New York > Monster Marathon & Half Marathon Trail
Runs Virgil, NY addthis
Date
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Event
Details
With a total climb in elevation of about 5,560 feet over the course of
the race, the Monster Marathon & Half Marathon Trail Runs more
than live up to the event organizers' boast of staging "the toughest
marathon course in the East." Sponsored by the Finger Lakes Running
Club of upstate New York, the race has a unique beauty thanks to its
location in the Virgil State Forest (about 50 miles south of Syracuse),
one that organizers add ensures "no one will ever qualify for Boston
here, but it's worth the effort and the fun!"
The race is run along a section of the forest's North Country National
Scenic Trail and the Finger Lakes Trail, along a 6.5-mile stretch
that's an out-and-back for half-marathon runners and a double
out-and-back for full marathon participants, from the starting line at
Jeremiah's on Route 392, just over 3 miles east of Virgil. From there,
the race course takes a mostly eastward direction along the trails, in
the mountains and over the hills of the forest.
It's rare to reach the summit of a mountain in a running race, but in
this event you get to do it twice -- at the midway point between miles
2 and 3, runners reach the summit of Virgil Mountain (elevation 2,132
feet), the highest point within 70 miles. And just a half-mile later is
the summit of Greek Peak, which is (thankfully!) followed by an aid
station at about mile 3.2.
Organizers also caution that this race is only for the well-prepared
and well-trained: expect to add one to two hours to your normal road
marathon time. "Those running the full marathon must be trained for an
ultra-marathon effort," they add, wise words for those
looking to run the half as well.
Race
Weather & Climate
Set in the mountainous Virgil State Forest about 10 miles
south (as the crow flies) from the nearby town of Cortland, N.Y., the
race area tends to see weather conditions similar to their neighboring
village -- summers with mild to warm conditions, with August
temperatures that average between 79°F and 57°F.
Rainfall averages just under 3 inches for the month.
Fees
2008 fees:
$17 if registered before August 25
$25 between Aug. 25 and the day of the race
Registration
Registration is available on the day of the
race or by downloading and mailing in this printable form.
