American River has become the second largest 50 miler in the United States. The race attracts both veterans and novices alike. Whether you are attempting your first 50 miler or seeking a personal best, this race is for you! We are excited to continue our partnership with the City of …
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American River has become the second largest 50 miler in the United States. The race attracts both veterans and novices alike. Whether you are attempting your first 50 miler or seeking a personal best, this race is for you! We are excited to continue our partnership with the City of Folsom as our start line and hospitality host.
The race also features a 25- mile event beginning at Beal’s Point and finishing in Auburn, as well as 10-mile event beginning at Rattlesnake Bar and also finishing in Auburn.
THREE epic races, one scenic area!
The Race
Music, motivational quote signs, superb aid stations and encouraging volunteers will inspire you all the way to Auburn. At the finish line, the AR50 finishers will be awarded your one of a kind Finisher’s Athleisure Lightweight Pull Over Embroidered Hoody. Finishers of the races will receive classic AR medallion. After the finish, enjoy our post race festivities and celebratory post race eats, homemade divine dessert and refreshing beverages!!
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Last minute upgrade from AR25
I told myself when I finished my first 50 miler at Headlands that it was a one and done. I lied. Well, sort of. I don't know why I upgraded … MORE
I told myself when I finished my first 50 miler at Headlands that it was a one and done. I lied. Well, sort of. I don’t know why I upgraded from 25M to 50M but I think it was because I ran a few strong 50Ks months prior and felt that I could do the 50M. So despite the challenging and terrible conditions with rain, sticky mud, slippery trails, and basically ‘s-crewed’ (no crew/pacer), I PR’d!
One big disappointment from this race was the fact that they changed the jackets and we got gipped!! In prior years the swag was a Patagonia jacket. In 2018 we got a brand-less fleece jacket. Sad.
Beautiful course
I had an injury going into this race and unfortunately, I had to drop out at the Rattlesnake Bar aid station. I completed about 14 of the 25 miles. Up … MORE
I had an injury going into this race and unfortunately, I had to drop out at the Rattlesnake Bar aid station. I completed about 14 of the 25 miles. Up to that aid station the course was challenging, but scenic. The volunteers at the AS were great and the stations was well stocked with food and drink. Luckily, one of the volunteers drove me back to the finish after having only waited at the AS for about 15 minutes. At the finish, I was able to enjoy the BBQ while waiting for my friends to finish the 25 and 50 milers.
I definitely would like to redeem myself and try again next year.
A very nice fiddy...
This is a really great race. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to do their first 50 miler. This was my second year doing this race, and my best … MORE
This is a really great race. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to do their first 50 miler. This was my second year doing this race, and my best performance to date. I really wanted to come in sub 11, but am happy with my 11:14.
This is a point to point race, starting at Brown’s Ravine, and finishing at the Auburn Dam Overlook. It has a very generous cut off time of 14:00. There are 10 aid stations during the course (not counting the finish line). There is a section between Granite Bay and Horseshoe Bar where you go nearly 9 miles between aid stations. It’s not an easy 9 miles, and has lots of single technical track. I can’t suggest this enough. Be sure you bring TWO bottles of water at a minimum during this stretch. I did this year, and it made all the difference in the world.
I also suggest getting a crew. 🙂 I had an awesome crew, with Oscar and Oscar Jr coming out and supporting me. Had some love and support from Yoly as well, who was crewing my friend Jay. This made all the difference in the world, as they kept me fed/focused/cleaned up each time and made sure I didn’t spend too much time at each AS.
Also, a crew helps you not have to worry or stress on how to get back to your car. 🙂 As I mentioned, this is a point to point race. The bus to the start leaves very early. Just before 4 am. I always stay at a local hotel the night before and the night after (Lake Natomas Inn).
Overall, a very nice race brought you by the same folks that bring you Way Too Cool 50k. Will definitely be doing this one again.
My First 50 Miler
This was my first 50 miler and it was tough but I pushed through. I wore the wrong shoes for the first 20 and had blisters right away. My knee … MORE
This was my first 50 miler and it was tough but I pushed through. I wore the wrong shoes for the first 20 and had blisters right away. My knee gave out as well (first time!) but pushed through the pain (not without prayer). Glad to share experience with my two girlfriends who completed the course within a minutes of each other. Luckily, I had an amazing crew and support which helped me so much especially with needing the shoe change at mile 20. The volunteer staff was very supportive and the cheering crowd at the end was great. Everything was very well organized and the aid stations were stocked well. I may try again for a better time next year.
