Diablo, How steep is steep??

[suz]

HI, Can someone who has run the Diablo course give me a description of the terrain? My biggest question is how steep it is.
Obviously... there is a lot of grade (over 4000' !!!) but I am wondering if it is a steady grade through-out, or will we be hitting "cliffs".

It's a little late to make any changes to the training plan... but I just wanted to know so I could "mentally prepare" (i.e. should I be panicking??) and decide whether I should bring my watch or a calendar to time my event!

I have run Pirates Cove, and Angel Island, if it helps as a comparison... and I live in Santa Rosa, so run all over Annadel a lot. Any descriptions would be appreciated! THANKS!

[willgotthardt]

Suz-

Diablo 25K course is definitely a worthy challenge at any level of ability, but nothing to panic over...the first 5K (3M) has several steep sections that even many among the lead groups hike, and overall those first few miles are the most difficult of the course imo (I've raced it 3X, and trained there another 4-5X)...bottomline it's essentially an 8M ascent, with a short bit of relief around mile 5 Juniper aid station (flattens out with short descent thereafter, before resuming summit climb), so you simply find a comfortable pace and push ahead...the 8M runnable descent that finishes the course is pretty great.

Will G.

[suz]

THANKS! That is exactly the sort of description I wanted!! Very helpful! I LOVE to run downhill! I am looking forward to this run!

[jwm]

I agree with Will, the Mitchell Canyon sections can be a little steep and near the summit,, it gets a little grim. The section of backcreek has lots of nice singletrack that switchbacks across the ridge. I live in Clayton and hardly get over to Mitchell because Backcreek, Deer Flat and the falls are much more fun and interesting to run. I'll be there this Saturday, it will be nice not to have to drive to the start of the race.

[thr3ee]

If your doing the 25K, it shouldn't be any problem. There are some steep climbs as folks have noted, but you'll be heading back down hill before you know it! For the downhill, the section below the summit can be a bit dicey for those who don't like steep descents, but the rest of the downhill is all very gradual.

Now, if you are doing the 50K, it's another story. The hills are at least 2-3 times steeper during the second trip up ;D