Plus everything you need to know before Race Day.
If you have any other questions or concerns please e-mail us at team@tctruns.com, or reach out to us via our Facebook Page
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aid stations will there be and what kinds of food can I expect?
There will always be AT LEAST one fully stocked aid station at all our races. We will always have water, Gatorade and soda in stock for you. We also stock up on chips, chocolates, candy, power bars, sandwiches, and fruit, while ensuring that vegetarian and vegan options are always available for our runners.
We strongly encourage all longer distance runners with special dietary needs (or cravings such as potatoes, special branded supplements or hydration, pb&j, etc.) to prepare their own nutrition and place it in a drop bag that can be checked in with staff the morning of the race. These will be transported to/from aid stations by staff, accessible to runners during the race and available to pick up at the finish line. Please see our drop bags section below and additional information on each of our race pages.
When and where can I pick up my race bib?
Unless otherwise specified via e-mail or our event race page, Bib Pick-up happens with registration on race morning, which opens an hour before race start.
What happens if I hurt myself during the race?
All of our races are staffed by at least one EMT, who is available to all runners until the end of our races. They ensure that medical equipment is available and are certified by the state of California. Additionally, all Aid Stations are stocked with a first-aid kit. We also ask that everyone sign a waiver before the race starts, as running in the mountains can be dangerous and we cannot be held liable for any incidents that occur on the trail.
Where do I park my car?
All of our races are conveniently located within a short walk from parking lots. We ensure that you don’t have to pay to park for the majority of our races, but we do encourage car-pooling, which allows us to be better stewards of the lands we’re using and ensures that there is enough parking for everyone.
What if I can’t make it to a race I signed up for?
Worry not, simply send us an e-mail at least 24 hours before the race’s scheduled start time and we can transfer your race registration to a future race of your choosing (some conditions may apply) for a distance equal to or shorter than the one you signed up for. Please note that no-shows and requests received within 24 hours of race start forfeit their registration fees, so please kindly contact us at least 24 hours before the race to take advantage of our ‘most generous in the industry’ rollover policy.
Can I be refunded for a race if I don’t make it?
Unfortunately no. All of our race registration sales are final. We are happy to accommodate a race transfer if you get in touch with us at least 24 hours beforehand, but we do not offer refunds, and we cannot transfer “no-shows” on race day.
When will race results and photos of the race be posted?
We aim to have all race results published to our website within 48 hours of the race finish. Often this occurs much sooner. You can find your results here.
We rely on our volunteer photographers and fellow runners to upload race pictures, and very much appreciate their time and efforts. Please check our CrowdPic-linked race photos page here. Continue to check back within the week following the race as additional photos may continue to be added!
Can I register for a race on the day of the race?
Race day registration is available for a small additional fee as indicated on each race’s registration page. We can accept Cash, Check or Credit Cards via Venmo on the morning of the race.
Where can I find additional information for a race I am signed up to?
Any updates to our races, such as cancellations or changes will be e-mailed to you via the e-mail you signed up with and all information will be published to our Facebook Page and website.
Is there anything I should plan to bring with me on race day?
Our aid stations are fully stocked with most everything you need. However, for our longer distances, we recommend that you bring a running pack/hydration backpack or water bottle(s) and at least one warm clothing item. Anything else you might like to bring is at your discretion.
We do offer checked drop bag service and we strongly encourage all longer distance runners with special dietary needs to prepare their own nutrition and place it in a drop bag that can be checked in with staff the morning of the race. These will be transported to/from aid stations by staff, accessible to runners during the race and available to pick up at the finish line. Please see our drop bags section below and additional information on each of our race pages.
Does everyone receive a T-Shirt and Medal?
All of our race participants will receive a medal at the finish line for their distance. Performance tech shirts with the Troy’s California Trail Runs logo are available for $15 at the time of your online registration and you will receive them on race day. At times we will have extra tech shirts available for sale on race day, but we recommend ordering with registration to guarantee your size will be waiting for you at check-in.
How are the courses marked?
All of our courses are marked with ribbons and gypsum chalk in the days leading up to the race. Full course maps, including elevation profiles, are available on our website for each race. Additionally, we present a trail briefing 15 minutes before the start of our races.
What happens in case of inclement weather?
All courses and distances are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, including weather. If this happens, we will do the best we can to keep the intended distances as close as possible on any new courses.
What is your cancellation policy?
If an event is canceled by the Park Service Authority due to a natural disaster or bad weather, a property owner decides to cancel the event, or the race director needs to cancel for any other reason, your registration will be rolled over to another event. Due to the massive expense of putting on these events, it is not possible to issue refunds if we must cancel an event.
Do you offer any discounts?
Active military & first responders receive a 15% discount. Please e-mail team@tctruns.com to process your military or first responders registration discount before registering.
Can I volunteer for your races?
Without the support of our volunteers, our races and what we do simply wouldn’t be possible! If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our Volunteers Page for more information.
How do you map your races?
We use online software to map all of our races, and we also measure our courses when marking them in the days leading up to a race. Data on distances and elevation profiles on our site will not always be identical to the data you record on race day with your watches. We’ve seen up to 10% differences in some cases. This is because there is no universal algorithm used to calculate this information. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you have any completed runs that you would like to share with us to improve our maps please email a link of your completed run or provide a GPX file to team@tctruns.com. Thank you for your contribution!
Will there be a photographer at your races?
Yes! We love and appreciate our volunteer photographers, and make an effort to have at least one to capture the magic for each of our races. If you have any race day photos you’d like to share with us, please visit our Photos Page.
Can I wear headphones/earphones at your races?
Yes, however, when you come into aid stations we recommend that you remove your listening devices so that we can communicate with you effectively. We also highly recommend being aware of your surroundings on the trails, which headphones/earphones might have an affect on.
Are poles allowed at your races?
Yes, they are allowed at all of our trail races.
How does your drop bag service work?
We strongly encourage all longer distance runners with special dietary needs (or cravings such as potatoes, special branded supplements or hydration, pb&j, etc.) to prepare their own nutrition and place it in a drop bag that can be checked in with staff the morning of the race. These will be transported to/from aid stations by staff, accessible to runners during the race and available to pick up at the finish line.
This included service is usually available for all runners attempting any distance longer than a half marathon, but varies at each race by terrain, staffing and aid station placements. Additional details that pertain to a specific race will be listed on that race’s web page.
While we always take great care to safeguard your belongings, we strongly encourage using a sturdy but disposable (if possible) bag and not checking any electronics or valuable items as we cannot be held liable for the contents. We have several runners at each race who simply forget to retrieve their drop bags at the finish and it creates extra work for everyone coordinating their returns. While we will make every attempt to return drop bags to the finish line prior to the runner finishing, they are subject to delay on occasion and we would not want anyone upset they are waiting for important items.