This event is run entirely inside the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, set in the beautiful foothills of Coloma along the south fork of the American River. This is the site at which gold was discovered in 1848, igniting the gold rush and leading to California’s quick rise to statehood.

This magnificent and historic park is only 40 miles from Sacramento, with plenty of sights, scenes, trails, and parking!

All of the courses are a mix of very appealing singletrack dirt trails and a few paved areas. There are some moderately technical ascents and descents with a lot of switchbacks. There are also some sections of rolling hills and other places where the course is completely flat. With the addition of scenic views and a variety of wildlife, there is plenty to make this run very enjoyable and interesting.

The race is held rain or shine. Be aware that it can be very cold in Coloma in the morning. No strollers are allowed in the race.

The time limit for this event is 4.5 hours.

Schedule:

7:00 AM — Registration opens
8:00 AM — Start of Kids Run
8:15 AM — Trail Briefing
8:30 AM — Start of all Other Distances

Course Info:

Runners participating in all four races first follow the 5K course and return to the start/finish location. The 5K course makes a large clockwise loop around most of the park, climbing to the highest point (about 500 feet above the flat meadows) and following the Monroe Ridge Trail past scenic views before descending to the base of the mountain where runners reach the finish line.

The 10K, 15K, and half marathon courses continue by following a shorter counterclockwise loop that makes a gradual ascent along the Monument Trail and returns to the starting line in the opposite direction. Runners then head straight up the mountain on the steep half-mile fire road before the 10K/15K and half marathon courses split. 10K and 15K runners turn right and follow the Monroe Ridge Trail clockwise back to the finish line at the base of the mountain just as they did for the first loop. 15K runners then follow the 5K loop again.

At the top of the fire road, the half marathon course turns left and follows the Monroe Ridge Trail in the counterclockwise direction. Runners descend along the Monument Trail, where they pass the halfway mark, and return to the start/finish location. The remainder of the half marathon course consists of two counterclockwise loops following the entire Monroe Ridge Trail and descending along the Monument Trail a second and third time before crossing the finish line.

Click here for Course 5K Map
Click here for Course 10K Map
Click here for Course Half Marathon Map

Awards:

All runners in the 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon receive a medal for finishing the race.

Cost:

Kids Run - $25
1 Mile - $30
5K - $55
10K - $65
15K - $70
Half Marathon - $85

Click here to Register