RACE Day Signup
We will have race day signups, Race day entry is 135$, please get a check or venmo.
Course Description
WELCOME. Race Headquarters is in the parking lot at the north end of scenic Lake Merced lake at the foot of Sunset Boulevard in San Francisco, California. This is where you will park, check in, get your number, and receive aid.
It's mostly flat, USATF certified, 4.48-mile loop on either an asphalt path or groomed dirt shoulder around the lake. It's possible to run on the groomed shoulder path about 90% of the loop. There is approximately 100' of elevation gain and loss per loop.
With two exceptions, you will stay on the paved path that circles the lake. There are two spots approximately 0.75 miles after the start of the first lap where you will go straight and not follow the longer paved route. We will try to mark this on race day and will announce it prior to the start.
Runners will enjoy one aid station per loop fully stocked with water, electrolytes, and a wide selection of foods. You will also have access to your vehicle and are allowed to set up supplies near the aid station. A second water fountain and water dropoff is located about half way through the loop.
Start, Finish, and everything in between
New this year, there is only one turn-around point for the 50 mile event. The parking lot at the foot of Sunset Blvd. is "Race Headquarters." This is where you will park, check in, set up your supplies, get aid, and have your completed laps counted. It is now the finish line for the 50 km. and 50 mile events.
The start line for all races is a 0.28 mile walk from this area, and after a short announcement we will head there about 6:45. Note that it will still be a little dark at this time of the year.(see Lighting needs section below).
The first running loop for everyone is 4.2 miles followed by multiple 4.48 mile loops.
The first finishing decision is for the 50 km. After you finish your sixth full lap (mile 31.1) you can stop or choose to continue to 50 miles...
The next finishing distance is 50 miles. So that you can finish back at Race HQ, after your 11th lap you'll run out 0.51 miles to a turn-around point then run back to the finish line at Race HQ. The turn-around point will be clearly marked with chalk and a small sign. You'll have time to get to know this location well, but ask us as you go by if you are confused.
Format
Runners will be allowed to choose their distance during the race, but a runner can only be a finisher at one distance. Once reaching the 50 km point, a runner must decide whether to continue or stop. If the runner stops at 50 km., he/she is a finisher in that race and his/her tag will be pulled. Choosing to go beyond the 50 km. point makes the runner an entrant and competitor in the 50 mile event. You cannot continue past one distance and decide later that you want to be scored in the earlier distance. If you have questions, please ask.
There is a generous cutoff for 50 km. as long as you can keep moving and finish in 12hrs.
50 mile runners have another cutoff to meet based on a 15 min./mi. finishing pace: They must finish 50K in 7:30hrs (by 2:30pm TOD) They must finish their 10th lap (44.2 miles) by 11 hours, i.e. by 6:00 p.m., into the race.
Lighting needs
Civil sunrise is at 6:48 am that day. The start is at 7:00, so you will be running in the semi-dark for part of the first lap. Even though most of the route is on a wide, public path, you might want to carry a small light at the start. You can drop your light near the timing tent.
Civil sunset is at 7:02 pm that day.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE RD:
If it is your First Ultra, please reach out to RD anilrao@gmail.com for a 20% discount code.
All finishers will receive a custom Ruth Anderson Memorial Patch and car sticker.
If you think you might set a USATF age-group record, please let us know in advance so we can be sure to have the appropriate timing in place.
For more information on Ruth see https://ultrarunninghistory.com/ruth-anderson/.
The best way to find the start is by entering "Sunset Circle Lake Merced San Francisco" in Google maps.
Event's current local time: 3:38 AM PT
