California

Tahoe Super Triple Race Report – Bryan Gray

Race: The Tahoe Super Triple

Runner: Bryan Gray

Race Date: 10/14/2022

Location: Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/njujfe7yvhstqq29/results?subEvent=

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/USFFEF1ucub

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. The views were incredible.
  2. There were bears on the overnight run and I believe I saw 2 coming into Kings Beach but they were too far to tell for sure in the dark, but I definitely saw 1 in the early morning on the west side of the lake South of Tahoe City.
  3. Crossing the finish line after 125 miles to have the race director shake my hand and congratulate me.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The bib pickup for the Friday marathon and half marathon wasn’t as well organized as it could have been. The other bib pickups were in an expo and had a great setup, but ours wasn’t well organized.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The first marathon runs through a tunnel with one lane closed. The 72 mile ultra didn’t have that lane closed.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The 2 marathons were great. Under 4.5 hours for the first and under 5 for the 2nd. Seeing a bear in the morning was very cool, and my sister, who I’ve been coaching, ran her first half marathon Sunday and passed me on the course.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The 2nd to last uphill section is named the Hill from Hell. Don’t underestimate it. It’s shorter than the Spooner Summit climb but much steeper.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Drive the 72 mile route before hand so the support person knows where to be to provide aide.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

All 3 races have hills. The 2nd race has the least hills but there are more of them.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s the most beautiful run I’ve done so far. The towns are cute but you also run through beautiful forests

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

This course has a lot of elevation gain and is at high altitude so it’s very tough

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It was well organized for the most part but since only 2 of us did the 125 miler the people doing bib check-in didn’t seem to be ready for me, but when I went to the expo to get my swag they were much better organized.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

The field isn’t extremely competitive

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Hotels are expensive but there are a lot of choices around the lake.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

The first 2 marathons only had 7 aid stations but they had candy, olives, electrolyte drinks, water, and one had rice Krispy treats. The first 46 miles of the 72 is unsupported but the last 26.2 had 19 aid stations with candy, fruit, pretzels, cookies, and rice Krispy treats. The people manning the stations made and brought a lot of the food themselves

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather was perfect this year but it can be very unpredictable from year to year.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Headlights were needed for both marathons and lots of lighting and reflective gear was required for the overnight

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes, there are tons of places to cheer on friends and they let friends enjoy the hot dogs at the finish line.

How’s the Swag?

The gear is all great. For doing the super triple I got shirts, a nice travel duffel bag, 2 license plate covers (1 26.2 and 1 72.6), medals for each marathon and a medal for the 72, and a special plaque for finishing the super triple.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I rate this 5/5 stars. It is absolutely not a PR course but is in one of the prettiest places possible.

Rock-n-Roll San Jose Race Report – Ronda Munoz

Race: San Jose Rock-n-Roll

Runner: Ronda Munoz

Race Date: 10/09/2022

Location: San Jose, CA

Results: 13.1 in 2:19:19

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • High energy at the start with great music.
  • Fast and Flat (Speed City?)
  • My husband, daughter-in-law and a couple of daughter-in-law’s friends ran the 10K. So it was a family affair.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Not so much music between miles 7-12, which made it a couple of long miles.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I think that I did pretty well maintaining a good pace throughout the race and I shortened my completion time from last year by 8 minutes.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Going through downtown San Jose is nice and running through the residential areas are pretty great too.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Nope, fast and flat.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, well run. The expo this year was inside and better attended.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I believe that there were over 6000 participants this year. Of course, the elite runners completed the course in about an hour. Weekend warriors took a bit longer.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

We have stayed at the Westin as it is near the start and finish lines (which are not in the same place).

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Biofreeze was on mile 10 to spray down any runners who wanted it. Aid stations throughout the course.

Weather and typical race conditions

It was foggy and cool for most of the race, which was better than last year’s sunny day and 85 degree weather.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Nothing special needed, unless you want to run in a costume.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Very friendly. Lots of places for friends to cheer you on.

How’s the Swag?

Swag was decent.

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Race to Slow the Pace Race Report – Ronda Munoz

Race: Race to Slow the Pace

Runner: Ronda Munoz

Race Date: 09/25/2022

Location: Lodi, CA

Results: 10 K in 1:05:20

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

The wine and paella after. 🙂 This was a pretty small race with about 100 participants and the course took us through the vineyards.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The course was through the vineyard, so it took us on dirt roads were hilly (elevation change of about 297 ft), dry, hot (no shade at all) and dusty. I was more concerned about twisting an ankle on the rocks, loose soil, or the crushed walnut shells used on the roads to keep dirt and dust down.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Running through the vines was a highlight as well as being able to cheer my husband across the finish line.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I am going to spend some time running some hills more than I do now.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It was pretty, for a hot day. The grounds of the winery were really nice.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Probably a pretty easy course for some who run hills.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, it was well run by the California Farmland Alliance and On Your Mark Events.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not really, only 100 participants maybe. This is only the second year that they have had the race.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nothing special.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Only two hydration stations and no fuel.

Weather and typical race conditions

It is typical central California weather for September. Somewhat cool early morning, heats up quickly.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Trail running shoes maybe.

How’s the Swag?

Meh.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

7/10

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Santa Rosa Marathon Race Report – Bryan Gray

Race: Santa Rosa Marathon

Runner: Bryan Gray

Race Date: 08/28/2022

Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Results: https://raceday.enmotive.com/#/events/2022-santa-rosa-marathon/registrants/d8fc3115-c768-4bb3-8802-3acf577d528a

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/T2f9XXNORsb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Flat course, almost all along a creek or through vineyards
  2. Weather this year was perfect (not always perfect at this venue)
  3. At mile 10 you run through the barrel room of a winery. There’s a sign that says “if Britney can survive 2007, you can survive 26.2.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I heard some pacers were well ahead of pace. My pacer was great but a friend’s was 46 seconds ahead for a few miles and the people in the group were falling behind, then passed her because she walked to fall back to pace.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Wine shots were given out in the barrel room.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The first 19 miles I was doing well. Unfortunately I bonked, but I kept running and still hit a PR.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The first 8 miles is slightly downhill, then there’s rolling hills, then the last 6 are slightly uphill. The rolling hills are predominantly in the first 13 miles.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Start on the right side of the corral. The first 4 turns are right turns.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The course is narrow around the creek, and you pass slower half marathon racers. Some are good about letting you by, but plenty wear headphones and run side by side, blocking the path.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It is beautiful

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It can be a tough course, especially on warm days.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It felt well run but I’ve been told it wasn’t when they first started.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I finished 141st in 3:26:04

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

There’s a lot of hotels nearby. Book early and stay nearby. The race starts at 6:30 am to try to avoid the heat.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

2 have gels, all of them had electrolytes and water

Weather and typical race conditions

Usually it’s pretty warm but today was under 60 the entire time I was on course.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

This year I didn’t need anything besides nutrition but usually I would bring a little water.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There’s a lot of spectators.

