Seventeenth Annual Virgil Forest MONSTER MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON 26.2 & 13.1 Miles, 5560' & 2780' Climb Sunday, August 31, 2008 with Age/Sex Handicap Staggered Starts: Marathon: 6:30 - 8:00 AM Starts; Half Marathon: 8:15 - 9:00 AM Starts Both Races Part of Finger Lakes Trailrunners Circuit

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DESCRIPTION.....This is the toughest marathon course in the East with 5560 ft of total climb. No one will ever qualify for Boston here, but the beauty of this section of the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Finger Lakes Trail is worth the effort (and the fun!). The course consists of two identical out-and-backs of 13.1 miles each. Well-stocked aid stations will be spaced 3 to 4 miles apart. The sponsor is the Finger Lakes Runners Club. There will be free food and drink after the race!

WHERE..... The start/finish is "Jeremiah's" on Route 392 3.3 miles east of Virgil, NY; see directions.

WHEN..... Differs depending on distance you intend to run:

• Marathon: If you are older and/or female pick up your number by 6:15 am, as you may start as early as 6:30 am; males under 38 start at 8:00 am.
• Half-Marathon: Starts are from 8:15 to 9:00 am depending on your age and sex.

HALF-MARATHON & MARATHON ARE AGE & SEX GRADED SEPARATELY. There will be different age-sex handicap staggered starts for both races as described below. Choose your race carefully as your starting time depends on which race you choose!

ENTRY FEE..... $17 for preregistration, if postmarked by Saturday, Aug 24. Thereafter $25, including race day. FLRC members may deduct $2. Students 18 and under pay half the above fees; membership discount applied before half price discount. No refunds. We reserve the right reject any entries for any reason. Half-marathoners pay same fees. Make check out to FLRC.

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

• DOC
• PDF

WARNING!..... Heat exhaustion, sprained ankles, yellow jacket stings, animal bites, lacerations, encounters with forest monsters, and collisions with vehicles at road crossings are possible during the run. You may get lost momentarily-if you see no blazes ahead, look back. If no blazes behind, go back! Those running the full marathon must be trained for an ultra-marathon effort; add 1 to 2 hours to your road marathon time. Full marathoners finishing the first out-and-back after 11:00 AM are cut off and will not be allowed to continue. Carry drink, as it could be hot.

REST ROOMS. Port-a-johns will be available at the start/finish.

COURSE RECORDS..... A 500 year old Iroquois Indian Legend tells how a "Forest Monster" chased the Indian brave "Jost Du-It" out and back twice along the present course. Jost Du-it's time for the 26.2 miles was 3:26:59, then he collapsed. He quickly vanished, presumably eaten by the "Forest Monster". We hope this knowledge of the "Forest Monster" will spur you to a new course record. Glance behind each tree! Recent marathon handicap records: Gary Burdick 3:27:00, Becky Harman 3:30:51; Half-Marathon handicap records: Alan Evans 1:34:04, Gillian Sharp 1:37:51.

FOOD AT START/FINISH..... Coffee and breakfast items will be available before the race. Lunch will be served to runners at the finish.

CAMPING..... No tenting at "Jeremiah's". You can tent at the "Hauck Hill Primitive Campsite" on the hill (see map; start/finish of Frolic and Madness races). A nearby developed campground is Country Hills, Muckey Rd., Marathon: (607)849-3300.

LODGING..... Cabins that sleep six are available at "Jeremiah's". Call Greek Peak Ski Resort at (800)955-2754 for pricing and reservations. The closest motel in the area is the Marathon Three Bear Inn (Exit 9 on I-81: (607)849-3258); another is Cortland Holiday Inn (2 River St, Cortland: (607)756-4431). Call early, as this is when Cornell University students return, and their parents flood the local motels!

COURSE..... From "Jeremiah's" follow Route 392 then Tone Rd to the WHITE blazes at the Finger lakes Trail at 0.85 miles. Turn right steeply uphill and follow WHITE blazes all the way to the turn-around. At 2.4 miles is Virgil Mountain summit (2132', highest point within 70 miles). At 3.0 miles you'll reach the Greek Peak summit and an aid station at 3.2 miles. Continue to follow WHITE blazes to the turn-around and (and aid station) at 6.55 miles at "Stonepile Junction". Turn around and retrace your steps back to "Jeremiah's" . Beware of traffic on Route 392! For full marathon do the out-and- back again and you are done!

Jeremiah's is the new name of the old resort located at the red square, labeled as "The Rafters".

HANDICAP STARTING TIMES..... Determined based on The National Masters News Age Graded Table Factors:

• Marathon: based on 3:55:21 mean win time. No handicap for males under 38; these folks start at 8:00 am. Women under 37 will start 22 minutes early (7:38 am). Examples: a 55-year-old male will start 33 minutes early (7:27 am) and a 55-year female will start 66 minutes early (6:54 am).
• Half -Marathon : based on 1:44:32 mean win time. No handicap for males under 37; these folks start at 9:00 am. Women under 36 will start 11 minutes early (8:49 am). Examples: a 55-year-old male will start 16 minutes early (8:44 am) and a 55-year-old female will start 32 minutes early (8:28 am).

DIRECTIONS TO "JEREMIAH'S".....
From north on I-81 take exit 10 (McGraw), then Route 11 south for 7 miles, then Route 392 3.5 miles west.
From south on I-81 take exit 9 (Marathon) take Route 11 north for 4.1 miles, then Route 392 3.5 miles west to Virgil ---.
From Dryden go east 6 mi. on Route 392 to Virgil ---.
From Cortland take Route 215 (junction with Route 13 is 2 blocks southwest of Main St.) south to Virgil ---.
From Virgil take Route 392 3.3 miles east. "Jeremiah's" is on the north side of the road; see map above.

MORE INFO..... Becky Harman at email: rmh12@cornell.edu or phone at 607-659-4686.
341 Coddington Rd, Willseyville NY 13864
Website: www.fingerlakesrunners.org. Find results at the website several days after the race.