Gorges Half

The Gorges Half is one of the most scenic half marathons in the country. It offers a point to point course from the quintessential small town of Trumansburg (within the Town of Ulysses), passing gorges and cascades with a net descent elevation course profile en route to a homecoming in Ithaca.

Just as Odysseus reached home in Ithaca in Book 13, so shall you reach the finish in mythical Ithaca at 13.1. Hopefully in less time, without the wrath of Poseidon, the allure of Sirens. Stay tuned for incentives in ‘27 to manifest your vision of the Odyssey.

After a few rolling road miles, the course runs point to point on the Black Diamond Rail Trail, and ends in Cass Park along the inlet of Cayuga Lake in Ithaca. It’s a beautiful course and opportunity for a wonderful weekend in the Finger Lakes. The Black Diamond Express is a great excuse for a destination Ithaca weekend.

Note: Course configuration may change.

2027 Course Format / Highlights:

Interactive Course Map can be viewed here https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2935977?units=miles

Start on South St in Trumansburg, NY

Finish along the base of Cayuga Lake in Cass Park in Ithaca

Use of the Black Diamond Rail Trail

What you'll get:

Each runner will receive 5 aid stations on course

Delicious post-race food in to-go format from Fittnell Farms Catering

Event tech-tee (only guaranteed to those registering before May 1st)

Event finisher's medal and bottle

All else that goes into the event including your help in allowing us to donate back to multiple entities each year including high school teams, parks, and fire marshals

Staging Area / Finish Lines:

Starting Line: 2026's running will again start on South St near Main in Trumansburg.

Finish Line: The event will end at Cass Park (701Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY)

Packet Pickup:

Thursday, June 10th, 12 - 7 @ Finger Lakes Running Co SYR (720 Van Rensselaer Suite 103C, Syracuse)

Friday, June 11th, 4 - 8 @ Garrett's Brewing in Trumansburg (1 W Main St, Trumansburg)

Saturday, June 12th,12 - 6 @ Finger Lakes Running Co ITH (700 Cascadilla St, Ithaca - Next to Purity)

Sunday / Raceday from 5:30 - 7:15 @ Trumansburg Central School's Complex (100 Whig St, Trumansburg)

Raceday

Sunday, June 13, 2026

06:00 – 07:00 – Raceday Check-In at Trumansburg High School 05:45 - 06:30 - Race morning finish area parking in targeted zones of Cass Park, Ithaca (adjacent to finish) w/ shuttle buses leaving for start when full. 07:30 - Mass Start on South St (@ Truman St Intersection) 08:40 - First finisher anticipated to reach finish line in Cass Park 09:30 - Shuttle Buses begin transporting finishers back to Trumansburg High School / Start (loading between soccer fields 100m W of finish) 11:30 - Last finisher anticipated to reach finish line and course closed 12:00 – Catering closed and Park Cleared of Event Staging & Last Shuttle Bus leaves Cass Park for the Start Area

Parking

Please see the pre-race email (going out by Wednesday June 9th) and the event website.