About
Well done, you've discovered the registration page for the most scenic and challenging trail races that Central New York has to offer. Starting and finishing within Morgan Hill State Forest (camping available), the Morgan Hill Half Marathon and Morgan Hill "Meat Grinder" Marathon courses follow the nearly-all-single-track Onondaga Trail alongside misty ponds, up to incredible vistas, and crossing above waterfalls; past the highest point in Onondaga County on single track mountain bike trails; then back onto the Onondaga Trail to the finish line after running over (or around) the gravestone of one very unlucky guy from the 1700s.The marathon course adds the cruel but beautiful Fellows Hill loop and an out-and-back on the Onondaga Trail to Route 13. With the cooler temperatures and fall colors of late September, this is East Coast trail running at its absolute finest with all the rocks and roots that come with it. The memories will remain with you long after the blisters have healed and the muscle soreness and fatigue have faded.
*NEW* in 2025, SCTR is excited to announce the first-ever running of the Hill to Hollow 100km, co-directed with Pete Dady of the Hash House Harriers who traversed the loop back in the COVID days. Crossing four counties, the course will begin and end in Morgan Hill State Forest (camping available), featuring the same highlights as above before following the Onondaga Trail/North Country Trail east to Highland Forest County Park and past DeRuyter Reservoir, turning south on the enigmatic Link Trail through Muller Hill State Forest before joining the main Finger Lakes Trail in Mariposa State Forest, heading west past Chippewa Falls, and rejoining the Onondaga Trail to reenter Morgan Hill State Forest. This is a VERY challenging 100km and will be more dirt bag ultra than ultra-luxe for this first year, with a commensurate 50% discount reflected in the registration price. Self-sufficiency and strong navigation skills (without 5G/LTE network coverage) are musts, but how many people can say they were part of the birth of an ultra?
It takes a tremendous amount of work by a great many people and organizations to provide public access to and maintain the beautiful land and trails upon which these races depend. SCTR is immensely grateful to NYS DEC, Finger Lakes Trail Conference, North Country National Scenic Trail Association CNY Chapter, Highland County Park, the ADK-Onondaga Chapter, and the many private landowners, trail stewards, and volunteers without whom this would not be possible. Please consider making a donation to the FLTC during registration; SCTR will match donations up to $250. Or better yet, become a member at https://fingerlakestrail.org.
Race Details
All runners who register before September 4, 2025 will receive a pair of highly coveted SCTR socks. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers for each distance in each gender division.
Aid station offerings will include ice (if temperatures merit), water, Skratch, orange slices, bananas, pickles, PB&Js, potato chips, pretzels, oreos, and candy. For the 100km only, a limited selection of hot foods (e.g., ramen, grilled cheese, pierogies, etc.) will be available at AS#4 and AS#6.
Half Marathon
Start/Finish Location: Morgan Hill State Forest Parking on Shackham Rd. (42°47'41.7"N 76°00'33.5"W)
Distance: ~13.4 miles
Elevation Change: ~2,283 feet
Aid Stations: 2 (excluding Start/Finish)
Cutoff: 8 hours
Marathon
Start/Finish Location: Morgan Hill State Forest Parking on Shackham Rd. (42°47'41.7"N 76°00'33.5"W)
Distance: ~27.0 miles
Elevation Change: ~4,560 feet
Aid Stations: 4 (excluding Start/Finish)
Cutoff: 8 hours
100km
Start/Finish Location: Spruce Pond on Herlihy Rd. (42°47'56.9"N 76°01'32.4"W)
Distance: ~63.8 miles
Elevation Change: ~10,286 feet
Aid Stations: 6 (excluding Start/Finish)
Pacers: Yes after mile ~33/AS#4, only one per runner at a time, and changes only allowed at aid stations
Crew: All aid stations are accessible but road conditions may not be suitable for vehicles with low ground clearances. For 2025, crew may assist runners anywhere on the course so long as they do NOT park on private property.
Required Gear: Fully charged cell phone kept turned on during race with RD phone number saved; navigation device capable of functioning offline (without 5G/LTE network coverage) with course GPS file loaded, headlamp w/ extra batteries, reflective vest, emergency blanket, waterproof shell with hood, water filtration device, minimum 800mL liquid storage capacity, & minimum 400 kcal food reserve.
Cutoff: 20 hours
100km 4-person relay
Start/Finish Location: Spruce Pond on Herlihy Rd. (42°47'56.9"N 76°01'32.4"W)
Total Distance: ~63.8 miles
Total Elevation Change: ~10,286 feet
Exchanges/Aid Stations: 6 (excluding Start/Finish)
Legs: 8 (each team member must complete at least one leg; teams decide how to allocate legs amongst themselves)
Leg Distance: 7.1 to 8.8 miles
Cutoff: 20 hours
Refunds, Deferrals, and Distance Changes
Refunds will not be granted under any circumstances. Deferrals are available in case of pregnancy, injury, or electing to volunteer at the race provided volunteer slots remain. Distance changes are permitted until online registration closes
Event's current local time: 10:20 PM ET
