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DataDirectory ./datadir-3hop
Log notice file ./datadir-3hop/notice.log
RunAsDaemon 1
ControlPort 9980
CookieAuthentication 1

leads to

Apr 29 12:29:03.000 [notice] Tor 0.3.0.6 (git-47d2e4f06ec26a79) opening new log file.
Apr 29 12:29:02.994 [warn] OpenSSL version from headers does not match the version we're running with. If you get weird crashes, that might be why. (Compiled with 1000105f: OpenSSL 1.0.1e 11 Feb 2013; running with 1000105f: OpenSSL 1.0.1e-fips 11 Feb 2013).
Apr 29 12:29:03.013 [notice] Tor 0.3.0.6 (git-47d2e4f06ec26a79) running on Linux with Libevent 2.0.21-stable, OpenSSL 1.0.1e-fips and Zlib 1.2.7.
Apr 29 12:29:03.013 [notice] Tor can't help you if you use it wrong! Learn how to be safe at https://www.torproject.org/download/download#warning
Apr 29 12:29:03.014 [notice] Read configuration file "/home/mtraudt/src/qtime-with-load-testing/torrc-3hop".
Apr 29 12:29:03.015 [warn] Path for DataDirectory (./datadir-3hop) is relative and will resolve to /home/mtraudt/src/qtime-with-load-testing/./datadir-3hop. Is this what you wanted?
Apr 29 12:29:03.016 [notice] Opening Socks listener on 127.0.0.1:9050
Apr 29 12:29:03.016 [notice] Opening Control listener on 127.0.0.1:9980
Apr 29 12:29:03.000 [warn] Couldn't open "./datadir-3hop/control_auth_cookie.tmp" (./datadir-3hop/control_auth_cookie) for writing: No such file or directory
Apr 29 12:29:03.000 [warn] Error writing auth cookie to "./datadir-3hop/control_auth_cookie".
Apr 29 12:29:03.000 [warn] Error creating control cookie authentication file.
Apr 29 12:29:03.000 [err] set_options(): Bug: Acting on config options left us in a broken state. Dying. (on Tor 0.3.0.6 47d2e4f06ec26a79)

Setting DataDirectory to the absolute path in the torrc allows Tor to start