Del Dios Trail Race
Escondido, CA
- 50K, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
Welcome to the ” RACE OF THE GODS” or more commonly known as the Del Dios Trail Race. This annual event is located at beautiful Lake Hodges in Escondido, CA. Join this January and take in the picturesque views of one of San Diego’s most beautiful lakes, as all courses … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jan 25):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 65 | 60 | 61 | 67 | 63 |
| L (°F) | 40 | 39 | 53 | 38 | 38 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
A relatively kind trail race
This course is largely reasonable, pretty gentle for the first 7 miles until the ascent to Bernardo Mountain. Even then, it's a great course and the downhill finish is very … MORE
This course is largely reasonable, pretty gentle for the first 7 miles until the ascent to Bernardo Mountain. Even then, it’s a great course and the downhill finish is very well-planned. I think the 10K may have been staggered more from the half marathon, which was great when the runners from both courses merged. Love ERS!
Challenging Downhill
So I walked this. I had run a half marathon at Lake Mead outside Las Vegas the day before. I informed the aid stations I was the last. I was … MORE
So I walked this. I had run a half marathon at Lake Mead outside Las Vegas the day before.
I informed the aid stations I was the last. I was wrong. There were a half dozen others, men and women, behind me.
The route had more than 1000 feet of vertical gain. I have done as much as 3.5x that, more than once. But this also had 1000 feet of sheer descent. It was the most challenging downhill I have down; I’ve done as steep and as long, but nothing as technical. It was the grade coupled with the rocks that made it daunting. Mud and tree trunks also are dangerous, but this was a very hard, uneven surface, with many outcroppings jutting up and then loose sharp stones. It was two miles starting at mile 2.5, a climb, turnaround, then back. The additional difficulty is this was single track, i.e., enough room width for one person, and it was two way traffic, with multiple blind turns. This could be exhilarating, if you enjoy this sort of thing. Or it could be terrifying. I enjoyed it. I am not sure I want to do it again though.
The lake itself offered wonderful views.
The other note I offer is it gets cold in San Diego! I had no idea. I stayed in an AirBnB camper the night before. I turned off the space heater. I woke up without difficulty due to the chill. The car said it was 37 degrees.
New course
They added Bernardo Mountain to the race course this year so it was a little more challenging than last year. Pretty views of the lake and always super nice volunteers … MORE
They added Bernardo Mountain to the race course this year so it was a little more challenging than last year. Pretty views of the lake and always super nice volunteers out on the course.
Jeff lets the slow runners start early which I personally highly appreciate 😉
Will do it again next year!
This race is part of the Sunshine series which takes place throughout the fall/winter. It contains a couple of halfs, 15K, and 10k. Run them all!
Personal and Intimate racing!
The ERS team are phenomenal at putting on this trail halves. Course was at risk but some clear directions and ore meeting brief worked a treat. Difficult to come down … MORE
The ERS team are phenomenal at putting on this trail halves. Course was at risk but some clear directions and ore meeting brief worked a treat.
Difficult to come down the big hill as fast as possible with the crowd heading up, but that’s part of sharing trails.
Loved the hot food at the end, as well as the coffee. Clearly run and organized by a team of runners, for other runners.
I’ll be back.
Wonderfully organized
Great organization. Food & vendor area provided. Great Scenery, although for this race there were some times that a soft drizzle started to come down. MORE
Great organization.
Food & vendor area provided.
Great Scenery, although for this race there were some times that a soft drizzle started to come down.
Lakeside Rocky Trail Run
Nice 8 AM start time, so not too early. Two out and back rolling trail routes with a bit of sandy trail. There weren't any steep climbs. The total climb … MORE
Nice 8 AM start time, so not too early.
Two out and back rolling trail routes with a bit of sandy trail. There weren’t any steep climbs. The total climb was only 185 meters. There were many short up and downs so it was a lot of quick downs and using momentum to climb up out of the steep rises.
Had views of Lake Hodges in Escondido. Convenient free parking and all of the mountain bikers who were sharing their trails were very cordial and supportive.
The aid stations only had water and sport drink although there were hot dogs and hamburgers at the end with chips.
Kudos for having portapotties at convenient locations.
300 plus for the half, 10K and 5K.