How’s the Swag?

Nice jacket and a nice bag.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

8 stars. I’d recommend it. A number of BQ’s were made today.

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Lake Merced Half Marathon Race Report – Bryan Gray

Race: Lake Merced Half Marathon

Runner: Bryan Gray

Race Date: 08/07/2022

Location: Lake Merced, San Francisco, CA

Results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQV-ST6MSE0eIb4TI95gGJGn0ttkfDRDw37vt1nTtJMs_kj3m9aIs2ZIYl9-3DTcHfWBCz4K2uJbAW-/pubhtml#

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/bROJTRTxksb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Cool weather in August
  2. Very friendly event staff
  3. Only $10 to enter

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

There were only 60 runners and the restroom facilities at the park was a single portajohn at the start and one about half way through, both of which weren’t well cleaned. You could apparently go to the golf course clubhouse to use the restrooms, and I believe at least 1 person did.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The club that put on the race puts on $10 races almost every weekend. No shirts, and you get a ribbon instead of a medal, which makes sense for a $10 race.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I paced pretty well through the race, but did slow a little as the race went on

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The race is 3 loops of the lake and there are 2 noticeable uphill sections, each about 30-40 ft gain. Since you run 3 loops, that means 6 total. The 2nd one is about half a mile from the end, and it was tough on the 3rd loop.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

There are very fast runners who participate in this event. Make sure not to pace off them at the start.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The first loop you go down a dirt trail to a bridge. There is a guide there so it’s easy to find, bit it’s important to know it’s there.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The lake is very pretty. There are nice homes on the east side and apartments on the west side

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It was a little more hilly than I expected, but it wasn’t tough. My coros adjusted pace said I lost about 3 seconds per mile because of the hills.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

They weren’t the best organized, but for a $10 race it was better than I would expect. I got a timing tag for the 4.5 miler because the person who checked me in didn’t know which tags were for which race and that caused confusion at the end, but they cleared it up pretty quickly.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I was shocked how fast people were. My 1:36:40 half marathon was only good enough for 18/41 men and 20/61 overall.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Entering is simple

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

There was only water and nuun at the start area and at 4 and 8.5 miles. There was a water fountain at 2, 6.5, and 11 miles. My wife waited over there and handed me a cup of water each lap, then drove to the finish line after I passed the 3rd time. At the finish they had some snacks and it was a lot better than I expected.

Weather and typical race conditions

50-60° is very common.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

If you don’t have family to help, bring a little water since there’s only 2 stops.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It is very family friendly, except for the restrooms.

How’s the Swag?

A finishers ribbon, but at the price, it’s worth it if you’re local, especially if you just need a tune up race.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

7 stars for locals. 3 if you’d have to travel. The organization means for it to be an “Anyone can run” race, so it’s very affordable, but there’s nothing special for people from outside the area. I drove 75 minutes for it and it was worth it. Not worth it if you’d have to get a hotel.

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Elk Grove Run 4 Hunger Race Report – Bryan Gray

Race: Elk Grove Run 4 Hunger

Runner: Bryan Gray

Race Date: 07/04/2022

Location: Elk Grove, CA

Results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/145499/results/Event/1023567/Course/2267142/Division/1956252/Results

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/15rVePIHorb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Pretty race there were pancakes. Post race there were pancakes, donuts, bananas, granola bars, and candy.
  2. The course was flat so it made it pretty quick
  3. The majority of the course was on streets so it was wide. Easy to pass

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. The start was a little narrow for the first quarter mile and you were at the whims of the people who thought they could run a 6 minute average even though they probably never ran a 6:00 mile.
  2. The 5k and 10k started simultaneously, and had the same end gate, so 10k runners were tripping over 5k walkers coming into the finish. This could have been prevented by separating left for 5k walkers, right for 10k runners in the last quarter mile.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Nothing stood out as weird.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I set a PR even though I didn’t eat right before the race, didn’t sleep well, and didn’t hydrate enough before the start.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Very few people run sub 8:00 pace, so if you’re pretty quick, go to the front. Otherwise you’ll be dodging people pretty early.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The wind is usually worse in the 2nd half. Be prepared for it.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Pay attention to temperature and wind direction.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

City streets. No view at all

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not at all. Completely flat.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It was very well organized

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Good field for a local charity run. Not worth traveling for, but the high school cross country team will give you a run for your money.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

No logistics needed. It’s a local fun run. Anyone’s welcome

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Only water. Only 1 on the 5k.

Weather and typical race conditions

Normally it’s pretty toasty bit it was 68 today. Very strange July weather

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

No

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes

How’s the Swag?

Shirt is standard cotton. Nice medal. Age group winners get an acrylic plaque. The food is the real reward.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 – if you’re local and looking for something to do in the morning, or need a tuneup 5 or 10k, go for it, but don’t bother traveling for it.

Broken Arrow Skyrace 52k Race Report – Georgia Porter

Race: Broken Arrow Skyrace 52k

Runner: Coach Georgia Porter

Race Date: 06/18/2022

Location: Tahoe, California

Results: 3rd Place Female, 19th Overall

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

This race is EPIC in every way. Some of the highlights are the gorgeous scenery, the high level of competition and the amazing staff/volunteers

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t enjoy about this race.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

A weird/awesome thing about this race is the section called “Stairway to Heaven.” There is a ladder runners climb up to get past a steep rocky section and it’s followed by a set of stairs carved out of the snow. At the top of the stairs is the high point of the race.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The 52k (more like a 49k as the race distance varies on the year/snow) is two 25k loops. I made sure to be very patient the first loops and I enjoyed looking around at the incredible views of forests and alpine lakes. That patience paid off and I was able to run a strong second loop. More importantly, it made the race so enjoyable!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

There are several very steep climbs that require power hiking. I typically don’t practice power hiking and it showed! Runners training for this race should consider practicing power hiking on steep terrain.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I got a little caught up in the competition heading into the second lap and didn’t stop to drink some mid-race coke like I normally do. A few miles later I paid for it and started bonking. Fortunately I was able to drink some coke at the next aid station and I felt better within a few miles.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Broken Arrow is a steep course! There are plenty of steep inclines and declines. There are also plenty of technical sections.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

This is one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever run. 10/10 would recommend!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

This course is difficult in terms of elevation and altitude, it’s all above 6,000ft.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Broken Arrow is one of the most well organized events I’ve ever participated in. Communication is frequent and clear, the course was well staffed and easy to follow and the finish line is a party!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There’s excellent competition in every event at Broken Arrow.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Registration is simple and straight forward on the website.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Aid stations have typical fare. This year the race partnered with Spring Energy and these gels were available.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather conditions are never predictable in the mountains. This year (2022) is was in the 40s with a little snow at the top, perfect for racing!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Many runners ran with trekking poles. I didn’t but they were encouraged by the race director.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Given the terrain this race wasn’t incredibly spectator friendly. For the 52k friends and family can easily see their runner start, see them at the halfway point and see them finish.

