RACE IS ON!
Update –
As of 7/14/2023:
Currently, the intended planned course may be changed come race day due to SNOW on the course. We will update runners on 7/27/2023 should we need to make changes to the courses due to sections of the course not being feasible or safe because of this. We currently do have a back-up courses planned. The backup courses may be the same as our 7/22/2023 race event should we need to make changes. Should we have to use the backup courses, we will not be having the 100k or 46 mile distance race at this race event. Again, we will update runners via email on 7/27/2023 in regards to this. Should we have to change the courses, you will have the option of running the backup courses, rolling over to the 2024 event, or receiving a race credit that you will be able to use towards any of our upcoming race events. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at team@tctruns.com.
As of 7/27/2023:
Unfortunately, due to snow in certain sections of the course, there will be course changes made to the courses. We hope to finalize the courses on Monday. Because of this, we will not be able to offer the 46 Mile & 100k distances at the race this year. We will have the 50k and shorter distances available at this race event. If you are currently registered for these distances, please reach out to team@tctruns.com in regards to downgrading in distance (you will receive a race credit for the race registration distance that can be used towards a future race event of ours) or rolling over your race registration to next year’s race event or receiving a race credit to use towards a future race of ours. Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience and we were hoping to be able to put on the race event as planned.
Due to course changes, we will be adding some additional distances at the race event this year. We will update runners hopefully on Monday with this information and the course changes. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at team@tctruns.com.
As of 8/1/2023:
We will now have distances ranging from 5k to 50k at Saturday’s race event. We will be updating the website with the new course maps & details shortly. Course maps are different from our 7/22/2023 race event.
Should you have any questions or want to change your race distance or defer your race event to next year or another race of ours, please email team@tctruns.com.
As of 8/3/2023:
Course Maps have been updated on the website. We will be adding additional details onto the website shortly.
Should you have any questions or want to change your race distance or defer your race event to next year or another race of ours, please email team@tctruns.com.
| Date: | Saturday, August 5, 2023 through Sunday, August 6, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort Red Cliffs Day Lodge 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive Kirkwood, CA 95646 |
| Race Distances: | Half Marathon, 25K, 30K, Trail Marathon, 50K |
| Start Time: | 7:00 AM |
| Overall Cut-Off Times: | 5K – 1 Hours 10K – 2 Hours 8 Mile – 3 Hours Half Marathon – 4.5 Hours 25K – 6 Hours 30K – 7 Hours Marathon – 10 Hours 50K – 12 Hours (ENFORCED) |
About the Race
This course is extremely challenging. The course starts at the Kirkwood Red Cliffs Day Lodge and runs on pavement for around 0.2 miles leading to a single track trail, then from there it is all single track going up. If you like the High Sierra and are into an incredible challenge, join us for the Kirkwood’s Ultras.
—Troy
REGISTRATION
| DISTANCE | BY 5/4/23 | BY 7/14/23 | ONLINE 7/15/23 THROUGH 8/4/23 | 8/5/23 IN PERSON RACE DAY REGISTRATION |
| 5K | $50 | $55 | $60 | $65 |
| 10K | $65 | $70 | $75 | $80 |
| 8 Mile | $70 | $75 | $80 | $85 |
| Half Marathon | $80 | $85 | $90 | $95 |
| 25K | $90 | $95 | $100 | $105 |
| 30K | $100 | $105 | $110 | $115 |
| Trail Marathon | $125 | $130 | $135 | $140 |
| 50K | $130 | $135 | $140 | $145 |
- Active military & first responders receive a 15% discount. Please email team@tctruns.com to process your registration discount.
- Entry fees are non-refundable, but the full registration amount (minus processing fees) may be transferred to another future TCTRuns by contacting team@tctruns.com at least 24 hours before the scheduled event.
- Runners may purchase a Troy’s California Trail Runs sport-tek technical fabric shirt during the registration process, or at the event supply permitting. All shirts are gender-specific and come in sizes ranging from ladies XS all the way to mens XXL and youth S to XS.
| REGISTER ONLINE | Online registration is available through the evening before the race. |
| REGISTER BY MAIL | Please print the form, fill it out, and mail it to us with the enclosed registration fee. |
| REGISTER AT RACE | Race day registration is available beginning at 5:45 AM. |
| VOLUNTEER NOW | Volunteers are needed to help with aid stations. Everyone who helps out gets a free future race! If interested, please email volunteer@tctruns.com. |
Schedule
- 5:45 AM: Runner check-in at the Kirkwood Red Cliffs Day Lodge (1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr., Kirkwood, CA 95646)
- 6:45 AM. Trail briefing
- 7:00 AM: Race start for all distances.
