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 hosted by Big Timber Running Club. This set of five trail races between 3-8 miles takes place Thursday evenings May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, and the final event and post race ceremony takes place on Tuesday June 25th. 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 6:30 from 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 25, where we will give out awards and raffle prizes from our sponsors. The after party will feature beverages from our sponsor Falling Sky as well as Prince Pucklers ice cream provided by our sponsor On Running. On will be raffling multiple pairs of shoes and other prizes. This year the final race was moved to Tuesday to not conflict with the Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene
We know that not everyone can make all races. $25 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
Big Timber Running club invites anyone to join us for a trail work party with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah on Tuesday May 14th from 6-8pm OR Saturday May 18th from 9am-1pm. Please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwywH9O1T8YRwxc62lh-6c_XYlbzRR5VXNIS1m7xiBFF6-eQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
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 Falling Sky Brewing!
Courses
Courses are subject to change based on the park ranger's discretion, wildlife protection, or natural preservation.
Race 1 May 30
*NEW COURSE 2024*
We are unable to cross through the arboretum trails this year since the series starts in May.
The new route is 5.4 miles with 1300' ascent, going up trail 3, 7, back to 3, 36, summit over trail 6, down 1, 4, and finally back down 3. Runners reach views of Eugene and the Coastal Mountains, a rocky terrain climb through an open prairie and a descent past Swing Hill to the finish.
Strava route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3215011037016852370
Race 2 June 6
Race # 2 is 4.5 miles. 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..
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3101153751714589218
Race 3 June 13
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
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3103678883931093798
Race 4 June 20
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.
Strava:https://www.strava.com/routes/2974038649233649912
Race 5 June 25
*This year the final race was moved to Tuesday to not conflict with the Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene*
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.
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/2976514885173262344
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. Race starts at 6:30. Water 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.
Registration
This race is limited to 150 total runners. Registration begins April 1st.
Series - $100
$25/individual race. Day of race registration by cash or Venmo is also available.
No refunds as all sales are final.
USA Track and Field sanctions the Emerald City Trail Series.
