2018 EVENT CANCELED. Per race website: “2018 Race Cancelled due to Fire.”
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Twin Peaks Ultra & 30K cover very rough terrain in rough and remote locations that are not easily accessible and can have extreme weather conditions from time to time. We will provide essentials such as water, electrolytes, soda, salty and sugary snacks and at least one hot food aid station (and hot food at the finish line). We provide safety, fun, and a beautiful and challenging course you are sure to not forget! No frills but ALL the fun!
All entrants will receive a long sleeve tech shirt. Finishers will receive a finishers award. Cash prizes are available!
50 mile / 50 Km Description:
Miles 0-9 (You call this a hill?)
The race starts at an elevation of 1,200′ (race low point & runner high point!) with about a 6.5 mile climb up Indian Truck Trail. A full aid station awaits at the top (3,800′ Mile 6.5). After a VERY short “flat-like” section, runners climb up Main Divide and pass by Trabuco Peak (4,613′).
Miles 9-15 (Feeling Groovy)
Runners continue on Main Divide and go downhill for a “few” miles. At mile 10.5 you will pass the West Horsethief Aid Station (4,100′) and turn right going down the steep but runable trail. After 1 mile you will stay right to get on Trabuco Trail which will eventually lead you past some cabins and into the Holy Jim (1,700′ Mile 14.5) Aid Station. Fill up at the full aid station and head up Holy Jim Trail past some more cabins. In about 1 mile you will see a signpost that says “Main Divide Road”. Follow this sign and turn left (unless you want a detour to the falls).
Miles 15-22 (Thought Shall Probably Take the RD’s Name in Vain)
The climb up Holy Jim Trail will present you with beautiful views of the surrounding canyons and peaks. This may or may not take your mind off the relentless but runable (for some) climb filled with numerous switchbacks. You will eventually come out on Main Divide Trail and the Water-Only (and unstaffed) Bear Springs Aid Station (4,000′ Mile 19.0). You will turn left on Main Divide Road and make your way up to the Santiago Peak full Aid Station (5,687′) which is the high point of the race. Turn around here and run back down.
Miles 22-30 (What goes up, must come down)
About 1.5 miles down from the summit, you need to turn left down the Upper Holy Jim singletrack (don’t miss it!). This scenic 1.5 mile section will drop you out onto Main Divide Road at the radio-only Upper Holy Jim Aid Station (4,000′ Mile 25.0). From here you will turn right onto Main Divide Road (or turn left if you are dropping to the 50K). Continuing to the right assures that you will either finish the 50 Mile distance or get a DNF. In just a half mile you will take a left turn at the Bear Springs Water Aid Station and go back down the Holy Jim Singletrack. At mile 29 you will stay right and NOT go to the Falls. Mile 30 will find you back at the full Holy Jim Aid Station (1,700′).
Miles 30-42 (The True Test)
The substantial Twin Peaks elevation gain takes place almost entirely in the first 42 miles. If you haven’t yet taken the RD’s name in vain – you probably will sometime in this section. Miles 30-33 are very runnable. At mile 33 you will need to turn left and go up the West Horsethief Trail. You will climb up to the West Horsethief Aid Station (4,100′ Mile 34). From here you will turn left on Main Divide Road, go UP and past Trabuco Peak again (enjoy the descent on the other side!) and reach the Indian Truck Trail (3,800′) Full Aid Station at mile 38. You will continue on Main Divide Road, past the Radio-Only aid station at the bottom of Upper Holy Jim and past the water-only aid station of Bear Springs (4,000) at mile 39.5. Continuing on Main Divide Road, you will reach the summit of Santiago Peak (5,687′ Mile 42) for a second time. You will turn around here and run back down.
Miles 42-52.5 (You’ve Made it this Far)
If you have made it this far, the race is in the bag. Many of you will be desending into the darkness and if you are lucky will see a gorgeous sunset from the summit. About 1.5 miles down from the summit, you need to turn left down the Upper Holy Jim singletrack. This (might be less fun & less scenic in the dark!) 1.5 mile section will drop you out onto Main Divide Road at the radio-only Upper Holy Jim Aid Station (4,000′ Mile 45.0). This time you wil turn left at Main Divide Road and make your way back to the Indian Truck Trail (3,800′) Full Aid Station at mile 46. You will turn left down Indian Truck Trail and 6.5 miles of desecnt later – you will have compelted Twin Peaks!
LESS
Brutal but beautiful
This is one of the toughest 50-mile trail races with lots of severe elevation change (but not unrunnable). There are at least 5 uphill sections of 3-miles (and more) with … MORE
This is one of the toughest 50-mile trail races with lots of severe elevation change (but not unrunnable). There are at least 5 uphill sections of 3-miles (and more) with close to 10% average grade. The 3-mile section to the top of Santiago Peak has little tree cover and can be very hard to deal with in any kind of heat. The volunteers at the aid stations were positive and super-helpful and there was plenty of food items that I liked to eat (not just potatoes, pretzels and chocolate). The tech shirt is long-sleeved and cool and the finisher’s medal was unique. I took the early start in an effort to get a 50-mile finish, but still opted for a 50K instead of a DNF. Also, I would like to point out that the price to run is VERY reasonable.