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Guided High-Speed Tour of Course (6:50)

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Description

The 7k run course is closed to autos in the confines of the Auburn State Park. This is a moderately hilly and incredibly scenic run course. Sprint triathletes will complete one lap, while long course 13.1-mile runners will complete three laps.

From Railhead Park (el. 1'300), you will exit T2 bike racks, proceed across the 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 to Pacific Ave above. At the top of the road you will cross over and enter the water canal trail, turning left. Proceed on flat, shaded, double and some single track water canal trail to reach Maidu Dr - site of Mile 1 and Aid Station.

Turn Left on Maidu Dr, staying far left running against traffic and descending steeply and briefly. At the bottom of the hill, still hugging the left edge of the road, turn Left and enter the large gate into the Auburn State Park. Proceed on the extremely wide paved road heading gradually downhill.

At the bottom of the hill Mile 1.5, make a 180-degree right turn to double back on a lower, much narrower paved road. Proceed more steeply downhill on lower road. Reach Mile 1.7 Aid Station just before pavement ends and turns to gravel. Process across Dam construction site (road turns to gravel and very narrow briefly) and enjoy a flat section of deserted and scenic road. Continue to Mile 2 along lower road near the natural waterfall/horse drinking trough on the right.

Continue to locked gate/road end (2.4mi). Pass through the gate and hug the left edge of the road in coned lane. Pass below the fenced in junk storage area on your left. At the end of the fence turn left on the "Cardiac Bypass Trail". Immediately leave the trail for a small offshoot that heads toward the side fence of the storage yard. Follow the single track trail along the fence line. When the fence ends, descend briefly (low point of loop at 1,118') and then turn sharply left onto a lower single track trail, paralleling the rear fenceline of the yard. Proceed along trail heading in the direction toward finish line. After passing a small canyon on your left, turn sharply left and follow the trail back up to the road. Enter the roadway just in front of the gate and turn Right, heading back toward finish line.

Reach Mile 3 on lower road as it straightens after two sharp turns. Continue across dam construction site, climbing up to homebound Aid Station at Mile 3.4 at identical location to outbound Aid.

Continue uphill, then cut diagonally across 4-way intersection to continue on wide, upper road (back on bike course) towards Railhead. Mile 4 is just beyond small road washout area on your right. Head to the end of the road (with bridge in sight ahead), pass back under bridge and continue onto dirt field, remainging outside the soccer field fence. Proceed along the perimeter of the field and enter using gate on far sideline. Proceed around edge of field towards pond, turn left before pond into finish straightaway. Continue to finish line (Mile 4.27k/6.87k) or to turnaround point to resume Lap 2, and then Lap 3, on identical course. Return to Mile 0/Run Start aid station near tunnel.

7K Loop Summary: 1 miles of flat, 1 mile of gradual descent (120'), 1.25 mile of mostly flat, 1 mile of gradual climb (120').

Photo of Mac Attack on this page by The KWOZ.

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