The Sierra Crest Ultra Run is a 50k or 30k trail run from Truckee to Donner Summit

On Saturday August 4, 2018, the Auburn Ski Club will host the Sierra Crest Ultra Run which is an exciting point-to-point trail run featuring 3 distances, 50k, 30k and 15k, that takes advantage of some of Truckee and Donner Summit’s best single track trails. All run distances begin at 6650 feet on the trails at Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center, the 50k and 30k go uphill then across the Donner Lake Rim Trail and end on the trails at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center at 7200 feet. Plan for some uphill and downhill on this fun course with 4,660 ft gain and 4,125 ft loss for the 50k and 3,493 ft gain and 2,948 ft loss for the 30k.

This unique race offers spectacular views of the Sierra Crest and the Northern Sierras most spectacular terrain including Euer Valley, Frog Lake Cliffs, Donner Lake, Summit Lake, Castle Peak and the many other mountain peaks along the Sierra Crest. Fully stocked aid stations with the world’s best volunteers along all courses will be in place to keep runners well fueled.

Registration Cost and Details

Registration is online through Ultra Signup or come into Tahoe Mountain Sports and we can help you do it. Race fees:

Distance	Before Saturday, July 29	July 29-until race day
50K	$100	$120
30k	$80	$100
15k	$25	$35

The Sierra Crest Ultra Run is a fundraiser benefiting the year-round ASC Training Center Biathlon Program. In just 3 years the ASCTC Biathlon Program has grown steadily, hosting the US Biathlon National Championships in 2015, and with local athletes enjoying success nationally and internationally. The program depends of volunteers and donations for its continued growth and sustainability.

Training Opportunities

• Join the Sierra Crest 50K event on Facebook for the most up to date race information!

• Join local running club Donner Party Mountain Runners for training practice and to meet other runners!

• Get inspired by this RACE REPORT from Carol Patterson, DPMR member

• Sign up for one of these other great trail runs around Truckee and Lake Tahoe. Check out this Guide to the Best Trail Runs in Lake Tahoe!

Course Descriptions

Come run on some of the best single track dirt trails between Truckee & Donner Summit in the Sierra Crest Ultra Run! This year they’ve even added a 15k option that starts and finishes at Alder Creek Adventure Center. All courses offer scenic views of some of the Northern Sierra’s most stunning terrain, including Euer Valley, Frog Lake Cliffs, Summit Lake, Castle Peak, and other incredible peaks of the Sierra Crest. The 30k and 50k courses start off on Tahoe Donner’s extensive trail system, head up and over to the Donner Lake Rim Trail, and finally end on the Auburn Ski Club trails, literally crossing over the crest of the Sierra Nevada. These point-to-point trails offer runners a brand new, fun, and challenging but manageable route, with plenty of dirt, rock, forest and elevation change; 4,660 ft gain, 4,125 ft loss for the 50k; and 3493 ft gain and 2,948 ft loss for the 30k. The runs start at Tahoe Donner’s new Adventure Center/Cross Country Ski Area (TDAC/XC), and finishes at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center (ASCTC), at the far western end of the Boreal Mountain Resort parking lot. An early morning shuttle ride ($15 per person) from ASCTC to TDAC/XC can help runners keep the logistics easy. Be prepared for any weather condition, because at this high elevation in August it may be hot, or perfect, or cool, or rainy.

The 15k run starts and finishes at Alder Creek Adventure Center. The course follows the 1st stage of the Sierra Crest 50k Ultra run down to and around the beautiful Euer Valley then circles around to finish where you started.

Aid Stations

There are 5 Aid Stations for the 50k:

1. Firewalker (no crew access)
2. TDAC/XC (crew access, this is where the 50k course passes back by the start area)
3. Glacier Way (crew access via Skislope Way to Glacier Way & Glacier Way Trailhead parking lot, in the upper portion of Tahoe Donner)
4. Donner Lake Int.** (crew access via the upper Donner Lake interchange Exit #180 off of I-80 frwy. The trailhead parking lot is where the aid station is set up)

5. Castle Peak Road/Boreal (crew access via this Exit#176 off of I-80 frwy. Park at gate and walk in, uphill to aid station approx 1/2 mile)

There are 3 Aid Stations for the 30k:

1. Glacier Way (crew access via Skislope Way to Glacier Way & Glacier Way Trailhead parking lot, in the upper portion of Tahoe Donner)
2. Donner Lake Int.** (crew access via the upper Donner Lake interchange Exit #180 off of I-80 frwy. The trailhead parking lot is where the aid is set up)
3. Castle Peak Road/Boreal (crew access via this Exit#176 off of I-80 frwy. Park at gate and walk in, uphill approx 1/2 mile to aid station)

**Note: The Donner Lake Int. Aid Station (obviously not at Donner Lake) is at the base of what has historically been called Negro Canyon, and is shown as this on most maps. Or some maps show it as ‘Billy Mack Rd’. This trailhead is also referred to by locals as ‘The Donner Lake Interchange’. To confuse this even further, the Truckee Donner Land Trust is in the process of renaming this area as ‘Johnson Canyon’, and the ‘Wendin Way Access Trail’. So, just take the I-80 frwy Exit #180, and go to the north, uphill, to trailhead parking lot.

