Danby Down & Dirty 2020 Virtual Edition

Virtual race results

Welcome to the Danby Down & Dirty 10k/20k Trail Runs 2020 Virtual Race. The Finger Lakes Runners Club and I elected to cancel the in-person race this year due to restrictions and concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In keeping with the spirit of the race, trail runners are encouraged to run the course on their own. To make it feel more like a race, names and times

will be published for anyone who submits them. (Please note: This virtual race is not formally affiliated with the Finger Lakes Runners Club.) There's no cost to participate in the virtual race, except for sore quads the next day!

Run the 10k and or 20k route between September 26 and October 4. Submit your self-recorded time using this Google form. That's it! Results will be posted here shortly after the event concludes on October 4. There are no awards and no swag—just a good time on some beautiful trails as the Upstate New York foliage begins to peak.

Both routes will be marked sparsely with spray chalk on the ground at road crossings and trail intersections. There will be no flags or other supplemental course markings, so pay attention. The 10k loop will be marked with YELLOW chalk. Loop 2 of the 20k will be marked with RED chalk. Note that the Loop 1 of the 20k is the same as the 10k loop. Thus, 20k runners will look for yellow chalk on Loop 1 and red chalk on Loop 2. There's the possibility that rain could wash away the chalk by the end of the week, so don't rely 100% on these markings.

     

Additionally, you can download the RunGo app to your phone for a real-time map and audible turn-by-turn directions. The app is free for basic features—no need to pay for the premium service. Create your account, log in, and search Danby to find the 10k and 20k routes. The app uses your phone's GPS to track your progress in real-time and can be set to use spoken directions at intersections and turns. You can also use the Web version of RunGo to download the course .gpx file to use with your watch. 

Where?

Danby State Forest in Danby, NY. Start and finish near the corner of Michigan Hollow Road and Smiley Hill Road. Click for map and driving directions. The RunGo app also provides directions to the start. 

When?

Run one or both courses on your own anytime between September 26 and October 4, 2020. 

The Course

The start for both distances is where the Finger Lakes Trail crosses Michigan Hollow Road, near the corner of Smiley Hill Road. The finish is at the base of the hill where Smiley Hill Road intersects with Michigan Hollow Road. The start, finish, turns, and road crossings have been marked with spray chalk. 

The course comprises about 60% singletrack trails on the Finger Lakes Trail and Abbott Loop and 40% dirt and logging roads.

Course description (taken from the race Web site):

Proceed south on Michigan Hollow Road for 1.6 miles. The first turn will be a hard right onto the orange-blazed FLT Abbott Loop Trail. (Note: The trail has been rerouted here since last year's race. The trailhead is about 150 meters further south on the road that it was before.) Stay on this trail for almost the full duration of the 10k. 1.7 miles and 300+’ elevation gain later, you’ll cross Bald Hill Road at the 3.2 mile mark. Another mile of mostly uphill running brings you to the Thatcher Pinnacles at 1,700′. A fast descent over 0.6 miles of trail drops you back down to Bald Hill Road (mile 4.8). Turn right onto Bald Hill Road and follow it for about 150′ before turning left and following the orange blazes downhill. At Mile 6, turn right where the orange-blazed Abbott Loop joins the Finger Lakes Trail. Just after the small wooden foot bridge the trail crosses Michigan Hollow Road. After a short uphill section on the Finger Lakes Trail you will hit Smiley Hill Road (a dirt road). 10k runners turn right and sprint hard down the road to the finish.

20k runners will follow the trail straight cross Smiley Hill Road and continue on the FLT (white blazes). Another 1.4 miles and some steady uphill will bring you to Hill Road (another dirt road, at the 7.6 mile mark). Stay on Hill Road for about 0.4 miles, then take a right turn back onto the Abbott Loop (orange blazes). Descend 0.9 miles on the Abbott Loop Trail back to Michigan Hollow Road at mile 9.0. Next, retrace the trail portion of the 10K loop except this time skip the ascent to the Thatcher Pinnacles. Instead, turn right on Bald Hill Road (where you went straight the first time through) to run north for 0.4 miles, then turn right back onto the orange Abbott Loop Trail (mile 10.9). The last 1.4 miles of the 10K loop will also be the last 1.4 miles of the 20K loop, for 12.4-ish miles total.

Additional Notes:

• Refer to the Finger Lakes Runners Club's recommendations regarding COVID-19 and running and be sure to take proper precautions
• Danby State Forest is open to hunting beginning October 1. Consider wearing bright colors or a reflective vest if running on October 1 or later. 
• As always, leave no trace. Remain on established trails and do not litter.
• Unlike the normal in-person race, there will be no port-a-potties at the start and no aid stations or on-course support. 
• For additional questions, contact Race Director Pete Kresock at pete.kresock@gmail.com

Psych yourself up with Simon Ingall's video from the 10k course, filmed for the Virtual COVID-19 Mile Fund Run. (The trails were a lot wetter back in April!)