Marin Ultra Challenge

WHEN:	Saturday – March 14, 2020
WHERE:	Rodeo Beach, GGNRA 11050 Mitchell Road Sausalito, CA 94965 USA
COST:	50 Mile: $165 / 50K: $95 / 25K: $75
CONTACT:	Inside Trail Racing events@insidetrail.com

Update Regarding COVID-19 (3/12/2020)
The 2020 Marin Ultra Challenge has been cancelled. Our team has been closely tracking the updates and guidelines issued by our federal and local governments regarding the current state and transmission of COVID-19 in Northern California. While we were hoping to deliver a fun and successful event, and we adhered to the Marin County Health and Human Services policy, we were planning to move forward with the event, with considerable finish are and aid station related changes, to ensure the safety of our runners and the wider community.

We have just received notice early this morning that governor Gavin Newsom has updated the policy on public gatherings, including outdoor events, limiting the number to no more than 250 individuals. In addition, late this morning the park service added their own mandate to cancel all non-essential gatherings. It is an unfortunate time, and we deeply apologize to all of our runners, especially those who have traveled for this race, that the 2020 Marin Ultra Challenge is now cancelled. We understand that entrants have been preparing for weeks or months for this event, and we encourage you to get outside and run the course as a virtual race, or just spend some time exploring the trails of Mt. Tam and the Marin Headlands.

Our full cancellation notice can be found here.

Update Regarding COVID-19 (3/10/2020)
With the recent COVID-19 incidences in and around the state of California, we are taking precautions to help ensure the safety of all of our runners. At this time, we do not have any plans to cancel any of our events. We are continuing to monitor local government recommendations regarding special events, and making appropriate changes to our processes based on the guidelines they put forth. At this time, the County of Marin and park agencies are not issuing cancellation order for large gatherings. However, they do recommend that older adults and those with weakened or compromised immune systems, avoid gatherings of 100, or more. Unless otherwise noted, our cancellation policy for the MUC will remain the same, and can be read below. If there are any changes in local government recommendations which impact the status of our event we will update everyone via our website and email all participants immediately.

Runners may notice some changes at our races–specifically at the start/finish area and at the aid-stations–to decrease the likelihood of virus transmission. While these steps will be taken in an effort to limit the disruption to the flow of our events, there will likely be a lengthening in the time it takes for runners to pass through aid stations. Ultimately, if you do have serious concerns regarding transmission of the virus, we strongly recommend you bring and carry your own food in your running pack/vest or store extra fuel and hydration in your drop bags.

At aid-stations runners will not be permitted to fill their own bottle or bladder, or directly handle pitchers or water jug spigots. Volunteers will wear gloves and fill all bottles and bladders with a pitcher at the runner’s request. In order to expedite this process, all runners should remove the lid from their bottle and open bladders as they enter the aid station area. In addition, runners will be required to sanitize their hands (provided at all aid-stations) prior to receiving any food. We will make as many single serving, packaged food available as possible. Non-packaged foods will be distributed to runners by volunteers using food service utensils. No one will be permitted to grab unwrapped food with bare hands at any time.

Most importantly, entrants who are feeling sick, or even a tickle of the throat or a budding cough, should stay at home. While losing out on the entry fees to a race is less than ideal, the responsible thing to do is stay home and prevent possible transmission of any virus or illness. We’re a close community, but runners should avoid handshakes, high-fives, fist bumps, and hugs. If requested, we can mail T-shirts and medals to those who are unable to attend the race due to illness or as a precautionary measure.

Online registration is now closed.
Add $10 if registering on or after February 15, 2020. Add $15 at check-in, if not sold out. Pre-registration through 5:00 PM on March 11, or until sold out.

RACE INFO

The Marin Ultra Challenge, our premier Marin County long distance trail race, delivers ample hills and sweeping descents. March 14th marks the 8th edition of this tour of some of Marin’s best trails. Meticulous effort went into the design of each course for the MUC; all three distances are physically demanding (the 50 Mile has just about 11,000 feet of elevation gain) and exceptionally beautiful. The journey begins at the black sands of Rodeo Beach, and traverses the Marin Headlands, Stinson-facing Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods, exhibiting a range of terrain, from exposed fire-roads with incredible coastal and inland views to tight, technical single-track with redwood canopies. There is very little trail overlap, and Jim Vernon, from The Endurables and Hydrapak, spent hours and weekends developing these spectacular custom courses–we are super excited to show it off. You’ll quickly realize why Marin County has become the ultimate trail runner’s destination.

