Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

KISS 50/100 Mile Run
Saturday, September 23, 2000
Repeats of a 3.34 mile loop in the Finger Lakes National Forest, Hector, NY
Conditions: 55-70°, overcast, drizzle, rain

50 Miles:  Ralph Hirt (62), Crescent City, CA 9:22:15
John McMurry (58), Ithaca 10:42:19

43.3 Miles:  Will Campbell (46), Lancaster, PA 12:57
Jesse Riley (35), Key West, FL 12:57

40.0 Miles:  Joe Dabes (61), Dryden 7:36:22

13.3 Miles:  Michael Turback (55), Ithaca 2:28:52

KISS 50/100 Mile Run 8:00 a.m., Saturday, Sept 23, 2000

The KISS-50/100 is wheel measured, but other than that you're on your own: no entry fee, no aid except water and whatever else you bring, no cutoff times, and no course markings other than existing trail blazes.  The only entry requirement is that all runners must sign the standard waiver used for all Finger Lakes Runners Club races. Results will be sent to Ultrarunning Magazine.  The course is 15/30 repeats of a measured 3.34 mile loop in the Finger Lakes National Forest near Hector, NY, midway between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Starting from a small parking area 0.1 mile east of the Blueberry Patch campground on Picnic Area Rd. (also called County Rte 2), head across the road into the woods on the Interloken Trail. Continue for 1.2 miles going past Foster Pond to a 0.3 mile long spur trail that brings  you to a small parking area at the corner of Chicken Coop Rd and Potomac Rd. Turn right on Potomac Rd for 0.1 mile and then left on the Wildlife Ponds Trail. Turn right after the second pond onto a gravel trail that brings you back to Potomac Rd. Turn left, run down Potomac Rd to Picnic Area Rd, then right on Picnic Area Rd back to the start where you have parked your car and left all your food and drink. Each loop has a gentle climb of about 60 ft on easy rolling trail, a gentle descent of 175 ft on a smooth dirt road, and a final short but fairly steep climb of 125 ft that most people will walk. Total distance - 50.1/100.2 miles; total climb and descent - 2750/5500 ft.

To get to the Blueberry Patch Campground and the start/finish:

From the west, take County Rt 2 off NY Rt 414 one mile south of Hector, NY. Go east for 3-4 miles until the road changes from pavement to gravel and changes name to Picnic Area Rd. The campground and start area are about 1/2 mile farther along on the right.

From the east, take Rt 79 from Ithaca to its junction with Rt 227 and go right on 227. After about 1 mile you come to Reynoldsville. Turn left on Potomac Rd following signs for the Finger Lakes National Forest. After 1.5 miles, turn left on Picnic Area Rd. The start area is 0.3 miles on the left.

John McMurry (jem24@cornell.edu)

The KISS Midsummer Night Marathon at 6:00 p.m, Friday, June 23, 2000

Start at the Blueberry Patch Campground on Picnic Area Rd. in the Finger Lakes National Forest near Hector, NY, and run north on the orange-blazed Interloken Trail to its end at Parmenter Rd (7.0 mi). Turn around, go back to the Blueberry Patch, and then continue south to the other end of the Interloken Trail at its junction with the Finger Lakes Trail. Continue 1 mile on the FLT to Rt 79 in Bennettsburg, and then return to the Blueberry Patch. Distance: approx 26.3 mi. Those who have something better to do on a Friday night and don't want to complete the full marathon can stop after the 1st out-and back; 14 mi.

KISS runs have no entry fee, no aid except water at the start/middle/finish, no cutoff times, no tee shirts, and no course markings other than existing blazes. In other words, keep it simple, stupid. The only entry requirements are that all entrants must be experienced trailrunners and must sign the standard FLRC waiver. (John McMurry; 257-3592; jem24@cornell.edu)