Race Description
Our newest event, the Monterey Ultra 50M had a great inaugural year, we brought it back! This event is building on our success of the Ordnance 100k (not happening in 2025).
Monterey Bay Area locals designed this beautiful course to highlight Fort Ord National Monument. You’ll run on just about every type of trail there is during this 50 mile tour. From wide fire road, smooth and twisting single-track, deep sand and rocky, rooty climbs you certainly won’t get bored. The course consists of a 35 mile and and a 15 mile loop, with plenty of aid stations (and views) along the way. Make sure to read the “Course Information” tab for course details, headlamp/drop bag/pacer details and all the other nitty gritty.
Fort Ord was a U.S. Army post on Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed in September 1994. Fort Ord was one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California weather. The 7th Infantry Division (Light) was its main resident for many years. When Fort Ord was converted to civilian use, space was set aside for the first nature reserve in the United States created for conservation of an insect, the endangered species Smith’s blue butterfly.
While much of the old military buildings and infrastructure remain abandoned, many structures have been torn down for anticipated development. California State University Monterey Bay and Fort Ord Dunes State Park, along with some subdivisions, the Veterans Transition Center, a strip mall, military facilities and a nature preserve occupy the area today.
On April 20, 2012, President Obama signed a proclamation designating a 14,651-acre portion of the former post as the Fort Ord National Monument.
Inside Trail Racing is authorized to use the trails on Fort Ord National Monument under a Special Recreation Permit issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
50/50 Challenge
50/50 Challenge
Are you interested in participating in our second annual 50/50 Challenge (Monterey Ultra 50 Miler and Marin Ultra Challenge 50 Miler)? You will get on our 50/50 leader board and all finishers of the 50/50 get a commemorative back pack!
Cancellation notice: to receive a credit must be 3 weeks out from either event you are withdrawing from).
Race Information
Location: Ford Ord National Monument & Laguna Seca Recreation Area
Event: 50M
Start Time: 6:30 AM
Check-In & Bib Pickup:
Early Pickup
Fri., January 24
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Treadmill
111 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Race Morning
Sat., January 25
5:30 AM – 6:30 AM
Turn 10 Shelf (Start/Finish Area)
Laguna Seca Recreation Area
Timing: We will be partnering with our friends over at SF Run Company and ultralive.net for timing, aid station tracking and splits. There is a $3 fee added to race entry this year to bring this amazing feature to you!
Time Limit: There is a 14.5 hour time limit for the 50M race.
Parking: Parking for the 50M is free and available within the Laguna Seca Recreation area, adjacent to the Start/Finish area. Carpooling is always strongly encouraged.
Course Information
Detailed Course Map | Turn by Turn Directions | Aid Station Distances and Cutoffs | Elevation Profiles
Aid Station Supplies
Inside Trail Racing aid stations are replete with an optimal variety of glycogen-replenishing, electrolyte-replacing products. The following is a list of some of the foods and beverages each aid station may provide: Gu Energy gels, chews, and Stroopwafels, trail mix, pretzels, potato chips, Oreo cookies, Pop Tarts, boiled potatoes with salt, Coke, Ginger Ale, water, Skratch Hydration Mix, PB&J sandwiches, M&M’s, Mike & Ike’s, salt tablets, bananas, watermelon, and tangerines. Aid stations are also equipped with general first aid items, including Salt-Stick tablets, but no anti-inflammatory medicine.
Skratch Hydration is mixed so that it contains 80 – 100 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
As distances between aid station vary, we strongly encourage all runners to carry at least one 20oz bottle during their run.
Volunteer
Without the support of enthusiastic and caring volunteers producing our races would not be possible. Volunteers of all ages and abilities help with setup, check-in, aid stations, course marshaling, timing, and post-race food.
Volunteering is a fun, novel way to experience races, play in the outdoors, and spend time with friendly people. All volunteers receive a free race T-shirt, free food, and the ability to earn credit toward a future Inside Trail Racing event, commensurate to the amount of time worked. Five hours of assisting an event results in a free race credit or Inside Trail merchandise.
To volunteer for this year’s event, please submit our online volunteer form.
Shirts
Most of our race shirts are District Perfect-Tri tri-blend fabric shirt. This long sleeve is made with top-of-the-line sportswear technology to heighten performance during your toughest workouts. With sun defense, moisture-wicking technology, quick stain release, and comfortable fit, this tri-blend performance crew serves the needs of every athlete. It’s the perfect year-round choice for outdoor sports and exercise. Get the most out of your workout with this tough, hardworking tee.
Features:
- 4.5-ounce, 50/25/25 poly/combed ring spun cotton/rayon, 32 singles
- 1X1 rib knit neck
- Shoulder to shoulder taping
- UPF 30
To be guaranteed a shirt and shirt size, you must register by January 10, 2025.
Awards
The top three overall winners (male and female) of each race distance will receive a custom trophy with the race logo. In addition, the top finisher for each distance (male and female) will receive a special item from one of Inside Trail’s sponsors.
All finishers will receive a custom medal with the race logo.
All 50 Miler finishers will receive a pint glass with the race logo, as well as a custom designed Monterey 50M hat.
The Dead Last Finisher (DLF) in each even will receive a custom award.
Age-group medals (3 deep) will be awarded in the following categories, for both males and females:
- 13 and under
- 14 – 19
- 20 – 29
- 30 – 39
- 40 – 49
- 50 – 59
- 60 – 69
- 70 and over
The Fine Print
Entry fees to our trail runs are non-refundable, and we do not offer transfers or deferrals to future races. However, with advanced notice, we are happy to credit part of your entry fee to a future Inside Trail Racing event. A credit worth 50% of your original race fee will be issued if the cancellation is received at least 4 weeks prior to the race. There will be no credits or refunds provided if a cancellation is made within 4 weeks of the race. Only registered runners can participate, and you cannot exchange your entry with another runner. Credits will be available for 1 full year from the date of the race.
Only registered runners can participate, and you may not exchange your entry with another individual.
We do not cancel races due to rain or heat. An act of God, such as earthquake, fire, or other natural disaster, which causes the area of a race to be closed may force cancellation or relocation of the event. If a race location is changed due to park closures, we will automatically transfer the registration over to the new venue, or we will issue credits in accordance with our cancellation policy. In the event a race is completely cancelled, or needs to be rescheduled, we will transfer a portion of your entry fee to another ITR event. Again, credits will be valid for 1 year.
Due to trail work, closures, or for myriad other reasons, permitting agencies may require changes to the publicized courses at any time prior to an event. This is out of our control, and we therefore will not offer refunds or credits in such a situation.
Hosting a trail running event is an expensive and risky endeavor. All race costs are paid for well in advance of race day, so there is no financial gain to be made if a person does not show up on race day. We want all of our registered runners to show up, run, and have fun. While we understand that injuries, conflicts, emergencies, deaths, and other unfortunate events happen and may impact your plans for participation, we must adhere to our cancellation policies.
Event's current local time: 1:56 PM PT
