| Date: | Saturday, April 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park 310 Back Street Coloma, CA 95613 |
| Race Distances: | Kids Run, 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon |
| Start Time: | 8:00 AM Kids Run 8:30 AM All Other Distances |
About the Race
This event is run entirely inside the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, set in the beautiful foothills of Coloma along the south fork of the American River. This is the site at which gold was discovered in 1848, igniting the gold rush and leading to California’s quick rise to statehood.
All of the courses are a mix of very appealing singletrack dirt trails and a few paved areas. There are some moderately technical ascents and descents with a lot of switchbacks. There are also some sections of rolling hills and other places where the course is completely flat. With the addition of scenic views and a variety of wildlife, there is plenty to make this run very enjoyable and interesting.
The race is held rain or shine. Be aware that it can be very cold in Coloma in the morning. No strollers are allowed in the race.
The time limit for this event is 4.5 hours.
REGISTRATION
| DISTANCE | BY 9/30/24 | BY 1/31/25 | ONLINE BY 4/11/25 | 4/12/25 DAY-OF REGISTRATION |
| Kids Run | $25 | $25 | $25 | $30 |
| 1 Mile | $30 | $30 | $30 | $35 |
| 5K | $50 | $55 | $60 | $65 |
| 10K | $60 | $65 | $70 | $75 |
| 15K | $70 | $75 | $80 | $85 |
| Half Marathon | $80 | $85 | $90 | $95 |
- Active military and 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 XL.
| REGISTER ONLINE | Online registration is available through the morning of the race. |
| REGISTER AT RACE | Race day registration is available beginning at 7:00 AM. |
| VOLUNTEER NOW | Volunteers are needed to help with aid stations. Everyone who helps out gets a free future race! |
Schedule
- 7:00 AM — Registration opens
- 8:00 AM — Start of Kids Run
- 8:15 AM — Trail Briefing
- 8:30 AM — Start of all Other Distances
Course Information
Runners participating in all four races first follow the 5K course and return to the start/finish location. The 5K course makes a large clockwise loop around most of the park, climbing to the highest point (about 500 feet above the flat meadows) and following the Monroe Ridge Trail past scenic views before descending to the base of the mountain where runners reach the finish line.
The 10K, 15K, and half marathon courses continue by following a shorter counterclockwise loop that makes a gradual ascent along the Monument Trail and returns to the starting line in the opposite direction. Runners then head straight up the mountain on the steep half-mile fire road before the 10K/15K and half marathon courses split. 10K and 15K runners turn right and follow the Monroe Ridge Trail clockwise back to the finish line at the base of the mountain just as they did for the first loop. 15K runners then follow the 5K loop again.
At the top of the fire road, the half marathon course turns left and follows the Monroe Ridge Trail in the counterclockwise direction. Runners descend along the Monument Trail, where they pass the halfway mark, and return to the start/finish location. The remainder of the half marathon course consists of two counterclockwise loops following the entire Monroe Ridge Trail and descending along the Monument Trail a second and third time before crossing the finish line.
Maps
5K – 600 ft. ascent
10K – 1,286 ft. ascent
15K – 1,834 ft. ascent
Half Marathon – 2,493 ft ascent
The course is well-marked with signs at every intersection and chalk lines on the ground in important locations. Mile marker signs are posted for all distances, and a halfway sign is posted for the half marathon.
Course marshals will be present at key intersections throughout this course. Please make sure your bib is visible so they can appropriately direct you and keep you on course.
The elevation profiles for the 5K, 10K, and half marathon are shown below. The 15K course follows the 10K course and then repeats the 5K course.
Aid Stations
Two fully stocked aid stations plus a water stop available on course. Most runners will pass both aid stations and the water stop multiple times during their race.
Directions and Parking
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located on Highway 49 in Coloma, between Auburn and Placerville. It’s in a rather remote area, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to drive out on the morning of the race.
Please park in the North Beach parking lot located at the north end of the park. Note there is a $10.00 parking fee per vehicle. Golden Poppy passes are accepted.
Race registration and check-in is located next to the start and finish lines in the Monroe Orchard, right across Highway 49 from the North Beach parking lot.
Awards
All runners in the Kids Run, 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon receive a medal for finishing the race.
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.