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Two training runs have been scheduled in 2008 to acquaint
runners with the last 70 miles of the trail. It is recommended that each
entrant, especially newcomers to Western States, take advantage of these runs
as they will acquaint you with both the trail itself and the conditions you can
expect to encounter on Race Day. There will be many runners participating in
these runs who have considerable experience on the trail. They will be more
than happy to share their knowledge and experiences.
Plan on carrying your own water and whatever supplies you may
need. At least two water bottles and a fanny pack is recommended. Aid
stations and bus service will be provided.
If you plan on deviating from the scheduled run (running
a different section of the trail, running farther than the described run,
etc.), you will not be permitted to officially participate in the scheduled
training run or training camp. The aid stations are for use of the official
runners only. We cannot be responsible for you, and our insurance coverage does
not permit it. |
TRAINING RUN NO. 1
February 16, 2008
This run acquaints you with the final 20 miles of the trail.
Cost is $20. No reservation necessary.
Date: Saturday, February 16, 2008
Time: Bus leaves at 8:00 a.m. sharp.
Site: Placer High School, Auburn, California
Route: Green Gate to Auburn, 20 Miles
We will meet at the stadium at Placer High School and
leave by bus for the Green Gate at Sliger Mine Road. This is close to the river
crossing at Rucky Chucky. From there we will run to the finish line in Auburn,
approximately 20 miles. This will familiarize you with a section of trail that
you will be running at night.
Driving Directions to Placer High: From Hwy. 80
eastbound, take the Hwy. 49 exit in Auburn. Turn right at the signal at the
bottom of the offramp. Proceed approx. 100ft and turn left at the traffic light
on Lincoln Way. Proceed 50ft and turn right on Oakwood Dr. Proceed one block
and turn left on High St. Take the second right onto Finley St. Continue
straight about 1/4 mile. At the split, stay to the right, this will put you on
Stadium Way. Park behind (above) the High School stadium.  See
map. |
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TRAINING RUN NO. 2
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, May 24-26,
2008 |
Three-day training camp for the Memorial Day weekend of May
24-26, 2008. This has been a tremendous success each year with over 750
runners participating during the three-day weekend. Conditions permitting, the
training runs will cover the last 70 miles of the course.
We will be using the Foresthill Middle School facilities for
our meals, camping, bathrooms and showers. Maps directing you to the school
will be sent to all those who make reservations. There are no commercial
lodging facilities in Foresthill. Hotels and motels are available in Auburn,
located approximately 30 minutes from Foresthill. Camping facilities will be
available for your use Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
Directions to the Foresthill Middle School
(camping, meals and showers): Take Interstate 80 (towards Reno) past the three
Auburn exits (if you are coming from Sacramento) or prior to reaching the
Auburn exits (if you are coming from Reno). Take the Foresthill exit and turn
East onto Foresthill Road. It is 15.5 miles to Foresthill Middle School. The
school will be on your right. Signs will also indicate the
campsite.
If you are flying to the camp: We suggest that you fly
into Sacramento. If you are planning to rent a car, consider renting a van that
could be used to sleep in at the campsite. |
Day 1
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008
Check In: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Assembly Site: Foresthill Elementary School,
Foresthill Road.
Directions: Take Interstate 80 (towards
Reno) past the three Auburn exits (if you are coming from Sacramento) or prior
to reaching the Auburn exits (if you are coming from Reno). Take the Foresthill
exit and turn East onto Foresthill Road. At the exit, set your odometer to "0"
and proceed 17 miles to Foresthill. Proceed down the long hill and across the
Foresthill Bridge. At mile 17, at the east end of Foresthill, the Elementary
School is located on the right. Parking: You can park in the town of
Foresthill. A large number of vehicles parking in Foresthill will have some
impact on the town. We would like to minimize that impact as much as possible.
Please be careful not block any driveways and do not park in any no-parking
zones or directly in front of any businesses. There is a frontage road that
runs the length of the town of Foresthill. Between the frontage road and the
Foresthill Road is a median. You can park diagonally in the median or parallel
park on the frontage road.
Shuttle Bus: Bus to Robinson Flat leaves at 8:00
a.m. (sharp!) The drive takes about 1 hour.
Run Route: You will run from Robinson Flat
(depending on snow conditions) back to the campsite, a distance of
approximately 32 miles. This section will acquaint you with the canyons and the
two most difficult climbs of the entire Run (Devil's Thumb and Michigan Bluff).
Depending on the weather, the run may also help acquaint you with the heat you
are likely to experience in the canyons on Race Day. If we are unable to get to
Robinson Flat, a substitute route over as much of the scheduled trail as
possible will be run. The exact route of this training run will depend upon
snow and weather conditions in the high country.
Following the run, we will spend time resting and
relaxing until supper. Use tents, motor homes, vans, or whatever you have
available to sleep in. We will provide you with supper, and breakfast the next
morning. A trail briefing for the next day's run and some form of entertainment
will be on the evening agenda at the Foresthill Middle School. |
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Day 2
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2008
Time: Run starts at 8:30 a.m.
Route: Foresthill to Rucky Chucky (and back to
White Oak Flat), 20 Miles.
The second day, you will walk or drive to the
intersection of Foresthill and California Street. From this location you
will run the California Street section of trail. Departure time will be 8:30
a.m., and a shuttle bus will return runners to the campsite from White Oak Flat
starting at noon. |
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Day 3
Date: Monday, May 26, 2008
Time: Bus leaves Placer Hight School at 8:30 a.m.
sharp.
Route: Green Gate to Auburn, 20 Miles.
The third day, you will be responsible for your own
transportation to Placer High School (30 minutes). From there, buses will
transport you to Green Gate (50 minutes), where you will run the final 20 miles
of the trail back to the finish line. |
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Additional Information:
- Training Run No. 2 (Day 1) will depend on snow conditions
in the high country. Alternate route typically starts at the intersection
of Mosquito Ridge Road and N-44. You will run five miles down N-44 to Dusty
Corners where you will pick up the WS Trail.
- A
 reservation
form is provided for your convenience. We can only allow participants
who have made reservations, since the caterers require us to provide them with
exact numbers. The Race Director must receive reservations no later than
May 15, 2008.
- Aid stations will be provided for all training runs,
but they will be few in number. Come fully prepared for a run in the mountains,
however, as we can't promise anything.
- For the safety of all concerned, cut-off times for all
of the training runs will be established at all of the aid stations. If you do
not arrive at an aid station before the cut-off time, you will not be permitted
to proceed any farther. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in
your disqualification from participation on Race Day. We cannot be responsible
for runners being out on the trail after dark. Cut-offs will be based on a
30-hour pace, or 18-minute miles.
- There will be a charge of $20 for each training run to
cover the cost of transportation, aid stations and insurance. You do not need
reservations if you will be participating in the training runs ONLY.
Sufficiently trained pacers, family, friends, etc., are welcome to participate
in the training runs. We are looking forward to meeting you and training with
you.
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"Running Western States hurts for a few days.
The ride from an aid station to the finish hurts all year."
-- Wayne
Miles |
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