Inaugural Cayuga Trails 50: Race and Giveaway
February 23, 2013 by Meghan Hicks · 163 Comments
The Cayuga Trails 50 is a spankin’-new 50-mile ultramarathon scheduled for June 8, 2013. The race takes place on the trails surrounding Ithaca, New York and offers up rocky climbs, digger descents, 6,500 feet of vertical gain, thick hardwood forests, waterfalls, views of the Finger Lakes region, a whopping 11 aid stations, and…
[Keep reading, there's a sweet contest below!]
Prize Money
…prize money totaling $12,000 plus gear from sponsors. Check it:
- The first male and female will claim $2,500.
- 2nd male and female: $1,500
- 3rd male and female: $500
- 4th male and female: $250
- male/female age-division winners: sponsor awards
- $500 to the first top 10 finishing male or female who can also return to finish in the top 5 at either the Finger Lakes Fifties 50 mile or the Virgil Crest 50/100 mile.
- Elite prem* prizes: $1000
- Non-elite prem* prizes: $1,000 worth of gear, food, cash, and more
*Race officials will be planted on the course in certain spots. Entrants approaching will be notified of a given performance incentive (like ‘$250 to the first racer to the top of this climb’ or ‘an apple pie to the first of your group to make it across the creek’). Prems are designed to encourage entrants to push their pace/effort and to just plain make the race fun.
Elite Field
Some top trail and ultrarunners have already entered the Cayuga Trails 50. Here’s the current high-level who’s who:
-
Sage Canaday - Yassine Diboun
-
Matt Flaherty -
Dave James - Nikki Kimball
- Dave Mackey
-
Jordan McDougal - Krissy Moehl
- Ben Nephew
-
Jacqueline Palmer -
Ragan Petrie - Leigh Schmidt
Any other speedsters out there jonesing for a June 50-miler in upstate New York? I mean, the RD is offering on-course apple pie!
Sponsors and More
All of this is coming together under the race directorship of Ian Golden, a long-time upstate New York trail runner and owner of the Finger Lakes Running and Triathlon Company, a brick-and-mortar Ithaca running store; a grant from the Tompkins County Tourism Program; and the following sponsors:
- Gu
- UltrAspire
- Scott
- Atayne
- Finger Lakes Running and Triathlon Company; and
- iRunFar.com.
Contest
We’re hosting a contest to celebrate this new, competitive, and well-prized race’s arrival onto the ultrarunning scene. We’re giving away three prize packs containing the following:
- Entry into the 2013 Cayuga Trails 50
- Your choice of an UltrAspire Spry, Surge, or Revolution pack
- A pair of Scott Kinabalus, and
- An iRunFar.com-branded shirt from Atayne.
To enter the contest, post your answer to the following question as a comment to this post by March 2, noon MST: Why do you want to run the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50? [Editor's Note, March 17: The contest is now closed; winners have been chosen and will be/have been contacted. See RD Ian Golden's comment below for details on who's taking away this contest's schwag. Thanks for your enthusiasm!]
Related articles:
- Cayuga Trails 50 Mile Preview A preview of the 2013 Cayuga Trails 50 mile....
- Training Update June 9 – July 17, 2008 It’s been a long time since I posted a personal training update. In part that’s due to some not so exciting training the last three weeks in June, but also...
- Iroquois Trails 100 Preview I had long intended to write a long post outlining the course for the inaugural Iroquois Trails Ultras, which feature both 50 mile and 100 mile events. Well, that ain’t...
Filed under Contests ·
Meghan Hicks is iRunFar.com's Senior Editor, a Contributing Editor at Trail Runner magazine, and a columnist at Marathon & Beyond. The converted road runner finished her first ultramarathon in 2006 and loves using running to visit the world's wildest places. For more information on Meghan and her adventures, please visit her personal website.
All posts by Meghan Hicks
Very impressed with the response and detailed explanation Ian gave regarding the concept of the race. Someone who puts their time and effort into organizing and directing an ultra deserves respect. I would like to run his race and visit the area. I like pie…
Thanks Tom, most appreciated!
My friend has a cottage on Cayuga Lake. I could run 50 and then spend the remainder of that day and the next cooling off my legs in the refreshing water.
We should maybe make your friend’s cottage the day-after meeting place for a mass group leg dipping.
