I ran this as my first trail race and first ultra, I wouldn't recommend it to other runners. Be prepared for the heat and the elevation, it is basically uphill … MORE
I ran this as my first trail race and first ultra, I wouldn’t recommend it to other runners. Be prepared for the heat and the elevation, it is basically uphill the first half and downhill the second half, some of the trails being difficult to run, even downhill. Nice views from Santiago Peak and other elevated parts of the course.
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Challenging trail, beautiful views
I ran this as my first trail race and first ultra, I wouldn't recommend it to other runners. Be prepared for the heat and the elevation, it is basically uphill … MORE
I ran this as my first trail race and first ultra, I wouldn’t recommend it to other runners. Be prepared for the heat and the elevation, it is basically uphill the first half and downhill the second half, some of the trails being difficult to run, even downhill. Nice views from Santiago Peak and other elevated parts of the course.
Hard uphill race
This race was my second Ultra and honestly I wasnt ready for it. The race takes the first half uphill to 2 peaks being the last one close to 7200 … MORE
This race was my second Ultra and honestly I wasnt ready for it. The race takes the first half uphill to 2 peaks being the last one close to 7200 ft and the first one 6900. There as good technical going on the second hill and a lot on the first one. Be used to running on hills and also on high temperature. There is little to no shade and its in a very hot month, so be careful with that I saw a lot of runners struggle with the heat and also with the hills going up and down. The aid stations are stocked but when I started going down they already ran out of cold water and ice, it was hard for me to cool down and this was my biggest problem. I was the last runner to cross officially with time on the race. Not my fastest one, but cant complain since it was only my second ultra, pretty sure that if I try this race again I would perform much better than this time. Overall is a good race to do and for sure not a good one to be your first ultra, unless you are well trained for it
A Long Uphill up Modjeska Peak
The 30K is a difficult race. It is almost always hot – if not at the start then it gets that way pretty quickly. And the trail is exposed for … MORE
The 30K is a difficult race. It is almost always hot – if not at the start then it gets that way pretty quickly. And the trail is exposed for most of the way with little shade. The course is out and back with three Support Stations. The major difficulty of the race is not the heat, but the fact that the first 9 miles are mostly uphill which is followed by 9 miles of (obviously) downhill. The course is all fire road which can be rocky in places but never technical. The course is beautiful and the views are spectacular. There were very few bikers and hikers so we had the mountain mostly to ourselves.
The Support Stations were well stocked with ice and cold water. Dirty Feet Productions always puts on a great race. The finishing medal was nice and the shirt is high quality. My only complaint is the shirt graphic. What is that thing?
Organized but Course Lacked Variety
Pros Good snacks and drinks at aid station and finish line. Nice tech shirt (although graphic is hard to read) and medal Shuttle bus was on time Organized / easy … MORE
Pros
Good snacks and drinks at aid station and finish line.
Nice tech shirt (although graphic is hard to read) and medal
Shuttle bus was on time
Organized / easy check in
Cons
Fully exposed course and just up and back down.
Ranger asked us to use our “inside voices” outside.
No timing chip or gun.
Summary: I liked that the event was well organized but the course lacked variety for me.
Lots of Uphill, Great Views
Dirty Feet Productions always put on a great event. The cost is usually very reasonable and the race director, Jessica DeLine, does her best to put on an event that … MORE
Dirty Feet Productions always put on a great event. The cost is usually very reasonable and the race director, Jessica DeLine, does her best to put on an event that satisfies everyone. This year, I asked for an early start and got it. This was particularly important for me because I was racing another 50K two weeks later. There is little shade on the course, so the extra hour allowed me to stay cool until the sun poked through the clouds when I was nearly down. The majority of the uphill is at the beginning, but don’t think that you will get down the hill super-fast at the end. The heat (and all of the early climbing) tires you out!