Did you have too much fun at FLRC’s Forest Frolic or Finger Lakes 50s? Are you looking for a final tune-up or supported taper for the Virgil Crest Ultras? If so, you’re in the right place!  

After years of running the Monster Marathon at Treman Park, we’ve returned to its traditional date on Labor Day Weekend, and also returning the race to the Kennedy State Forest between Virgil and Harford, NY, home of the Forest Frolic runs and Virgil Crest Ultras (and the trail monster…). This third incarnation of the Monster Marathon takes place on well-maintained trails in the western section of the Kennedy Forest, between the ‘two hollows’—Daisy Hollow and Babcock Hollow. The terrain includes long, rolling single track, a few twists and turns, and several challenging hills, including one in the last two miles of each 13.1-mile loop. Save something for the end! You’ll pass through shady hemlock groves and fern-carpeted hardwood forest with a few long views to inspire you. Even runners with years of Finger Lakes experience may have never run on these trails, so it’s a great opportunity to take in something new.

We are keeping the unique ‘monster’ age- and gender-based start times that allows an earlier start for older/non-male participants, and a new nonbinary gender category (see start time tables below). The compact footprint of the course, staggered start times, generous cutoffs, and aid stations every 3–4 miles make this a decent first trail marathon or half, for those who are prepared for some long, beautiful, and sometimes tough miles. It’s also a nice last practice run, on similar trails, for the significantly harder Virgil Crest Ultras the next weekend.

Hydration: There will not be cups available at the aid stations. All runners must carry some sort of personal hydration system throughout the event.

Staggered Start Info: The Monster Marathon and Half Marathon feature age- and gender-based early starts. Men under age 38 start with the race clock, but women, nonbinary runners, and men 38 and older head off earlier, with the individual head starts 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).

Elevation: The marathon has about 4,400 feet of elevation gain, with 2,200 feet for the half marathon.

Race Directors: Nancy Kleinrock, Steve Vanek, and Steve Shaum. They can be reached at monster@fingerlakesrunners.org.

If you’ve never run a trail race before, check out our First-Timers FAQs for Trail Races.

• Online pre-registration is required and is open through 12:00 PM (noon) Friday, September 1, 2023. There is no in-person registration at the race.

• $45 for either distance.
• FLRC members may deduct $5 by entering coupon code FLRCMEMBER2023 during the registration process.
• Runners 18 and under may register for free by entering coupon code FLRCYOUTH during the registration process.
• If financial considerations would prevent you from entering this race, please use coupon code FLRCRUNFREE2023 during registration to waive the entry fee.
• There is no in-person registration at the race.

On race day runners should head to the intersection of Adams and Owego Hill Rd in the town of Harford (Lat./Long.: 42.4552, -76.2171). DON’T take Owego Hill from the north as this is a steep and difficult dirt road in places; use Adams Rd coming from Daisy Hollow Rd, or Owego Hill Rd. from Harford to the South. This is just over 10 minutes from Dryden, NY. Race HQ and start/finish are just north of (visible from) this intersection on Owego Hill Rd. Most runners will be directed to park along Owego Hill Rd. north of the Start/Finish to not obstruct runners or main town road traffic.

FLRC encourages runners to carpool to make the race more inclusive for those without cars, help fight climate change, and make a friend—sign up to drive or ride.

Both races have age/gender-staggered head starts; please arrive at least 30 minutes before your start time to allow for parking, registration, and other preparations. The race clock starts at 8:00 AM for the marathon and 9:00 AM for the half marathon. See the staggered start tables for men, women, and nonbinary runners below. 

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

Half Marathon Start Times — Nonbinary

Full Marathon Start Times — Men

Full Marathon Start Times — Women

Full Marathon Start Times — Nonbinary

• Cutoff times for the Marathon: Marathon runners must finish the first half of the marathon by 11:30 AM, and then also reach the last aid station on their second lap (at the start/finish, 22.8 miles) by 2:30 PM. Assuming a half-hour head start for a typical age/gender-graded runner, this is intended to be quite generous in that this typical runner would start at 7:30 and have 4 hours to run/walk 13 miles and make the first cutoff. If you have concerns about your ability to meet this time and would like to participate, please contact a race director at monster@fingerlakesrunners.org.
• This is a CUPLESS race: There will not be cups available at the aid stations. All runners must carry some sort of personal hydration system throughout the event.
• Port-a-potties will be available near the start/finish.
• Well-stocked aid stations are located 3 to 4 miles apart on the course.
• The Trail Monster: Some years we have had sightings of a trail monster that has greeted runners on the trail. This might be the year you see the monster, and we’ve worked with our monster team to try to make sure the interaction is fun for all.
• A postrace lunch will be provided for race participants and volunteers.
• If you or a family member won’t be running the race for one reason or another, please consider volunteering. Please contact a race director for information at monster@fingerlakesrunners.org.
• 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 a race director at monster@fingerlakesrunners.org.

A hand-crafted participation award will be available for all runners (both distances), and nicer awards will be given to the top five runners in each distance. (Age and gender are already factored in to placing of runners, via the age/gender-adjusted starting times.)

Records, accounting for age and gender, on the course at Robert Treman State Park:
Marathon: Yvette De Boer 3:06:45 (2019)
Half-Marathon: Adam Pacheck 1:28:01 (2017)

Records, accounting for age and gender, on the old course in the eastern section of Kennedy State Forest, Virgil, NY:
Marathon: Gary Burdick 3:27:00 (1998)
Half Marathon: 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, ticks, 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!
• This is a CUPLESS race; there will not be cups available at the aid stations. All runners must carry some sort of personal hydration system throughout the event.

• Full marathoners not completing the first half-marathon distance by 11:30 AM will not be allowed to continue. Additionally, any marathoner not completing 22.8 miles by 2:30 PM will not be allowed to continue. See the “NOTES” section above for more information.
• No dogs, headphones, or jogging strollers.
• 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 humankind.
• 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.

GPS Trace with mileage and elevation profile (half marathon pictured; marathoners do it again):

GPS Trace with contour lines and State Forest boundaries