Pacifica Foothills Trail Run

Course Description:
Inside Trail Racing’s Pacifica Foothills Race utilizes two loops among the three distances, 10K, half marathon, and 30K. One loop, used only by half and 30K runners, climbs some 1900 feet in three miles, up then down Montara Mountain. In good weather this gives panoramic views of that part of the SF Peninsula, with the Pacific Ocean in the west. The other loop is used by all three distances, the 10K and half doing it once, and the 30K twice. This loop has views of eucalyptus groves and the hills and valleys above Pacifica. There are two hills on this loop, the first climbing some 400 feet in a little less than a mile, and the second climbing some 800 feet in just under 2 miles. It’s a tough course, with lots and lots of switchbacks, uphill and downhill. At most, there was .75 miles, cumulatively, of somewhat flat terrain. The 2016 race also featured lots of drizzle, some rain, and mud; it’s a rain-or-shine race, unless there’s lightning.

Organization & Production:
Before proceeding with this I wanted state explicitly something that has been implicit across my past reviews. To a large degree I review based on what a race and organizer are and try to be. A one-off small local charity race is different from a large regional or national organizer’s race and should not be reviewed as if it were the same.

This was my first race with Inside Trail Racing. From signing up through leaving the parking lot after the race, everything was well and smoothly done. The registration process was not memorable (i.e. it was easy). The website information was complete and usable, as was the pre-race email. Race day check-in was quick, and they started before the promised time (I was checked in before the scheduled start time!).

Between the park’s on-site restrooms and four porta-cans, the sanitary facilities were fine for the race. Besides the check-in table there was also a sheltered bag-check area. Pre-race instructions were announced by megaphone, and were fine. The 10K course was well marked. There were no aid stations along the loop used for the 10K, nor on the loop used by the half and 30K. There was one aid station near the start/finish that was passed once by half runners, and twice by those doing the 30K. There were no “Mile X” markers on the 10K course. More on this later.

Due to the weather and my clothing being wet and muddy, I did not graze the finish area food very much or observe people. I saw cold sodas and was offered hot chocolate. I remember seeing a good variety of baked goods and fruit. For the size of the race (303 finishers of all distances) the goodies were pretty impressive, and the people – volunteers and runners – were friendly and helpful. Race T-shirts, finisher’s medals, and sex/age group place medals were distributed to finishers from a nearby trailer.

Swag & Goodies:

T-shirt: The same, very nice, bright blue tech type race T-shirt was given to runners of all three distances. The front has the race logo (including location, distances, and race date); the back has the race name and distances, an abstract design of a cluster of swirls, sponsors’ logos, and the organizer’s logo. I don’t think it will be among my favorites, but definitely not among my least favorites.

Bib: The bib is colorful, with sponsors’ and the organizer’s logos, and the bib number. It isn’t personalized, nor does it identify the race or distance. Inside is not alone in bib simplicity

Medals: The finisher’s medal features the same race logo and details as on the T-shirt. On one side, the ribbon has the part of the logo that depicts the hills, with the race name and organizer’s logo. On the other side are the distances, location, and race date. Being one of two men of my age group to finish the race, I received a 2nd Place Age Group Winner medal. The medallion and ribbon have the organizer’s logo and that information. Both medals are very nice quality.

My Results & Opinion of the Race:
I’ll put my conclusion ahead of some important details. I would participate in Inside Trail’s races again, and I would consider doing this race again.

Just as race organizers are not all alike, neither are trail race organizers. Inside Trail seems to do somewhat smaller races that utilize challenging hilly courses whose terrain and lack of vehicle access make aid stations fewer and farther between. Inside Trail’s website and pre-race email inform runners what to expect, and advise carrying water or sports drink. In my experience, not having an aid station some where on the 10K loop was not a problem. I had a 24 oz water bottle and used only half. A warm summer day would have been different, but it was totally fine on a cool January day. The lack of mileage markers also means runners need to be extra familiar with the relevant map and elevation profile to plan their race strategy. From what I saw, Inside’s people and racers are not snobby or elitist, but their races are toward the high end in difficulty.

I do not want to discourage anyone from this or other Inside Trail’s races, but runners and walkers considering such races need to choose, prepare, and run/walk wisely. “My” distance has usually been half marathon, but a good, sober look at Inside’s elevation chart told me that doing the half in this race would not be practical.

For me, this 10K was one of the hardest races I’ve ever done, not that I’m anything like a speedster. All things considered, I was very happy with my finish time. The course was almost entirely fairly steep hills, up and down, with lots of switchbacks. The course was also pretty muddy, and drizzle or rain was almost constant. Having to pay close and constant attention to the footing ahead of me, I didn’t look around much at the beauty around me. What I did see was truly beautiful. For all my care, I still slipped and fell three times in the 2 miles or so of downhill that were most of the last 2 1/2 miles. I blame my skills more than the mud. This was my first race in which mud was a significant aspect of the course. After finishing, picking up my swag, and getting some snacks, I changed into the clean dry clothes I brought with me. All in all, as I said above, I would consider doing this race again.

I want to give a shout-out to UKCathryn’s and cenevoldsen’s reviews. Because their ability levels are different from mine and the weather/trail conditions they experienced were different, both posted important insights and perspectives on this race!