100 & 50 Mile

Course Map - Elevation Chart (repeats for 100 mile) Quick View - Open in new window

The revised course uses an out-back format, repeated for the 100, starting and ending at Hope Lake Park with a turnaround point just shy of Daisy Hollow Rd. The hills are pretty constant, runnable in most parts and steepest in the mid-section around Greek Peak. Approximately 44.5/89 miles will be run over hilly single track trail, with 3.5/7 miles of dirt/gravel forest road and 2/4 miles of asphalt. Elevation gain and loss is roughly 10,000/20,000 feet. The hills are constant and the terrain technical at times. Respective cut-off times are 16.5 hours for 50-mile, 36 hours for 100-mile and 28 hours for relay.

50 Kilometer

Course Map - Elevation Chart Quick View - Open in new window

The 50K course will parallel the 50M/100M courses, adding only a jug handle on the north side of Vinnedge Rd from miles 1.4 to 2.6, repeating the Alpine Loop for a pure out-back course. The total distance is somewhere around 30.2. You'll thank me later for skipping the additional 0.8. Elevation gain and loss is roughly 6,300 feet and the cut-off is 10 hours. Map and elevation chart coming soon.

The Greek Peak Alpine portions of the course will follow distinctive and wide ski trails. Additional stakes, streamers and/or flags will be used during the day, and reflectors added at night. The Finger Lakes Trail main will be followed through a majority of Kennedy and Tuller Hill State Forests and is marked with 2" x 5" rectangular white blazes painted on trees, posts, and ground cover. Sharp turns are marked with slanted parallel blazes often with a carrot below pointing in the direction of the turn.

I’ll try to ensure that trails are lined with reflectors for night sections however, based upon our experience in year one, the potential always exists for vandals to promptly remove what we set. Road sections and directional road crossings and/or turns will be marked with flour and/or sandwich boards. It is the responsibility of each athlete to study the maps and learn the basic course configuration.

Section: 4.4 miles; 50K: 5.6 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 4.4; 2nd loop: 54.6; 50K: 5.6

Elevation: 990 foot gain, 575 foot loss = 415 foot gain

Average Grade: 7%

Course Markings: Flagging tape, surveyor’s markers, wooden signs with arrows, reflectors at night.

Breakdown: Start uphill from the Pavilion moving south in the grass next to the parking lot on East Brook. Wrap right on The Dike to parallel the base of Hope Lake. Take a right onto West Brook to head back up the lake, staying right at the fork around 1 mile followed by a sharp right turn onto the Lost Trail. Follow the Lost Trail uphill about 200 meters to a 90 degree right turn onto blue ski trail. Follow approximately 1/3 mile to reach Vinnedge Rd at 1.2 miles. Take a right on Vinnedge Rd (50K will turn left adding a jug handle on the north side of Vinnedge Rd from miles 1.4 to 2.6). Follow Vinnedge Rd 0.8 miles, cross over Clute Rd. with a slight right, following course markers back onto the trail. Follow trail 0.3 miles uphill, paralleling Clute Rd. and take a sharp left. Follow course markers on yellow-circled Nordic ski trails to pipeline clearing at approximately 3.8 miles. Make a right on pipeline clearing and a left in about 1/8 of a mile and follow broad/open path to Gravel Pit at top of hill at 4.4 miles.

Insight: No comparatively long climbs or descents on this section, nor is there much technical trail. Several trail off-shoots in the Tuller Hill area, so pay attention to the flagging. Net loss in upcoming section 2 so although it’s the start of the race and of the course, this would be one section to make decent time on.

Section: 5.3 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 9.7; 2nd loop: 59.9; 50K: 10.9

Elevation: 730 foot gain, 1320 foot loss = 590 foot loss

Average Grade: 8%

Course Markings: White blazed Finger Lakes Trail markings, pink flagging tape at tricky turns or intersections and reflectors at night.

Breakdown: Proceed out of AS and travel south on white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail, crossing Cortland 9 Rd. at 1.3 miles, passing Woodchuck Hollow Lean-To at 2.4 miles, and reaching Carson Rd. at 3.8 miles. Take a right and run downhill 1.1 miles on Carson Rd. to Rt. 392 at 4.8 miles. Take a left on Rt. 392 and run 0.1 miles, making a quick right onto Tone Rd. and running .4 miles to Lift House 5 AS.

Elevation of Note: 500 ft loss over 1.2 mi from topping out prior to reaching Carson Rd to base at Rt. 392.

