50K, Marathon & Half Marathon!

7:00 a.m. 50K & Marathon Start

7:30 a.m. Half Marathon Start

The desert in spring displays its scenic wonders at their finest, and brings the most comfortable weather for running, camping, and other fun activities which are planned for you, your friends, and your family.  All courses lead you through Anza Borrego Desert’s most diverse and pristine lands.  Temperatures range from the low 40’s overnight, to daytime highs in the low 70’s. Old West Trails Fest  courses are welcoming and runner friendly.  Many Old West runners achieve new personal records. Throughout the entire 50K and marathon courses, runners will experience only about 2500 feet of gain & loss! The 1/2 Marathon course is considerably less “daunting”, with only 670 feet of elevation gain & loss.   Generous time allowances are provided to encourage runners who are new to trails, and older geezers  to come on down and join the fun!  All participants will receive a tech t-shirt.  Medals to all finishers.  Hot showers available for after the run!

We pledge a fun, exciting, and memorable experience for every runner! Bring the entire family!

The race begins at STAGECOACH TRAILS RV RESORT & CAMPGROUND.  Plenty of room for all runners, families, friends, and even your horses!  Dogs are allowed in camp,  but NOT permitted on state park trails.  Make Old West Trails your fun,  weekend long festival.  Reserve a room at STAGECOACH INN, a modular western cabin, or campsite (all sites have FULL HOOKUPS).  Numerous restrooms and hot showers are conveniently located throughout this spacious campground.   Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and free Wi-Fi access. 

The resort has over 200 campsites, but ROOMS & CABINS WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY!    

CALL Right Now  TO RESERVE YOURS!      

Phone 760-765-2197 TO RESERVE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS & TELL THEM YOU ARE WITH OLD WEST. 

Visit their website at:  www.stagecoachtrails.com   However, reserve by phone!

Old West Trails will receive its event permit approval from Anza Borrego Desert State Park!  Our local supervising ranger continues to be enthusiastic and supportive of our offering to each of you.  Click here for STATE PARK RULES.   

DROPPING OUT, QUITTING THE COURSE, RESCUE:

Should you need, for any unfortunate reason, to quit the course, YOU MUST NOTIFY  THE AID STATION CAPTAIN and RADIO OPERATOR at one of the major aid stations, Plum Canyon, Stage Coach Saddle, or Blair Valley aid stations. 

 COURSE BRIEFING, SIMPLE VERSION

At Blair Valley, 50K runners will turn around and return to Stage Coach Saddle aid station, while marathon and half marathoners will complete a short loop and shortcut to Stage Coach aid station.

From Stage Coach aid station, both 50K and marathoners will follow the combined orange/yellow ribbons for approximately one mile on the California Riding & Hiking trail until they reach a sandy, jeep road.  50K and marathon runners will continue straight across the road, following orange ribbons on the California Riding & Hiking trail, while half marathoners turn left onto the sandy, jeep road (which will still show combined orange/yellow ribbons) back to the start/finish.

50K and marathon runners will continue approximately 6.5 miles to Plum Canyon aid station, then return along the 6.5 mile route until they hit the sandy, jeep road once again.  They will turn right and follow combined orange/yellow ribbons to the finish.

Elevation gain/loss 50K and marathon course:  2,555 feet.  

 Total elevation gain/loss Half Marathon course:   670 feet

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 * Crews. friends, & family may ONLY be on the course at Blair Valley and Plum Canyon.   Click Here for driving directions for Crews!

# The 3:30 pm cut off at the finish line applies to 50K and Marathon.  Half Marathon runners must complete the course by 1:00 pm.

AID STATON SUPPLIES & VOLUNTEERS: 

The three FULL AID STATION LOCATIONS, Stagecoach Saddle, Blair Valley, & Pinyon Canyon will each offer water, sport drinks, soda, and ice.  Snacks will include items such as sport gels, chips/pretzels/crackers, PB and J sandwiches, bananas & oranges, cookies.  Electrolyte capsules will be on hand.  If you need to drop out for any reason, you MUST quit at one of these aid stations!  Notify the aid station captain, turn in your bib to the captain, and let them know if you need a ride back to camp.

Volunteers:  

Volunteers, are the truly INDISPENSIBLE component of any event of this type!  It is vital for all runners to frequently and warmly express your appreciation at each encounter! Volunteers are runners, other race directors, local residents of Shelter Valley, skilled radio operators, equestrian units, course markers, sweepers, and on it goes!  Volunteers also check you in and cook great food too!  They all serve without pay, collecting only  your expressions of THANKS and your ever present smiling faces.

If you would like to volunteer, send us an email! We would love to have you!