CTR Big Basin – Skyline to the Sea
Los Gatos, CA
- 50K, Marathon
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
2020 EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual race option. **** The popular Skyline to the Sea Trail runs from the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains at Saratoga Gap through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the oldest park in California (est. 1902), and ends at the Pacific Ocean at Waddell Beach. It … MORE
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A challenging and beautiful race
My first coastal race. This race company, and the race, seem super chill, well-liked, and fun. I came into the race feeling a bit intimidated - people talk big about … MORE
My first coastal race. This race company, and the race, seem super chill, well-liked, and fun. I came into the race feeling a bit intimidated – people talk big about Big Basin. I met quite a few people that had run in previous years, and I was warned that it can be hot out there.
A good friend did recon on blog posts for the race, and gave me a run down, which held to be pretty true. Here are my thoughts about the race itself:
– The race has a later start in the day (maybe around 9am), and it would be great if you can get someone to drop you off at the start
– The first quarter or so is pretty runnable, try to keep in mind that it doesn’t stay that way.
– GPS coverage is in and out. It’s not reliable, and especially in the last long stretch, it can be tough to know how much further you have to go.
– The scenery really is gorgeous, keep your head up!!
– I had a friend join me for the 5 mile loop in the middle – and it was a perfect pick me up!
– communication from CTR was good
– We got a short sleeved tech tee, and 50k finishers scored a coaster (I kind of like it).
– Aid stations were well stocked, and volunteers were super friendly.
All in all, I recommend it!!
Deceptively tough
Everyone looks at the elevation profile and thinks, "Ooh! Net downhill! Piece of cake!" But let me tell you, it's not. This is an extremely difficult course to pace, because … MORE
Everyone looks at the elevation profile and thinks, “Ooh! Net downhill! Piece of cake!” But let me tell you, it’s not. This is an extremely difficult course to pace, because the first 5 miles are the best kind of single trail– runnable downhill that forces you to run faster than you ought to for a 31-mile race. It’s also shaded, which made me think it was cooler than it was, so I didn’t drink enough and got dehydrated and overheated. There’s a decent mix of different terrain, from pine-covered soft dirt, to shale-covered rock (where’s the trail again?), to extended technical sections of rocks, roots, and stairs. There were also a few fallen trees to climb over and creeks to cross. It was quite beautiful, even though I was miserable for about 75% of the race, having gone out too hard. CTR did a great job marking the course, though be on the lookout for a couple of the sharp turns. The aid stations were great. Definitely take advantage of the ice that they have — I used it for my bandana around my neck, and also for my hydration bladder. If you can get a ride to the start, that’s what I would recommend. It saves you so much time in the morning. If you have a crew/spectators, be forewarned that it can take a really long time to drive to Big Basin (for the Gazos Creek aid station), and even longer to get to the finish.