Spectator Tips

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With a little strategic planning, you can ensure an exciting and fun-filled day of spectating. The following tips will allow you to see plenty of action, visibly show support to your athlete at numerous spots on the course and also get in some sightseeing and other entertainment options during the down time. We will take you through race morning to the finish and provide numerous options.

Die-hard spectators can scramble for more viewing locations, while others may choose to peel off and enjoy some of the attractions of Auburn and the Auburn State Park.

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SWIM

Swim Choice #1 - Rattlesnake Bar Park at Folsom Lake: The swim venue of Rattlesnake Bar is about 5 miles from the Auburn Area Overlook start/finish line. Spectators are not allowed at the lake, but if you would like to volunteer, you can park there and also drive your athlete in! What a deal! Email or call (530-888-9911) to volunteer. The road out of the park will be closed to autos from race start until the final cyclists leaves the park (~7:00am to 8:40am)

Directions: See Auburn Information for driving directions from Auburn Overlook or from I-80 to Rattlesnake Bar park.

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BIKE

Please download and print out these maps so you can navigate the bike course successfully:

Mile 3.3 - Estimated Times:

You can watch the cyclists at the 3.3-mile mark where the course conveniently meets Auburn-Folsom Rd before turning away into the rural Shirland Tract Rd climb up to Auburn.

The fastest athlete should arrive at this intersection at approximately 40 minutes after the 7:00am start.

Directions: Follow directions to Rattlesnake Bar at the Driving Directions page and then park immediately after turning Left off of Rattlesnake Bar at Scotty's Corner.

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#3 - Lazy Person's Morning Viewing Spot: Lincoln Way Starbucks

Mile 11 Outbound - Estimated Times:

Mile 22 Int'l/53 Half Homebound - Estimated Times:

Fall back asleep after your racer bails at 5:30am. Wake up around 8, roll out of your motel room and walk over to Starbucks on Lincoln Way, just west of Foresthill Rd. Purchase your overpriced liquid stimulant then walk out the door and await the arrival of the riders at mile 10 on the bike course.

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Other Bike Viewing Spots

The route will proceed along the I-80 corridor, heading eastbound on the outbound portion. This makes for numerous occasions where you can conveniently watch the riders as they head out and then return on the same course.

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Bike Viewing #4 - Bell Rd and I-80

Mile 13 Outbound - Estimated Time:

Mile 20 Int'l/51 Half Homebound - Estimated Time:

Proceed on I-80 eastbound from Auburn for about five minutes and exit Bell Rd. Turn Left, crossing over freeway and immediately park as you reach the Bowman Rd freeway frontage Rd. Cyclists will proceed straight thru intersection across Bell Rd.

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Bike Viewing #5 - W Paoli Rd Aid Station

Mile 21.3 Outbound - Estimated Time:

Mile 36.8 Homebound - Estimated Time:

Proceed on I-80 east from Auburn about 15 minutes to the W Paoli Lane exit. Veer Left up the hill to a large dirt. You can see the riders coming and going across the freeway overpass. The aid station is at this location too, making for lots of excitement!

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Bike Viewing #6 - Canyon Way/Placer Hills Rd and I-80 Station

Mile 25.2 Outbound - Estimated Time:

Mile 32.7 Homebound - Estimated Time:

Proceed on I-80 east from Auburn about 20 minutes to the Canyon Way/Placer Hills Rd exit, one mile east of the main Colfax exits. Turn right off the exit and park immediately on the shoulder of Canyon Way. You can see the riders coming and going across the freeway overpass.

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Bike Viewing #6/Run Viewing #1: Pacific Ave and Gum Lane

This spot is 200 meters from the bike finish line and 200 meters into the run. It may be preferable to the transition area viewing, which can often be hectic and difficult to get close to your athlete. The cyclists will turn left onto Pacific Ave from tiny, unmarked Gum Lane adjacent to the Railroad tracks on Pacific Ave.

You can watch them turn left and head to the transition area. Then proceed on foot about 100 yards uphill to the entrance of the Western States Trail Staging Area parking lot, where runners will enter from the adjacent transition area and head down into the canyon on the Western States Trail.

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RUN

Run Viewing #2: Mile 9.5 - Robie Fire Break Trail and Highway 49

You can catch the action at mile 9.5 of the WT Half course when runners reach the Highway 49 turnout on the Robie Fire Break Trail fire road in the canyon. There is a large turnout .5 miles down highway 49 from the signal light at Borland St/Lincoln Way in Auburn. A large green gate in the turnout is the end of the fire road. Athletes will turn around just before they reach the gate and an aid station will be at that location.

Directions

From Auburn Area Overlook: Take Pacific Ave left back to Auburn-Folsom Rd. Turn Right on Auburn-Folsom Rd and head towards Auburn. Turn Right on High Street and proceed along High Street through downtown Auburn. After you cross the Elm Ave intersection, you will formally join Highway 49 (High Street turns off and enters residential neighborhood. You will naturally stay on the route without trouble). Proceed on 49 through the signal intersection at Lincoln Way and into the canyon. Proceed for .5 miles into the canyon and look for the turnout.

From I-80: Take I-80 to the Elm Ave exit. Head South on Elm (from Reno this is a Right off of the looped offramp then cross over freeway. From Sacramento, this is also a Right). Descend to the light at High St, which is Highway 49. Proceed ~.5 miles on highway until you leave Auburn and descend into the American River canyon. Proceed for .5 miles into the canyon and look for the turnout.

Run Viewing #3: Mile 0 and 6.2 - Auburn Overlook Finish Line

Runners will pass right through the finish area, giving you a great opportunity to catch the action halfway through the run! You can walk to the edge of the canyon behind the finish line and see the runners pass again on a trail just below at mile .5.

Run Viewing #4: Mile 11.6 - The Dam Wall, Auburn

Wanna see what all the fuss is about? Just walk from the transition area and follow the course markings down into the state park roads into the canyon. Follow the course markings down the paved road into the canyon. Runners will ascend for a mile and 400 feet below the Overlook.