OSWEGO, N.Y. -- And they're off. Runners, some of them in shorts, competed in the Warm Up Oswego festival's two-K race.

The temperature was in the 40s. Not tropical quite yet, but better than usual.

"This is actually beautiful compared to what we've been experiencing up here," said Mike Perkins, Oswego YMCA Program Director.

Of course, 40 degrees isn't warm to everyone, so there were also activities for people who wanted to warm up inside.

Karate and Irish dancing demonstrations showed the importance of staying active and finding something to do when it's chilly out.

"It is great having something like this. It is cold in the wintertime. There's nothing we can do about it. This year's been colder than most, but we've gotta take what's given to us," said Charles Burger, the Oswego State Karate Club Senseie.

Of course if you are from Oswego, there's a good chance that you enjoy the outdoor weather, and there's nothing better than a crazy costume sled race on a day like Saturday.

"This is a great event, it's a great time, we have a lot of fun. For old people like ourselves, it's a great chance to get a laugh together and make other people laugh as well, and I think when we're in the middle of winter, a good thing to do is laugh," said Oswego resident Greg Mills, who competed in the race.

"We need to get people outdoors and enjoy that weather that we get. We experience all four seasons. Not a lot of places get that, but we do," said Perkins.

More than 250 people took part in the Warm Up Oswego festival.