Gorges lush with cascades, historic stone staircases, amphitheaters, creek crossings, single and double track. Cayuga has not only brought some of the fastest ultra runners in the country as a prior US Nationals, but also served as countless runners inaugural 50 mile or 50K achievements. Cayuga Trails has often been …
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Gorges lush with cascades, historic stone staircases, amphitheaters, creek crossings, single and double track. Cayuga has not only brought some of the fastest ultra runners in the country as a prior US Nationals, but also served as countless runners inaugural 50 mile or 50K achievements.
Cayuga Trails has often been referred to or named as one of the most scenic courses in the country. It offers miles of singletrack, the pasing of dozens of waterfalls as it winds through gorges, signature historic stone stairs, and mixed eastern forests. It’s roughly 95% trail, 5% paved, and only a few miles where you’ll overlap in out/back format with other entrants.
The course at Cayuga Trails has been reconfigured at least a handful of times over the years. In the early years, as the US 50 Mile Trail Championship, and with a substantial prize purse, we drew some of the fastest ultra runners in the country. Not only did that bring fast times, but it was also an easier course in technicality and elevation gain / loss than the courses in 2019 and after. So take these records with that considered, and know that because of that the 50 Mile record will be very tough if not impossible to break. The 50k distance is more recent and will thus be on the breaking table.
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Elevation and waterfalls!
Cayuga Trails has been on my list of “must do” races for the past few years. I ran the marathon distance, not the 50 mile. Given the elevation gain, I … MORE
Cayuga Trails has been on my list of “must do” races for the past few years. I ran the marathon distance, not the 50 mile. Given the elevation gain, I wanted to try the shorter distance first. The 50 milers run the same course, but go out for a second time, minus an added lollipop section of the course. The course was marked very well, and the aid stations were plentiful. The race was very well organized from start to finish. Be prepared for lots of elevation gain, from long stone staircases to steep hills. The beautiful waterfalls and gorges will help take your mind off of your tired legs. The only reason I rated the swag a little low was because the shirt given is a little hard to read where the race name and distance are printed. The graphics should have been printed a little larger, in my opinion. I will also have to alter the length of the straps (tank top), as the shirt hangs way too low, even though I got a small. Finishers received a stainless steel pint glass, with race and distance printed on them, which was very nice. There was a good spread of food available at the finish. What really makes this race stand out is the difficulty of the course, coupled with unbeatable scenery, and it being so well organized. The race also tries to be as envirmentally conscious as possible, with asking runners to provide their own reusable cups (or using their handhelds) at aid stations, and providing food scrap bins for composting. My performance at this race was the best I could do, given that I was battling a bad chest cold. I would definitely love to run this race again, when I am feeling 100%!