Deruyter Lake
History
Additional Information
2023 was the first year for DAM 8. This year 2024, we have added the half-marathon. A loop course to the village, starting and finishing at the Lake. Over the last several decades the number of DeRuyter Lake (Tioughnioga Reservoir) residents and guests walking/running the lake keeps increasing as the value of routine physical movement is recognized.
The east branch of the Tioughnioga River, one mile south of the Lake flows toward Cortland where it merges with the west branch. Together the river becomes quite significant, especially with heavy rain, or melting snow, supplying the mighty Susquehanna which empties in to Chesapeake Bay.
Our logo represents two famous Admirals of the Netherlands, Maarten Tromp and Michael DeRuyter. Get out your magnifying glass. Their names are on the shoes. The Town of DeRuyter in its first couple of years was named Tromptown.
Reaching and running the dam, starting from the village, has served as the U-turn half-way section for the Tromptown Run half marathon at August Fair time for the last 45 years and also for the September Tromptown Marathon, full annd half, the last three years. Our estimate is that 9000 plus runners over the years have performed that task.
For several years, the Lake was the midpoint for the bicycle portion of the Syracuse Half Ironman. Lake residents "manned" the liquid penalty and "breakdown" station. The Lake's 501(c)3, Tioughnioga Lake Preservation Foundation (TLPF), benefitted monies from that endeavor.
The last decade has also witnessed bicycle traffic increasing from the southern portions of the Syracuse area using the Lake or even the village further south for their turn around point. Motorcycle tours have also populated the village for "pit" stops.
With the DAM 8 the DeRuyter area now has three road races to correspond with spring, summer and fall. (1) In spring the DAM 8. (2) In summer, August Fair time, half-marathon and 5 Km and (3) late September, the marathon, half-marathon and 5 Km (tromptownmarathon.com).
The Dam 8 co-directors, Win Skeele and Tim Glisson, have previous experiences as road runners of different distances and race directors. They also share another experience. Win lived his teenage years on the East side of the lake and in later years lived 20 years on the West side, then another 20 years on the East side unti he sold his home and land 15 years ago to the Glisson famiy who expanded to include a furniture operation. That point serves as the start and finish for the DAM 8.
Love of the lake is also in their bones!
