well organized, and the party afterward is fun, too,” Begly said.

This year's after-party begins at 1 p.m. with music by Tuff Luck.

Begly added, “And it shows off Owasco Lake, which is really nice.”

Christopher Caskey

253-5311 ext. 282

christopher.caskey@lee.net

If you go.

What: The Great Race XXXII

When: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9

Where: Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco

Info: Visit www.great-race.com