Insight: You’ll be following white blazes for this entire section. Trail, if without a lot of standing water, is open and quick in the first mile. The middle two miles have some of the more technical or slower terrain on the course with consistent gullies and sharp turns. The last 1.5 miles is open road with a heavy paved downhill. Make good time at the start and bank on it to close the section. Assume you’ll lose time in the middle on slower trail. The next two sections have two of the steeper/tougher climbs of the course so enjoy the net loss while you can and vistas along Carson Rd.

Section: 4.2 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 13.9; 2nd loop: 64.1; 50K: 15.1

Elevation: 1450 foot gain, 1450 foot loss = 0 foot gain/loss

Average Grade: 14%

Course Markings: Flagging tape, surveyor’s markers, wooden signs with arrows, reflectors at night.

Breakdown: Please note that this section will be marked with flagging tape, painted wooden signs, and surveyors flagging on the ground as well as reflectors at night. Trying to memorize the slope names and turns would be quite confusing so don’t worry too much about doing so. The breakdown/directions are more for the purposes and use of those previewing the course prior to event weekend.

Proceed up lower Mars Hill (furthest slope to the right) approximately .25 mi to a left turn into the woods (note deviation from prior years). Follow trail in open forest, crossing Mars Hill and eventually popping out just shy of the top of Lift 5 for a gain of 600 ft in 0.7 mi. Keep to the right of the lift house and descend gravel/rocky service road, staying to the right to fall in line with Lift 4 to its base house. At top of short ascent take a left to pass top of Lift 3. Continue ascending with a left on Castor, right on Castor Connection/Meadow. Take a left to run toward small pond and through pine forest (note deviation from prior years), taking left on old service road and right up the steepest grade to summit of Lift 2. At top of Lift 2 take a left and quick right to merge with and descend on Upper Pollux. At intersection below take a right on Marathon, ascend gradually and proceed straight ahead to begin descent on Arcadian Gate. After descending upper steep portion make a right into the woods (note deviation from prior years) and follow utility road to bottom of Arcadian Gate, making a sharp left and right to final drop to Lift House 5 AS.

Elevation of Note: Gain of 600 ft in first .7 mi, has steepest portion of course mid-way at summit of ski slope glade rising 150 ft in .15 mi (21% grade), corresponding loss of 700 ft in final 1.5 mi.

Insight: Go easy and fuel on the Mars Hill glade ascent. Second mile rolls. Third mile has a good amount of climbing with a steep ascent to summit. Some have found trekking poles to be helpful for this section. Enjoy the view from the top of Arcadian Gate before descending, it’s probably the finest on the course and you can see quite a ways off into the horizon. The utility road into the finish has some loose rocks but is very runnable w/ a gentler grade than Arcadian Gate proper. Enjoy it.

Section: 6.1 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 20.0; 2nd loop: 70.2

Elevation: 1570 foot gain, 1120 foot loss = 450 foot gain

Average Grade: 8%

Course Markings: White blazed Finger Lakes Trail markings, pink flagging tape at tricky turns or intersections and reflectors at night.

Breakdown: Take a right out of AS on Tone Rd. Follow to end and make a right onto the Finger Lakes Trail at 0.3 mi, crossing a creek and ascending approximately 800 feet in the first mile. You will cross Virgil Mountain Road (dirt, service feel) around 1.2 miles and reach the power lines clearing at 1.5 miles. Make a right at the power lines clearing and run 0.2 miles, making a left up a small bank into a fern-dominated trail section, crossing over the Virgil Mountain Summit (2,132 feet, highest point in 70 mile radius) at 1.8 miles, and Van Donsel Rd. at 2.8 miles. Reach and make a left onto O’Dell Rd. at 3.7 miles, following for 0.2 miles before making a left in returning to wooded trail. Proceed 0.5 miles to an intersection of Orange and White Blazes on an old road. Stay STRAIGHT to proceed with White Blazes (NOTE: this is a course deviation from 2008 & 2009). After you pass through the trail intersection at 4.4 miles you’ll enter a short stretch of trail that’s probably the most technical on the course with a maze of tree roots underfoot. The trail descends to the creek, making a sharp right turn, dropping off an embankment to make the creek crossing. Your feet will most likely get wet here. After crossing the creek the trail makes a sharp left and ascends to cross Cortwright Rd. at 5.6 mi and Bleck Rd. at 5.8 miles. Ascend to the Rock Pile at 6.0 miles.

Elevation of Note: One of the longest climbs on the course, you’ll ascend about 850 ft in 1.7 mi (10% grade) after leaving Tone Rd.