The trails there look beautiful. Unfortunately the looped course looks fairly convoluted. That being said if I won entry I would run it seeing as the womens field is only 3 deep right now. If this goes like other races where money is offered, I could be that no name female runner that goes home with money. Why not me?
Oops, 4 deep. I missed a name. Let’s be honest though, one always drops.
Would have stretched it out further but runs into road sections and sensitive private-land crossings.
I would like to run this race because the trails look beautiful and fun; the atmosphere will be exciting with top runners being there and prize purse being offered; and it will be a lot cooler than running a 50k in Florida at that time which is where I will be at:)
I would love to run this race in the company of such a talented field. And particularly in the Scott T2 which sounds awesome (hunted high and low to find a shop with a pair near 92782 :-().
My New Years resolution this year was at the age of 45 to run an ultra in every state over the coming years but unfortunately so far I’ve only managed my home state of CA. An entry for this race at the far side of the country would defineitly get the ball rolling!
Did you find a pair of T2′s?
The FL50s is my backyard course, and I help maintain a slice of that race’s trail, but I’ll be away on business for this year’s race, making the Cayuga Trails 50 a wonderfully attractive alternative, in part because Ian — along with Sherry and their two little cuties — is one of my favorite people and knows how to put on a high-quality, high-integrity event, and in part because of the sweet trip down the Finger Lakes Trail heading back to race central in Lower Treman State Park. I just wish he included a bit more of the FLT and a little less road in his course design. If I don’t end up racing the CT50 myself, I’ll be enthusiastically working the aid station sponsored by the Finger Lakes Runners Club.
Thanks Nancy!
I want to run the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50 to be a “Beacon of Hope” for all the injured trail runners of the world. But seriously, I propose to run three 50 mile trail races in New York, in four weeks – Cayuga Trails 50, Manitou’s Revenge, and Finger Lakes 50s. Pulling this off as a very sub-elite runner may exemplify that utilizing a more efficient, less injurious running form makes a difference.
I have practiced Chi Running for the past 2 1/2 years, (and helped at several Chi Running workshops), and “while mine is not the only way, it is a good way”. I plan as well to “give back” by being involved with the Finger Lakes Runners Club’s effort to establish weekly (trail) runs, and by being available to make comment/give feedback as concerns running form.
Thank you for your support.
Because Ithaca is gorges!
I’d love to run this to experience some new trails.
I’d love to run this race to see how badly I’d get beaten by Sage. Also, it’d be a nice contrast to the trails I run in CO.
Waterfalls and single track – enough said
For the past few months I had been on the fence. Do I run the Cayuga Trails 50 or the TNF Endurance Challenge in Bear Mountain as my first 50? Living in upstate NY, both were relatively close and having gone to college near Ithaca, I knew the Cayuga Trails 50 course would be “gorges”. Just 2 days ago I finally hit the submit button and registered for TNF Endurance Challenge. Being sooner (May 4) and having in-laws near the course insured I’d do it. The idea of doing both had been on my mind but I knew it would not be “financially responsible“ unless…
I cannot think of a better way to bring in my big four-O this year than being able to do 2 sweet 50’s in some super sweet new gear (UltrAspire, Scott, Atayne…drool!). To toe the line with the likes of Sage Canaday, Yassine Diboun, Nikki Kimball, Dave Mackey, Krissy Moehl, and others…whoa! Help a mid-life crisis, upstate NY, trail running dad live a dream. Send me to the Cayuga Lakes 50!
I want to run it to see if I can keep up with the “elite” yet and also maybe to have a beer with Mr. Canaday afterwords. He seems like a solid dude.
Because the Finger Lakes area is flippin’ gorgeous, that’s why!
Running the Cayuga Lakes 50 would be a great homecoming. I went to a small high school 1/2 mile from Cayuga Lake. This is where my running first got started. It would be like going back home if I were to run this race.
Andrew, where are you from?
This looks fun. But god forbid anyone just runs for health or fitness and never enters real races. Then, regardless of whether they are fully prepared for such a race they wouldn’t be able to register due to ridiculous pre-requisites. At least lotteries shut people out with equality. Such a shame because NYS and especially Ithaca area are so beautiful year round.
