Wondering where you can get epic views and trail porn that makes you rock hard, while only running basically a 10k? Look no further than Lucifer’s Crossing in Ithaca, NY! 6.66 Miles of Trail Gluttony is their motto and it rings true when you’re making a deal with the devil climbing up the falls in the mid summer temps! I mean nothing makes your soul want to swim in the River Styx more than some sheer vert in late July! But like every other deal with the devil, it’s totally worth it!
This race starts out briefly flat for a fast start before you hit the ups that take you up some double and single track and in and out of the gorge that the falls rest in. The great part about the climb up is that it’s totally ok to go slow and not look slow because you’re taking in some awesome scenery as you navigate dirt and stone, switching between trail and stone staircases (to Hell!). Once you get up to the top of the falls, the views are amazing and it’s totally worth taking a breather and enjoying the moment. The top flattens out for roughly a mile (where there used to be a water crossing that is bridged up now)and then into some rollers. As your legs recover from the vert, this race gets super fast at the end. The final couple of miles are lush single track as you work your way back down the woodsy section of the park, which also provides some much needed shade. This all opens up about 600m before the finish, down paved road into the finish area!
Waiting for you at your finish are spectators laying out in the field below and the race staff ready to give you a huge high five and sound off! After you pass the tape, it’s time to enjoy the spoils. Year after year, the party stays strong! The team at Red Newt Racing puts together a challenging and fun course and a super positive race environment! Not to mention a spread worthy of the 3rd Circle of Hell(The Gluttonous, if you were wondering)! Local grub in the form of a giant and plentiful burrito bar hit the spot! In years past, Grisamore Ciderworks and Ithaca Beer Co. have provided the post- race hydration!
After your day at Robert H. Treman State Park has come to an end, it’s time to enjoy the rest of what Ithaca has to offer. I hop in my car and head out of town on Rte. 89 and hit the Finger Lakes Wine Trail. Route 89 heads up the west side of Lake Cayuga, navigating some amazing views of the lake and some great stops along the way. First stop and a must is up in the town of Ovid at Sheldrake Point Winery. The winery is located right on the edge of Lake Cayuga and features some of the best juice this wine region has to offer. Grabbing a bottle of Riesling and some snacks and hitting the garden seating outside is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon in the Ithaca area! If you needed more views after the race, on the way back down into Ithaca, Taughannock Falls is breathtaking! Once you’re cleaned up it’s time to hit the town for dinner and drinks. Ithaca Beer Co. is not only just the hometown favorite brewery. They feature a colorful menu of food made with local ingredients, some of which are farmed on their property! If you’re more in the mood for dinner, cocktails, and live music, Maxie’s Supper Club brings the Big Easy to NY! Cajun favorites like fried green tomatoes, jambalaya, po- boys, and a raw bar pair well with Maxie’s great drinks, Southern ambiance, and live music!
Lucifer’s is an annual favorite of mine! For a shorter trail race, it truly has a lot to offer and no matter where you travel from, Lucifer’s Crossing is a great way to spend a summer weekend! I hope to see you sometime on Ithaca’s path to eternal damnation!
