GATES N.Y. — Dangerously low wind chills have made it unsafe for half-running marathons throughout the Rochester area.

Those bundled and insulated participated in the Winter Warrior Half Marathon and Relay at the Rochester Technology Park in Gates Saturday afternoon.

Because of frigid temperatures, organizers offered several options for runners who felt unsafe.

But that didn’t stop some racers from tackling the 13.1-mile race through the plummeting cold weather.

Vice president and chief financial officer of Fleet Feet Sports and YellowJacket Racing, Ellen Brenner-Boutillier, says the turnout has been quite shocking.

“This is unbelievable. We still had people registering this week, even though they knew it was going to be like this, so this is a conquering type of an event,” says Brenner-Boutillier. “Just because of the conditions we’ve added more medical personnel, we’ve added more heated tents and we’ve added more support for the volunteers so that they stay warm out there because they have to be out there for the full four hours.”

The course began at 4 p.m., closing at 8 at night with runners completing the half marathon; lots finished the relay and some just trailing the many distances in between.