10K and 13.1-mile Run
Course Description
The 10k run course
is almost entirely closed
to autos (only 1 mi of open road and very minimal traffic). This
is a hilly, challenging
and incredibly scenic
run course. Plan
on taking several
minutes longer than
you would require
to run a flat half marathon. The 13.1-mile World's Toughest Half course will complete two loops of the 10k, including an additional .9-mile detour during the second loop to obtain a 13.1-mile total.
The 10-kilometer
(6.2-mile) run course
is in the State Park, canyon edge neighborhoods and on the new Skyridge School Fitness Trail. From Railhead Park (el. 1'300), you will exit T2 bike racks and proceed across the adjacent soccer field to exit the park and pass underneath the Pacific Ave bridge and enter Auburn State Park. You will quickly turn right onto the paved access road you took on the bike course, then quickly veer off the paved road onto a single track road slanting up the hill towards the water canal trail. Proceed on water canal trail to Mile 1, then first Maidu Dr crossing. Cross Maidu and return to canal with a short descent. Continue on windy canal trail to Maidu Dr crossing #2 - Mile 1.5 Aid Station.
Turn Right on Maidu Dr and climb to the stop sign at the top of the hill. Turn Right at Riverview Dr. stop sign. Climb briefly then immediately Left onto Vista Del Monte. Immediately veer left, leaving Vista Del Monte and onto Perkins Way. Immediately enter Skyridge School parking lot on your right.
Hugging the right school fenceline, proceed thru long parking lot towards two modular classrooms (fence and athletic field behind) at rear of lot. Stay right of classrooms, take narrow access trail to join Skyridge Fitness Trail behind classrooms. Climb to berm above athletic field, reach rear parking lot (Mile 2 and high point of Loop 1 at 1,454') and continue downhill through parking lot onto paved walkway leading to lower field. Following signs and trail, continue on berm above athletic field and enter gated single track trail section (gate halfway across field).
Proceed on scenic trail below campus classrooms, following trail to climb and enter paved driveway at edge of campus. Climb steep driveway to return to parking lot and school entrance. Exit school, turning Left on Perkins, flowing straight onto Vista Del Monte, then Right on Riverview, then quickly Left on Maidu Dr. You are now following outbound bike course ~mile 6.
Descend Maidu Dr to Mile 3 Aid Station at Water Canal (across road from Mile 1.5 Aid). Continue on Maidu and enter park gate (following bike course). Proceed downhill for another half-mile to 4-way intersection and commence sharp Right turn (virtually U-turn) onto narrower Dam site access road below you. Reach Mile 4 Aid Station, then proceed across Dam construction site (road turns to dirt and very narrow briefly. Mile 4 is actually across Dam site) to Turnaround at T-intersection with steep Cardiac Bypass Rd coming down from above you (~4.6mi. Low point of loop at 1,100'). Return towards Dam construction site (Mile 5 is before dam), then reach Mile 5 Aid Station across Dam.
Cut across (up and left) 4-way intersection to continue on wide bike course road towards Railhead. Head to the end of the road (with bridge in sight ahead) and pass back under bridge to reach Railhead soccer field. Proceed across field and all the way around the outside of far field to reach the finish line.
Loop 1 Summary: 1.5 miles of flat, .3 of steep climb on Maidu and Riverview Dr, .75 mile of mild elevation change on Skyridge neighborhood roads and school fitness trail, 1.2 miles of steep&moderate descent on Maidu Dr and Dam construction road, 1 mile of flat, 1 mile of moderate climb, .5 of flat finish line. Does that come out to 6.2?
Add-On Section for Loop 2, 13.1-mile Route
During Loop 2, after completing the Skyridge Fitness Trail and descending down Maidu Dr towards the aid station, you will turn Right halfway down Maidu Dr and onto the Pony Express trail in the Auburn State Park. This is exactly at Mile 9. Proceed on slightly uphill trail along row of houses. Notice the Mile 53 paddle and be glad you are not running all the way to downtown Sacramento on this trail!
Follow trail as you commence short, windy descent to arrive at water canal trail. Left onto water canal and proceed ~.5 mile back to Maidu Dr and the exact location of the Aid Station. Resume route on Maidu Dr, descending into State Park and remainder of course.
Photo
of Mac Attack on this page
by The KWOZ.
