Diablo Course Comments?

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Several people are wondering what the Diablo 50 course is like. Here's an excerpt from a note Wendell sent to an entrant:

Yes, we’ve run the 50 mile course many times - including doing two loops for 100 miles 3 or 4 times. It has almost 13,380’ of elevation gain and is very challenging. 11 or 12 hours is a very good time. The course travels through the entire park with great views and a wide range of areas (technical single track trails, wide dirt roads, shaded trees, open sun, chaparral).

Does anyone else who's run the course have anything else to contribute? I'm sure that many people would be interested in any comments about the course and/or suggestions for the run.

Sarah (PCTR)

[chihpingfu]

Hi Sarah,

While studying the course map and the profile, I have a question about the out and back section from Rock City to Finley Road. This is mile 25 to 38. However, this section of the profile does not show much of symmetry or mirror. Is the out and back on the same trails?

I'd also like to know how exposed it is on the trails not in the marathon course, including the above out and back section, the North Gate loop, and north gate to Rock City? I think I'll run them duing the hottest of the day.

Do you provide enough (any brand) Gels at the aid stations? Otherwise, I have to put some in my drop bags.

Thanks,

Chihping

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Ah, good catch, Chihping! It looks as if we need to update the elevation chart to reflect the change of that section from a loop (first few years) to an out-and-back (last year, this year, and going forward). Thanks for noticing that.

The sections that on the 50-mile course and not on the marathon vary in how much they're exposed.

The North Gate loop starts out on exposed fireroad, enters shade for awhile (Sunset Trail, Stage Road, Little Yosemite Trail), goes back to exposed fireroad (as you head out toward Macedo Ranch), and returns to the (sunny) aid station. Then it's combined shade and sun from there to Rock City/Live Oak - mostly shaded 'til you reach Stage Road, I'd say.

At that aid station you start the Finley Road out-and-back in shade and encounter shade before the turnaround aid station, but most of it is exposed.

As for gels, we'll have some Clif Shots and some Clif Bloks at the aid stations - but, as always, if you NEED something, it's a good idea to put some in your drop bags. I can't guarantee that they'll last all day...and night!

Hope that helps.

Sarah (PCTR)

[evilrobot]

"drop bags", i'm not familiar with this...

hoping it means we can stash a bag with socks, gels, tape, whatever... and have it left at a certain point?

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Exactly. If you bring one or two bags (or other containers) with items you need/want during the run and place them near the 'Juniper' and/or 'Rock City' signs at the start, we will transport them to the appropriate aid station for you.

We advise putting your name on your bags and/or using something that you can easily identify, so it's easier to find your stuff at the aid station(s) when you go through.

If you check the course description, it lists at which aid statons/mile markers you'll have access to your drop bags. www.pctrailruns.com/Diablo_Course_Description.htm

Hope this helps - and feel free to post if you have other questions.

Sarah (PCTR)

[Jon]

Couple questions:

1. I'm planning on running the 50 miler, but not sure what condition I will be in since I'm running the Country Music marathon the day before. I was trying to figure out at what point I need to make a decision to continue on the 50 course vs. the marathon. Is the decision point at about mile 9 after descending along the Summit Trail? It also looks like one could make a decision at Rock City to run a 37 mile course. Is that allowable?

2. Based on cut-off times it looks like even at the slowest pace, we don't need flashlights until Juniper. Can you confirm?

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Yep, you're right on all counts. Good job!

Sarah (PCTR)

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Just to clarify, Jon - typically, a bunch of people sign up for the 50 but opt to do the 38 mile run instead. (Some people know this going in, others decide when they get to Rock City that day.) They eliminate the out-and-back to Finley Road, so use the Rock City aid station as their 'turn around' point. As always, as long as people make it back to the finish line, we give them credit for miles covered.

And it looks as if it may be a hot one this year - they're calling for ~80 degrees in Clayton on Sunday.

Sarah

[addygrl]

Another question about the drop bags. I'm doing the marathon, so will I want/need a drop bag for this? And, for this shorter distance, are there still 2 drop bag points?

And on the note of times, are there really no cut offs for the marathon course besides finishing before the 16 hours are up?

This weather looks a bit intimidating

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Yep, your cut-offs are the same as for the 50-mile folks. And your drop bag spots are the same, too - Juniper Campground and Live Oak which, for marathoners, is not too far from your turnaround point.

And the weather DOES look a bit intimidating, doesn't it?! As long as they don't modify it up too much from the 80 degrees they're saying now, though, it shouldn't be TOO bad...

See you then!

Sarah

[ultrajegi]

Yipeee, maybe that means I won't be freezing!

;D

Beat

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Oh, I don't think 80 degrees is going to be NEARLY enough to keep YOU from freezing!

See you Sunday, Beat!

Sarah

[leinfellner]

Time to stock up on ice cold beer at the aid stations!

Norbert

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Poppy seed bagels AND cold beer for the marathon?! If I do all that, what will I have to do next year when you do the 50?!

Sarah

[chihpingfu]

I noticed that some ran 32, 33, 41, 53, 55 miles last year (http://www.pctrailruns.com/Diablo_Results_06.htm). How did they do that? In particular, what made them do extra miles? Missed a turn and where?

Chihping