Course/Race Information
Race starts at Kirkwood’s Red Cliffs Day Lodge, 7800 feet in elevation, and some of the distances will go up to about 9500 feet. Overall time limit: 12 Hours
Bib Colors:
- 5K, 10K, 8 Mile – Black bibs
- Half Marathon, 25K, 30K – Red bibs
- Trail Marathon, 50K – Yellow bibs
AID STATIONS:
There will be two aid stations at this race event that you may hit multiple times depending on the race distance you are running.
- Red Cliffs Lodge (Start/Finish/Aid)
- Thunder Mountain Trail Head Parking Lot Aid Station
RACE MAPS, AID STATIONS, AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
5K (8:00am overall cutoff, 1 Hour Time Limit)
5K COURSE MAP
10K (9:00am overall cutoff, 2 Hour Time Limit)
10K COURSE MAP
8 MILE (10:00am overall cutoff, 3 Hour Time Limit)
8 MILE COURSE MAP
Half Marathon Course Info (11:30am overall cutoff, 4.5 Hour Time Limit)
HALF MARATHON COURSE MAP
25K Course Info (1:00pm overall cutoff, 6 Hour Time Limit)
25K COURSE MAP
30K Course Info (2:00pm overall cutoff, 7 Hour Time Limit)
30K COURSE MAP
Marathon Course Info (5:00pm overall cutoff, 10 Hour Time Limit)
MARATHON COURSE MAP
50K Course Info (7:00pm overall cutoff, 12 Hour Time Limit – ENFORCED)
50K COURSE MAP
Wet Feet Mileage
50k Runners at approximately mile 12. The creek must be used for part of the trail in this section for approximately 100 yards.
The creek runs downhill & is slippery so please use CAUTION.
50k will encounter this section 2 times.
Weather
Alpine Summer, Highs – 90 degrees / Lows 54 degrees. Lots of potential heat and sun exposure. Weather in the High Sierra mountains can be extremely unpredictable.
Summer weather at high elevation may include but is not limited to: heat, cold, wind, snow, hail and even thunder/lightning (hence the name of the mountain). Please dress in layers and be prepared!
Awards
All runners receive a medal for finishing the race.
Results
Results are posted here after the race.
Drop Bags
Drop Bags can be checked in at registration, and will only available at the Red Cliffs Lodge Start/Finish/Aid Station.
Directions, Crew Access, and Parking
Directions leaving the the Start and Finish for the event:
Attention Crews – be very careful driving on Hwy 88. If you need to walk across Hwy 88 for any reason, use extreme Caution.
You will have access to the Thunder Mtn Trail Head aid station – Directions.
Turn Left West onto Hwy 88. Drive less then one mile the Thunder Mtn Trail Head aid station will be on your Left located in a dirt parking lot.
Travel and Accommodations
Troy’s California Trail Runs is partnered with iWeekender to provide comprehensive travel packages that include accommodations, air travel, and rental cars.
Troy’s California Trail Runs has partnered with Vail Resorts’ Kirkwood Lodge to extend a discounted rate to runners for accommodations on the weekend of the race. These rates are subject to availability.
For Phone Reservations: Please call 855-332-1601 to make lodging reservations and use the group code: KG4KSU to receive the discount.
Other lodging and camping information:
TCT Runs is not affiliated with these operators, but they may be able to provide more economical or additional space when conditions are sold out.
Pyramid Peak Properties with options from studios to full multi-bedroom homes available in Kirkwood area. View options and availability on their website, and book in real time.
Kit Carson Lodge on Silver Lake, about 4 miles west of Kirkwood Resort, with rustic cabins and a restaurant.
Silver Lake West Campground, Silver Lake East-ElDorado Campground, Martin Meadow Campground
This race is made possible through partnerships with the following companies and organizations!
- Kirkwood Resorts / Vail Resorts
- De La Torre Radio Services
- The Sample Guy
- iWeekender
- EMTs
More Info
Attention Runners & Crews no gasoline is available in Kirkwood, so please fill up if needed prior to getting up in the high country.LIGHTS – Back up lights are always advised in case you get off course.Restrooms – Available in the morning & during the entirely of the event at Red Cliffs Day Lodge near Runner Check In & Start/Finish Line. Food is available in Kirkwood, but very limited. Kirkwood does have a very small general store.
Phone reception for runners and crews:
- Cell phone reception is great inside Kirkwood.
- Cell phones work on the first 2.5 miles of the course on the Sentinels Trail leading up to the Thunder Mountain Trail.
- For the runners out on the course, once gaining some elevation up on Thunder Mtn, cell phone service is good in lots of locations.
- Cell phones work on some sections of the Thunder Mountain Trail up to the top.
- No cell phone reception at the Thunder Mountain Aid Station, but if you hike up the trail a little, then you might be able to get some cell phone service.