COURSE

KNOW YOUR COURSE

The VALENCIA Trail Race features three distances to run, a 10K, Half Marathon, and 50K Ultra race through the awesome trails and killer hills of Valencia, CA.

This is a trail race that contains a good amount of physical challenge with combined elevation gains ranging from over 1700 feet for 10K runners to over 7000 feet for 50K runners. It is recommended that runners train for these elevation gains in the weeks leading up to the race.

Below you will find course details for each distance including a course map, elevation profile, course fly-through video, and course information. Take a few moments to become familiar with your course so you are well prepared and informed. This allows you to get the most out of the experience, focus on having fun and enjoy an awesome trail race.

valencia-trail-race-shirt-56

10K COURSE

10K COURSE MAP

10K Course Colors:
ORANGE Loop

Course Difficulty:

Cut-off Time:
4-hours

10K WALK THROUGH

10K runners will complete the ORANGE 10K loop. From the start, all runners will climb a 500-foot elevation gain to get up into the mountain trails reaching station #1 and begin the course loop. 10K runners simply follow the 10K course around from stations #1, to #4, then again to #4, and returning back to station #1, finally heading back to the finish line.

10K ELEVATION PROFILE

10K Elevation
10 Km

Distance

1735 Ft

Climb/Descent

1333 Ft

Lowest Point

1940 Ft

Highest Point

10K AID STATIONS

Mobile phone users, please rotate to landscape mode to properly view tabel below.

10K runners will visit a total of 4 aid stations through the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station on the 10K course.

STATION MILE* NOTES
1. Start 0 Start ORANGE course
2. Station #1 1.1 Hairpin turn at the top
3. Station #4 1.8 After reaching Tapia Canyon peak first time, follow the Stars & Stripes trail to left (the station is just past the trail entrance). *NOTE: It is approximately 3.2 miles gap until you return to this station, recommend hydrating and refueling before departing.
4. Station #4 5 Tapia Canyon peak, by power tower, go right then left the trail to #1
5. Station #1 5.4 Zigzag turn, head back to the big hill going down
6. Finish 6.5 Finish Line

Stations will contain water, Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate or Fuel2O electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, energy bars, crackers, licorice, and various foods. Items will vary from station to station, other essential items include a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. We highly recommend that you plan to run with a runner's bottle or hydration pack, you can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.

10K GPS TRACKS

The GPS files below can be saved to your computer or phone and uploaded to your app or GPS tracking device.  These are XML format files, once you click the button below, save the file then load it into your chosen destination.

HALF MARATHON COURSE

HALF MARATHON COURSE MAP

Half Marathon Course Colors:
ORANGE + BLUE Loops

Course Difficulty:

Cut-off Time:
6-hours

HALF MARATHON WALK THROUGH

Each course is a loop with longer distances breaking off at specific points to extend the distance from the previous loop. All runners will complete the ORANGE 10K loop, Half Marathon will also complete the BLUE loop. From the start, all runners will climb a 500-foot elevation gain to get up into the mountain trails reaching station #1 and begin the course loops.

Half Marathon runners will follow the 10K loop to station #4, then go LEFT to begin following the BLUE loop to station #5, then station #6, then station #3, then returning getting back on the section of the ORANGE loop to complete the BLUE loop coming back to station #4 (third time here), from this point now continue the remainder of the ORANGE loop going back to station #1 and the finish line.

HALF MARATHON ELEVATION PROFILE

Half Marathon Elevation
13.1/21

Distance (m/km)

3233 Ft

Climb/Descent

1333 Ft

Lowest Point

1969 Ft

Highest Point

HALF MARATHON AID STATIONS

Mobile phone users, please rotate to landscape mode to properly view tabel below.

Half Marathon runners will visit a total of 8 aid stations through the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station on the Half Marathon course.