How’s the Swag?

The swag is amazing!!! For the 52k there was a Broken Arrow Salomon backpack, a Broken Arrow hat, a commemorative cup, a trail cup, a Salomon hydro flask, and plenty of great fuel and snacks. Very impressed.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

10/10 for this race!!!

Georgia is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.

Big Sur International Marathon Race Report – John Gregson

Race: Big Sur International Marathon

Runner: John Gregson

Race Date: 04/24/2022

Location: Big Sur, California

Results: 4:21:26

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7036011324

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Epic course
  2. Race organization
  3. Piano player at the Bixby Bridge

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. Early start time
  2. Road camber
  3. Runner/walker congestion in latter portions of race

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Not necessarily weird, but because the race requires the closing of Highway 1, the organizers are very strict on timing. Everyone is supposed to be in the starting village by 5 AM or so to ensure a 6:30 AM start. Given that it takes about an hour to get to the start line from the Monterey finish line, that means “waking up” around 3 AM.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I stayed on top of my fluids and calories better than in any previous marathon. My pacing felt pretty good up until the 21-22 mile range when the latter stage hills finally caught up with me. Other than NYC, where I couldn’t hear myself think because it was so loud, this was the first marathon I’ve run without music. Again, it was suggested that running sans music would make for a better immersive experience. I think I agree with that.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • I’ll echo what I heard – go for the experience and save the PR for another course. It was suggested that runners should plan for 20 minutes over their PR goal, which is what I loosely targeted. It was also suggested to try and hug the left shoulder as much as possible to minimize the effects of the camber. There wasn’t any food being offered (that I saw) in the starting village, so bring your own since you’ll be waiting a while.
  • Something else that was interesting was the congestion in the last few miles of the race, when things are typically thinning out in a marathon. Because there were runners/walkers merging from multiple distances (21M, 11M, 12K), things got a little crowded towards the end. Unfortunately, most of the slower runners and walkers were also using the prime non-cambered portion of the road, so there was some extra bobbing and weaving to get through these little packs.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I need to be a little more strategic on when I take on calories. I was kind of going with a range of every 30 minutes or 3 miles, but I ended up with an extra gel I probably should have taken during the race. I also reinforced the strategy of taking it easy on the ascents and making up time on the descents. Seemed to work for me up until the end.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Just when you think you’re done with hills… you’re not. The little hills at the end hit you right as you think you’re in the home stretch. Also, see the aforementioned comments about the headwinds and camber.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Amazing! Incredible views for all but a few sections of the course. Hard to imagine anything prettier.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I thought it was a pretty tough. 2,182′ in elevation, including the infamous Hurricane Point, and 2,528′ in elevation loss. Plus headwinds and road camber. My legs definitely thought it was tough.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, extremely well-run. Everything felt seamless, from bus logistics to gear check to aid stations.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes, but I gather that a lot of racers take the approach I did with this one – just go for the experience and don’t get too hung up on time. There were 300-400 Boston-to-Big Sur runners.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I decided to run this race a little late in the game, after the lottery results had been announced. I got in through a Marathon Tours and Travel package, which was a great decision.

They had us staying in Monterey, in the hotel that’s attached to convention center where the expo is held. Super convenient. I opted to go on a bus tour of the course the day before the race, which was great.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Only 11 aid stations, but they were very well staffed by volunteers and not as congested as I feared they might be. They all followed the same format: water cups, Gatorade Endurance cups, and pitchers for filling up personal hydration. The last few aid stations also had oranges and bananas. A couple stations had GUs.

Weather and typical race conditions

My first time running the race and the weather was perfect. Clear sunny skies, with temps in the mid-to-upper 50’s. It was pretty chilly pre-race and for the first mile or so, but I warmed up quickly. There were headwinds, but I gather that these can vary significantly year-to-year, day-to-day, hour-to-hour, so just be prepared to run with a pack if that’s helpful.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Warm clothes for the pre-race wait, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sure. I’d also recommend carrying your own hydration, at least enough for between the aid stations. There were only 11 on the course, so I had to supplement.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No, not really. The course is point-to-point along a highway and there aren’t really any places for spectators to watch. At best, they might be able to see you at the finish line.

How’s the Swag?

Good. Long sleeve tech shirt and a clay finisher’s medal. The expo also had a ton of great stuff for sale. More variety than I saw at NYC.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 out of 5. Yes, I’d highly recommend this race. As others advised me, don’t run it for a PR, rather for the experience.

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The Canyons Endurance Run 100k Race Report – Pavel Ivanov

Race: The Canyons Endurance Run 100K

Runner: Pavel Ivanov

Race Date: 04/23/2022

Location: Auburn, CA

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=89063

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7034313399

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • The course is amazing. Spectacular views of the canyons, the American River and other water features sometimes flowing somewhere far below and sometimes right near the trail (and sometimes on the trail, which of course is not that pleasant).
  • When I was running the weather was great too. When sun went out of the clouds, it felt rather hot, but not hot enough to require ice to continue running. But I’ve heard that this was not a common weather for this race, usually it’s hotter.
  • The fact that this race goes for about 48 miles on the same course as the Western States Endurance Run (but in the opposite direction) gives it a special charm. You can look around and imagine how the runners of Western States see and feel these parts of the course during their race.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The last 5 or so miles were on a high elevation. It was high enough to have lots of snow around, but since the temperatures in the day were warm, the snow was melting creating a lot of mud and puddles on the trail. So you have to get in peace with being wet and constantly stepping ankle-deep into puddles. If you don’t (like me unfortunately), then you will have a very miserably-feeling finish, being very frustrated constantly looking for the cleanest and the driest way around all those puddles. And the only way around the puddles might be through the snow, which is not that dry of a path either. Note also that if you are back-of-the-packer like me, then you’ll go through these last 5 miles in the dark and it will be very cold (again if the weather is the same as it was on my race day), which only adds to the feeling of misery unless you conquer this mental challenge properly. Another warning (that I didn’t realize at the race): the sounds from the finish line are heard for a long way away. So if you’ve just heard the finish line announcer and think “I must be almost at the finish”, that’s wrong. You still likely need to go 5-6 more miles, and you better to expect that to not be disappointed.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

There are a lot of places (probably on the order of 15-20) where you need to cross some water stream, and there are no rocks or trees to hop on to stay dry. There’s even one pretty strong stream that you need to cross knee-deep (there is a rope that helps you to stay on your feet). This is somewhat unpleasant, so you need to be prepared for that. It’s especially unpleasant when it happens when it’s already dark and becoming cold.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Besides soaking in the many amazing views, I personally really enjoyed long downhill runs when I could turn on my inner Kilian Jornet and charge downhill as fast as possible jumping between rocks and roots. It was great to find a nice rhythm of going on a long uphill as well, and relentlessly move forward with that rhythm setting up pace for those going behind me, and then feel victorious when we finally reached the top. I didn’t feel like that on all uphills, but when I did get into that state, it felt like an awesome achievement.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Beware of the high elevation at the finish. High elevation means there’s a high probability of snow (and water) on the ground and much lower temperatures than what the forecast tells you for the starting point at Auburn. So if you have time, maybe try to get to the finish area in the evening of the day before the race (it’s about 40 minutes drive from the start) to get some feel of what is the situation with snow and temperatures there to understand what to expect on the race day.

