Sat, Nov 7, 2026

Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse)

Syracuse, NY

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024

About the Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse)

The course runs at the state fairgrounds in Syracuse, tied to the CNY Veterans Parade and Expo happening the same morning. Runners pick a branch of the military to represent, Army through Space Force, and race as part of that team. The event benefits an organization focused on ending hunger among veterans and their families, and a canned food drive runs at packet pickup and on race morning.

Packet pickup is in the Center of Progress Bldg at the Fairgrounds on race morning, with a pre-race option to be announced. Parking is in the Brown Lot for most runners; those who have served in any branch may use the Pink Lot instead.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

155finishers

18:28winner

30:50median

1:00:52cutoff

Top 3: Tom Byers (18:28) · Kevin Abel (19:11) · Owen Sellers (20:02)

The Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse) has been held every year since at least 2024. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles11/7/2026 10:15$40

3.1 Miles11/7/2026 10:15$46

3.1 Miles11/7/2026 10:15$40

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse)

Will I finish last at the Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse)?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 30:50, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:00:52, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse) a good first 3.1 Miles?

It is a small race (155 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Battle of the Branches 5K (Syracuse)?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 18:28 while the median finisher took 30:50. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.