1 kilometer (.62 mile) Swim
You
will swim in Folsom Lake at
Rattlesnake Bar State Park, 7 miles downhill
from the Auburn Railhead Park finish line. Rattlesnake
Bar is at the very rear of Folsom Lake (furthest
from the dam), where the American River feeds
into the lake. Water
temp on race day has ranged from 64-73 degrees the past five years. You will swim in a small bay surrounded
by steep canyon walls and natural beauty. The steep inverted triangle course is entirely visible from the start line - very simple two left turn buoys and back home.
36K (22 mile) BIKE
Enjoy quiet roads and a very tough,
very beautiful course. The first six miles
are entirely uphill Folsom Lake (el. 466') to
Auburn (el. 1,300') , almost all at a mild
grade, but with one section of steep switchbacks
lasting one mile.
When you reach mile 6
at Maidu Drive in the Auburn neighborhoods,
you will enjoy four miles of minimal elevation change, then a 1.5 mile climb to the top of Auburn. From there, you will follow freeway frontage roads with two significant climbs but otherwise minimal elevation change to the turnaround at mile 14.5 at 1,660' elevation. On the return home, you lose ~350' in elevation. This
is a safe course taking place mostly on
rural roads with minimal traffic and only three signal lights in each direction. Less experienced riders can
feel comfortable that despite the hilly
terrain, there are no dangerous descents
or sketchy cornering.
Please be prepared with proper gearing and
fitness to climb steeply on Shirland Tract
Rd from mile 3.5 to 4.5.
Click
here for complete bike
course details, including descriptions, turn-by-turn with mileage and predicted timelines and an assortment of super cool maps and photos.
7K (4.3 mile) RUN
The
7K run is a scenic
and challenging route throught the Auburn State Park. Enjoy the tranquility
of a course entirely closed to auto traffic and affording stunning canyon views at seemingly
every turn.
The course consists of 1.25 miles of flat shaded canal trail, 1 mile of descent 120', 1 mile of minimal elevation change on state park road overlooking river, and 1 mile of steady climbing 120' to Railhead Park finish line. AID is available at mile 0, 1.25, 2.0 outbound and 3.4 homebound.