Completing the Marin Ultra Challenge 50 Mile will garner you 4 points towards the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, while the 50K will get you 2.

Location: Marin Headlands, Muir Woods, &
Mt. Tamalpais State Park

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2020

Events: 25K, 50K & 50 Mile

Start Times: 25K, 50K & 50 Mile

     ● 50 Mile – 6:30 AM
     ● 50K – 6:30 AM
     ● 25K – 8:00 AM

Check-In & Bib Pickup:

	Early Pickup Thurs., March 12	3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Sports Basement – Presidio Location 610 Old Mason St. San Francisco, CA, 94129 GET DIRECTIONS

	Early Pickup Fri., March 13	2:00 PM – 7:00 PM Sports Basement – Novato Location 100 Vintage Way Novato, CA, 94945 GET DIRECTIONS The Sports Basement – Novato will be hosting a pre-race dinner, free for all entrants, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Friday. The menu will be released soon, but expect carbs and frosty beverages! In addition to dinner, we will also be hosting a special raffle for all attendees. Included in the raffle will be items from our sponsors, such as: La Sportiva, OS1st, and Ultimate Direction! More information will be available soon.

	Race Morning Sat., March 14	5:30 AM – 8:00 AM Rodeo Beach – Start/Finish Area Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Time Limit: There is a 14.5 hour time limit for the 50 Mile race.

Parking: Free parking is available in the surrounding areas to the Start/Finish at Rodeo Beach. Runners may utilize the pullouts along Mitchell Road, along the beach, the annex lot below the Marine Mammal Center, and the Smith Road Parking Lot (Gerbode Valley Trailhead) along Bunker Road. The walk from the Marine Mammal Center lot to the Start/Finish is about 1/3 mile. In addition, we will have shuttles running between Smith Road and Rodeo Beach all day. 25K runners should expect to park in the Smith Road lot, so please plan your arrival time accordingly.

Remote parking area map:

Race Capacity: The Marin Ultra Challenge will have a capacity of 650 runners, across all distances.

Woof Alert: As much as we love dogs, they are unfortunately not allowed on the Marin Ultra Challenge course. You may have dogs, on leash, at Rodeo Beach.

Before Your Run:
Select Medical of San Francisco will be offering a blanket area for foam rolling, stick rolling, stretching straps, and kinesio taping services before the 25K race. Stop by their pre-race therapy area to ensure you are ready to run!

ITR Refund Policy:
Because of the magnitude of both the Ordnance 100k and Marin Ultra Challenge, the cancellation policy for these races is unique. For these two events, 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 its issue date.

Entry fees to our trail runs are non-refundable, and we do not offer transfers or deferrals to future races. Only registered runners can participate, and you may not exchange your entry with another individual.

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. Due to trail work, closures, “Acts of God”, 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. If a race location is changed due to park closures, we will automatically transfer the registration over to the new venue, or entrants may choose to cancel their entry (non-refundable) and we will mail awards.

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.

50 MILE & 50K COURSE INFO

Starting at Fort Cronkhite and Rodeo Beach, runners may fill their lungs with fresh salt air before embarking on a journey through some of the best trails the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tamalpais has to offer. Your journey will begins with amazing vistas of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge from the SCA and Julian trails. You’ll soak in the beautiful views of Coastal Trail, the inland buffed single track of the Miwok, descend on the famous Dipsea Trail and tackle one of the toughest climbs around – Willow Camp. You’ll travel along the coast, by Pirate’s Cove, to Muir Beach. Fron there you will cross over to Mt. Tam, climbing to the top of Cardiac Hill then scream down the Dipsea to Stinson Beach. Depart Stinson Beach with the 1,800′ of vertical gain in 1.8 miles on Willow Camp and traverse Mt. Tam along the single-track Coastal Trail, back to the top of Cardiac. Enjoy the tall trees as you pass through Muir Woods, before you climb back into the Headlands on Miwok to the killer downhill of Dias Ridge back to Muir Beach. From there, you’ll quietly pass through the Zen center and up the incredible new Middle Green Gulch hill then traverse through the Headlands all the way back to the finish at Rodeo Beach.

