The Adventure

Looking for a well-supported run in a spectacular setting with attractions for the whole family? Whether your goal is to run a first ultra, conquer a challenging 50-miler, or set a personal record, the Can Lake 50 is the race for you.

50 Mile - Run one big road loop around the most beautiful Finger Lake in Western New York. The course is mostly flat to rolling roads with several major climbs, including locally-famous Bopple Hill.

50K - Run point-to-point over the final 31 miles of the 50 Mile route. With significantly less climbing and descending than the first 19 miles of the 50 Mile route, the 50K is more friendly for first-time ultra runners and a logical step up from the marathon.

Peak fall foliage will create a scenic backdrop for crew, pacers, friends, and family as they accompany you and your fellow ultrarunners along the course to the finish.

After the race, why not extend your stay and explore stunningly beautiful Canandaigua and the Finger Lakes Region?  Art galleries, museums, historic sites, boat cruises, winery tours, shopping, and our regionally-famous grape pies are all options for you, your friends, and your family to enjoy.

Pre-Race Dinner - Pre-race dinner and packet pick-up Friday evening at The Inn on the Lake -- a peaceful and scenic gem on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake.

Amenities - Eleven well-stocked aid stations featuring GU products.  Coffee, juice and bagels at the start.  Post-race feast presented by Wegmans.  Special support for first-time ultrarunners (95% of first ultra runners have finished over the last five years).  Free transportation to the 50K start for the first 42 runners who sign-up.  All finishers in both races receive a medal -- gold, silver, or bronze -- based on age-graded standards.

Benefiting Serenity House
Serenity House in Victor, NY, provides specialized care for the terminally ill, their families and loved ones. Serenity House is a place where residents can gracefully live out the remaining days of their lives. It is a place of hope and love where families and friends can learn to cope with their loss.

Some Runner Comments

"I just got back from Canandaigua, New York and, boy, are my legs tired! Seriously folks, the one word that comes to mind when I think about the 50 miler I completed on Saturday is “Wow”. Wow, what scenery. Wow, what great course markings. Wow, what great volunteers. Wow, what great fellow runners. And, of course, wow, I actually finished!"  -- Valerie Lalor, 9:44:01 for 50 miles, first ultra

"I've been racing for 12 years. I have to tell you that this is the prettiest race I've ever run! The Lake, The Mountains, The Foliage, The beautiful homes. So peaceful. So idyllic... The race was well organized. The volunteers were friendly and helpful. It would be hard to find anything that could have been done any better. Thank you for stopping the rain at the start of the race. Thank you for my 10 hour goal and 9:47 finish. Thank you for a great experience."  -- Neil Berg - 9:47:29 for 50 miles