Troy’s Thunder Mountain Ultra

RACE CANCELLED

Date:	Saturday, September 30, 2023
Difficulty:	Expert, particularly for distances 25K and up. THIS IS A FALL SEASON EVENT. Warm clothes are highly recommended for low morning temperatures and possible rainfall.
Location:	Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort Red Cliffs Day Lodge 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive Kirkwood, CA 95646
Race Distances:	5K, 10K, 8M, 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) All long distance runners must complete the first loop by 1PM.

About the Race

Step into a world where endurance meets breathtaking beauty. Prepare to be challenged, exhilarated, and awestruck as we present to you an even greater test of your limits, at 8,000+ ft, in the same spectacular location as our previous races.

Troy’s Thunder Mountain Ultra will push you beyond your comfort zone and redefine your perception of what’s possible. The Kirkwood Ultras isn’t just a race; it’s an exploration of your inner strength and a celebration of the human spirit.

Picture yourself amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes that have captivated runners from across the globe. Towering mountains, lush valleys, and serene alpine lakes provide the backdrop for your epic undertaking. As you traverse our meticulously designed Thunder Mountain Loop, with up to 5,000 feet of elevation gain, you’ll be reminded of the beauty that exists at the intersection of determination and nature’s grandeur.

This isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of human potential, a communion with nature, and a testament to the remarkable capabilities that reside within you.

Are you ready to go beyond?

—Troy

REGISTRATION

SIGN UP TODAY AT ULTRA SIGNUP!

• 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.

Questions

troy@tctruns.com

Amenities at Start / Finish / Primary Aid Station Include:

Full Service Restrooms

General Store (Food, Beer, Coffee, Etc.)

Seating Area

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 one primary aid station at this race event that you may hit multiple times depending on the race distance you are running. There will be at least three water stations along the route.

• Red Cliffs Lodge (Start/Finish/Aid)

RACE MAPS AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

5K COURSE MAP

3.1 Mile Loop on the valley floor with slight elevation.
All distances will complete this initial section

10K COURSE MAP

Complete 5K course and reverse the same loop.

8 MILE COURSE MAP

Runners will run an “Out and Back” to the 4M marker and water stop before returning to the Red Cliffs Lodge.

HALF MARATHON COURSE MAP

Runners will run “Out and Back” to the 6.6M marker before return to the Red Cliffs Lodge. You will hit a water stop twice.

25K COURSE MAP

Runners will run “Out and Back” to the 6.6M marker before return to the Red Cliffs Lodge. You will hit a water stop 3 times.

30K COURSE MAP

Runners will complete the full Thunder Mountain Loop.
ATTENTION: 11M section without water / aid.
1PM CUTOFF
You will hit a water stop 3 times.

MARATHON COURSE MAP

Runners will complete the full Thunder Mountain Loop and reverse the 5K.
ATTENTION: 11M section without water / aid.
1PM CUTOFF @ END OF THUNDER MOUNTAIN LOOP
You will hit the primary aid station twice and a water stop 3 times.

50K COURSE MAP

Runners will complete the full Thunder Mountain Loop.
Second Loop is 8 miles to Sentinel / Dangberg Trail Intersection, followed by a 1 mile return to the Red Cliffs Lodge.
ATTENTION: 11M section without water / aid.
1PM CUTOFF @ END OF THUNDER MOUNTAIN LOOP
7PM CUTOFF TO COMPLETE RACE
You will hit the primary aid station twice and a water stop 5 times.

KIRKWOOD’S MOUNTAIN TRAIL BIKE MAP

Additional trail map / detail available on this Mountain Trail Bike Map

Wet Feet Mileage

Certain sections may require small water crossings.

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:

Crew are welcome to join us at the Red Cliffs Lodge Start / Finish / Aid area.

Food, beer, coffee, restrooms and seating area available.

We can advise on trail intersections to meet your runners. Please reach out via e-mail, troy@tctruns.com

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.