Marathon offers rura living close to several towns in Central New York
Intersected by Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 in Cortland County, Marathon is a rural but convenient community in Central New York. Most properties here are in the village of Marathon, a more populated segment of this largely undeveloped area. Whether in the village or surrounding countryside, Marathon residents enjoy quick drives to Binghamton, Syracuse and Ithaca; skiing at nearby Greek Peak Mountain Resort; paddling along the Tioughnioga River; and direct access to locally owned grocers and restaurants.
Single- and multi-family homes in this Cortland County community
Homes in Marathon include traditional and ranch-style houses that sell for between $110,000 and $575,000, depending on their size and condition. Some homes are on acres of land, while others are on smaller plots near the center of town. Mobile homes sell for between $55,000 and $200,000, and Marathon's village area around the highway and Main Street has multi-family homes for between $120,000 and $225,000. "There's a couple of streets loaded with multi-family homes. A lot of investors will buy them," says Donna Standish, a local real estate agent at Yaman Real Estate. Some homes in low-lying areas near the river can be susceptible to flooding. Additionally, Marathon has a CAP Index Crime score of 2, below the national average of 4.
Kayaking on the Tioughnioga River and more recreation
Lovell Field, next to the Marathon Civic Center, has baseball and soccer fields. The facility also has a playground, basketball and tennis courts. The Marathon boat launch is just next to the Civic Center as well. From here, paddlers can float down the wide, meandering Tioughnioga River that winds through Broome and Cortland counties. The public Maple Hill golf course spans 18 hilly holes surrounded by trees on the far northeastern corner of town. Greek Peak Mountain Resort, a ski resort with 45 ski trails, mountain bike trails, an indoor waterpark and more recreational facilities, is less than 9 miles northwest of Marathon. Several State Forests surround the town, allowing for activities like hunting and snowmobiling in rural Cortland County. Whitney Point Multiple Use Area covers 4,645 acres, including Whitney Point Lake, where park visitors can fish, canoe and kayak.
The Maple Festival is the area's main annual event
Each year in April, the Central New York Maple Festival draws crowds for a weekend of fun in Marathon. The event offers over 70 craft vendors, purchase maple products including locally made syrup and lollipops, and gather for the pancake-eating contest. Folk, country and gospel performers also take the stage for this free event. "It's a huge thing every year – rain or shine," Standish says.
Marathon Central School District earns a C-plus
Students can attend Marathon Central School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Appleby Elementary covers prekindergarten through sixth grade and receives a B-minus. Marathon Jr./Sr. High gets a C-plus and offers a dual enrollment program with Tompkins Cortland Community College. The school also has career and technical education courses in subjects including cosmetology, early childhood education, welding and health occupations. Private schools include Marathon Christian Academy, which is unrated by Niche and teaches prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Small-town grocers and restaurants in the village
Locals can swing by Reilly's Cafe on Main Street for a cup of coffee, breakfast platters, burgers, sandwiches and salads. Just down the road, Mamma Maria New York Pizzeria has takeout pasta, calzones and pizza. Gregg's Supermarket sells basic groceries in Marathon. "They have a meat cutter there that's been there for years. A lot of people love getting their meat there," Standish says. Marathon also has a Dollar General, and major retailers like Walmart are about 15 miles north in Cortland. Several churches serve the community too, including Marathon Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Marathon.
Driving to nearby cities on I-81
Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 go through Marathon and connect drivers 20 miles to Binghamton, 15 miles to Cortland and 45 miles to Syracuse. "The two big cities are Syracuse and Binghamton. Marathon is pretty much midway [between them]," Standish says. Binghamton is home to Guthrie Lourdes Hospital and Greater Binghamton Airport. Ithaca is about 30 miles west and is home to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
