Route suggestions
We will be posting some suggestions for 5K trotting routes between now and June 12! We are starting with the PDPT routes from the last few years.
We have asked some dedicated trotters about how they track their runs and they suggested the following apps: STRAVA and Map My Run. We're sure there are many more, so please feel free to share what you are using on our SHARE YOUR TROT! page.
We have asked some dedicated trotters about how they track their runs and they suggested the following apps: STRAVA and Map My Run. We're sure there are many more, so please feel free to share what you are using on our SHARE YOUR TROT! page.
South Hill Strider
Start at the Hudson Street end of the South Hill Rec Way and run to the 1.5 mile marker (or just beyond it to get an exact 5k) then turn around and come back the same way. This route is a good mix of flat, slightly uphill/downhill, and one big uphill/downhill...enjoy!
Black Diamond Bliss
Start at the yellow gate on the Cass Park end of the Black Diamond Trail. Run the slightly uphill 1.55 miles out to the fourth-to-last telephone pole lining the trail, then turn around and come back for a glorious downhill in the second half. Or, because the Black Diamond Trail is well marked every quarter mile, pick a marker near any of the cross roads and run 1.5 miles out from there (or slightly beyond if wanting exactly a 5k), and turn around and come back.
Taughannock Rise and Falls
Up for a challenge? This is a tough route through Taughannock State Park, but is well worth it for the incredible scenery.
Start at the upper parking lot on Jacksonville Rd. Run down down down the South Rim Trail. When you get to the bottom, turn left to go across the field, over the bridged section of Route 89, and turn left again to connect up with the North Rim Trail (here you can take either the very steep steps or the less steep alternate route.) Go up up up the North Rim Trail and finish back at the parking lot on Jacksonville Rd. Or, feel free to do the North Rim Trail first, it doesn't matter! It's an epic run no matter how you cut it. Enjoy!
Start at the upper parking lot on Jacksonville Rd. Run down down down the South Rim Trail. When you get to the bottom, turn left to go across the field, over the bridged section of Route 89, and turn left again to connect up with the North Rim Trail (here you can take either the very steep steps or the less steep alternate route.) Go up up up the North Rim Trail and finish back at the parking lot on Jacksonville Rd. Or, feel free to do the North Rim Trail first, it doesn't matter! It's an epic run no matter how you cut it. Enjoy!
Stewart Park Loop-d-Loop 5K
- Start at the small pavilion on the waterfront trail, then go WEST to fall creek inlet on the trail
- Turn LEFT along the inlet and then cross BOTH suspension bridges, following the waterfront trail.
- Continue on the paved trail past the TCAT bus garage (1 mile mark)
- Cross a second short bridge over Cascadilla Creek and run to the farmers’ market
- TURN AROUND at the market dock and retrace your steps to Stewart Park – this is the simple version.
- OPTIONAL forest loop: on the way back, you can take a right turn just before the final suspension bridge. Then run along a forest path, you will see Stewart Park to your left.
- When the path tees off, take a LEFT into the grass of Stewart Park, then turn LEFT again and run back along the park road to finish at the small pavilion.
Stewart Park Loop-d-Loop 1 mile

- START at the small pavilion on the waterfront trail, then go WEST to fall creek inlet on the trail.
- Turn LEFT along the inlet to the first of two suspension bridges
- Once you cross the first bridge, immediately go LEFT down some steps and start running along the forest path towards the Stewart Park entrance
- Follow the wood path until it tees off, then take another LEFT back into the grassy part of Stewart Park
- Watching for traffic, run in the grass following the park road back to the entrance of Stewart Park. This has a 15 MPH speed limit for cars but be careful.
- Rejoin the waterfront trail at the Stewart Park entrance and run towards the lake.
- Turn LEFT again at the lake and run to the start/finish at the small pavilion.
East Hill Stroll 5K
5k. Start at the East Hill Rec Trail parking lot on Game Farm Road. Run to the end, up the steep hill to Maple Ave. Turn right onto Maple Ave, then left onto the next part of the East Hill Rec Trail at the Coalyard Cafe. Turnaround at the beginning of the wooden Whitmore fence just beyond the Coalyard Cafe.
East Hill Stroll 1-mile
1 mile. Start at the East Hill Rec Trail parking lot on Game Farm Road. Use the distance markers on the trail and turn around at the 0.5 mile marker!
1 mile. Start at the East Hill Rec Trail parking lot on Game Farm Road. Use the distance markers on the trail and run all the way out to the one mile mark! If you have a have a vehicle parked at the lot on Game Farm Road you can use the way back as a nice easy cool-down.
Cass Park 5K and 1 mile
Cornell Arboretum 5K and 1 mile