Note also that the first aid station is located in some area where it is colder than at the start line, even though you come there after an hour or two of running. So you might want to have some sleeves and gloves for this initial part too to not get too cold.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It is a very pretty course. You’d want to come and visit it again.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Many parts of the course are very tough with a very steep climb. It’s especially grueling in the beginning of the last climb out of El Dorado Canyon (9 or so miles before the finish).

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized, I didn’t see any snags. Just as it should be since the race now carries the name of UTMB World Series.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Since I was running through the aid stations pretty close to the cut-off times, I’ve seen them running out of some types of food, but otherwise everything seemed rather standard.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Poles were a life-saver for me. I’ve seen a lot of runners doing all these climbs without poles, but I honestly don’t know how they did that, they definitely deserve an admiration.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It’s a little bit weird that spectators/crew are allowed to be at 3 different aid stations throughout the first 40 miles of the course, but then you have to run through the hardest 20 miles of the course without seeing any spectators. And it’s a very long waiting time for the crew before they’ll see you at the finish line. But on the plus side two of those three aid stations (which are also the finish lines for 25K and 50K races) have shuttles that can get spectators to the parking near the start and back. So if they want, your crew can meet you two times without having a car or searching for parking (though my crew didn’t have any problems with parking either).

How’s the Swag?

You can buy a Canyons t-shirt with your name on it (among all of other participant names), which is pretty cool.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I definitely recommend others to run this race.

Looking to run your first ultra and want some help? We’ve got you covered.

Sactown 10 Race Report – Cesar Lira

Race: Sactown 10

Runner: Cesar Lira

Race Date: 04/03/2022

Location: Sacramento, CA

Results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/22903/results/Event/1012364/Results

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • Location
  • Bathroom situation
  • Post race

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The water stations volunteers were not good at passing cups. Also the cups barely had any fluids.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I enjoyed the competition. Lot of fast runners kept you focused.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Don’t go out to fast and have enough in the tank to hammer out the last two miles.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Just be prepared for warmer temperatures.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

N/A. This year was the first time they ran this route.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Eh.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No just too many turns for my liking and a nice moderate incline at mile 7 that spanned over a half mile

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes because it is Pacific Association USATF road series race. Also USATF held the masters 10 mile championship that day.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

No

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Plenty of stations. They could have done a better job filling the drinks at the water stations.

Weather and typical race conditions

Warmer than expected. Would be a faster course on a cooler day

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Just my nike next % 2 shoes and a tank that breathes well.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes

How’s the Swag?

Didn’t get a shirt.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 out 5

CIM Race Report – Brandon Tower

Race: California International Marathon

Runner: Brandon Tower

Race Date: 12/05/2021

Location: Sacramento, CA

Results: 2:50:23

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • Positive energy from the field and spectators
  • Fast course
  • Well organized

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Slightly early start time

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Once you get off the bus at the start line, the only thing you can do with clothes you don’t want to run in is ditch them right then and there. They get collected, and then donated.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The course is mostly flat and fast. The large field makes for great energy and good company.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Don’t wait until too close to the starting gun to get to the bathroom. I lined up at ~6:35, and made it into the corral with 5 minutes to spare. By that point, I also couldn’t get up to the pacing group I wanted to run with. I had to dodge and weave a bit in the first few miles, and ended up running an extra 0.2 miles total.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Run the tangents better, 26.2 is far enough!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Expect a lot of rolling hills in the first half, and modify the pace accordingly. The last 12 are the flat/fast reward for managing the pace right in the beginning.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s not bad. Not incredibly scenic, but it’s not terrible.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No, this is a great course to run.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized, well planned, and well thought out.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Deep field. 2:50 didn’t even crack the top 500.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Course had 17 aid stations, including 4 that had Gu gels. The aid stations had Nuun options, as well as water.

Weather and typical race conditions

45 degrees and overcast throughout, but no rain. Great to run in, but a little chilly waiting at the start.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

My family was able to catch me at four different points along the course. They had no problem finding parking at various points, including the finish in downtown Sacramento.

How’s the Swag?

Standard.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Five stars. Fantastic event.

Prepping for your next race? Check out our checklist to help you prepare!

CIM Marathon Race Report – Noel Bautista

Race: California International Marathon (CIM)

Runner: Noel Bautista

Race Date: 12/05/2021

Location: Folsom – Sacramento

Results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/3241/results/Event/996699/Course/2160653/Bib/7424

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/FFvsJMbTMlb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • The rolling hills
  • Weather held up really well
  • More than enough aid/fuel stations

Most important CIM course specific knowledge to know about the race

In case you forget your hydration/nutrition either back in the hotel or in the shuttle, don’t let it ruin your race because every mile 1-2miles.

Difficulty – Is CIM a tough course?

The course is not easy but not the most difficult only because you do run some rollers

Competition – Is there a strong field?

So many runners show up you’re more than likely going to find either a pack or a couple runners giving each other that extra push for a stronger finish.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

The sooner you book a hotel the better because they will fill up quick.

Weather and typical race conditions

Partly cloudy, 42°F & 1mph wind

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I would recommend future runners to wear bottom and/or top gear for the shuttle and warming up before the race because all gets donated

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Definitely will invite friends and family to spectate

How’s the Swag?

Cannot go wrong with a long sleeve.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run CIM?

The course was marked really well, volunteers were on point at all stations and cannot forget about the cheering spectators.

Preparing for a race? Here’s a checklist to help you along.

Rodeo Valley Trail Run 50k Race Report

Runner Michael shares his experience in the Rodeo Valley Trail Run 50k, including the surprise sunburns and tips for following the trail markers.

Race: Rodeo Valley Trail Run (50k)

Runner: Michael Linscott

Race Date: 8/07/2021

Location: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA

Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/116329

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5755463679/overview

rodeo valley trail run 50k starter
Photo: Michael Linscott

3 Bests – What aspects of the Rodeo Valley Trail Run 50k did you like the most?

  1. The beauty of the Marin Headlands
  2. An August trail 50K that isn’t blazing hot
  3. Well organized from start to finish

Not so much – What aspects of the Rodeo Valley Trail Run 50k didn’t work for you?

