Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a 5K, 10K, half marathon or 30K?

5 kilometers = 3.1 miles

10 kilometers = 6.2 miles

Half Marathon = 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers)

30 kilometers =19.45 miles

Note that for trail races, due to an inability to lengthen and shorten trails, races can sometimes be a little bit more or (once in a rare while) a little bit less than the advertised distance.

I am a very slow runner. Am I going to be out of place?

You won't be out of place at all. Our races are planned for participants of all abilities -- including walkers/hikers.

Can I wear headphones?

Yes, but we ask that you keep the volume down at a safe level so that you can hear other runners or instructions from event personnel. We also ask that you remove them, or, at the very least, remove one ear bud when you are coming to aid stations, in a large crowd or on more technical or difficult sections of the course. The important thing is paying attention to everyone's safety and maintaining basic race etiquette with other runners.

Can I register on the day of the race?

Unless the race has sold out (announced here on the website) race day registration will open at 7 am.

Do you offer a group discount? Frequent runner discount? Family discount? Coupon? Special break for running more than one race?

We do not.

There are many different ways for pricing race entry fees. Although it can sometimes make runners feel like they are getting a special deal, we do not use the method of offering a price higher than necessary to support the race, then offering discounts to only those who are lucky enough to find a coupon. We believe that such a policy unfairly penalizes those who (for whatever reason) do not find out about and utilize the coupon or discount.

Our prices are arranged so that every runner automatically gets the group discount, because they are in fact part of the large group running that race. Almost all of our races are composed of several hundred runners (sometimes well over a thousand) and it is because of these numbers that we can offer a high quality experience while still charging an entry fee well below what you might expect or find at comparable events elsewhere.

We do offer a discount to those who sign up early, since early sign-ups allow us to plan better and lower the overall costs of the race. Similarly, we include an additional charge for those who sign up late, since the accomodation of race entries in the last two weeks before a race increases the per-runner cost.

The other exception for discounts is for those who volunteer at one race and then partipate at a later one. Those volunteers receive a discounted (and sometimes free) race entry.

Will there be age group awards?

Yes, we will have results and awards for age group finishers in 5 year divisions (see the shirts and award page). If you do not receive your age group medal on race day, you can request it here.

When/where do I pick up my bib/race packet?

You can find bib pick-up information here.

Is there a time limit?

Yes. This is the information on cut-offs:

Overall

The 30K will start at 8:15 am and the course will have a time limit of 6.5 hours.

On-Course Cut-Offs

30K runners must reach the following aid stations by the times listed:

Aid Station #3 (helipad aid, first visit at approximately mile 9): 11:15

Aid Station #4 (summit aid, approximately mile 12): 12:45

Aid Station #5 (helipad aid, second visit at approximately mile 15): 1:45

30KERS: MAKE A DEAL WITH EL DIABLO

If you are in the 30K and you reach Aid Station #3 (mile 9) any time before 12:30, you will be allowed to "make a deal with El Diablo" and switch to the half marathon mid-race. Those who take the deal will be counted as official finishers of the half marathon, but will not be eligible for any overall or age group awards. Instead of being listed with an age group division, their results will be listed in the "surrender" category.

HALF MARATHON CUT-OFFS

Half marathon runners must reach Aid Station #3 (helipad aid, approximately mile 9) by 12:30. If any half marathon participant arrives at this aid station after 12:30, they will be asked to accept a ride back to the start area.

Will there be somewhere to leave my warm-up clothes?

Yes, there will be a sweat-check area and these will be checked in and watched over by a volunteer. Bags for storing your sweats will be available if you do not bring your own. Please do not leave valuables in your sweat bags -- we cannot be responsible for these items.

Can my dog run with me during the race?

Unfortunately no. As much as we love dogs and running with our own, not everyone is comfortable being around dogs (even if leashed) and for reasons of safety (for those with two legs and four) we ask runners not to bring their dogs along for the race. Dogs are also never allowed on the Mount Diablo State Park trails.

Will the race be cancelled if it rains?

No. The race will be held, rain or shine. Courses may be modified to account for weather conditions.

What happens if the event must be cancelled?

Click here to see our event cancellation policy.

Do you issue refunds?

No. Putting on a race can be a very expensive (and financially risky) endeavor. To a small extent, that risk gets shared by all who enter since injuries, emergencies and plain old "life happening" can potentially ruin plans for participation.

Because the majority of the funds collected have been spent long before the race occurs, we do not issue cash refunds. We will, however, credit you with 50% or 75% of your entry toward a future race if you let us know in advance (at least 2 weeks for 75% credit, at least 72 hours for 50%).

Still have questions?

Please use the contact form for further questions.