Aid Stations will have water, energy drink, Coke, 7-Up, fruit, cookies, M&Ms, PB&J, small sandwiches, pretzels, crackers, and some really great volunteers. It is recommended that each runner carry a minimum of 1 water bottle during the race. Note that the 50k Firewalker Aid Station #1 will be more minimally stocked.

Pack it in, pack it out! Littering along the course will result in immediate disqualification. Please dispose of ALL paper cups, wrappers, etc, at an aid station.

Cut off Times: 1:30 pm cutoff for all runners at the Donner Lake Aid Station will be strictly enforced.

50k pacers are welcome over the final miles from the Donner Lake Aid Station to the finish. Please check-in with the Donner Lake Aid Station captain before you begin your pacing duties, and please exit the course before crossing the finish line. No dogs or bikes.

Pre-Race Meeting and Bib Pickup

Race bib packet pick-up is at Tahoe Mountain Sports (11200 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA) from July 31 at noon until August 3 at 6:00 pm. On August 3rd there will be a happy hour with store specials from 5-6 pm before the pre-race trail briefing and Q&A which starts at 6:00 pm.

Race morning bib packet pick-up will be available at the Tahoe Donner Adventure Center starting at 6:00am. Drop bags can be left at the start by 6:30am, for both the 30k and 50k runners. Drop bags will be delivered to the Glacier Way Aid Station, the Donner Lake Aid Station and the finish line at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center. Drop bags must be clearly marked with the desired Aid Station or Finish Line, and with the runner’s name and bib number. Please do not leave any valuables including keys, iPods, cellphones, etc in your drop bag. Drop bags will not be delivered to the finish line any earlier than 4pm, as drop bags cannot be returned until the Donner Lake Aid Station closes. It is the runner’s responsibility to collect their drop bag at the end of the race. The Race Director is not responsible for any lost items.

Race Day Information

50k starts at 7:00am. 30k starts at 8:00am, 15k starts at 8:15am.
All 50k and 30k runners MUST check in at Tahoe Donner Adventure Center on Saturday morning prior to the start of their race, even if you have previously picked up your bib packet, as we need to know who actually starts the race. Check-in begins one hour before the start of each race and is completed 15 minutes prior to the start of each race. There is plenty of parking at the start and finish areas. The shuttle transport, $15 per person, will leave the Auburn Ski Club Training Center parking lot at 5:30am, to arrive at Tahoe Donner Adventure Center by 6:00am. A second shuttle will leave for the Auburn Ski Club Training Center parking lot at 6:30am to arrive at Tahoe Donner Adventure Center by 7:00am. If you are doing the 50k you need to take the first shuttle.

Bib numbers must be worn on the front and be visible at each Aid Station. Recording your number as you enter and leave each Aid Station helps race officials and volunteers, as we need to keep track of everyone. In the unlikely event you drop out, please do so at an Aid Station and notify a race official or volunteer that you do not plan to continue.

Awards and Finish Line

Awards will be presented as runners cross the finish line at Auburn Ski Club Training Center. The first overall man and woman of the 50k will each receive ‘spike runners,’ handcrafted sculptures by local artisan Pat Blide using salvaged railroad spikes. Additionally 1st, 2nd, 3rd place men and women in both races will receive gift certificates to Tahoe Mountain Sports. All race finishers will receive a cool commemorative prize and a raffle ticket for some great stuff.

There’s a post race party at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center finish for race participants and volunteers. Come stay and enjoy a wonderfully catered recharge meal with thirst-quenching drinks. Finish line beer provided by The Brewing Lair, Blairsden, California. Extra meal tickets are available for $15 per person and are for 15k runners, family, friends and crew members.

Race Director Contact

To volunteer, or to ask any questions regarding the race email Meg Seifert: m.seifert@assoc.auburnskiclub.org or (530) 426-3313.

Sponsors

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors! Huge Thank you to: Salomon, Mountain Lion Aviation, Tahoe Mountain Sports, Darn Tough, Ultimate Direction, Camelbak, Tahoe Donner, Brewing Lair, US Forest Service, Nature’s Bakery, Hammer Nutrition, Silver Sage, Adventure Sports Journal.

Stop by Tahoe Mountain Sports in Truckee for all of your trail running and race information from fuel to trail beta we’re here to help you have a great day!