King of the Hill offers 100% trail running at 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. The races take place in the beautiful and challenging trails of El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve. The courses feature beautiful views and large elevation changes on the 10k and half marathon courses. The event has grown every year and this being our 6th annual will be the biggest and best yet!
The 5K goes along the “Bowl Trail” on a mixture of crusher fine, hard pack dirt, and sandy trails. There are a few rolling hills. Runners will pass 2 water stations on this course right before mile 1 and mile 2.
The 10K shares the first .6 miles with the 5K, before heading west and ascending a steep hill to the “Overlook Trail”. Once on the Overlook Trail, runners will go up a steady incline until about mile 2.25 before hitting the high point of the course and descending back to meet the 5K trail to finish the race. This course is a mixture of crusher fine, hard pack, and sand with over 700ft of elevation gain. Once at the top, you will have great views of the valley and surrounding mountain ranges. You will hit water stations before mile 1, at mile 1.5, mile 2, mile 3, just before mile 4, and mile 5.
The Half Marathon is an extreme challenge. It shares the first 2 miles with the 10K course before ascending up the west face of El Cerro de Los Lunas. Runners will head up a few switchbacks before getting to the summit around mile 3. After summiting, runners will head down the east face of the hill, down the bluff road and hitting a flat and sandy stretch at the bottom. After the sandy stretch, runners will be on Huning Ranch west loop rd for a bit, heading out the gate and taking a couple of quick left turns before hitting the turnaround. After the turnaround you will do it all over again with the ascent of the east face which is the most challenging portion of the course. After making your second summit around mile 8, you are treated with downhill for most of the rest of the race as you descend down the switchbacks before reconnecting with the 10K trail. This course features 2100 feet of elevation gain on crusher fine, hard pack, sand, and a bit of paved roadway. You will hit water stations at before mile 1, mile 1.5, mile 2, mile 4, mile 4.5, at the turnaround, mile 6.5, mile 9, mile 10, before mile 11, and before mile 12. There will also be a portable restroom near the turnaround.
For the 5K and 10K, there will be trophies giving to the top three men and women overall, as well as medals for top 3 in each age group.
For the Half, all finishers will receive a medal. There will also be first place medals for age group winners. We will have trophies and cash prizes for the top three men and women overall.
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