Awesome 50 mile race
This race is very popular! This was my first 50 mile race and I had so much fun. There really isn't that many hills. Mostly rolling, until the final 3 … MORE
This race is very popular! This was my first 50 mile race and I had so much fun. There really isn’t that many hills. Mostly rolling, until the final 3 or so miles, then it’ll ALL uphill on a paved road. The course is really nice, and has some technical single track. Aid stations are super fun and very well stocked. The finish area is super fun too. I had an awesome crew of my wife and my oldest daughter and they made it so fun for me. I did accidentally head out on a very tough 9 mile stretch, through technical single track, with only one water bottle. This would prove to be a big mistake. It was around mile 29 or so. This is the longest stretch with no AS. I paid big time. Got a little dehydrated and was very anxious when I ran out of water. Got a little sick, then walked a lot, and ate and drank a ton at the next AS. 🙂 Took a little break, and got back on it. Luckily I felt great after that. TIP: TAKE TWO bottles through that stretch, next time. Can’t wait to do this race again.
Race Schwag: IV's.
AMERICAN RIVER 50 MILER- THE NIGHT BEFORE Raj and I hit the road and arrived at Fleet Feet to pick up our race ribbons/racers packet. We saw quite a few … MORE
AMERICAN RIVER 50 MILER- THE NIGHT BEFORE
Raj and I hit the road and arrived at Fleet Feet to pick up our race ribbons/racers packet. We saw quite a few familiar faces and managed to decrease the weight of our wallets thanks to a blow-out sale at the store.
Afterwards, Raj needed to call Norm Klein regarding some race directors material. Norm, as many of you know, is the race director of the Rio Del Lago 100 miler. He was for many many years the race director for Western States 100 and transformed that race into much of the present structure including aid stations, food for the racers, etc. He is also a 2 time finisher of the Hawaii Ironman race and one hell of a nice guy.
So we planned on a quick stop over at Norm’s place (he was helping Raj with the Ruth Anderson ultraraces as Raj is now the race director. YOU ALL SHOULD RUN RUTH ANDERSON – fast course, great format of a 50k/50mile/100k options and strong race support see: Ruth Anderson)
Anyway, we stopped by and were met by Norm and his wife Helen. For those who do not know Helen Klein, let me tell you we were greeted by a living legend. Helen is a finisher of multiple 100 mile events (100+ ultra finishes), the oldest person to ever finish the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, a member of a top finishing team of the eco-challenge, top finisher and winner of Marathon des Sables, a finisher of almost ANY race that has ever been run and the holder of over 10 age group World Records! see: Helen Klein The walls of their home were as if an exhibit from the Endurance Hall of Fame.
We spoke with them for a bit and were invited to stay for supper. Helen made a great salad and pasta dinner. We were entertained with stories of Helen’s and Norm’s athletic accomplishments, their lives together and past race directing. Norm also showed us around his home which included his very impressive cactus gardens.
After dinner at the Klein’s house, Raj and I took a quick ride out to look at the finish line area and then checked into the motel. We set up our drop bags and turned in for an early morning wake-up.
The next morning we got our gear together. I taped the bottom of my feet as I was wearing relatively new shoes and I had felt some hot spots earlier in some training runs. Soon we headed to the finish line. We parked the car there and caught a shuttle to the start.
We met fellow Ultraholic Mark Nassi and rode to the start. On the shuttle I was chatting with a guy next to me named Martin. He was from Marin and it turns out he crewed Gillian (from Zombie Runner) at her Badwater 135 event. Really nice guy.
We arrived at the start and stayed in the bus to keep warm until the last possible moment. Then we dropped off our drop-bags. At the start we saw familiar faces and met up with fellow Ultraholic Mark Tanaka.
Soon it it was “3-2-1…GO!” and the race was off. I started mid-pack and began slowly mindful of my piriformis. This had caused my first ever DNF at Rocky Raccoon and limited my training since then. The race started on a footbridge and turned onto a bike path.
I was slowly passing people and around the 1 mile point saw Chihping. Chihping is training for the Grand Slam this year. We chatted for a bit and I headed off. I soon saw the back of the Western States legend Tim Twietmeyer in front of me.
I kept the same pace as Tim for the longest time – we were running between 7 and 7 1/2 minute miles. The bike path was flat with ups and downs here and there.
I was surprised to see a lot of wild/feral turkeys on the route.
I was right next to Tim Tweitmeyer of Western States 100 fame. Then I heard a voice in front say “that is the marathon” – he had some GPS device on. I looked at my watch and it was a 3:16:13. Not bad I thought. But my legs were really starting to feel sore from my new running shoes. I began to wish that I didn’t change shoes that close to a race.
Soon, Tim began to pull away from me. A few minutes later I came across Ray Sanchez. Ray, like me, will be running Badwater 135 this year. We chatted for quite a bit and came into the first drop bag zone together. This was at the 28 mile mark and our time was exactly 3 hours, 30 minutes.
I decided to change shoes and down an Ensure for energy. Ray however took off. He said he had a plane to catch for a southern California race (yeah..like I am the crazy one).
