Apologies for the delay in getting this out, but better late than never. The 2026 Skunk Cabbage Classic was once again a success, though attendance was down about 10% (760 registrants, 630 finishers) due to our date being pushed a week early by Easter. But I’m not complaining because the weather on Easter Sunday was miserable, and although last Sunday was nice, this Sunday would have been even worse. It’s spring in Ithaca—you get what you get, and you don’t get upset.
Race photos are up in Google Photos! Kudos to photographers Steve Gallow and Paul Houle for capturing hundreds of fabulous race photos, both out on the course and at the finish line. Although we can’t guarantee everyone will find themselves, it’s worth scanning the photos to see if there’s a keeper of you or your friends.
If you registered too late to get a Skunktimus Prime or Skunkhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy shirt or want another for a gift, we have more available in the FLRC online store, along with other FLRC swag shirts and hats.
Results
Full results are on the FLRC website, at Leone Timing (10K and half marathon), and in a different interface with age-group divisions at RunSignup (10K and half marathon).
Congratulations to our winners! In the 10K, Alexander Simpson of Ithaca won handily in 33:19, 29 seconds faster than his 2025 win. Liz Marshall of Ithaca was the first woman in 43.28. For the half marathon, Marty Butler of Rochester ran a 1:10:23 to set a new course record by almost 5 minutes, and Kerry Flower of Schenectady broke the women’s course record by almost 3 minutes (and took fifth overall) with her 1:18:44. The full list of award winners:
10K
- 10K 1st Man: Alexander Simpson — 33:19
- 10K 2nd: Glenn Seeholzer — 37:58
- 10K 3rd: Hunter Frias — 39:09
- 10K Masters (40–49): Tristan Lambert — 39:15
- 10K Veteran (50+): Peng Chen — 41:23
- 10K 1st Woman: Liz Marshall — 43:28
- 10K 2nd: Jade Barth — 45:56
- 10K 3rd: Lucia Sibley — 46:02
- 10K Masters (40–49): Shannon Oakes — 46:06
- 10K Veteran (50+): Heidi Appleby — 49:00
Half Marathon
- Half Marathon 1st Man: Marty Butler — 1:10:23
- Half Marathon 2nd: Dave Cook — 1:15:36
- Half Marathon 3rd Man: John Salva — 1:16:31
- Half Marathon Masters (40–49): Chip O’Hara — 1:17:10
- Half Marathon Veteran (50+): Scott Dawson — 1:26:23
- Half Marathon 1st Woman: Kerry Flower — 1:18:44
- Half Marathon 2nd: Sarah Woodyear — 1:28:06
- Half Marathon 3rd: Emily Madan — 1:33:30
- Half Marathon Masters (40–49): Jennifer Cary — 1:40:55
- Half Marathon Veteran (50+): Caitlin Loehr — 1:38:49
Thank You, Volunteers!
While there’s no room to thank each of the 82 volunteers who made Skunk possible, I want to call out my super volunteers. Marte Reps was once again a lifesaver for estimating, ordering, and picking up the massive quantities of food necessary to feed hundreds of runners, and Lauren Milano provided key setup and food replenishment coordination. Tonya Engst left no detail to chance—so many signs and sets of instructions!—while managing a large crew of registration volunteers and then running the 10K. FLRC equipment manager Gary McCheyne set up and managed the course with help from Alan Lockett (who also arranged the big road sign at Turkey Hill), schlepping the significant amount of gear needed to put on a race. Ian Golden again made the finish line special by announcing everyone as they crossed.
In terms of organizations, we greatly appreciate the assistance we received from Cornell University Athletics, the Cornell University Police, the Barton Hall facility staff, Bangs Ambulance, Dryden Ambulance, the Ithaca Hash House Harriers, the Varna Volunteer Fire Company, the Cornell Dairy, Ithaca Bakery, Ithaca Milk, Wegmans Food Markets, the Finger Lakes Running Company, Leone Timing, Rentals To Go, and USA Racing.
If you have comments about the race, volunteers to call out for going above and beyond, or suggestions for improving Skunk next year, let me know.