STATION MILE* NOTES
1. Start 0 Start ORANGE course
2. Station #1 1.1 Hairpin turn at the top
3. Station #4 1.8 After reaching Tapia Canyon peak first time, follow the Stars & Stripes trail to left (the station is just past the trail entrance). *NOTE: It is approximately 3.2 miles gap until you return to this station, recommend hydrating and refueling before departing.
4. Station #4 5 Tapia Canyon peak, go under power tower to start BLUE course
5. Station #5 6 Fireroad fork, go left horseshoe turn to trail
6. Station #6 8.5 After a long canyon section
7. Station #3 9.8 After the fire road section, return to the canyon
8. Station #4 11.6 Tapia Canyon peak, by power tower, continue on ORANGE course go right, then left trail to #1
9. Station #1 12 Zig zag turn, head back to the big hill
10. Finish 13.1 Finish Line

Stations will contain water, Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate or Fuel2O electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, energy bars, crackers, licorice, and various foods. Items will vary from station to station, other essential items include a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. We highly recommend that you plan to run with a runner's bottle or hydration pack, you can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.

HALF MARATHON GPS TRACKS

The GPS files below can be saved to your computer or phone and uploaded to your app or GPS tracking device.  These are XML format files, once you click the button below, save the file then load it into your chosen destination.

50K COURSE

50K ULTRA COURSE MAP

50K Ultra Course Colors:
ORANGE + BLUE + PURPLE Loops

Course Difficulty:

Cut-off Time:
9-hours

50K ULTRA WALK THROUGH

2023 50K COURSE UPDATES

Two major changes are made to the 50K section starting with the 2023 race.

  • First: We removed the out and back section after station #8 to the u-turn which was on the paved road. There was too much public traffic making for unsafe conditions on the narrow road.  To make up the distance from the removed out/back it has been moved to the out and back by station #7.  This means you will only hit station #8 once and no more paved road, it's all dirt. Station #8 will still be your gear drop spot.
  • Second: Due to the heavy winter rains this year a section of the road that leads up to the 3-way intersection where station #7 usually is located, is currently not unpassable with a 4x4 or AWD vehicle. Instead, station #7 will move down to the u-turn location by the gate/road entrance.  This means you will hit station #7 twice, first after passing #5 heading towards #8, then when returning from #8 you will go back to station #7 again before continuing to #5 and the finish.

These changes mean 50K course will now be 30.6 miles and runners will hit a total of 14 stations during the race.

Each course is a loop with longer distances breaking off at specific points to extend the distance from the previous loop. All 50K runners will complete the ORANGE 10K loop, the BLUE Half Marathon loop, and the PURPLE (YELLOW flagging) 50K course. From the start, all runners will climb a 500-foot elevation gain to get up into the mountain trails reaching station #1 and begin the course loops.

50K and Half Marathon runners will follow the 10K loop to station #4, then go LEFT to begin following the BLUE loop to station #5, then station #6, then station #3, then returning getting back onto a section of the ORANGE loop to complete the BLUE loop coming back to station #4 (second time here).

Now 50K runners take the LEFT fork to begin the PURPLE LOOP (YELLOW flagging) going to station #5 and take the RIGHT going towards the large 3-way intersection, go RIGHT to station #7 and complete a U-TURN back to the 3-way intersection, now go right towards station #8 to complete a U-TURN to the 3-way intersection, then #7 (second time), after coming back up to the 3-way intersection go left going towards station #5 (third time here) and #4 (third time here) to complete the PURPLE course, from this point now continue the remainder of the ORANGE loop going back to station #1 and the finish line.

Note: 50K ultra course is approximately 50/50 trail and fire access road.

50K ULTRA ELEVATION PROFILE

50K Elevation
30.6 M

Distance

7261 Ft

Climb/Descent*

1333 Ft

Lowest Point

2354 Ft

Highest Point

* Readings on elevation gain/descent varies from all platforms and devices. This is the best reading we currently have with 7261 ft for the 50K.

50K ULTRA AID-STATIONS

Mobile phone users, please rotate to landscape mode to properly view tabel below.

