Leona Divide 50K
Race day instructions please read!
50K Race Day Instructions
Below is all the information you will need for the Leona Divide 50K race this weekend. Please read it. At this point if you are not racing you do not need to email me and let me know. You can actually go into your ultrasignup account, and cancel your registration or we will know when you don't check in. Thank you so much. On race morning you may switch to the 30k. You must go over and let the timing folks Jean and LT know. They will be sitting at the start line arch at the table with the computers. Do not make this switch out on the course. Please do this before you start. The 50k starts at 6am w/the 50 mile runners, and the 30k starts at 6:30am.
On race morning parking will be very tight. We are asking everyone to please try and carpool. You will be parking throughout the neighborhood streets in the community where the race start is in Green Valley. Please be very quiet when by your cars. Please do not slam your doors, and keep your voices to a whisper. The residents will be asleep, and its very important just in those early morning hours we are very quiet. Make sure you only park where you are directed by my parking crew to park. DO NOT block anyone's driveway. When you get out of your car on race morning make sure of this. The residents have the right to tow you if you do, and they will.
From the freeway exit to the race start its about a 35 minute drive on a slow and curvy road. Please plan accordingly for this, and give yourself extra time on race morning. It will be dark, and you will need the extra time.
Here are the most important details for you to know:
*Friday is an optional bib packet pick up. It is located at the start/finish line. It starts at 3pm, and we will be there until 7pm.
* The 50K race will start at 6am with the 50 Mile runners. We will start and finish the race at the Green Valley Charitable Hall in Green Valley Lakes. The neighborhood residents make me start these races together to keep noise down on race morning. You have 2.6 very tough uphill miles to spread out before you hit the PCT.
*The course will have plenty of aid stations. The course will be marked exceptionally well, and all you have to do is show up, and run.
*Course profile w/elevation gain, maps can be viewed at the link below.
*The cut off is 14 hours. NO exceptions.
*You have one spot to have a drop bag. San Fran road. Drop bags can be dropped off in the am when you check in on race morning. We will have duct tape and sharpies on hand so you can label them with your bib #'s. This must be done on race morning. Make sure on race morning you put it in the correct pile which will be 50k San Fran road.
*Parking will be very tight on race morning. You will not be allowed to have an entourage of cars. We will be parking at the community center, and overflow will be out on the streets in the little community of Green valley Lakes. You need to carpool with your family if they are coming. No runner is allowed to have more than one car. Please be respectful of the tight parking situation. Please find someone to carpool with.
*All drop bags will be brought back to the start throughout the entire day. If you finish earlier than your drop bag has been brought back then you can drive over to the aid station, and pick it up. The aid station is within 3 miles of the start line. Do not leave without getting your drop bag. I will not hold onto them or mail it to you.
*I will provide you all with a free lunch after. Subway sandwiches, vegan chili, minestrone soup, and lots of snacks.
Crewing: You can ONLY have crew at San Fran Road. Absolutely under no circumstances are you allowed to have crews at Spunky Edison or Bouquet Canyon. The Forest Service is not allowing crewing of any kind at Bouquet. If you break this rule the aid station volunteers will pull you out of the race. Thank you for your understanding of this delicate issue.
Weather: It's going to be sunny with a high of 72, but very cold in the am. You can look at weather for Lake Hughes, CA to see where it will be on race day.
Here is what the aid stations will have: Fluid electrolyte drink, Clif electrolyte drink, Carbo Pro, Clif Gels, Salt Stick salt pills, Metasalt electrolyte caps, massive amounts of sweet and salty snacks, boiled potato's, watermelon, strawberries, almond butter and jelly sandwiches, ice, and various other treats made by my great volunteers. They will also have sunscreen, and chafing cream.
Gluten free: Every aid station will have gluten free options, and peanut free options. Just ask the aid station volunteers for those options.
Here are your aid stations with mileage. Please pay special attention to the cut off at San Francisquito road. Some of these aid stations you will hit more than once.
50K
- Aid Station #1: Spunky Edison Fire Road- Mile 2.6
- Aid Station #2: Bouquet Canyon Road- Mile 8.6
- Aid Station #3: Spunky Edison Fire Road- Mile 15
- Aid Station #4: San Francisquito Road - Mile 21.5 (drop bags) Cut off is 4:30pm no exceptions. That's 10.5 hours to go 21.5 miles.
- Aid Station #5: Spunky Edison Fire Road - Mile 28 (cut off is 7pm 3rd time through no exceptions)
The website has maps with elevation gain.
Here are directions to the start line from the 5 freeway: (use these same directions if you are staying in Santa Clarita or Valencia)
Here are directions to the start line from Lancaster or Palmdale:
Head east using Elizabeth Lakes Road for 14 miles. When you hit San Francisquito road go LEFT. Drive about 3 miles, and go left onto Spunky Canyon Road(look for my glow sticks). Drive about a mile down the road, and look for the community center on your right. On race morning you will be parking about a 1/2 mile away from the start line out on the neighborhood streets.
Here is a google map link to the building where we will have the start:
I want you all to have the very best day. Try and keep in mind that being able to run is such a gift. Have fun on Saturday. Enjoy the people, the volunteers, and the blessings around you. Someday you won't be able to do this anymore, and it will all be just memories. I am honored to help you make some great memories Saturday! Its going to be a magical day on the trails! Get rest this week, and see you all this weekend.