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The Western States Endurance Run

SCHEDULED TRAINING RUNS AND CLINICS

The information below is preliminary. Please check back late in 2009 for updates.

Two training events are scheduled in 2010 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.

FEBRUARY TRAINING RUN
Date TBA

This run acquaints you with the final 20 miles of the trail. Cost is $20, payable on arrival. No reservation necessary. Limited to the first 165 runners, arrive early.

Date: TBA

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.
 
 

CAMP WESTERN STATES
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, May 29-31, 2010

form

Sign Ups not yet open.
(Reservations are due by May 15th.)

  

Camp WS Trail Course Map

Three-day training camp for the Memorial Day weekend of May 29-31, 2010. 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. View the 2009 color brochure HERE.

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.


Online Signup not yet open

Camp WS, Day 1
Saturday, May 29, 2010

Assembly Site

Check In for all three events is the Foresthill Elementary School, Foresthill Road.

Foresthill Parking

Although you can park in the town of Foresthill, a large number of parked vehicles will have an 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.

Check In Time

Training Run: 7:00 am to 8:00 am

10K Run/Hike: 8:30 am to 9:00 am

Shuttle Service

Training Run: Bus to Robinson Flat leaves at 8:00 am (sharp!) The drive takes about 1 hour.

10K Run/Hike: Bus to Michigan Bluff leaves at 9:00 am. The drive takes about 15 minutes.

Event Routes

Training Run: 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.

10K Run/Hike: Michigan Bluff to Foresthill, 10K (~6.2 miles)

Following the day's events, 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.

Online Signup not yet open

Camp WS, Day 2
Sunday, May 30, 2010

Assembly Site: Foresthill Elementary School, Foresthill Road (Note location change from prior years: This is the school where the WS Run checkpoint is held, not the school grounds where you will be camping.)

Check In Time: 7:30 am to 8:30 am.

Run Route: Runners will depart at 8:30 am and the California Street section of trail, from Foresthill to Rucky Chucky (and exit to White Oak Flat), 20 Miles.

Following the run, a shuttle bus will return runners to the Foresthill Elementary School from White Oak Flat starting at noon.


Online Signup not yet open

Camp WS, Day 3
Monday, May 31, 2010

Assembly Site: Placer High School, Auburn.You are responsible for your own transportation to Placer High School (30 minutes from Foresthill.)

Check In Time: 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Runners' Shuttle Bus leaves Placer Hight School at 8:30 am sharp.

Run Route: Green Gate to Auburn Finish Line, 20 Miles

Camp WS, Additional Information:

  • An online reservation form will be provided here for your convenience, once signups are open. 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, 2010.
  • Sufficiently trained pacers, family, friends, etc., are welcome to participate in the training runs.
  • For Camp WS, 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.
  • 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.
  • If you wish to participate in the training runs ONLY (Shuttle Bus only, No meals, No campsite) there is a charge of $20 per training run to cover the cost of transportation, aid stations and insurance. See the "Run Only" section on the reservation form

"Running Western States hurts for a few days. The ride from an aid station to the finish hurts all year."
-- Wayne Miles



Western States Endurance Run, Inc.
2217 Ryedale Lane, Sacramento, CA 95835
Greg Soderlund, Run Director (916) 387-8796 or Send Email