Soon I got up and started running. The first mile was tough, but I got a second wind and took off. The trail now was basically the morning part of the Rio Del Lago 100 mile run, so I knew it pretty well.
I ran/walked up the trails and after awhile I began to realize that the weather.com forecast of a 65 F degree high was WAY off. I was pouring water over my head. It wasn’t like it was 100 degrees, but there was little shade, canyon walls and a bald head to deal with.
Soon I went into a shady trail section and started running faster. Cruised past a carcass that I later found out was a deer that was killed by a mountain lion right along the route. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the course was beautiful.
Then it became a downhill towards Rattlesenake Bar – the 40 mile drop bag station. My legs were pretty thrashed by this point. I realized that I am no Dr. Tanaka or Michael Kanning – I can’t run my 50km pace for a 50 mile race. So I lotioned my feet with some Swiss sports balm that I swear by, slapped my shoes back on and took off.
I started the trail tired, but within 2 minutes realized that my feet/legs felt better. So I took off. Within the next 3 miles, I passed a half dozen people and felt great. I was having so much fun and feeling good, I forgot to make myself drink or take electrolytes.
Then around mile 42 I started feeling not so hot. Next thing I knew, I was bent over & throwing up. A runner whom I passed 10 minutes earlier came pass and slapped me on the back and said “This is a great place – I threw up here a year ago.” Despite being the funniest words I heard in awhile, I couldn’t run that fast. Still, I went off. I looked at my watch and thought that if I really tried, I might go sub 8:30 and get a new P.R.
Once I hit the final climb however, I knew my p.r. hunt was over. I was throwing-up/dry heaving about once every 800 to 1000 meters. By the time I hit the last aid station with just over 2 miles to go, I couldn’t keep anything down. I couldn’t run and even walking I had the dry heaves every 400 meters. God I love this sport!
Nevertheless, with a lot of runners giving me words of encouragement as the passed by, I finally made the final turn onto the road. I saw the Dam Overlook parking lot and walked toward the finishers line. I tried jogging across, but it was just a shuffle. My name was called out, but not by Norm Klein as I was expecting. I found out later Norm came down with laryngitis the morning of the race. Helen was probably very appreciative 🙂 I crossed the line at 8 hours 52 minute (my second fastest 50 miler).
At the finish line I sat on a chair and had my timing chip removed. When I went to stand up, I couldn’t. A volunteer finally helped me up and I barely remember being lead over to the medical area. The two people there were awesome. One was the lead medical coordinator at Western States. They took my vital signs and the next thing I knew, I had my first ever ultrarunning-induced I.V. My body sucked through it so fast – I was given a second one (you can see my IV hanging from the tree in the attached photo).
God I love this sport!
Chihping finished, going under 10 hours, and came to sit next to me. We chatted a bit. Anyway, about an hour later I was feeling much better. But, after two IV’s, water and 4 helpings of vegetable soup, I was still not peeing. In fact, it wasn’t until after driving all the way back to the bay area and being home for about 30 minutes did I finally need to go. This was actually a valuable lesson for me. With some hot races coming up such as Keys Ultra and Badwater, it reinforces in me the need to really monitor my electrolyte intake. I had some electrolyte pills on me, but I was concentrating so much on running, I only took one pill and that was in the first 10 miles.
After leaving medical, I strolled around and Chihping and I watched Yuki finish the race.
I then saw the ever colorful and fun Dirt Diva Catra Corbett come across the line. I congratulated her and Norm came over to congratulate her and snap some fun photos.
Then it was Raj’s turn. He approached the finish line but the announcers were talking about something else, so he just stopped and did a silly hula-like dance until the announcers saw him and called his name. Norm tried to state over the loudspeaker in his barely-audible voice, “Raj is the ugliest runner in the race today”. LOL
I looked at the results and saw that Mark Nassi did a great finish of around 9 1/2 hours. Michael Kanning, the Ultra wunderkid, did a low 7 hour finish and Mark Tanaka took 16th overall.
My next race was to be the Ruth Anderson Ultras. I had planned on racing the 100km as a final tune-up for Keys Ultra 100 miler, but dropped to the 50km and trying to get a new p.r. That report is posted here as well.
Straight shot, half paved 50M
Race (formerly) began in Sacramento and ended in Auburn, all along the American River, half paved and half trail. (Course is different now.) This is a BIG 50M, with lots … MORE
Race (formerly) began in Sacramento and ended in Auburn, all along the American River, half paved and half trail. (Course is different now.) This is a BIG 50M, with lots of aid and lots of participants. As a finisher, I received a fleece zip up jacket, mug and medal. The biggest issue is coordinating a ride back. If you are a slower runner, you didn’t have the option to use the shuttle.