Borrowing from the fable, Tortoise & Hare is a race for all paces—victory lies in finishing. Our closest trail race to Ithaca is a good introduction to both trail running and local trails, while Buttermilk Falls provides a spectacular backdrop. The 10K+ (roughly 6.5-mile) course covers beautiful, varied terrain, including the easy Larch Meadow Trail, the semi-technical Bear Trail, and the rolling Treman Lake Trail. There is one long, steep hill that climbs about 450 feet in under a mile, lending another interpretation to the race name—up slow, down fast.

Don’t miss the free 1-mile fun run for kids of all ages, which sends kids around the Larch Meadow Trail loop at the start. It’s non-competitive and won’t be timed.

To reduce the impact on our volunteers, we’ve added an 8:30 AM Early Turtle start for those who anticipate taking more than 2 hours to complete the course. Please notify the race director at tortoise@fingerlakesrunners.org if you want to take advantage of the Early Turtle start.

This race is dedicated to the memory of its founder, Rich Lawrence, who died in a canoeing accident in 1998. Special thanks to Rich’s close friend Cynthia Lange for her continued support and help at this race.

Tortoise & Hare is part of the FLRC Trail Circuit, and results are included in the annual Pebblehead/Stonehead/Boulderhead rankings.

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

The race is held at Buttermilk Falls State Park: 106 E Buttermilk Falls Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. The start is at the lower park’s ballfield, on the side of Sandbank Road opposite the playground.

Parking is available, but be prepared to pay the $10 vehicle entrance fee or present an Empire Pass. This is important—park personnel will ticket cars parked illegally! It’s possible to park for free less than half a mile away, at the little mall on Route 13 east of the park.

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

• Bib Pickup: 8:00–8:45 AM. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your race.
• Early Turtle Start: 8:30 AM (For those expecting to take more than 2 hours.)
• Race Start: 9:00 AM
• 1-Mile Kids Fun Run: 9:15 AM

• Online registration is required and is open until 2 hours before the race.
• Registration for the 10K is $20.
• FLRC members may deduct $5.
• Runners 18 and under may register for free.
• If financial considerations would prevent you from entering this race, please use coupon code FLRCRUNFREE2026 during registration to waive the entry fee.
• There is no in-person registration at the race.

Note that the start is on the field across Sandbank Road from the bib pickup and finish line.

You can load RunGo turn-by-turn directions onto your phone or Apple Watch.

• Run across the ballfields and around the marshy Larch Meadow Trail loop.
• Leave the field to cross Sandbank Road, pass the playground, cross the footbridge, run past the falls, and ascend the paved campsite road.
• Turn right onto the unpaved service trail and run the steep uphill for about a half mile.
• Turn right at King Road, cross the bridge, and take an immediate left onto the Bear Trail. (Watch for traffic here!)
• After almost a mile, turn right and run across the open fields.
• Pass the restrooms and go up the asphalt path to Treman Lake.
• Keep right, and run counterclockwise around the lake for about half a mile.
• Turn right on the orange-blazed spur of the Finger Lakes Trail—if you get to the lean-to you’ve gone too far!
• Turn left onto Yaple Road, and take another left at Comfort Road.
• Bear left back onto the service road.
• Continue counterclockwise around Lake Treman.
• Merge back onto the trail you previously ascended.
• Enjoy the long downhill to the end! Retrace all the trails back down to the finish line at the playground.

Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female runners in these age groups: under 18, 19–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80+, plus the top three non-binary runners regardless of age-group, per FLRC’s Award Equity Policy.

• If you anticipate taking longer than 2 hours to complete this race (for instance, if you plan to mostly hike it), there will be an early start time available at 8:30 AM. Please notify the race director at tortoise@fingerlakesrunners.org if you plan to take longer than 2 hours and will utilize the early start time.
• There are nearby restrooms and a bathhouse with cold showers!
• The course has two water stops: at King Rd. and at Comfort Rd.
• Post-race, take a refreshing dip in the Buttermilk Falls swimming hole (pending park operations)!
• After you cross the finish line, treat yourself to something your legs will thank you for! We’re thrilled to welcome Living Essence Massage Institute (LEMI) as a post-race sponsor, offering free massages to runners at the event. LEMI is a massage therapy school located just minutes from Ithaca on Route 96, founded by Rachel Hogancamp — a longtime instructor and the co-founder of Rasa Spa. Their 1,000-hour certification program is rooted in compassion, connection, and holistic healing, preparing students for meaningful careers in the healing arts. As part of their commitment to the community, LEMI offers a public clinic where students provide massage — and race day is a perfect opportunity to experience their work firsthand. So run hard, then let LEMI take care of the rest!
• Water and food will be available to all runners post-race.
• Results will be available via Webscorer and the FLRC Web site.
• This race is part of the Finger Lakes Trail Circuit, for all you Pebbleheads, Stoneheads, and Boulderheads. Check your standing on the Trail Circuit leaderboard.
• For remaining questions, contact race director Laurel Gilmer at tortoise@fingerlakesrunners.org.
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• No dogs, headphones, or jogging strollers. These make the race dangerous for everyone.
• Awards are governed by FLRC’s Award Equity Policy.
• All runners, volunteers, and spectators must abide by FLRC’s Code of Conduct.
• 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.
• 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.