A broad field of local and visiting athletes took to the streets of Spencerport bright and early on November 1 for the Barbecue Bash Quarters. Obatron Productions, a small business based in the town of Greece, organized the multi-distance race in its sixth year.
Obatron Productions’ fitness arm, Obatron Fitness, offers training programs for those looking to walk or run specific distances, whether or not for a race; exercise classes in its private home-based studio; and races on the west side of Monroe County.
The Barbecue Bash was the final race in Obatron’s West of the River series, which also included the June Jaunt in Hilton and The Potato Run in Greece. The company also held an overnight endurance challenge, Nocturnal 12, along the Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail in Greece in October.
The Barbecue Bash Quarters welcomed about 125 runners, along with spectators and volunteers. The full marathon distance is also one of the last races in the long-running Rochester Runner of the Year Series administered by the Greater Rochester Running Club.
One characteristic that sets the Barbecue Bash Quarters apart from traditional races is its highly supportive “No DNF” (Did Not Finish) format. Participants sign up to tackle one to four “quarters” of a marathon (ranging from 6.55 miles to the full 26.2-mile distance) on a certified course, starting and finishing on the Erie Canal Heritage Trail and meandering through village neighborhoods in between. If a runner experiences an off day while attempting their registered distance, they are not disqualified; instead, timing officials drop them down to the distance they successfully completed, ensuring every athlete takes home a finisher medal and an official time with at least one lap.
The race timing lets competitive athletes use their qualifying finish times to apply for the 2028 Boston Marathon. On the flip side, the generous 7.5-hour cutoff works well for those who might otherwise miss more traditional race closing times for longer distances.
True to its community focus, the event also serves a charitable mission, actively encouraging participants and community spectators to bring non-perishable food and hygiene items for the Spencerport Ecumenical Food Shelf and make financial contributions to Cartons for Christmas.
Obatron co-owner and Race Director Vickey Beaver says she strives for an air of hospitality with this race. Entry fees are reinvested in premium runner perks, including a custom seasonal amenity kit, an individual-sized barbecue sample pack, a free prize raffle, and a coupon for Union Street Coffee House. After crossing the finish line, HealthSource Chiropractic was on hand to assist runners with recovery, and participants and volunteers enjoyed a full barbecue bar catered by premier sponsor Texas Bar-B-Q Joint.
For more information, visit https://obatron.com/obatron-fitness/ or follow Obatron Fitness on Facebook.
Provided information
Photos by Karen Fien
