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As you can see there are some good ascents (for a race in the city) with grades in the 8-12% range. My husband added some additional points of interest including spots on the course where we've encountered mud and ice from unmelted snow (marked with an orange X). Here is his description of the course:
- Starts at Southridge Rec Center and begins uphill on sidewalks for 1.4 mi.
- Turns left onto a private dirt road headed east towards Rock Canyon High School until mile 3.
- The single track trail then turns south towards the first major climb from mile 3 to 4.5. Beware of potential mud/ice after mile 4.
- At mile 4.7 is the first water station at the Wildcat Mountain trail-head parking lot.
- Mile 5 to 6 is another winding hill climb section, sandy patches with potential mud/ice in shaded oaks.
- Mile 6 to 7 slowly descends to Daniels Parking Lot (another water station), with lots of mountain bike roller jumps.
- Mile 7 to 8 is crushed dirt road, then left onto a quickly descending trail.
- Mile 8 to 9 is descending single track with several shaded scrub oak groves that can be very muddy/icy depending on conditions.
- Mile 9 to 10.5 is the last major hill climb with some tough grades, at 10.5 is another water station.
- Mile 10.5 to 11.5 is more single track, with large stones and pebbles, be careful not to roll your ankles.
- Mile 11.5 to 12.5 is downhill single track, crossing Daniels Park Rd at the bottom.
- The rest is downhill sidewalk back to rec center for the finish line.
There is a chance the route will be altered depending on conditions, but hopefully this provides a good preview for those racers that haven't had a chance to run on any of these trails; and for seasoned veterans some hints as to the current trail conditions. This is going to be one "bear" of a run and we wish all the other participants good luck and happy trails.
Thank you so much for this awesome map! This will be my and my husband's first time running this. Nervous but excited. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Cheryll! I wish I could take the credit, but it was really my husbands' pet project. I haven't run this particular half either, but I have run various sections of the course. It is going to be a tough course, especially if the weather doesn't hold out - my fingers are crossed! Enjoy the race and let me know how you both do!
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