Peter,
That’s a pretty confusing entry. If you aren’t inclined to participate in formal races what’s the issue here? Vast majority of the course runs on NYS land. Park policy is to be off the trails by dark, hence a cutoff policy and pre-requ’s to evidence someone’s ability to complete the distance within our time caps. Offer up a less “ridiculous” policy and I’ll consider using it next year. Surely is a beautiful place to run in all seasons and I encourage you to do so. Trails are open June through the first snow and for nothing other then fun and fitness I’d be happy to join you for a run over some amazing sections anytime.
Simply remove all prerequisites to registration! The point is that you have people who run for pleasure and may want to join this so-called ultra running community sometime by trying an actual race. But when they find one that looks interesting it says “sorry you can’t run because you’ve never run before so keep looking elsewhere”. There is absolutely no point to prerequisites and if you’re concerned about participation hold a lottery.
Pete, vast majority of ultras don’t have pre requesites. I intentionally inserted marathon distances into the qualifying set for those who may not have entered an ultra race prior and I feel the time of 5 hours is a good indicator of an individual’s ability to potentially complete this course in 14 hours or under. I am considering of exceptions so contact me off this list if you feel you, or another, may qualify as an exception. If the event gets to the point of needing a lottery, I will consider implementing one. I’m open to other pre-requ considerations but for the considerations of not only other entrants, but volunteers and medical/safety crews, I will stand by them where I feel they are warranted. One of the events I also direct is the Virgil Crest 50k in September. Wonderful trails, tougher course, no pomp or hype, and no pre-requ’s. We’d love to have you.
It may change my mind about the east coast.
It would be nice to run those rocky NY trails again, after moving to Houston TX, there’s not much of that around here and everything’s flat as a pancake!
Come out to San Antonio and I’ll show you some nice rocky hill running. Nueces is hosting the USATF 50 mile trail championships and has a lot of good technical running. Check out a little race Cactus Rose and the Bandera 100k.
Ian probably doesn’t remember me, but I ran in last year’s Virgil Crest 100 (another one of his races). After the race, I literally left the hotel in a wheelchair. Maybe that was little dramatic or unnecessary, but I did the last 30 miles on a badly swollen ankle (it’s weird what ultrarunners are proud of).
Anyway, I survived Ian’s course, which included a maze of ski slopes (which I had to loop around 4 times) and 20k or so climbing. Somehow he made it rain, which made the slopes nearly impossible to climb and too way easy to descend, if you know what I mean. It took me a week before I wasn’t shivering cold and taking half hour long showers.
The crazy thing is, I thought it was one the greatest things I’ve ever done, I loved it. I’m thinking the Cayuga race is nowhere near as twisted and would love to see what he’s come up with. I’m proud that upstate NY is showing up on the Ultra-Map now, thanks Ian!
Jim,
Well earned. In or out of this promo it would be great to have you.
I would love to run this race because I would like to run a 50 miler. Also, I would like to meet Sage Canaday, my favorite runner.
The reasons I would like to run the Cayuga 50 miler in Ithaca:
-I find I am way too biased over West Coast versus East Coast as far as natural beauty goes. Yet “East-Coasters” would strongly argue the hidden gems all across the board not known to West-coast zealots.
This would be a chance to see for myself.
-I have a friend that I have been promising to visit for the last 5 years that lives in the North-East region, this would make such a promise fulfillable.
-Andy Jones Wilkens lives in the East-Coast and has raced all over, we wouldlike to think it is because of his job but conspiracy-theories would say otherwise.
-I hear New York rivals the beautiful landscape to here in Hawaii.
-I would love to keep up with elite runners even if it is only a mile and to slog through the next 49 miles.
I vow to run with lead pack until no longer possible, which would come all to soon. Come on there would be wagers that would be – legendary.
-And finally the honest to god truth I was looking for a race right about that time that I could get excited about.