I can’t think of one negative thing. It’s such a great trail system that it is pretty busy with other hikers, runners and mountain bikers.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

It’s along the headlands so parts of it are rocky, dry and warm. But then the trail dips down into little patches of rainforest where it is humid, foggy and muddy.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • It is hard to complain when running along the Marin Headlands, it is very motivational.
  • Despite getting behind on calories and getting overheated I took some time to figure it all out and bounced back to finish strong.
  • Took a lot of photos, just had to stop and enjoy the moment quite a few times.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Rodeo Valley Trail Run to help the next runner

  • Although there is “only” 5,600+ feet of climbing on this course, it feels like much more.
  • It felt like the course was either going UP or down.
  • Those little 500 foot climbs in 1/2 a mile are brutal.
  • But, on the other hand, be ready to run those downhill sections!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • Although it is foggy and misty, it was much warmer than I realized.
  • Sweat had totally soaked my shirt and shorts by mile 3 and although I never saw much sunshine, I got sunburned.
  • You need to stay ahead on hydration sooner than you think.
  • Although the course has some rocky sections, there is also some downhill on asphalt so I’d wear shoes with more cushion.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Rodeo Valley Trail Run

  • Be ready for those punchy uphills, they caught me off guard.
  • The course markings are interesting, they mark the course with pink/orange but they also mark where you aren’t supposed to turn with blue. Many intersections were marked with a bunch of blue ribbons, on the trails NOT to take, but no pink/orange ribbons were used.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s gorgeous! It starts just up from a beautiful cove at Rodeo Beach. The course runs along miles of beautiful Marin Headlands single-track with views of the Pacific ocean, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The Rodeo Valley Trail Run 50k isn’t an easy course, but those steep pitches and the heat and humidity of an August run make it challenging.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Super well run race. Good communication, great parking, start/finish had everything, well marked, friendly volunteers, etc…

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There were a half-dozen “professional runners” out there and quite a few fast folks. But there were also quite a few 50k runners that didn’t make the cut-off and dropped to the 30k. So it had a bit of every type of runner.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Besides the fact that the race organizer “Inside Trail” wasn’t well known to me, it was easy to get in. I knew I wanted a race close to San Francisco, found it on UltraSignup’s search function and signed up about a month out.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

  • They didn’t have a lot of items, but just enough. Not a lot of “real food”, more like goldfish and cookies.
  • Also, they are totally cupless. Some races say they are but still have some cups.
  • If you want a sip of Ginger Ale or other pop, have your cup with you.

Weather and typical race conditions

Summer in San Francisco can be pretty foggy, as was the case this day. 70 degrees and misty. But then for a few hours the fog burns off (mostly) and it warms up, but is still pretty humid.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

  • Bring a personal cup.
  • Put on sunscreen even if it’s foggy.
  • Lube up well, all that sweat can cause problems.
  • Wear shoes with good cushion for those asphalt downhills.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

I don’t think it would be very easy to drive to other spots to see the runners. But, the race starts and finishes at a beautiful beach (and the 50k passes by at mile 18). So it would be a great spot to watch the start and then explore the beach and trails.

How’s the Swag?

50k racers got a Rodeo Valley beer glass, a high quality cotton t-shirt and a medal. And the finish line was stocked with food and drinks. Post-race burritos, pop, chips, and beer! It’s not swag, but sure was nice!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Rodeo Valley Trail Run 50k and do you recommend that others run it?

5/5. I flew down to San Francisco from Seattle, mostly to run this race and it was worth it.

rodeo valley trail run 50k
Photo: Michael Linscott

Looking for the right next race for you? Here are our coach’s tips for choosing the best races!

Mindbender Virtual Race Report – Jeffrey Zawadzki

Race: Mindbender

Runner: Coach Jeffrey Zawadzki

Race Date: 06/26/2020

Location: Virtual (east coast origin)

Results: 2nd place

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Starting and finishing at my house.
  2. Picking my own course (gift and a curse)
  3. Overall interaction with the runners and host on Zoom.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

No prize offered, so a little hard to stay motivated after 24 hours.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

This race is a last man standing style, which is great! Every 3 hours you have to run a 10km until everyone quits and one person finishes the last 10km. I would have liked to see some incentive to finish first each lap that would have made this a really interesting and more competitive event.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

If nothing I am very consistent hitting the same time for each loop.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

START your watch on time!!!! Also every step matters and matter more when you are tired and losing focus.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Start more reasonable if you plan on going for the longer 24-48 hours.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

You make your own course but need to stick to it each loop.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Mine was city based and I love San Diego… So definitely

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes and no, mainly flat but 24 hours of flat sucks!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Organized and ran wonderfully, as well as virtual runs go!!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Interesting question…not sure

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nope

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

It had everything I needed and wanted

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

More spring energy (ran out) and more dry clothes.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

My wife and friends!

How’s the Swag?

Cool T-shirt and bragging rights!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

8/10

Jeffrey Zawadzki is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Jeffrey, check out his coaching page.

mt shasta 50k race report

Mt. Shasta 50k Race Report – Keith Laverty

Race: Mt. Shasta 50k

Runner: Coach Keith Laverty

Race Date: 6/20/2020

Location: Mt. Shasta, California

Results: 1st overall

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3645324021

mt shasta 50k race report
Photo: Robert Rhodes

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • That the event existed and went on in the first place! I believe this was the first trail event in California to get the greenlight since CV-19 began and UltraRunning Magazine will soon be publishing an article recapping this event.
  • The positive and encouraging community – I think everyone was grateful to be able to race again and to share the experience with others.
  • The general location in Northern California and the small, mountain town feel to it.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • The course vandalism (see story below)!
  • They didn’t have any cold drinks/soda at the finish line which would’ve felt amazing after a tough ultra in the heat but really not a big deal – plenty of restaurants within a short driving distance to seek out a beer or a root beer float!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

  • With many people referring to 2020 as an unusual or weird year, this event was (unintentionally) no different. A race director’s worst nightmare… course vandalism and tampering with the course markings.
  • Unfortunately, this occurred at about 4-5 different intersections between miles 25-27, so late into the 50k and late into the other distances offered (30k, 50-mile). I stumbled upon a group of lost 30k runners but I quickly changed my screen to the navigation mode and found the right path. I ended up helping a few more runners and put down a few stick arrows in the meantime, until eventually the RD drove back out to re-mark the course.
  • One intersection was even purposely marked the incorrect direction, while the rest of the intersections were missing course markings altogether.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • This event was most importantly dedicated to my late father, in the same state that he grew up in and during Father’s Day weekend. Thinking about my dad and the pain and suffering he had to go through in his last few days made my low points of this run seem trivial but it also helped carry me through the pain.
  • Not getting lost and having the pre-race intuitions to preload the course .GPX file to my Suunto watch ended up being my smartest move. I had even mentioned to a friend beforehand “on the off chance I get lost or someone tampers with markings haha”. I believe I ended up being the only person toward the front of the race to actually run the exact 50k course as intended.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

