Ninth Annual Danby, NY DANBY DOWN & DIRTY 10K & 20K TRAIL RUNS Both Races part of Finger Lakes Trailrunners Circuit Sunday, October 14, 2007 -- 9:00 a.m.

Danby Down and Dirty website
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These runs are on sections of the Finger Lakes Trail in the Danby State Forest. This event is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Runners Club.

WHERE..... The start/finish is about 2.4 miles south of Danby on Michigan Hollow Road where the main Finger Lakes Trail (white blazes) crosses Michigan Hollow Road; see map and directions below. Park only on the west (right) side of the road.

WHEN..... Arrive at the start/finish before 8:30 a.m. The race starts at 9:00 a.m.

ENTRY FEE..... $9 if postmarked by Monday October 8. Thereafter $12; including race day. Make check payable to FLRC. FLRC members may deduct $2. Students 18 and under pay half the above fees; FLRC membership discount applied before half price discount. Please preregister! "Danby Down & Dirty" long sleeve T-shirts available for an additional $10; only guaranteed for the first 65 requests.

ENTRY FORMS..... Available in several formats:

• DOC
• PDF

WARNING!..... It is possible to sprain ankles, break bones, or encounter insects such as wasps or yellow jackets (carry medication if allergic!). Trail running requires agility of foot and the talent to keep one eye on the trail and the other on the orange or white blazes. Many will get lost momentarily --- if you see no blazes ahead of you, go back! You must be wary of high-speed vehicles on roads and at road crossings. HEAT could possibly be a problem this time of year, watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion! No medical team will be on hand.

BRING..... If the weather is hot, we strongly advise carrying drink. Cold weather could also be a problem. If it is cold bring warm clothes for after the race to prevent hypothermia. For after the race, bring a lawn chair, clothing, and a cooler with your own favorite drink if you don't want the non-alcoholic refreshments that we'll provide.

TRAIL CONDITION..... The courses consist of 50% narrow hiking path, 20% logging roads, and 30% dirt roads. The trail is marked with painted orange or white blazes on trees, double blazes at turns) and cleared of brambles.

SHOWERS/REST ROOMS..... A Port-A-John will be available, but no showers. No littering and no exposed human refuse!

REFRESHMENTS..... We'll have water, apple cider, and other goodies at the finish.

AID STATIONS..... Aid stations will be set up at the northern and southern intersections of Michigan Hollow Road with the Abbott Loop Trail, at the Pinnacles, at the northern intersection of Bald Hill Road with the Abbott Loop Trail, and at the intersection of Hill Road and the Abbott Loop Trail. Aid stations will have water, Gatorade, pretzels and cookies.

COURSE..... The course starts on Michigan Hollow Road, 2.5 miles south of the town of Danby. 10K and 20K runners start together. All runners proceed south on Michigan Hollow Road for about 1.5 miles. Just past a low-lying area, the Abbott Loop Trail crosses Michigan Hollow Road. Turn right onto the trail. The entire Abbott Loop Trail is marked with orange blazes. The courses follow this trail until about 130 feet before the northern intersection with Michigan Hollow Road. Where the Abbott Loop rejoins the white blazed Finger Lakes Trail flagging tape will be hung. If you do not see orange blazes or flagging tape, you have probably made a wrong turn. Turn back until you return to the marked trail.

The southern section of the Abbott Loop Trail proceeds along a glen and crosses a stream. You will cross a gully and follow an old road that climbs up to Bald Hill Road, approximately 1.7 miles from the trailhead. Cross Bald Hill Road and continue climbing upwards for one mile until you reach the Pinnacles. Run past the wild blueberries and azaleas. On a clear day, sacrifice a few seconds to take in fall-blooming witchhazel and the multi-county view from the Pinnacles.

Catch your breath at the Pinnacles and look around for a parachute. You may need one as you plummet down hill on a sometimes headlong, sometimes switchback trail. About 0.7 miles from the Pinnacles, you will come to Bald Hill Road. Turn right and run along Bald Hill Road for about 175 feet. Turn left to rejoin the Abbott Loop Trail. The trail descends into a valley, climbs over a short, but steep hill, then descends to pass along the edge of a swampy area. About 1.3 miles from the second crossing of Bald Hill Road, you will join the Finger Lakes Trail (white blazes), then cross a bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge, you will see Michigan Hollow Road. Cross this road to continue a short ways further on the Finger Lakes Trail. If you are running the 10K, turn right on the next dirt road and sprint to the finish.

If you are running the 20K, cross the dirt road and continue on the Finger Lakes Trail. This trail is marked with white blazes. All intersections will be marked with flagging tape. You will follow the Finger Lakes Trail along rolling terrain for about 1.4 miles. When you come to Hill Road, turn right and proceed south on this dirt road for about 0.4 mile until it intersects with the Abbott Loop Trail. Turn right through a camping area to rejoin the Abbott Loop Trail. The Abbott Loop Trail is marked with orange blazes. Traffic cones and copious amounts of flagging tape will mark both of these turns. Run along the Abbott Loop Trail as it follows old logging roads and runs along the edge of ravine. About 0.9 mile from the intersection with Hill Road, the Abbott Loop Trail crosses Michigan Hollow Road. After crossing Michigan Hollow Road, continue along the Abbott Loop Trail, retracing the route for the 10K. On your return run along the Abbott Loop, you will not visit the Pinnacles. Instead, when you come to Bald Hill Road, turn right and run north for 0.3 miles until the road intersects with the Abbott Loop. Turn right onto the Abbott Loop Trail. Follow this trail until it joins the Finger Lakes Trail (white blazes) shortly before Michigan Hollow Road. Continue until you reach Michigan Hollow Road. Cross Michigan Hollow Road on the Finger Lakes Trail for a short ways. At the next dirt road turn right and sprint to the finish.

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DIRECTIONS TO THE RACE FROM ITHACA .....
Take 96B south out of Ithaca, passing Ithaca College. Continue south to the town of Danby, (about 6 miles). Go 0.5 mile past Danby Market, turn right on Michigan Hollow Road. Proceed south for 2.5 miles to the start of the race (see map). From Owego: take 96 north toward Ithaca. In Candor, continue straight on Rte 96B into Danby. Just past 45 mph zone, turn left onto Michigan Hollow Rd. Proceed south for 2.5 mi. to start of race.

ACCOMMODATIONS..... Nearby motels: Buttermilk Falls B&B: 607-272-6767; Economy Inn: 607-277-0370; Holiday Inn: 607-272-1000; La Tourelle, Country Inn: 1-800-765-1492; Meadow Court Inn: 1-800-852-4014.

MORE INFO..... Contact race directors: David Burbank Dave@DanbyDownandDirty.info or Katie Danner Katie@DanbyDownandDirty.info or 607/387-9773 or refer to the Directions section above --- also see the map.
FLRC Website: www.fingerlakesrunners.org.
Find results at this website within several days after the race.