The Monster course runs along the Finger Lakes Trail and various state park trails while serving up views of some of the most beautiful gorges and waterfalls in Ithaca. The marathon course consists of two identical out-and-backs of 13.1 miles each, starting at the South Shelter at Robert H. Treman State Park and traversing mostly singletrack trails. Half marathoners run the same course once. Don’t let the fact that the race starts in a park fool you—the route includes its fair share of roots, rocks, rugged stairs, briars, steep climbs, and quad-pounding descents.

The Monster Marathon and Half Marathon feature age- and sex-based early starts. Men under age 38 start with the race clock, but women and men 38 and older head off earlier, with the individual handicaps determined by the World Masters Athletics Age-Graded Tables. The win could come down to a kick to the finish between a 65-year-old grandmother (101-minute head start) and her 40-year-old son (4-minute head start.)

The marathon has about 4,400 feet of elevation gain, with 2,200 feet for the half marathon. Both distances are part of the FLRC Trail Circuit, and results are included in the annual Pebblehead/Stonehead/Boulderhead rankings.

The Forge the Gorgeous trail race offers two distances so everyone can have some off-road fun. The 7-mile course comprises two scenic, partially overlapping loops. Those looking for a shorter distance can run a single 3.5-mile loop. All runners start together near the park entrance, and both distances will count toward our Stonehead, Pebblehead, and Boulderhead standings.

The route winds along wooded trails on the north and south rims of the Fillmore Glen Gorge, with a brief stretch along a quiet park road. (Be prepared for loads of calf-burning stairs in the first and last miles!) The course highlight is where the trail drops into the gorge itself and repeatedly crosses the creek over a series of bridges. The course is well marked and water stops are provided. If previous years are any indication, the weather may be unpredictable, but the scenery will always be gorgeous!

The start and finish is at the South Shelter at Lower Treman (across the creek from the main parking lot, near the tent and cabin sites). The park’s address is 105 Enfield Falls Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Be prepared to pay a $9.00 vehicle entrance fee to the park or show a State Parks Empire Pass.

You can rent a tent or cabin campsite that’s only a short walk from the start and finish. Reserve your campsite early, as they tend to sell out fast on summertime weekends.

Both races have age/sex-staggered head starts; please arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time. The race clock starts at 8:00 AM for the marathon and 9:00 AM for the half marathon.

You can download the age-graded start times as a PDF, or check out the tables below.

Half Marathon Start Times — Men

Half Marathon Start Times — Women

Full Marathon Start Times — Men

Full Marathon Start Times — Women

Pre-registration is required and is open online through 6 PM on September 2, the night before the race. There is no day-of-race registration. (Check back soon for registration link.)

• $40 for the marathon, $30 for the half marathon. Registration includes lunch at the finish for all runners.
• Runners 18 and under pay $20 for the marathon, $15 for the half marathon.
• FLRC members may deduct $5 from any of these fees.
• If financial considerations prevent you from entering this race, please contact the race director for assistance.

• Restrooms and showers are available adjacent to the start/finish.
• Coffee and breakfast items will be available before the race.
• Well-stocked aid stations are located 3 to 4 miles apart on the course.
• Lunch will be provided at the finish for all runners; additional meals for family and spectators may be purchased during registration. Extra meals are not available for purchase on race day. This policy ensures that we have enough food for all registered runners.
• Results will be available live during the race via Webscorer. Visit the FLRC Web site for full results later.
• This race is part of the Finger Lakes Trail Circuit, for all you Pebbleheads, Stoneheads, and Boulderheads.
• For remaining questions, contact Race Directors Cat Massa (c.massa93@gmail.com), Mik Kern, or Dave Kania.

The award ceremony takes place shortly after the race, with awards going to the top five runners in each distance. (Age and sex are already factored into the starting times.)

Handicap records on the current course, at Robert Treman State Park:

Marathon: Jed Sheckler 3:30:34 (2015) and Yvette De Boer 3:06:45 (2019)

Half Marathon: Adam Pacheck 1:28:01 (2017) and Yvette De Boer 1:28:18 (2021)

Handicap records on the old course, in Kennedy State Forest, Virgil, NY:

Marathon: Gary Burdick 3:27:00 (1998) and Becky Harman 3:30:51 (2003)

Half Marathon: Alan Evans 1:33:23 (2008) and Yvette de Boer 1:30:20 (2012)

• Running 26.2 miles on this course is difficult! Those running the full marathon should be trained for an ultramarathon effort.
• Look for trail markers or you could end up off course! As with all trail runs, it’s on you to pay attention.
• Unlike road races, the footing is not level. It is uneven and can be dangerous. A fall or injury is possible.
• Insect bites, mud, treacherous footing, forest monsters, and vehicles at road crossings are all possible hazards.
• Heat could be a problem this time of year. If so, carry fluids and watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion!

• Full marathoners finishing the first out-and-back after 10:30 AM will not be allowed to continue!
• During registration, runners will be required to agree to our COVID-19 race safety guidelines.
• No dogs, headphones, or jogging strollers. These make the race dangerous for everyone.
• The race directors reserve the right to reject any entry for any reason.
• Entry fees are non-refundable, even if the race is canceled because of an act of nature or mankind.
• If you need accommodation for a disability to participate in this event, please contact the FLRC Diversity and Inclusion Committee chair at diversity@fingerlakesrunners.org.
• This race is organized by the Finger Lakes Runners Club and insured by the Road Runners Club of America.

Interactive map — Click “Open in Cal Topo” for turn-by-turn course directions. To download a .gpx file of the Half Marathon course that can be loaded onto a GPS watch, open the map. Click “Export” at the top, then “Download GPX File.”