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 an upcoming ultra? If so, you’re in the right place!  

The race is held on beautiful trails many haven’t experienced in the Kennedy State Forest between Virgil and Harford, NY, home of the Forest Frolic runs and Virgil Crest Ultras (and the trail monster…). The course in 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.

The race has unique ‘monster’ age- and gender-based start times that allows an earlier start for older/non-male participants, and a 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 for upcoming ultras.

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 (see “WHEN” section below). 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: Steve Vanek and Steve Jesch. 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 August 28 at 11:59 PM ET. There is no in-person registration at the race.
• Early registration is $50 for either distance until August 19 at 11:59 PM; thereafter, prices rise to $75 (taxes/fees will not be charged)
• Registration closes August 28.
• There is no same-day registration at the race, so plan ahead.

Coupons below expire at midnight on August 12:

• FLRC members may deduct $5 by entering coupon code FLRCMEMBER2026 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 FLRCRUNFREE2026 during registration to waive the entry fee.

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. The race 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. Park on Adams Road (except where there are no-parking signs) with all wheels off the pavement. 

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.

Course Description (see maps below)

Course will all be marked with pink flags except for a few turns where we will use other colors to distinguish turn options. From the start, head north on Owego Hill Rd and very quickly turn R onto single track Spanish loop trail with Orange blazes. You then go straight past German and Ukrainian loop turns until you turn R at the Finger Lakes trail (FLT, white blazes). Just after 2.5 miles turn L off of FLT on Hilsinger Rd (Swedish Loop), then L again off of road at aid station, continuing Swedish loop with blue blazes. At end of Swedish loop turn L again and follow FLT up hill back to where you entered the FLT, at around 4.7 miles. Go straight onto Spanish loop trail from FLT and quite soon, take a R on Ukrainian loop trail down to a right turn on to Owego Hill Rd. Follow Owego hill Rd north about 0.5 miles, then a L back onto the FLT. From there retrace the first 4 miles of the course back to the start, passing aid station on Hilsinger Rd.

After passing start/aid station (10 miles), continue on Spanish loop (Orange blazes) onto Adams Rd from Owego Hill Rd. Take a R from Adams onto single track, still on Spanish loop, and continue Spanish loop all the way to a brief change to Irwin Trail on the way down hill. Cross powerline at viewpoint and rejoin Spanish loop all the way to the end and turnaround at 11.6 miles. Turn around and retrace trail exactly to the finish at 13.2+ miles.

These maps indicate the half marathon distance, for the full marathon, you do it again.

For real-time, turn-by-turn directions, download the free RunGo app to your phone and search for “Two Hollows Monster”. You can run with your phone and use the app to give audible cues when and where to turn. The map is GPS-based, so lack of cell service in the forest will not affect navigation. Just make sure you download the map on the app before leaving wifi or cell service area. Direct link to the Monster course on RunGo.

The elevation gain is 2,200 feet gain and loss for the half marathon course (double that for the marathon).

Course Elevation Profile

NOTE: While running these trails, please enjoy the beauty. While on the trails, whether it be before, during, or after the race, please do not attempt to remediate issues on your own. Some downed logs are in place for specific reasons, such as to deter illegal vehicular use and for water bars to assist with water drainage. If you see anything amiss (downed trees, damage, etc.) please contact the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (https://fingerlakestrail.org/about-the-fltc/flt-service-center/) or trailreport@fingerlakestrail.org.

Race day is Sunday, August 30, 2026. 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 for official start times according to your gender and age. 

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

• Trail Use: While on these trails whether it be before, during or after the race, please do not attempt to remediate issues on your own. Some downed logs are in place for specific reasons, such as to deter illegal vehicular use and for water bars to assist with water drainage. If you see anything amiss (downed trees, damage, etc.) please contact the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (https://fingerlakestrail.org/about-the-fltc/flt-service-center/) or trailreport@fingerlakestrail.org.
• Cutoff times for the Marathon (no cut-off for half-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 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.
• Results will be available soon after the race; visit the FLRC web site for full results.
• 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.

• Running 26.2 miles on this course is difficult! Those running the full marathon should be trained for an ultramarathon effort. It is very different from running a road marathon.
• Look for trail markers or you could end up off course! As with all trail runs, it’s on you to pay attention. More about the course and markings under the “COURSE” section.
• 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!

• While on the trails whether it be before, during or after the race, please do not attempt to remediate issues on your own. Some downed logs are in place for specific reasons, such as to deter illegal vehicular use and for water bars to assist with water drainage. If you see anything amiss (downed trees, damage, etc.) please contact the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (https://fingerlakestrail.org/about-the-fltc/flt-service-center/) or trailreport@fingerlakestrail.org.
• Cut-off Times: 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.
• Parking: Please park on Adams Road (paved road). All tires must be off the pavement – please observe the no-parking signs.
• 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. Registration is not deferrable to another year or another person.
• 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.
• Awards are governed by FLRC’s Award Equity Policy.
• All runners, volunteers, and spectators must abide by FLRC’s Code of Conduct.
• To ensure participant and volunteer safety in the event of hazardous environmental conditions, the race director may modify or cancel the race in accordance with FLRC’s Event Cancellation Policy.
• This race is organized by the Finger Lakes Runners Club and insured by the Road Runners Club of America.

A 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 Two Hollows (current course):
Marathon: Ryan Allen-Parrot 4:25:23 (2024)
Half-Marathon: Nancy Kleinrock 1:39:35 (2023)

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)