Insight: Get out of the Lift House 5 fairly quickly but supplied as this will most likely be your longest stretch between aid stations. You have 0.3 miles flat to start and then will climb about 850 feet in 1.7 miles, about 800 of it coming in the first mile. In addition to the elevation gain there are some gullies and roots to slow things down further. Use the time to take in and absorb some nutrition. Be mindful of the right turn at the power lines clearing which is followed by a left in 0.2 miles. This has been missed in the past but we’ll have it marked pretty well. The trail rolls from here, passing through a recently logged section of forest followed by some gorgeous fern ground cover, a heavily-rooted technical section around 4.6 miles, and crossing a creek about 4.8 miles. The last 1.2 miles leaves you with two short but decent climbs, the second of which gains about 250 feet in 1/3 of a mile to take you into the Rock Pile.

Section: 5.1 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 25.1; 2nd loop: 75.3

Elevation: 1250 foot gain, 1250 foot loss = 0 foot loss

Average Grade: 9%

Course Markings: White blazed Finger Lakes Trail markings, pink flagging tape at tricky turns or intersections and reflectors at night.

Breakdown: Stay straight to follow white blazed Finger Lakes Trail to Babcock Hollow Rd. at 1.0 mile. (Note: Dog may be barking here, you’ll hear it from ¾ mile in both directions…it sounds really really close but it’s chained up, so don’t mind that barking). Cross Babcock Hollow with a slight left angle and take caution as it drops off the opposing side down a steep embankment. You’ll soon start climbing roughly 600 feet over the next 2.2 miles with fairly technical terrain at points. Cross over Bell-Hilsinger at 2.3 mi and Owego Hill Rd. at 3.5 mi. The trail tops out around this point and starts a nice 1.6 mi descent toward Daisy Hollow with a couple of rollers and mostly-dry creek crossings in the last 0.5 mi. into Daisy Hollow AS.

Insight: Aside from the technical climb 0.5 mi after crossing Babcock Hollow Rd, this section is pretty runnable. It’s a decent ascent but the descent on the other side more than makes up for it so don’t over-run the up. There are several downed logs in the last 1.5 miles. They’re rough when you’re tired and trying to keep moving but they’re down to keep motorcycles and bikes off the course and the trail, fragile at points, intact. Don’t linger at Daisy Hollow, fuel up and use the climb back out to soak it in. This section was vandalized in ’09 with much of our flagging and most of our glo-sticks being stripped sometime just before nightfall. We’ll try to stay on top of it and if it happens again, we’ll get the markings back up as soon as we can--just stick with the white blazes and you’ll be fine.

Section: 5.1 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 30.2; 2nd loop: 80.4

Elevation: 1250 foot gain, 1250 foot loss = 0 foot gain

Average Grade: 9%

Course Markings: White blazed Finger Lakes Trail markings, pink flagging tape at tricky turns or intersections and reflectors at night.

Breakdown and Insight: Reverse Section 5.

Section: 6.1 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 36.3; 2nd loop: 86.5

Elevation: 1120 foot gain, 1570 foot loss = 450 foot loss

Average Grade: 8%

Course Markings: White blazed Finger Lakes Trail markings, pink flagging tape at tricky turns or intersections and reflectors at night.

Breakdown and Insight: Reverse Section 4. You may see other entrants, particularly headlamps at night as the course sections come quite close to one another. You will not enter the ski slopes at any point during this section so please check yourself if you find yourself on one. Remember your right followed by a quick left at the power lines clearing, particularly at night. Be cautious of descent to Tone Rd. at night and particularly if wet. Take your time, use the trees to brake as needed.

Section: 4.2 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 40.5; 2nd loop: 90.7; 50K: 19.3

Elevation: 1450 foot gain, 1450 foot loss = 0 foot gain/loss

Average Grade: 14%

Course Markings: Flagging tape, surveyor’s markers, wooden signs with arrows, reflectors at night.

Breakdown and Insight: Reverse Section 3.

Section: 5.3 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 45.8; 2nd loop: 96.0; 50K: 24.6

Elevation: 1320 foot gain, 730 foot loss = 590 foot gain

Average Grade: 8%

Course Markings: White blazed Finger Lakes Trail markings, pink flagging tape at tricky turns or intersections and reflectors at night.

Breakdown and Insight: Reverse Section 2.

Section: 4.4 miles - Quick Map - Map in new window

Cumulative Mileage: 1st loop: 50.2; 2nd loop: 100.4; 50K: 30.2

Elevation: 575 foot gain, 990 foot loss = 415 foot loss

Average Grade: 7%

Course Markings: Flagging tape, surveyor’s markers, wooden signs with arrows, reflectors at night.

Breakdown and Insight: Reverse Section 1. The ups are runnable and there’s a nice net descent to Hope Lake/Finish. Probably the easiest section on the course (aside from how far you will have run at this point), enjoy it.