Bring your endurance.
Courses are a combination of fire trails and single track trails.
As always, we welcome all levels of runners. Hikers/walkers too.
START TIMES
UPDATE (9/30/24): Current forecast is looking extra warm, so half marathon, 10K and 5K start times are being moved back 30 minutes. Half marathon official start is now 7:30 (previously 8:00), 10K is 7:45 (previously 8:15) and 5K is 8:00 (previously 8:30). If you cannot make the early start you will still be allowed to start at the original time.
7:00 am
HALF HIKERS*
7:30 am
HALF MARATHON
7:45 am
12K
8:00 am
5K
For half marathon participants who wish to hike the course and take more than 3.5 hours, we will offer a "Hiker Division" start at 7:00 am. Those starting at 7:00 should carry water as the first and second aid stations might not be 100% up and running, depending on the hikers speed. Hiker starts will not be eligible to win the race or for age group awards, but will be listed as official finishers in the Hiker Division and will still receive finisher medals.
COURSE INFORMATION
This half marathon will start at Overlook Park, head over to Robie Point, down to and across No Hands Bridge, continue up towards Cool and then loop back and head towards the finish in Overlook Park. More than half the course will be on the Western States Trail. The 12K will follow that same course, crossing over No Hands Bridge before coming back. And the 5K loops out to Robie Point and back.
COURSE MAPS + ELEVATION
(Click on maps to view larger)
5k (3.4mi)
Half Marathon (13.6mi)
12k (7.6mi)
Course will be marked with ribbons and signs.
GPX FILES
Want to follow the course with your phone or smart watch and know how to work with GPX files? You can do that by downloading the race course GPX file and then uploading it into your favorite app.
COURSE TIME LIMITS
The half marathon will start at 8:00 am and the course will have a time limit of 4.5 hours. Runners must reach the 4th aid station (mile 9.7) by 11:30 and the 5th aid station (mile 11.85) by 12:15.
If any participants are still on the trail after that time, they will be directed onto the quickest way back to the start/finish area.
WATER STATIONS
As with all of our races, water stations will be fully stocked with water, sports drink, gels, pretzels, candy, etc.
Water stations will be approximately 2-3 miles apart, as trail access allows.
Runners who may need more water (and all half marathon runners), should carry their own water bottle or hydration pack.
Note: To lower the amount of waste at our Ultra Half Series races, we ask that our half marathon runners (and all runners where possible) be "cupless" during their runs, especially at the half-marathon-only water stations.
Since the course and conditions of these half marathon courses already dictate that carrying water bottles/hydration packs is the best practice, this is usually easy to do. Water station volunteers will be ready to refill whatever container one brings. Runners can also carry reusable cups that easily collapse and can be stuffed into their pockets/attached. If you wish to purchase a Hydrapak Speed Cup (available for $5 with sales tax), we have those available at our merchandise tent.
Half marathon water stations will not have full cups waiting for runners, but safety is their priority and so if you have nothing and need the fluids, they will get a cup for you, but it could slow you down.
Bathrooms
There are bathrooms with running water near the start/finish area. There will also be port-o-potties at the start/finish area. Bathrooms will also be available at the No Hands Bridge aid station.
SPONSORS
Thank you to our race sponsors, through their contributions, our sponsors help keep entry costs down and expose our runners their outstanding products and services. Learn more about becoming a sponsor.
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