Salmon Falls 50K
Pilot Hill, CA
- 50K, Half Marathon
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
Coloma River Races is a non-profit that offers a challenging and unique trail race experience. The Salmon Falls 50K is a point to point ultra distance trail race. This hidden gem offers adventurous terrain and breathtaking views–all in Sacramento’s backyard. The race begins at the Magnolia Ranch Trail Head near … MORE
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Great runnable 50k course, great swag!
Okay I have to admit, I ran this for the Jacket. And it was worth it! I'm glad I did this race. It started out freezing cold but overall the … MORE
Okay I have to admit, I ran this for the Jacket. And it was worth it! I’m glad I did this race. It started out freezing cold but overall the weather was perfect running condition as the day progressed. The SF50K website said elevation profile is 2899 feet but in the end my Garmin recorded 4259 feet. I should tell them that might be a typo on their end. 😛
There’s lots of runnable sections and fun downhill technical runs. The last flat, gravelly mile running the levee to the finish felt so close yet so far. So be prepared for that. I enjoyed the course overall and would run it again. And again, I’ll run for the jacket. LOL If you’re considering on doing your first ultra, this would be a good one. Just keep in mind that they have a strict 8 hour cut off for this 50K. They do offer an early start if you need that extra hour.
The salmon didn’t fall, but I did!
What a fun day! This is a race I would definitely do again. I love point to point courses and the scenery was so beautiful. We parked sort of near … MORE
What a fun day! This is a race I would definitely do again. I love point to point courses and the scenery was so beautiful.
We parked sort of near the finish area at Folsom Point and there were school buses to drive us to Pilot Hill where the race started. There was bib pickup the day before in addition to pickup at the start. They also had a finish line drop bag option at the start which was so nice because it was 29 degrees when we were waiting around and having a heavy jacket on was needed. They had plastic bags for us to put our things on before driving them to the finish.
The race also allowed an early start for runners who didn’t think they could make the 8 hour time limit, but they had to find their own way to the start.
The race starts in a field next to a parking lot and we had a water crossing before we finished the first mile. The only good thing about a light rain year is the creek was low, but the water was so cold! There was a long line of people waiting to walk across on the rocks and we thought it was easier to go into the water. I was so cold already and wet feet made me so miserable! There were a few other water crossings on the course, but the water felt much better in the later and slightly warmer hours.
The majority of the elevation gain is in the first half of the course, but the hills aren’t too extreme. The website has the gain listed as 2,899 ft., but most runners reported having over 4K. The second half of the course looks mostly flat on the then picture where they elevation gain, but it’s definitely not! Rolling hills with some larger ones, but so pretty. The second half of the course was primarily soft single track dirt with grass on either side.
The aid stations were well stocked and had great support! Everyone was so helpful and making sure everyone’s needs were taken care of.
I have had many close calls from tripping over roots and rocks during race, but have always caught myself. Not yesterday! I tripped over who knows what, and landed sprawled out on my stomach and side. Thankfully it was on a soft dirt section with no large rocks and it was also flat. One second I was running and the next I was down! Thankfully there was no blood and very little bruising, but it through me off the rest of the race. Thankfully my good friends were with me and kept my spirits up. They also told me I need to work on my landing!
The worst part of the course is about a mile and a half from the finish and it is a long section of gravel across the dam. You can see the finish area and hear people, but it feels like you’ll never get there! Thankfully it does eventually end and there’s one last little hill to get to the arch. There was music blasting in the finish area and they had someone announcing the names of all of the finishers. We got our woodallions when we finished and they are so cool! Participants also got a really nice fitted jacket with the race logo and either got them at bib pickup or at the finish. It’s the best jacket I’ve ever gotten from a race! Well worth it.
There was a ton of food at the finish and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit and celebrate at. They had burgers, soup, snacks, soda, wine, beer and water for everyone and all of it made the day that much better. I really want to do this race again because it was really well done, but mostly because of the jacket!