Squaw Mountain Run (Aug. 1) // Sierra Crest 50K (Aug. 8)

For summer 2015, the Auburn Ski Club has expanded their incredible line-up of world-class running events to include the Sierra Crest 50K Ultra Run on August 8^th, following the 35^th Annual Squaw Valley Mountain Run!

For the past 34 years, on the first Saturday of August, hundreds runners and hikers have made the annual pilgrimage to the top of Squaw Valley to enjoy a great workout with stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra. Starting at the base of Squaw Valley Ski Resort (6200’) the course climbs the 3.6 mile Mountain Run to High Camp (8200’) where awards, raffle, music, light refreshments & beer are provided. Participants can choose to run or take a more leisurely pace and hike, or Nordic walk (hike with poles). For the less energetic – let the cable car do the 2000 foot elevation gain & join their knowledgeable guides for the beautiful flower walk on easy rolling terrain. The 35^th Annual Squaw Mountain Run benefits ASC Junior Programs and the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center (with over $20,000.00 raised to date). Register and learn more at www.squawmountainrun.com.

2014 Squaw Mountain Run Winner (Women’s Division) Anja Gruber says, “I have done the Squaw Mountain Run three times now – the first time was brutal and I thought I was barely going to make it, the second time I was so happy to be in less pain, and last year it was really exciting for me to be a lot faster and feel a lot better! Regardless of the result, it feels so good to tackle this mountain and finish the race and the view from the top and the scene in the finish with everyone having fun and enjoying great company is super rewarding. Beating yourself is the best motivation to keep pushing when it gets hard!”

Register for the Squaw Mountain Run at Tahoe Mountain Sports (11200 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA – Safeway Plaza) daily from July 27th-July 31st 10:00am-6:00pm (cash and check only) and day before the race (Friday, July 31^st) in the Village at Squaw Valley Village or, pick up your bib from 4:00pm-7:00pm and on race morning (Saturday, Aug. 1^st) from 7:00am-8:00am.

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On Aug. 8, the Auburn Ski Club will host the 1^st Annual Sierra Crest 50K which is an exciting point-to-point trail run that takes advantage of some of the Truckee/Donner Summit region’s best single track. The Sierra Crest 50K begins at 6650ft, on trails heading out from Tahoe Donner’s new Adventure Center, joining up with the Donner Lake Rim Trail, and finally ending on the trails at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center at 7200ft. This unique race offers spectacular views of the Sierra Crest and some of the Northern Sierras most spectacular mountain peaks (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 along both courses will be in place to keep runners well fueled, 5 stations for the 50k, and 3 stations for the 30K. Register and learn more at www.sierracrest50k.com

The Sierra Crest event 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.

Meg Seifert of the Auburn Ski Club says, “We’re super stoked to have Zack Violett from Bend Oregon coming down to compete in our inaugural Sierra Crest 50K race! He grew up xc-skiing & racing at the Auburn Ski Club, so it’ s awesome to have his support in this event that’s a benefit for the ASC Biathlon program. Thanks Zack for remembering your roots!” Zack Violett responds, “Since ski racing as a youth & junior at both Tahoe Donner and the Auburn Ski Club, I’ve wanted to come back to explore the great running trails in the area. This is will be a perfect opportunity to run in one of my favorite places in the world!”

Race bib packet pick-up for the Sierra Crest 50K at Tahoe Mountain Sports (11200 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA – Safeway Plaza) will be on Friday, August 7^th from 10:00am-6:00pm with pre-race trail briefing, Q&A happening at 4:30pm.

• View the Sierra Crest 50K event on Facebook.

Learn more about both running events at www.auburnskiclub.com/summer-fun-runs. Volunteers are welcome to sign up by emailing info@assoc.auburnskiclub.org or by calling 530-426-3313.