Sneak Peek

About

Welcome to the Lost Sierra Endurance Race, a thrilling endurance experience set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Buttes in Downieville, CA, taking place on July 26th, 2025. Choose your challenge with our 25K, 50K, and 100K races, each offering a unique journey through the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains. To celebrate your finish, join us for a post race BBQ right at the finish line.

The flagship 100K race embarks on an out-and-back adventure, navigating the scenic Third Divide Trails, Pacific Crest Trail, and Lakes Basin Trails. This challenging course leads runners from the charming town of Downieville, CA, to Blairsden, CA, offering panoramic views of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains.

For those opting for the 50K race, the adventure begins at Plumas-Eureka State Park in Blairsden, CA, traversing the same awe-inspiring course of lake valleys, alpine ridge lines, and river canyons to then finish in downtown Downieville.

New for this year, the 25K race starts and ends in Downieville. This course is relatively easy, making it perfect for those looking for a less demanding yet equally beautiful experience through the river canyons.

Join us on July 26th for the Lost Sierra Endurance Race, where every step is a journey.

Presented by: Bad Luck Run Club

2025 Updates

We're working toward this being a full weekend event and updating some course logistics from last years event!

Group Activities:
- Pre Race Shakeout Run - Friday July 25th at 6:15PM - Free, 3-4 Mile Easy Group Run
- Post Race BBQ - Saturday July 26th at 12:30PM - $10, Lunch Provided by Cold Run
- Post Race Beer Mile - Saturday July 26th at 3:00PM - Free, 1 Mile Run

Race Changes:
- We'll no longer utilize that pesky off trail section between Aid #2 and Aid #3, the course will now stay on trail with no distance changes.
- Course markers will now be reflective markers for those night time sections.

100K

Our 100K distance is an out-n-back course starting in downtown Downieville, traveling up towards the Sierra Buttes then turning north to Plumas-Eureka State Park (PESP), Blairsden, CA where the turnaround is. There are 5 unique aid stations (a total of 9 stops along the course) with three crew access points: Aid #2, Aid #4, and Aid #5.

All 100KM participants are required to carry a headlamp, space blanket, and water bottle during the race due to remoteness of the course. Pacers are allowed starting at Aid #2 / Mile 48, there is no shuttle for pacers.
Cutoff Time: 20 Hours (1:00AM Sunday)
Start Location: Downieville, CA
Aid Stations:
Mile 5.3 - Lavezzola Road (Aid #1)
Mile 15.2 - Golden Valley Summit (Aid #2)
Mile 20.1 - Lots O Lakes (Aid #3)
Mile 25.6 - Smith Lake Trailhead (Aid #4)
Mile 29.8 - Plumas-Eureka State Park (Aid #5)
Mile 34.1 - Smith Lake Trailhead (Aid #4)
Mile 39.5 - Lots O Lakes (Aid #3)
Mile 44.5 - Golden Valley Summit (Aid #2)
Mile 54.2 - Lavezzola Road (Aid #1)
Route:

50K & Shuttle

Our 50K distance is an point to point course starting in Plumas-Eureka State Park (PESP) in Blairsden, just outside Graeagle, traveling up towards the Sierra Buttes then turning south to Downieville where the finish is. There are 4 unique aid stations with crew access at Lavazzo Rd (mile 23).

Runners will be shuttled from Downieville to PESP to start the race. Shuttle cost is $12 or you may have someone drop you off at the start. Shuttles leave at 6:30AM from Downieville. There are no shuttles from Downieville to PESP after the race.

Start Location: Plumas-Eureka State Park, Blairsden, CA
Aid Stations:
Mile 5.3 - Smith Lake Trailhead (Aid #4)
Mile 11.5 - Lots O Lakes (Aid #3)
Mile 16.5 - Golden Valley Summit (Aid #2)
Mile 24.8 - Lavezzola Road (Aid #1)
Route:

25K

Our 25K distance is an looped course starting in downtown Downieville, traveling up through the canyons on the First, Second, and Third Divide Trails. There is a brief water stop at mile 4.2 and one formal aid station at Lavazzo Rd (mile 10).

Start Location: Downieville, CA
Aid Stations:
Mile 4.2 - Water Station
Mile 10.9 - Lavezzola Road (Aid #1)
Mile 12.0 - Water Station
Route:

Cut Offs & Other Items

Cut-Off Times:
50K: 11:00:00 or 7:00PM
100K: 20:00:00 or 1:00AM
Mile 29.8 - TBD - Plumas-Eureka State Park (Aid #5)
Mile 34.1 - TBD - Smith Lake Trailhead (Aid #4)
Mile 39.5 - TBD - Lots O Lakes (Aid #3)
Mile 44.5 - TBD - Golden Valley Summit (Aid #2)
Mile 54.2 - TBD - Lavezzola Road (Aid #1)

Mandatory Items:
100KM runners must carry a vest / pack, space blanket, and headlamp for the duration of the race.

Sticks & Pacers:
All runners may carry and use running poles / sticks. 100K runners may have pacers on the return trip at Aid #5 (Mile 30) or Aid #2 (Mile 44.5), there will be no event shuttle to/from these locations for pacers.

Event's current local time: 5:25 AM PT