50K ultra runners will visit a total of 14 aid stations through the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station on the 50K ultra course.

STATION MILE* NOTES
1. Start 0 Start ORANGE course
2. Station #1 1.1 Hairpin turn at the top, follow the trail to left
3. Station #4 1.8 After reaching Tapia Canyon peak first time, follow the Stars & Stripes trail to left (the station is just past the trail entrance). *NOTE: It is approximately 3.2 miles gap until you return to this station, recommend hydrating and refueling before departing.
4. Station #4 5 Tapia Canyon peak, go under power tower to start BLUE course
5. Station #5 6 Fireroad fork, go left horseshoe turn to trail towards the rainbow bench
6. Station #6 8.5 Coming out of the long canyon section, go left climb up
7. Station #3 9.8 After the fire road section, return to the canyon
8. Station #4 11.6 Tapia Canyon peak, by power tower, start the PURPLE course (YELLOW flagging) going left under power towers
9. Station #5 12.6 Fireroad fork, go right
10. Station #7 15.7 3-way fork, go right to u-turn to reach station #7
11. Station #8 20.3 Dry Gulch Road, u-turn to head back to #7. Gear drop station.
12. Station #7 25 3-way fork, go left to #7 u-turn again.
13. Station #5 28.2 Fireroad fork, go left back to #4
14. Station #4 29.2 Tapia Canyon peak, go left to #1
15. Station #1 29.6 Zig zag turn, head back to the big hill
16. Finish 30.6 Finish Line

Stations will contain water, Gnarly Sports Nutrition Hydrate or Fuel2O electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, energy bars, crackers, licorice, and various foods. Items will vary from station to station, other essential items include a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. We highly recommend that you plan to run with a runner's bottle or hydration pack, you can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.

50K ULTRA GPS TRACKS

The GPS files below can be saved to your computer or phone and uploaded to your app or GPS tracking device.  These are XML format files, once you click the button below, save the file then load it into your chosen destination.

Course Markings

The course will be marked with colored flagging that matches the course map colors along with directional arrows. Follow your colors and you won't get lost.

  • 10K = ORANGE ONLY
  • HALF MARATHON = ORANGE > BLUE > ORANGE
  • 50K ULTRA = ORANGE > BLUE > PURPLE (YELLOW) > ORANGE

In addition to flagging tape, there will be signs and stations at key locations to help make sure you turn in the right direction. Study the map colors for your distance and then follow those colors at the race!

NOTE: For 50K race we are using YELLOW flagging tape on the 50K course instead of purple for better visibility. 

Flagging Tape

Course Access

Many runners like to train and preview the course route before race day.  While much of course takes place on private property, it is accessible for the public to run.  Simply follow these guidelines:

  1. Park on the San Francisquito Canyon Road shoulder by the start line area.
  2. Do not drive past the fence and park.  It is private property and the owner does not want people parking inside.
  3. When parking before the entrance, do not block the trash cans or mailboxes.
  4. Hide all valuables and lock your car.
  5. Hike into the start area and trailhead.

Important Notes:

  • Pack extra water and fuel, there is no access or amenities once you are on the trails.
  • Do not litter, pack out your trash.
  • These trails are popular with local mountain bikers. Be aware and listen for them coming up behind you.  Step aside to allow them to pass.
  • Be respectful and share the trails.
VALENCIA Trail Race Location

COURSE FACTS

Killer Hills*
%
Single Track*
%
Mountain Roads
%
Awesome Run

*20 hills on 50K Ultra course, 9 hills on Half Marathon course, 5 hills on 10K course. 50K Ultra course is approximately 50% single track and mountain roads.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Welcome race sponsors & partners. We are currently accepting sponsor applications for the race, learn more.

RACE DAY IS MARCH 23, 2024

Day
Hour
Minute
Second

Take the Awesome Trail Challenge and run the VALENCIA Trail Race!