Set in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve access to gorgeous trails and scenery not commonly viewed. 100% trail/fire road. One of the toughest runs out!
Run in the shadow of Mt. Umunhum with the deer and a few of your favorite running pals. Set in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, this one of a kind running event provides unique access to gorgeous trails and scenery not commonly viewed. 100% trail/fire road. One of the toughest runs out there, this 50K challenge course has plenty of steep climbs and exposure to make sure you get a fantastic workout. The 50k course covers the entire park. You will not be disappointed.
Course: The courses are out and back along Woods Trail from the Start/Finish line at the Hicks Road intersection. See the course maps on the mileage buttons above. 50k runners when they exit Lexington County Park onto Alma Bridge Road must run only on the shoulder or dirt and must stay off the road at all times until entering Sierra Azul Park.
Aid: Four fully stocked Aid Stations .
Directions: Sierra Azul Mt. Umunhum area is located off of Hicks Road. Exit Highway 85 at Camden Ave. (From southbound 85 turn left on Camden Ave. From northbound 85 turn left on Branham Avenue and then turn left on Camden Ave.) Travel on Camden Ave. about 1.6 miles. Turn right on Hicks Road.
New INFO: Parking: We will NOT be using Venture Christian Church for parking this year. There will be a shuttle service to the event from Almaden Quicksilver Park, the Hacienda entrance the OVERFLOW parking lot. This shuttle service will take 10 minutes to reach the start/finish.
Participants please understand that renting a shuttle, or shuttles, a driver or drivers, is very expensive. Our priority is to get you to the start on time with time to spare. No worries. I hope to continue this event but the cost of a shuttle(s) and a driver(s) is always a loss financially for me. I will do my best to accommodate your needs. Thank you for your patience.
This year we will have scheduled times that participants will be leaving on the shuttle from the Hacienda parking lot to insure the participants will arrive to the start on time. This will ensure that the participants will arrive on time for the 8:00 am start.
Priority will first be given to the 50k runners that register early so that they will be able to have reserved parking directly across the street at the Woods parking lot - $10 per vehicle. Priority for riding the shuttle will be given to the preregistered runners in the order you signed up. We will send out a email on Thursday evening informing the runners that will be parking in the Woods parking lot. We will also send out emails on Thursday evening informing the participants at what time there shuttle will leave for the start.
7:00 am shuttle leaving for the start will be the best time to depart. This shuttle will be reserved for the earliest registered runners. The first shuttle leaving the Hacienda parking lot will be determined on how many participants we have & the number of shuttles we need.
PLEASE REGISTER EARLY so we can be organized on how many shuttles to have & the scheduled times will be figured out. We do not want runners leaving too early for the start standing around waiting for the start. That is no fun.
Race day registrations: we will do our best to get you to the start on time.
Directions: Driving Directions to Hacienda Trailhead: From Highway 85, take the Almaden Expressway exit south 4.5 miles to Almaden road. Exit to the right on Almaden Road and drive 3 miles along Almaden Road through the town of New Almaden to the unpaved parking lot on the right. The cross streets are Almaden Road and Bertram Road. PARKING: Free. There is a $10 fee for the shuttle that is not covered in the entry fee for the runners. We encourage you to provide exact change for the shuttle fee.
Woods Parking Lot:
Reserved parking in the Woods parking lot $10 per vehicle.
In order for runners to secure a parking spot they must be preregistered by 5:00 pm the Wednesday before the race, April 22.
If any parking spots are available in the Woods parking lot they will be given to the runners in the order they registered.
Runners that will be allowed to park in the Woods parking lot will be emailed notifying them on Thursday around 5:30 pm.
Schedule
6:30 am Hacienda entrance parking lot open.
6:50 am first shuttle leaving for the 8:00 am start.
7:20 am last shuttle leaving for the 8:00 am start.
Runners please park in the back overflow parking lot.
We will be set up at a picnic table inside the Hacienda parking lot. Please make sure you check in.
You will receive your bib number/pins at the start along with the T-shirt if you paid for a shirt.
Bathrooms will be available at the Start/Finish and at the Hacienda parking lot where the shuttle will be transporting the runners to the start.
Cell phone reception is not very good at the Hacienda parking lot & the Start/Finish.
Cell phone reception out on the course is good in most locations.
Please have your directions figured out before the morning of the race.
Runners please only park in the back at the Hacienda entrance in the overflow parking lot.
