About Emerald City Trail Series
The Emerald City Trail Series is a fun trail race series held in Howard Buford Recreational Area and Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene. This set of five trail races between 3-8 miles takes place every Thursday in June. What makes Buford and Mt. Pisgah a wonderful place to have a series is the wide variety of trails and scenery in the park. Mt. Pisgah's 1531' summit is in the middle of the largest of Lane County's 73 parks. It offers views of the Cascade Mountains, Spencer Butte, the Middle and Coast Forks of the Willamette River, Eugene, Springfield, Creswell, Jasper, Pleasant Hill, and Goshen.
All races will start at the #38 trailhead near the Sheriff's Mounted Posse arena at the North end of Buford. Parking will be on Buford Park Road, just beyond the North Trailhead Parking Lot gate. Runners must have a $5 parking permit using the Passport Parking app and zone 97306 for each race. An annual Lane County Parks Permit will also work. Donate at least $50 to Friends of Buford and Mt. Pisgah membership, get a Lane County Parking Permit good at all parks, and park trail maps.
We'll meet for a party after the last race on June 29, where we will give out awards and raffle prizes from our sponsors.
We know that not everyone can make all races. $20 for the day of race entry is available on UltraSignup, or at the event via cash/Venmo/PayPal.
Land Acknowledgement
We honor and recognize that we gather for this event on the traditional lands of the native people within the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, including the Chafan Tribe, and the Kalapuya Tribe, all having occupied and stewarded these lands for countless generations.
Trail Work Party
Northwest Dirt Churners invites anyone to join us for a trail work party with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah on April 22, 9am-Noon. Volunteer hours at the party suit trail work requirements, including races like Mountain Lakes 100 and Tillamook Burn 100.
Register on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-of-buford-park-and-mt-pisgah-trail-work-party-tickets-580658915447
Scoring
Points are awarded for every Emerald City Trail Series race finish based on the overall gender place of the UltraSignup score given for the specific race.
The sum of the four highest scores will determine a racer's final Emerald City Trail Series score.
The higher the score, the higher the place.
Participants' age group for the Emerald City Trail Series will be based on the age at registration (an advantage of registering early!)
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female runners, as well as the top three male/female runners in the following age groups: 19 and Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69. The top three male and female runners are not eligible for age group awards.
Awards and raffle prizes will be awarded at the finish line area after the final race in the Emerald City Trail Series. All participants receive an Emerald City Trail Series glass from Ninkasi and Bigfoot Beverages.
Courses
Courses are subject to change based on the park ranger's discretion, wildlife protection, or natural preservation.
Race 1 June 1
6.5 miles with 1100' ascent using the trails 3, 17, 5, and back to 3. Runners will be treated to views of Eugene and the Coastal Mountains, Arboretum trails, a rocky terrain climb through an open prairie, and a descent past Swing Hill to the finish.
Race 2 June 8
Race # 2 is now 3.75 miles (previously 4.5 miles) as some of the North Bottomlands trails will be closed due to coyote dens in the area. This out-and-back uses the North Bottomlands (#8) and North Quarry (#5) trails along the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. This flat and fast course is perfect for track and cross-country athletes to show their speed. It's also a nice shake-out run for those participating in the McKenzie River Trail Runs 50k the following Saturday..
Race 3 June 15
5 miles with 1325' ascent using trails 3, 4, 24, 1, and back to 3. We'll start heading up to the North boundary of the park on trails that traverse through shaded forests of oaks and mixed conifers. The route makes a steep cut uphill toward the summit and then a steady descent back to the finish
Race 4 June 22
8 miles with 2000' ascent using trails 3, 7, 1, 6, 2, 4, and back to 3. The longest and maybe the most challenging race of the series. This route is the only one that reaches the true summit of Mt. Pisgah. Look for Diamond Peak and Mt. Bachelor above the cascade foothills. Once at the top, runners will descend down a gravel trail toward the East Trailhead with scenic shots of Goshen and Pleasant Hill. This route uses all 2.8 miles of the short but steep grades of the shaded North Boundary Trail.
Race 5 June 29
3 miles with 750' ascent using trails 3, 7, 17, 1, and back on 3. This one may be short, but it's a tough one. Race #5 starts like the first race but turns on the Summit Trail from the arboretum for a half-mile climb with over 400' of vert. After the final run, celebrate the race series at the Emerald City Trail Series party.
Race Day Details
No parking at North or West Trailhead. All participants will park on the road past the North Trailhead parking lot. Follow the road to the Horse Arena for parking (opposite end of the park from the arboretum). A parking permit is required.
Check-in at near the start of #38 trailhead from 5:45 - 6:15 pm. Water and Naked Nutrition will be available to fill a water bottle before and after the race (remember this is a cupless race). Restrooms will be open by the race start.
Courses will be marked with orange cones. Trails will be open to the public. Those not respecting park visitors and/or not following trail running etiquette will be disqualified.
Due to COVID-19, Northwest Dirt Churners will require all participants to follow all Oregon Health Authority's guidelines at the time of events regarding social distancing and limits for social gatherings apply.
Registration
This race is limited to 150 total runners. Registration begins March 10th.
Series - $70, $80 after May 1st
$20/individual race. Day of race registration by cash or Venmo is also available.
Merch is also available to purchase.
No refunds as all sales are final.
USA Track and Field sanctions the Emerald City Trail Series.
Event's current local time: 10:18 PM PT