-aloha
Alexander Nunn
Alexander,
I do relate. I grew up in PA, attended college here in Ithaca, but lived afterward for a year and half on Oahu, a short stint in Seattle, and in central Oregon for 4 years. The feel of running the razor spins of the Ko’olau’s, criss crossing the root jungles of the Banyan’s, even the city lights exploding on a totally black horizon in topping out on the Tantalus trails on night runs. Really magnificent. The moss covered canopy, soft ground, and mild temps paired with big climbs outside of Seattle. In central Oregon running for hours into the Cascades where the time passes a whole lot quicker…the barren runs in the high desert, back to moss covered trails and so much water as you move west toward the coast, and the feel of looking down the line of peaks well into the horizon in summiting and prior to hopping back down a mountainside scree field. No doubt there western U.S. and island running is difficult to compare to and part of me wants to be back there now. With all that said it doesn’t diminish the different but comparable beauty of so many areas in the east. Not saying to leave Hawaii anytime soon but yeah, gotta experience other places to shake the prejudice and glad you chimed in and are considering doing so.
Because I flew all the way out to New York to run the 2012 NY Marathon and it was cancelled! I did end up volunteering on Staten Island on race day though.
“Why do you want to run the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50?” I live in Brooklyn and love it here, but my feet and soul are dying to get out into the dirt and hills and away from concrete. The beauty of the course is off the charts!! Waterfalls, trees, mixed terrain and a perfect setting for my first ultra! I am obsessed with ultra running and after seven marathons, it’s time to take the plunge. I’ll run my heart out. Thank you.
whenever i run trails in the finger lakes, i think about the Iroquois. did they run these trails? did they see what i am seeing? could they believe the beauty? are their ghosts among the trees and fields and falls? that’s why.
Karen,
The local History Center will be adding that rich history and context before race weekend with text and images added to the course map and website. Pretty wild indeed. Stay tuned.
Very cool, Ian! btw, I’m your buddy Karen who helps out at the Rock Pile and pacing a VCU :-)
Oh right on, thanks again Karen!
I’ve never been to Ithaca, but my better half grew up there. I would love to make a trip up there and really get to know the area.
I’m Jersey born and have family in the area of Ithaca but never get back east to visit. I think this race needs a little dose of my Arkansas Ozark love. Plus I could help push Krissy as she tends to slack off sometimes.
Any race that is a part of Flaherty’s comeback has to be good. I may be running with him some more this spring and I would love to add to that list!
I’m already registered, so not trying to get in again…I just wanted to say how excited I am for this race and to be able to catch a glimpse of some of my running idols; including those behind the camera. I can’t wait!!
Many of the elite runners have run the NFEC @ Bear Mt. in the past. Does conventional wisdom says it will be one race or the other? Or, do runners like McDougal, Schmitt, Kimball & Nephew run both . Jordon McDougal is the defending champ and a NF athlete.
thinking further, Jordon M, L. Schmitt & B. Nephew were 1,2,3 in the BM 50 miler last year – sounds like a potential blow the the NFEC
I’m actually the only one in your list who is not a NF athlete. If NF is covering transportation to Bear Mountain, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the NF athletes at Bear. The four week gap between the races is pretty ideal, otherwise.
thanks Ben, great to know 4 weeks would probably be enough recovery time for you, and hopefully the others too. I wish you the best of luck in both runs!
Can’t run it this year, but I am going to eat some pie for lunch.
My wife is running this race and I grew up not far from Ithaca and it would be great to attempt to join her. She also said Ian puts together an amazing race (she participated in Virgil Crest last year).
I am looking forward to running this race for two reasons; first it will be not only my first ultra in NY, but the first race my family will have the opportunity to see me run for the first time in my running career. I grew up in Upstate NY, just down the road from Ithaca in Horseheads, however I did not start running until my 30′s when I lived in Oklahoma. The second reason is my entire season is being dedicated to raise money for Wounded Warrior Project. I am a career Soldier in the US Army and this is a charity that is near and dear to my heart. It would be a blessing to be able to win entry into this event, that I will not have to take it out as an expense, which will enable more money to go this noble charity which helps wounded combat veterans get back on their feet.
Plus, who doesnt want some apple pie in the middle of a 50 miler?
Because I’m going broke paying for races and travel. A free one would be awesome!
Running the Cayuga Trails 50 would give me a chance to return to a place that had a profoundly positive impact on the trajectory of my life. My wife would finally get to see what I have been talking up all these years.
I would like to run the Inaugaral Cayuga Trails 50 as it would be awesome to be a part of a race’s beginning. There are so many Grand races that are already established with their hard to get into selection process but, also with their legends, with their status, with their stories set in stone, with their vibrance already seen and experienced by so many. I think that it would be great to be a part of something just starting – someday, we will be the ‘legendary’ just for having participated in this very first race. Our pictures and our experiences will be the lore of the legends of the future – and that is cool!