*KEY* lesson for anyone running a trail event and especially a trail network that you’ve never run before: Know the course. Study the course. Don’t always rely on the course markings or on others to help find your way. If you have any newish GPS watch from the past 3-4years, then you should be able to load the GPX file to your watch. The screen will then give you confidence arrows to know when you’re on the right path or even notify you/beep at you if you have veered off the course too far.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Fortunately, I learned my lesson the hard way the last couple of times I stumbled upon course vandalism at the front of the race during two previous 50k events, so I cracked the code on this one! Otherwise, just continually grateful for any future opportunity to race and push myself.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Indeed – A mix of high country forest road/trail running with a few chances to see the summit of Mt. Shasta, as well as some forested, rolling, singletrack in the lower sections of the course.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Moderate-to-hard! Certainly not an easy course but not extremely hard. There is 5,000′ of gain but 4,000 of that comes in the first 16 miles, which was mentally easier to get the tough sections out of the way first. There’s also about 5 miles of highway shoulder running and a few fast-flying cars that didn’t budge or even slow down – so that felt a little jarring.
With the course being at decent altitude with a high point of 6500′, that adds another degree of difficulty. Overall, pretty runnable too.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

  • I believe the RD/race staff got the greenlight to run this event somewhat late – some elements worked out great like the bib pick-up the night prior, while other times it felt disorganized. The pre-race email and website said that a pre-race video describing the course would be sent out (to help maintain social distancing at the start line) but that never came my way.
  • On top of the course vandalism, there were two other points along the course that caused confusion to runners. The major one being the final 3-miles descent when you come across a Y-intersection with two red arrows in both directions but no course marshal and no signage to indicate which course distances go their respective ways. So many 50k runners went straight, which was meant for the 50-mile course and they unintentionally cut time and distance off of the course.
  • The RD reconciled the issues after the race to ensure the race results were accurate as possible and offered all runners a 50% discount code for any future event.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not crazy competitive or anything but I had a couple of experienced, strong runners keeping me on my toes and pushing me to keep my effort honest up front.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Registration sold out about a week in advance, so plenty of time to decide. However, if booking an AirBNB in the Shasta area, I’d recommend booking at least one month in advance.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

It seemed standard fare but given the new policies given CV-19, there were no communal bowls of snacks to grab and everything was handled by volunteers who had the aid station space outlined with caution tape to help maintain proper distancing. This could be the new norm for many events going forward or for the next year or so.

Weather and typical race conditions

Lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it or where you’re from (as a PNW’er, I tend to prefer cooler conditions! but it was plenty sunny and blue sky – but also the first hot weekend of the year apparently. It was in the high 50s around race start and then quickly heated up to the low 80s by the middle of the afternoon. With the heat and the altitude, come prepared to keep cool!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

All runners were recommended to bring along a buff or mask, especially when approaching volunteers at aid stations and at the start/finish line area.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not particularly, and due to the virus, they wanted to keep the aid stations free of crowds. Plenty of awesome mountain/gravel biking and running trails nearby though as they wait for you to finish!

How’s the Swag?

Great! Each runner received a buff with the race logo on it to bring with them during the race and to easily cover your mouth/nose or to use to keep cool like I did.
All finishers received a beautifully, custom created award cut from wood to wear around your neck and the podium finishers received a large, impressive-looking artwork made from wood as well.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4 stars – Unique location, challenging course, low-key ultra event.

Keith Laverty is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Keith, check out his coaching page.

mt shasta 50k
Photo: Elisa Laverty

la marathon race report

LA Marathon Race Report – Scott Boatwright

la marathon race report

Race: LA Marathon 2020

Runner: Scott Boatwright

Race Date: 03/08/2020

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Results: 3:49:37

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • The landmarks from Dodger’s stadium to Ocean Ave. It’s incredible seeing all the popular sites in LA such as: Hollywood Blvd., Rodeo Drive, and even Skid Row while running and having all the streets shut down for a personal experience.
  • The crowd. One of the most energetic and community supported events I’ve seen.
  • The runners. Being one of the world’s most popular cities, it attracts runners from all over the world, so it’s a very cultural event.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Alllllllot of people do it just for the cool factor, and are just walking it for fun. I commend anyone who does this, a marathon is a marathon no matter what. But, out of the 27k runners, at least half were walking or lightly jogging from the start line, and the majority of these people were lined up right behind the elites, which meant the rest of us spent the first couple miles zig zagging around these people clustered in walking groups.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

When running in Skid Row, you literally have tweaked out crack heads walking in the road, and have to dodge them. It’s like the walking dead for half a mile.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I loved almost all aspects. The most unique thing about this race was my Garmin didn’t connect to GPS until mile 21. I had to run by feel the entire time and managed to pace myself properly without data cues.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • Fun fact, the last 2.5mi is slightly down hill so it makes for an enjoyable finish.
  • Come to the stadium verrrrry early, this way you don’t waste energy dodging people.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Hydration! I got a little comfortable leading up to this and didn’t keep my hydration right, and it crumbled me at mile 20. Never disrespect the marathon!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The up hills are loooong and gradual, followed by a short and very steep downhill. Over and over again.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Iconic and a bucket list course.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

A little rough. 850ft elevation gain. Not horrible but not a smooth ride either.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Smooth as glass. There can be big delays getting off the freeway to get to the start, even for the shuttles. Other than that, everything is spot on.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

You got Kenyans flying in to compete, so you know it’s serious.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

It sells out a few months in advance, but that’s about it.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

All as expected.

Weather and typical race conditions

Nice and cool. 2 years in a row it was cool and clear skies.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Nope!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Very supportive and uplifting.

How’s the Swag?

Nice shirts, and the medals are quality and classy.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 out of 5! Given the epicness and all the iconic scenery, this is something everyone has to experience at least once.

Scott Boatwright is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Scott, check out his coaching page.

la marathon race report

Salmon Falls 50K – Jami Barrett

salmon falls 50k race report

Race: Salmon Falls 50K

Runner: Jami Barrett

Race Date: 02/29/2020

Location: Pilot Hill, CA

Results: 5th in age group, 50K PR at 6:04:16

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Slightly easier 50K with most of your climbing at the beginning and then rollers for the last 20ish miles.
  2. The unofficial aid station behind a guys house – just an igloo water cooler filled with cold water. Perfect for that stretch when I was out of water and still had a mile to the next aid station.
  3. Beautiful single track.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I don’t love running around Folsom Lake, so towards the end I was kind of over it. Also, running that levy at the end is evil. It’s probably a mile of flat, gravely “trail” with a head wind!!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Pretty standard race really. Not much weird about it.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Loved that unofficial aid station – best water on the course. Also, the last aid station was manned by some very enthusiastic volunteers who were wonderful. Actually, all of the aid station volunteers were amazing and helped me so much! They filled my bottles while I grabbed food.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Don’t go out too fast on those hills. They are totally runnable. But so is the rest of the course. If you blow it on those first hills, the rest of the race will feel long and drawn out.

Almost all of your climbing is in the first 13 miles or so. Be mindful of this and plan accordingly.

