Kumari de Silva's Staging Area

Calling all 10k runners! If you tried this race in the past and decided 1) it was too hot or 2) you were sad you didn’t get to run after sunset – That’s All Changed! Please come back!

I noticed this year there were only about 1/2 the # of 10k participants as in the past and I guess it might have been due to those problems, but this year we all started right around sunset 7pm or 7:05 and the swag of a light up hat or light up wrist band made the whole thing just as festive as could be!

I had a hip injury and haven’t done 10k (in a row) since July4th, so I had the modest goal of finishing, even if it meant a walk/run for me. I did alright, in that I finished. I couldn’t help but notice my time didn’t really merit being soooo far back in the pack, and that’s when I noticed there were so fewer 10k participants. I think if we could get the 10k-ers back up to where it used to be it would be more fun for everyone because we’d continue to see lights all along the way. Either that, or maybe the 10k should start at 6:30 and the 5k at 76er ? I dunno, but anyway – –

The course, is easy. If you’ve never done a race before, 5 or 10, Start Here. There’s quite a bit of downhill. Lots of aid stations, and because it’s a loop, (repeated for the 10k) you’re never more than 2.5k from the finish. Plus the whole course is paved. If you run before sunset the scenery is pretty, if you run after sunset it’s very beautiful to see the people running with lights.
The course is dog friendly and baby stroller friendly.
Plus you are supporting a great cause. Be The Light!

Ooohhhh it’s so hard! I spend 4 months coming up on the race asking myself “Why did I sign up for this ?” and “Am I crazy? Have I really lost my mind?” But then the day of the race, after I finish – it is SUCH a fantastic feeling. Even though my time puts me in the lower half of the runners, I still feel such an AMAZING sense of accomplishment. The scenery is beautiful. The new course kept me off the worst ridges that gave me vertigo the first year I did this. I personally, prefer the new course.

What to know: There are plenty of ups and downs but no up lasts longer than 2k. So if you think you’re gonna die, or if you are tempted to stop jogging and walk, remind yourself it’s not going to last longer than 2k.

Second: The most steep hill is the first one. The race starts out up hill and after about a quarter of a kilometer the first 1k climb is so steep that everyone except the elite runners, walks up. This is important to know because if you want to run it you’re going to have to place yourself at the head of the pack when the starting gun goes off, or you’ll just have too many people to push past. Expect this to effect your time. When I run uphill like this on my own, for example, I can usually complete 10k in an hour and 45 minutes, but my time – – which I could not have done any better I swear – – was only 1 hour 59 minutes due to walking that first 1.25 k

Three: the support staff is THE BEST. Do yourself a favor, unless you’re like elite level, and STOP at all the stops for gatoraid, water, etc., it can get very hot out there. It’s not worth getting dehydrated or sun stroke etc. They have literally every kind of running snack at the stops: gummies, water, peanut pretzels, everything. My partner tumbled and they even had a bandage – helped him clean the dirt out of his wound. They are EXCELLENT!

This is the most best fun trail race Ever Ever Ever, I come back every year. The swag is the best. The photo opportunities abound. The course is super challenging. I felt proud of myself every year I did this race, this year I made a personal best

I was thrilled to see so many families out running and really young kids (one 6 year old for sure) running the 5k. The course is mostly flat in a pretty area and you get ice cream at the end! This was my first go at a 5k. I think I would like to come back next year and try the 10k. Race starts early 6:30am (not 8:30am) to avoid the summer heat. Parking is limited so get dropped off if you can. We parked over by Peet’s coffee, about a 10 minute walk away, which enabled us to have both a warm up and cool down. Race is very well organized, easy to pick up shirts etc. Highly enjoyable race. If you’ve never done a 5k, this is a great one for starters!

I mentioned in my review last year that that about one third of this 10k race requires runners to pass each other on a narrow track. Most of the runners are very good natured about this, giving the elite runners berth so they can make time. . .but this year, as last year, had a few grumpy grouchies. If it is going to ruin your day to step aside for someone else then this is NOT the race for you.
By far the majority of people are there to HAVE FUN. If you have never done trail racing this is the perfect entry race. It’s challenging, in a stunningly beautiful location with great support. 2018 was slightly overcast which was better weather for running than the heat of 2017. The volunteers are not above dressing up in the theme of SpaceRock. The shirt and swag is loads of fun. My non-runner friends always ask where I got my shirt. So cute! (No one ever covets my race shirts from other races, just saying.)
The course is challenging to be sure. If you don’t train for it, you might find yourself having to walk some of the uphills. Go anyway. It will inspire you to train better for next year, lol. Either way, you gonna be so proud of yourself in all your aching awareness.
Parking is limited so try to carpool.

PS Last year I was running right before my Cancer surgery. Spent most of 2018 trying to readjust to my new normal. Had to take a good 4 months off running due to side effects of my medication. This year I started training 6 weeks before SpaceRock, and made a new personal best!

The course is quite challenging not just for its uphills and downhills. There are about 2.5k on a narrow switchback with only room from one. We try to be considerate of the gold star runners by giving them the wide berth, but this means if you aren’t racing to win, it’s not a race where you’ll get an awesome time. You spend too much of it letting people pass.
That said, a nicer group of people you’ll never met. Everyone is encouraging. The scenery is fantastic, like running on an alien planet. The support staff is super duper supportive. They arrange parking and shuttle buses, but even so if you can car pool that would be better because parking is limited.
For myself I was running 5 days before my cancer surgery; I had not expected to finish. In my practice runs I had made only 8k and 6k respectively. And this from a person who used to regularly run 11 and 12k! I was very much encouraged by my running partner, and by another runner we met that day who was dressed up as Captain Kirk. I surprised myself by finishing, although it was grueling I felt a sense of accomplishment I rank “personal best” not for speed but for pluck.