Kix,
Not sure I feel worthy and can only hope that in hindsight, years from now your vision may have come to fruition and be the case. I’ll do what I can to get it there, would love to have you on board whether being selected in the promo, or outside of if not one of the winners. Thanks!
I want to run in the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50 because… somebody’s got to bring up the rear of the field.
You’ve already got a lot of the top men and women signed up, so why not balance that out with someone like me?
There’s a 14 hour cutoff for the race and I’d love to make the most of that time enjoying your local trails!
Jake,
I’m hoping you’re in very good company. Some of the finest finishers we’ve had at Virgil have been those coming in just under the wire. Ultra spirit indeed. Maximizing the time for the dime and I really would rather not have aid station left overs so eat up!
Pie? I was told there would be cake…seriously though, winning a pie for burning up a climb would be way cooler than another medal! Time to reassess my June schedule!!
And who isn’t thinking about the scene from the navy movie (yeah that one) where the chubby dude has his pants around his ankles banging on a skillet saying “I stole pie” over and over.
I want to run this one because Ian puts on a fantastic event, and I loved racing the Virgil Crest 100 a few years ago!
Thanks Nick!
My boys will be off at Philmont for their adventure. I’d love to be here for a new adventure of my own. Nothing beats running on some gorgeous trails!
I first met Ian and his staff when they graciously opened the store early so that we could stage my fraternity brother’s 28 birthday miles from there back in 2009. Their dedication to the local running community, and their product knowledge, inspired me to do more with my regional running community.
My introduction to running, and trail running, was while attending college in Ithaca. I didn’t fully appreciate how special this area was until I moved down to the Carolinas, and couldn’t find a similar trail network. Running this race would be a great chance to return to the Finger Lakes and rediscover where my passion for trail running began.
Mike
Greensboro, NC
Michael,
Thanks for the praise and glad it inspired you to more activity in your community. For an eastern small city sandwiched by private lands Ithaca really does offer quite a bit of trail opportunity. Be good to have you back if it works out.
I’ll be honest I just want to do it for the Pie! Also, it’s always nice to escape the TN heat. Seriously though I just want the Pie!
To a West coaster, New York is a another world. My training grounds are the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains with dry weather (almost year-round) and chaparral covered terrain. We are soft because we don’t have to deal with the elements. New Yorkers deal with harsh elements. Snow, rain, hail, and humidity is the stuff that creates toughness. I would like to run the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50
to test myself against the elements, which in this case will be high humidity. I think I have what it takes but who knows. Also, a change of environment like the rocky climbs, thick hardwood forests, and waterfalls will be a welcome change.
Why do I want to run the Cayuga Trails 50? I live in Western NY plus this is the year of 50′s. I’m in my 50′s, running Bear Mt. 50M, the Cayuga Trails 50M, and hopefully the Virgil Crest 50M.
Why do you want to run the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50? To begin with I have never run a 50 mile race before. I actually had seen this inaugural ultra and thought about running it but decided to hold off for the Virgil Crest 50 Miler in September. But hey, if you pick me ill do both. Ill give it my all, dig deep, and do my free entry proud. On top of that its a beautiful area. I had friends and family that went to school in Cortland (Go Red Dragons). Figure i can also squeeze some rock climbing and hiking in. I’d love to be a part of the first running of this sure to be classic ultra!
I want to run the inaugural race because I’ve never done an ultra back east. And so I can meet Nikki Kimball. And because even a mountain course back east feels flat compared to Utah. Oh, how I long for east coast trails! Bring it!
I want to run the inaugural Cayuga Trails 50, to engage the wilderness, to challenge my mind and body and to share the joy of the experience with others.
Almost 30 years ago I went to college in Ithaca. While I eventually moved away, my soul never left. Running there would be coming home.
Just ran my first ultra. The Red Hot 55k in Moab. It was epic! The next logical thing to do is a 50 miler, right?! Stoked!!!
International flavoUr and because I am Canadian EH!
I want to run because while I’m “limited” to east coast events due to finances, this event makes it seem like maybe that’s not such a bad thing! I would love to see a beautiful new wilderness and of course eat some pie :)