FORT ORD TRAIL RUN
10K, 25K, 50KJanuary 27, 2024
Fort Ord National Monument
Monterey, CA
RACE INFO
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.
Park Information: Fort Ord National Monument / Laguna Seca Recreation Area
Start Times:
50K – 7:30 AM
25K – 8:00 AM
10K – 8:30 AM
Check-In & Bib Pickup:
Race Morning: 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Time Limit: There is an 8.5 hour time limit for the race. All runners must be off the course by 4:00 AM.
Parking: Parking is $5.00 and available within Laguna Seca, adjacent to the Start/Finish area. Carpooling is always strongly encouraged.
Directions:
Laguna Seca Recreation Area
Turn 10 Shelf
1025 Monterey Salinas Highway, Salinas, CA 93908
Click for Directions
Capacity: The Fort Ord Trail Run has a capacity of 500 runners, across all distances.
Timing: All races are professionally chip timed, utilizing MyLaps and Race Director, ensuring your time is captured as accurately as possible. Disposable chips are attached to back of each bib number.
Post Race: Post race food will be offered by Baja Fresh, who will provide the option of a veggie/vegan or chicken burrito with tortilla chips and salsa for every runner and volunteer. We will also offer a selection of sweet and salty snacks, as well as fresh fruit and a diverse line up of pre-packaged food options. As allowed by COVID-19 restrictions, we also offer items off of the grill, which typically varies throughout the day and can include: quesadillas, chicken-apple turkey sausage, chicken noodle soup, and a vegan soup option.
Dog Policy: Dogs are allowed both within Laguna Seca Recreation Area and Fort Ord National Monument. Pups must be on leash at all times in both parks. You may run with your dog, but must start at the back of the pack and allow all other runners to proceed before starting.
COURSE MAPS
50K (31.0 Miles with 4,300′ Elevation Gain)
25K (16.3 Miles with 2,250′ Elevation Gain)
10K (6.4 Miles with 900′ Elevation Gain)
DETAILED COURSE INFO
Printable Course Information
Course Composition
The vast majority of the course will be run on non-technical dirt trails and fire roads. You’ll find some spots on the course that are rutted out due to erosion, and encounter a hill, or two, that closely resembles a sand dune. Most of the climbing for each course occurs towards the end of the race, so save your energy! Hiking/trekking poles are permitted at this venue.
Course Markings
Courses are marked with colored surveyor ribbon, placed approximately every 200 meters along the course. Turns are marked heavily on the inside of the turn, with ~3 ribbons placed just before and just after the intersection. There will also be 8.5″ x 11″ laminated signs and flour arrows on the ground (when allowed) at critical or complicated sections. The detailed course map displays which colored ribbons must be followed for each route. Please keep in mind if you are running a longer distance, you will likely need to follow more than one color while out on the course. The most important course marking is the blue ribbon. Blue ribbons indicate “wrong way” trails. You will see blue ribbons, but do not run past a blue ribbon or you will be heading off course!
Aid Stations
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 and chews, Gu Stroop-Waffles, trail mix, pretzels, potato chips, Oreo cookies, Pop Tarts, PB&J sandwiches, M&M’s, Mike & Ike’s, boiled potatoes with salt, Coke, Mountain Dew, Ginger Ale, water, Tailwind Endurance Fuel, salt tablets, and seasonal fresh fruit. Aid stations are also equipped with general first aid items (but no anti-inflammatory medicine).
As distances between aid station vary, we strongly encourage all runners to carry at least one 20oz bottle during their run.
Tailwind is mixed so that it contains 180 – 200 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
Drop bag services are not available.
Cupless Event
This a cupless event, meaning aid stations will not have paper cups available for runner use. Each runner will be responsible for carrying their own water bottle or reusable cup. Reusable cups are made of silicone, are collapsible, and easy to carry with you while you run. Going cupless will keep hundreds, or thousands, of paper cups from being thrown away or left littering the trails. Read more about our cupless events here. Reusable cups by HydraPak will be available for purchase at each event for $5.
Run with us in Fort Ord!
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.
To volunteer for this year’s event, please submit our online volunteer form.
AWARDS
★ In an effort to promote healthy competition, overall awards are determined by gun time (the first 3 men and women across the finish line). Age group awards are determined by chip time (the time from crossing the start line to crossing the finish line).
The top three overall winners (male and female) of each race distance will receive a custom trophy with the race logo.
All finishers will receive a custom medal with the race logo.
All 50K finishers will receive a pint glass with the race logo.
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
SHIRTS
All registered runners will receive a District Perfect-Tri tri-blend fabric shirt. This tee 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 your shirt size, you must register by January 7, 2023.
COURSE RECORDS
| Distance | Name | Age | Year | Time |
| 10K – Male | Anthony Cortes | 25 | 2019 | 37:55 |
| 10K – Female | Stephanie Thornton | 29 | 2017 | 46:41 |
| 25K- Male | David Roche | 28 | 2017 | 1:31:27 |
| 25K- Female | Megan Roche | 26 | 2017 | 1:51:20 |
| 50K – Male | Leor Pantilat | 28 | 2013 | 3:32:56 |
| 50K – Female | Kassandra Spitler | 27 | 2018 | 4:19:58 |
PAST RESULTS
FORT ORD
February 2, 2020
25K Overall
50K Overall
FORT ORD TRAIL RUN
FEBRUARY 2, 2019
25K Overall
50K Overall
Results for previous years can be viewed on Ultrasignup.
THE FINE PRINT
ITR Refund Policy:
Entry fees to our trail runs are non-refundable in all cases, and we do not offer credits, transfers, or deferrals to future races except as described below. Only registered runners can participate in our races, and you cannot exchange your entry with anyone else in any case.
We are happy to issue a credit worth 50% of your original race fee toward a future Inside Trail Racing event if we receive your cancellation at least 3 weeks prior to the race. Credits will expire 1 year after the date issued. There will be no credit provided if a cancellation is made within 3 weeks of the race.
While we understand that last-minute injuries, conflicts, emergencies, deaths, and other unfortunate events affecting registered runners can happen and may impact your plans for participation, we must adhere to our cancellation policy stated above and cannot offer any credits, refunds, transfers, or deferrals in any of these cases.
If the situation does arise where ITR must outright cancel an event for any reason, there will be no refunds. This could include earthquakes, floods, extreme weather, unsafe air quality, pandemics, or any other “Act of God”. ITR at its sole discretion may choose to offer future race credit or deferrals in these force majeure situations, depending on the circumstances and how close to the race date the event was cancelled. We will communicate with all registered runners as soon as possible regarding the cancellation and any pertinent information. We do not cancel races due to rain or heat. 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, credits, deferrals, or transfers (except as described below) in such a situation.
If a race location is changed, but still hosted on the same day, we will automatically transfer the registration over to the new venue, or entrants may choose to run the race remotely and we will mail awards. If a race is postponed all entrants will be transferred to the new date.
Please refer to our online FAQ page for answers to other commonly asked questions.
FORT ORD PHOTOS
2019
2018
2017
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