Celebrate spring with the 41st running of one of Ithaca’s oldest and largest road races, with new 10K and half-marathon courses that trade busy state and county highways for a pleasant paved rail trail and country roads. Join hundreds of other runners in this race on the Cornell campus and through scenic countryside as the skunk cabbages emerge in early spring!

In preparation for the total solar eclipse the day after the race, this year’s theme is Total Eclipse of the Skunk! Every finisher will receive a custom medal, and a new custom T-shirt will be available during registration in fitted and straight styles for $15. We will also have at least 300 pairs of free custom eclipse glasses available at bib pickup on a first-come, first-served basis. (T-shirts guaranteed only for those who register before February 15.)

The Skunk Cabbage Classic also features announcing at the finish, festivities in the warmth of Barton Hall, personalized bibs for those who register in time, free race photos, and post-race munchies. We’ll even help you train—join our Sunday Skunkday long runs on the Skunk course every Sunday from February through the race.

If you can’t run the race, we need your help. Skunk Cabbage is a large-scale event that we couldn’t put on without help from individuals in our generous community. Please sign up in Helper Helper to volunteer. 

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

We’re keeping the usual start and finish by Barton Hall at Cornell University, but the courses are changing this year to trade the busy Route 366 for the scenic East Hill Rec Way paved trail, let runners see the leaders on the way back, and improve runner safety. Check-in, restrooms, and post-race refreshments will be inside Barton Hall—use the Garden Avenue (east) entrance.

Free parking is available in the Crescent lot on the east side of Schoellkopf Field, the parking garage across from Teagle Hall, and adjacent lots as noted on signs. To more easily find the race check-in, enter Barton Hall on the east (Garden Avenue) side. If you enter on the west (Statler Drive) side, come up a staircase (at least three staircases are on offer) and into the center of the building to find the track and the check-in area. The accessible entrance is on the Garden Avenue side; there is no elevator between floors.

10K Course (Water stop with two porta-potties at Stevenson and Dodge accessed in both directions.)

Half Marathon Course (Water stops at Stevenson/Dodge, Ellis Hollow Creek/Genung, both accessed twice, and at the turnaround point.)

Bib Pickup and In-Person Registration

Bib pickup is available the day before the race, Saturday, April 6, from 10:30 AM to 5 PM at Finger Lakes Running Company (700 Cascadilla Street, Ithaca—next to Purity Ice Cream). Shirts will also be available for those who ordered them when registering, along with free Total Eclipse of the Skunk eclipse glasses available while supplies last.

Bib pickup is also available at Barton Hall on race morning, from 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM. If you can’t make it to the Finger Lakes Running Company the day before, please allow plenty of time to pick up your bib (and shirt if you pre-ordered one).

Race Times

Half Marathon: 9:00 AM
10K: 9:15 AM

Please plan to arrive early enough to allow time for parking and getting ready to run! Campus Road will be closed between Hoy Road and Wing Drive starting at 8:30, so if you arrive after then, you’ll have to park in the parking garage or along Tower Road.

Online registration through RunSignup will be open until 2:00 PM on April 6. Leone Timing will make day-of-race online registration available, but a credit card is required—no cash or checks.

FLRC members may deduct $5 from the entry fees through April 2.

Early registration is designed to help keep the race affordable. Fees go up for late registration because we need accurate numbers to order the optimal amount of food necessary for the race. Last-minute registration is the most expensive because it creates significantly more work for the race directors and timers in managing entries and assigning bibs.

10K

• Early Registration: 12/1 through 12/31: $25
• Regular Registration: 1/1 through 3/17: $35
• Late Registration: 3/18 through 4/2: $45
• Last-Minute Registration: 4/3 through 4/7: $65

Half Marathon

• Early Registration: 12/1 through 12/31: $35
• Regular Registration: 1/1 through 3/17: $45
• Late Registration: 3/18 through 4/2: $55
• Last-Minute Registration: 4/3 through 4/7: $75

If financial considerations would prevent you from entering this race, please use coupon code FLRCRUNFREE2024 during online registration before 3/18 to waive the entry fee.

Elite Entry Information

We are offering complimentary race entry if you have met any time standard shown below in a race since April 1, 2023. Equivalent times from other race distances are acceptable. Contact race director Adam Engst with your race results if you qualify for elite entry.

• Restrooms are available at Barton Hall.
• There will be a lead biker for each race.
• The 10K has two water stops with porta-potties, and the half marathon has five.
• Results will be posted at the staging area during the race, and will be available on RunSignUp and on the FLRC website soon after the race. The race is timed by Leone Timing.
• For remaining questions, contact race director Adam Engst at skunk@fingerlakesrunners.org.

Be aware that both courses include roads that are open to traffic! Course marshals will assist you in crossing, but all runners need to be alert and aware of traffic.

All finishers in both races will receive an all-new custom finisher’s medal.

The award ceremony takes place soon after each race ends, with awards for men and women in the following categories for each race:

• Cash prizes to the top three overall open ($200, $100, $50), first masters (40–49, $50), and first vets (50+, $50)
• Age-group awards for the top finisher in each of these age groups: 1–14, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, and 70+.
• The top three non-binary runners in each race will receive the same award as age-group winners, regardless of age.

There is no duplication of awards. Age-group winners must be present to receive their awards or make other arrangements.

• If you expect to take over 2.5 hours to complete the half marathon, please contact the race director. The cut-off time is 3 hours (13:44 pace). The course will close on a rolling basis after the last runner or at times associated with that pace.
• Absolutely no refunds, deferrals, or athlete transfers will be allowed.
• No dogs or jogging strollers! These make the race dangerous for everyone.
• Headphones are discouraged for safety and social reasons. If you wear them, you must remain aware of traffic and passing runners.
• Parents must retain supervision of minor children during the event.
• The race directors reserve the right to reject any entry for any reason.
• If you need an 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 is insured by the Road Runners Club of America.

Half Marathon: Joe Whelan 1:06:51 (2023), Ellie Pell 1:20:37 (2016)
10K: Tom Boone 30:33 (1987), Tamara Sayre 35:36 (1989)

Masters Half Marathon: Kevin Collins 1:13:17 (2014), Winnie Ngan 1:25:55 (2001)
Masters 10K: Tim Otis 33:20 (1995), Chelsea Benson 36:50 (2023)