Buses – you take a bus from the finish to the start. Get on the first or second bus and sit at the front of that bus. When you get there, you’ll have clean bathrooms and short lines!!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

This race was probably my best executed ever. Gels and Tailwind mixed nicely as my primary fuels and I took them regardless of whether I wanted to or not (I wasn’t ever really hungry during this race). Supplemented these with fruit and chips at the aid stations. I felt well fueled throughout and I’m happy with how things went.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Hm…The climbing is in the first 13 miles. Know that and plan accordingly.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Most of it is. You get a variation of forest, open grasslands/hills, and running along Folsom Lake. There were a couple of beautiful mossy, green, vibrant sections around the lake that I really loved.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I would say no… Not compared to many other 50K and shorter courses that I’ve run in Auburn!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Super well run. They definitely know what they’re doing and have it down to a science. This is an established race and everything went according to plan.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Probably? I don’t really look at this stuff. But in our area, it’s a flatter 50K, so easier to PR. I suspect people show up with that in mind.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nope! You do have the option to get your entry back by raising $500 for the Juvenile Diabetes Fund, which is what this race supports. So that’s kind of cool if fundraising for races is your thing. Or if you know someone affected with Juvenile Diabetes.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard fare. No gels or PB&J’s for the first 2 or 3 aid stations, so plan accordingly. Later aid stations are stocked as expected. (Also, this was clearly stated in the pre-race email, so that’s nice).

Weather and typical race conditions

March in northern CA varies. It was beautiful for us this year. Two years ago it was literally freezing when the race started and still cold at the finish. You could expect anything from a perfect spring day to frost and/or rain.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Nope. You could run this with handheld bottles as long as you plan for the 9 mile stretch without aid stations.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The finish line is super friendly for friends. My family met me half-way along the levy at the finish on their bikes and rode next to me until I hit the single track. Downside is they missed the finish. Upside is I got to see them when all I wanted was to be done.

How’s the Swag?

Eh. Past years have been better. This year was a t-shirt weight zip-up hoodie. In the past it was a jacket. Cool logo though.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5/5 and I’d recommend others run it for sure!

salmon falls 50k race report

FOURmidable 35K Race Report – Jami B

Race: FOURmidable 35K

Runner: Jami B

Race Date: 02/16/2020

Location: Auburn, CA

Results: 4:19, 4th age group

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

1) I know these trails so well, it really helps to know where I can push and where I should back off a bit.
2) Great volunteers at aid stations! Granted, I know most of these people too, or at least knew someone at every aid station, but even if I hadn’t they were all ready to help as soon as you got in! Also – best finish line hamburgers yet!! And they had FRIES with ALL THE SALT! They were delicious.
3) Challenging – this course lives up to its name. It’s no joke.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

There is one section through Olmstead that I could do without…just a lot of exposed running on boring single track. But in the grand scheme of the race, it’s really not that long of a section.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Hm…I honestly didn’t find anything weird about it!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I think the highlights were seeing my friends and familiar, smiling, excited faces at aid stations and the finish line burgers and fries. I felt like I ran this race, leaving it all out there. No regrets. When the hills were too long or steep to run, I power hiked efficiently. I ran down hills and “flats.” I also enjoyed running with one of my training partners for most of the run.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Hm…Well, if this is your first time ever running these trails, just know that K2 is a BEAST. Unless you are good with 1,000 feet of elevation in under a mile, plan to hike it. Also, mentally prepare for the finish. You head back to Overlook park, the start/finish, but then take a little side trail DOWN, and then down a little more. As you go down, you know you have to regain all that elevation in order to finish. If you’re not aware of that ahead of time it can be a little bit of a damper as you finish.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Ugh. Fueling. I need to work on it. Also, my water needs to be more accessible so it’s easier and faster to refill.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Like I mentioned above, know that you lose elevation when you least want to at the end. Also, every year there is some level of confusion on where the 35K and half marathon courses split. Look at the course map well ahead of time and know that if you’re running the 35K, GO RIGHT at the split.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Some of the course has beautiful views of the river. I love the mossy creek areas coming down roller coaster towards no hands. If you’re familiar with the Western States race, then No Hands bridge itself is kind of special and neat. The only part of this course that I don’t find much beauty in is that Olmstead loop.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes, I’d say this course is one of the more difficult 35K courses I’ve ran. Three major climbs, the last one at the very end of the race when your legs are done and you just want to finish.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Super well organized. I’ve volunteered for the race director before – he’s a pro.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Probably? I feel like the competition really ran the day before in the 50K.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nope – pretty straight forward. I’m not even sure it sells out to be honest. The 50K might.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Pretty standard fare. I will say that the 35K aid stations didn’t have boiled potatoes and that was something I missed. They used GU products for electrolytes and gels.

Weather and typical race conditions

This race has seen it all over the years, from heat to snow. I got lucky and got a beautiful sunny, warm but not too warm, day. Last year, it rained for the 50K on Saturday and then snowed for the 35K on Sunday. The trails were a mess. So, it’s winter in northern CA – your guess is as good as mine as to what the weather might be!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Nope! Trail shoes, hydration, and you’re good to go! It is cupless, so if you want any soda or whatever at the aid stations, bring a cup.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Spectators can see you off at Overlook, 4 miles later at No Hands, they can unofficially cheer you on at the Cool fire station, and then see you again at No Hands, 4ish miles from the finish. Parking at No Hands can be a pain though.

How’s the Swag?

LOVE IT! This year they gave 35Kers a cool back pack! I personally love their logo.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5/5

San Diego 50 Mile Race Report

San Diego 50 Race Report – Jeffrey Zawadzki

Race: San Diego 50 Mile

San Diego 50 Mile Race Report
Photo Credit: Ilian Moctezuma

Runner: Coach Jeffrey Zawadzki

Race Date: 01/18/2020

Location: Escondido, CA

Results: 14th overall,  PR 8:17

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • I loved the trails around Lake Hodges
  • The aid stations are awesome and well stocked with food and motivated volunteers!
  • Downhill and flat last couple of miles.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

On my part I showed up with literally 3 minutes to the start.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

For a 50 mile trail race this is a very fast flat course which can be misleading as you try to pace the first half and second half of this race. I was blazing in the cool weather for the first half and then the heat of the day came and slowed me down, due to lack of drinking fluids on my part. Finished fast and downhill was a wonderful yet painful feeling as you hammer toward home with the #mambamentality!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Pace… pace… pace yourself.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Pace… pace… pace yourself. It will get warm out there.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It is an out and back course but the way back has an off shoot for about 4 miles or so that can mentally fatigue you more than the run.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The course is 90% gorgeous and 10% flat farm type land. The views are amazing at points.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The only difficult part of this race is the final stretch up Raptor Ridge and down the flat 3 miles at the end.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Organized well and went off flawlessly!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

The field is getting more and more competitive and faster.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

No, just read the directions beforehand.

Weather and typical race conditions

Cold start and warm throughout.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Very spectator friendly course.

How’s the Swag?