All runners will be returned to there cars at the Hacienda entrance to Almaden Quicksilver Park.
Pick Up/Drop Off: Although spectators and friends may pick up/drop off runners at the trailhead, spectators may not park at either Woods or Sierra Azul lot to wait for runners. Thank you!
Food will be served to runners after the run. Spectators/friends should bring sun-protection, chair, and supplies.
Maximum of 130 participants allowed so register early. This Mid-Peninsula Open Space area is fragile so the park service has requested that runners minimize impact by running in small groups. Please allow no more than two runners abreast on the trail. Follow proper trail etiquette at all times. See this link for information on common trail etiquette. 50k runners when exiting Lexington County Park please stay on the shoulder of Alma Bridge Road until entering onto the trail into Sierra Azul Park.
Drop Bag info:
50k runners: We will pick up your drop bags at the Start/Finish the morning of the race. Drop bags will be delivered to the Aid Station located at Limekiln Trail and Priest Rock Trail. The 50k runners will encounter this Aid Station two times.
Trail Briefing:
The course will be marked with ribbons on clothes pins, 8x11 signs with distances and direction arrows.
Yellow Bibs: 50k and 18.8 mi
Red Bibs: Half Marathon and Full Marathon
Black Bibs: 10k and 5k
50k runners
Follow PINK RIBBONS the entire course.
Signs with 50k
At mile 6.5/the Aid Station/Intersection of (Kennedy & Limekiln)
Turn right onto Kennedy
Stay on the Kennedy Trail for 5.3 miles to the (Kennedy Road Aid Station) Turn around at the Aid Station. One portable toilet will be available at this aid station.
Go back up the Kennedy Trail 3.9 miles
Turn right onto Priest Rock Trail go DOWN 1.4 miles to the Aid Station located at the intersection of (Priest Rock & Limekiln)
Continue on Priest Rock 1.2 miles down to (Alma Bridge Road) Clockwise loop
Turn right at Alma Bridge Road Please only run on the (Right Shoulder) 1/4 mile or so DO NOT RUN ON THE ROAD OR CROSS THE ROAD
You will enter back into Sierra Azul on the Limekiln Trail (ON the RIGHT) running up 1.4 miles to the Aid Station at Limekiln & Priest Rock
You will continue on the Limekiln Trail 3.0 miles up to the Aid Station located at Limekiln & Kennedy
Now you will continue down on the Woods Trail 6.5 miles to the finish.
18.8 milers
Follow the Orange Ribbons for your entire course.
Follow signs 18.8
At mile 6.5 you will now do a Loop counter clockwise. Following ORANGE RIBBONS back to this Aid Station.
Turn right onto the Kennedy Trail 1.4 miles
Turn left onto Priest Rock Trail 1.4 miles down to the Aid Station located at the intersection of Priest Rock & Limekiln.
Turn left onto Limekiln Trail 3.0 miles up to the Aid Station located at Limekiln and Kennedy
Now you will run down on the Woods Trail 6.5 miles following PINK RIBBONS to the finish.
Marathon
Out & back on the Woods Trail - twice
Follow the PINK RIBBONS
Turn around at the 3rd Aid Station located at Kennedy & Limekiln mile 6.5
I will have a sign posted (Turn around) for 13.0 milers and Marthoners
Reverse course back to the finish. Then Out and Back again.
13.0 milers
Out & back on the Woods Trail
Follow the PINK RIBBONS
Turn around at the 3rd Aid Station located at Kennedy & Limekiln mile 6.5
I will have a sign posted (Turn around) for 13.0 milers
Reverse course back to the finish
10k runners
Out & back on the Woods Trail
Follow the PINK RIBBONS
Turn around at mile 3.1 at the 2nd Aid Station
I will have a sign posted 10k (Turn around)
Reverse course back to the finish
5k runners
Out and back on the Woods Trail
Follow the PINK RIBBONS
Turn around at the first Aid Station signs posted 5k Turn Around
Reverse course back to the finish
Entry Fees:
$65 for the 50k
$60 for the Marathon
$50 for the 18.8 miles
$45 for the Half Marathon
$40 for the 10k
$30 for the 5k
Entry fees are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled. Pre-registered runners qualify to purchase a T-shirt for an additional $20 if they register at least 10 days (two Wednesdays) before the Saturday events. Active Military receive a 15% discount. Bibs handed out on event day.
The shuttle bus service is $10 not included in the registration fee.
Other Info: Bib pickup is on Race Day for all events.