The swag is okay but it not a reasonably priced race. The finishing award and mug are HOT!!!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4/5 stars

Jeffry Zawadzki is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Jeffrey, check out his coaching page.

cim marathon race report

California International Marathon Race Report – Keith Laverty

Running coach Keith Laverty is here with his California International Marathon review to share what you need to know before running the race, including his tips for hill training.

Race: California International Marathon

Runner: Keith Laverty

Race Date: 12/08/2019

Location: Folsom to Sacramento

Results: 99th place, 2:24:29 (10+ minute PR)

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2920321658

california international marathon review
Photo credit: Paul Nelson

3 Bests – What aspects of the California International Marathon did you like the most?

1. The DEEP field of talented runners to help pull me along in packs along with the camaraderie that came with it. Many of us were going for big PRs, some even for OTQs, so we were running fast but running together too. Some runners even offered to share their bottles with the pack.
2. The awesome fanfare and volunteers along the course – some groups got LOUD. Several strangers even gave me shoutouts of “go rabbit!” as I was wearing my rabbitELITE singlet.
3. Just how everyone really laid it all out there on the line, taking some chances and giving it their all to pursue their big marathon goals.

Not so much – What aspects of the California International Marathon didn’t do it for you?

Because this event had 12,000 participants, it was tough to even find my peers/friends after the finish – the crowds gathered up quickly! It would’ve been fun to share some more stories afterward with several people that I knew who were competing.

The post-race food options felt pretty minimal overall and unsatisfying – except for one thing: the cups of hot chicken broth!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the California International Marathon?

Perhaps the high amount of carnage over the last 6-8 miles of the race. All for a very valid and brave reasoning, many were going all-in to snag the OTQ of 2:19, and this event was nearly the last chance before the Marathon Trials in late February. Guys were dropping left and right, jogging, cramping, or walking; I’ve never seen such a battlefield out there before. I felt like my training wasn’t quite where it needed to be in order to hold that kind of pace for 26.2 miles but wanted to run as fast as I could, so I was stoked to run to a big PR. Perhaps another time down the road, I will take more of a gamble.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

-Pacing: I locked into 5:26-5:34 pace for 24 of the 26 miles.
-Focus/Patience: Completely focused, yet calm and basically, in the complete zone. Clicking away one mile at a time. I was able to move up from 153rd at the half marathon point to 99th place in the end. Passing each person was giving me more and more confidence and momentum to help get over those last 6 miles, which is always a tough challenge.
-Running with a pack / Drafting: I found a great pack of the same 5 guys to run with from about Mile 6 through 18, and this helped even more for me to stay so focused. Some sections were a bit windy, so drafting within this pack also helped me save a ton of energy.
-Nutrition: I took a gel about every 5 miles, so carried 5 gels in my pockets. Three of them had caffeine, so alternated between caffeine and a non-caffeine gel. Never had any cramping issues (until after the finish line!).

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the California International Marathon to help the next runner

Put in plenty of faster, road training work in the training leading up to California International Marathon. I did several mile repeat workouts on the roads, as well as long run workouts and long progression runs, ranging from 17-20 miles total. If you don’t have a strong climbing background, then be sure to include some hill work/repetitions and even some easy hilly runs into your weekly training as well.
Shout out to my coach, Max King, who had me feeling well prepared by race day!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the California International Marathon?

-Not a huge deal but there several road sections with pretty big potholes or cracks/bumps in the pavement, so just something to be cognizant of as you’re racing.
-Very minimal turns, so that was nice to keep a nice, steady rhythm along the course.
-The first half seemed to have bigger hills, so just be aware to not pound those downhills too hard too early, or you may suffer a lot more over the 2nd flatter half of the course.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Not particularly. In several sections that were fairly standard commercial streets. However, there were some pleasant, residential streets early on and later into the race with nice tree foliage. I was personally exceptionally focused on racing and hitting a specific pace more than usual, so I really wasn’t paying too much attention to my surroundings to begin with except for the packs/competition around me!

Difficulty – Is the California International Marathon a tough course?

Coming from my recent background of mountain and ultra races, I’m more biased to say no, but it does have some decent rolling hills that don’t look like much at first glance when checking the course profile. Despite the rollers, I felt it was the easiest marathon course I’ve ever run.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

From the bus shuttles, the expo (with security machines!), and pre-race communication, they did an excellent job. The one blemish was probably the drop bag situation. It was fairly chaotic just trying to drop it off with the hordes of people. Then picking it up after the race took longer than expected but really not a huge deal to me in the end.

Competition – Is there a strong field at the California International Marathon?

The depth of competition is likely the deepest in the United States – deeper than even Chicago and Boston Marathon. When a 2:24 barely got me into the top 100, you know it’s stack and with a $12,000 prize purse for the winners, highly competitive runners will travel from all over the place to compete here. The race featured a ton of “dream chasers” to try run the OTQ Marathon standards of 2:19 for the men and 2:45 for the women.

Logistics – Does the California International Marathon require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Registration usually sells out in early September, so definitely something you want on your radar well in advance. I think hotels book up very fast as well but there were plenty of great AirBNB options in the few weeks leading up to the race.

The biggest thing to plan ahead for is making sure to figure out which shuttle bus (5 locations to choose from) to take to the start line – New for this year, they no longer allowed runners to be dropped off near the start area.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

There were a whopping 17 aid stations! So an aid station less than every 2 miles on average. Each aid station had volunteers handing out cups of Nuun Endurance first (Mango Citrus), followed by the next wave of volunteers handing out cups of water. Four of the aid stations also handed out Clif Shots and Clif Bars.

Weather and typical race conditions?

I believe this year was in the low 50s and overcast for the majority of the race. There were a couple of miles of misty showers but that actually felt refreshing. Usually ideal for marathon racing!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Just fast racing shoes, shorts with pockets (to stash my gels) and a watch! I also recommend light racing gloves – at least for me, it helps regulate my body temperature.
If you don’t want to fuel with Clif Shots, then I could easily see a minimal waist belt could be very handy as well to carry the nutrition that you know works best for you.

Spectators – Is the California International Marathon a friendly course for your friends?

Since it’s a point-to-point course, friends could come out to support you but likely limited to 1-2 stops along the course (besides the finish area in downtown). I’d imagine parking is a bit tricky downtown with some street closures and the 12,000 participants, so they’d need to plan well ahead.

How’s the Swag?

Standard – a long sleeve tech shirt, a plastic water bottle and a hefty medal! Oh, and a very thin finisher jacket at the finish line to help keep your body temperature warm. It was badly needed this year since the race org got behind on getting everyone’s drop bag back to them in a timely fashion. This was a major issue that they publicly apologized and acknowledged, mentioning it will be improved for next year.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 out of 5 stars – It’s an awesome opportunity to run a PR and an extremely deep field of runners to help pull you along for a faster day.

Keith Laverty is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Keith, check out his coaching page.

Planning for the California International Marathon? Get more info and race reviews from our CIM intel page!