50 Mile (50.2 Miles with 10,550′ Elevation Gain)

Download

50K (31.0 Miles with 6,300′ Elevation Gain)

Download

Detailed Course Maps


Miles 1 – 15 & Miles 39 – 50 / Marin Headlands	Miles 15 – 39 / Mt. Tam & Muir Woods

50 Mile – Turn by Turn Directions | 50 Mile – Aid Station Distances and Cutoffs

50K – Turn by Turn Directions | 50K – Aid Station Distances and Cutoffs

Elevation Charts

Sunrise for Sausalito, CA: 6:31 AM
Sunset for Sausalito, CA: 6:12 PM

Drop Bags and Headlamps
With the sunrise on March 14 being 7:22 AM (Daylight Savings Time starts on 3/8/2020), all runners should plan to start the 50 Mile and 50K races with a headlamp. Headlamps can can be left at any aid station after they are no longer needed, and will be delivered to the S/F area by 11:00 AM. Any runner who expects to be running beyond 7:15 PM should also plan on having a headlamp in one of their drop bags.

Drop bags will be available at 2 different aid stations (which the 50 Mile will pass a total of 4 times, 50K runners will pass 2 times):
1) Tennessee Valley AS: Mile 10.5
2) Cardiac AS: Mile 19.8 (50 Mile Only)
3) Cardiac AS: Mile 29.3 (50 Mile Only)
4) Tennessee Valley AS: Mile 45.8

All drop bags must be left at the designated spot near the Finish line by 5:45 AM.

Drop bags will remain at each aid station until the aid station closes, unless they are placed by the “Return to Finish Area” sign, which will be available at both Tennessee Valley and Cardiac Hill. If bags are not placed by the “Return…” sign, they will NOT be returned to the finish area!

Crew/Pacer Information
Runner crew is able to reach every aid station, but must abide by posted parking rules. There is no parking available at the Deer Park Aid Station. Crew must hike 1/2 miles to reach the Cardiac Aid Station.

Pacers may join runners at any time after their second pass through Cardiac Aid Station, mile 29.3.

25K COURSE INFO

25K (15.8 Miles with 3,500′ Elevation Gain)

Download

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 and chews, all-natural nutrition bars from Larabar, trail mix, pretzels, potato chips, Oreo cookies, Pop Tarts, boiled potatoes with salt, Coke, Mountain Dew, Ginger Ale, water, Tailwind Endurance Fuel, PB&J sandwiches, M&M’s, Mike & Ike’s, salt tablets, and tangerines. 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.

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.

AWARDS

Overall winners of each race distance will receive a custom MUC award from Elevation Culture.

The top 3, male and female, finishers in the 50 Mile event will receive a custom trophy, a pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running shoes as well as the following cash awards:
     ● 1st – $500
     ● 2nd – $250
     ● 3rd – $150

The top 3, male and female, finishers in the 50K event will receive a custom trophy, and a pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running shoes.

The top 3, male and female, finishers in the 25K event will receive a custom trophy, and pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running shoes.

All ultra-marathon distance finishers will receive a medal and a custom printed drinking glass with the race logo.

All finishers will receive a custom medal 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 T-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 shirt serves the needs of every athlete. It’s the perfect year-round choice for outdoor sports and exercise.

Fabric: 4.5 ounce, 50/25/25 poly/combed, ring-spun cotton/rayan

Features:
     ● Moisture wicking, Odor resistant, Stain release
     ● Ultra tight knit resists snagging
     ● Exceptionally soft
     ● UPF 30

To be guaranteed your shirt size, you must register by February 29, 2020.

COURSE RECORDS

Distance	Name	Age	Year	Time
50 Mile – Male	Ryan Neely	26	2016	6:39:38
50 Mile – Female	Kimberly O’Donnell	26	2016	8:23:12
50K – Male	Jeff Mogavero	24	2018	3:42:51
50K – Female	Emily Richards	35	2015	4:15:36
25K – Male	David Roche	27	2016	1:33:21
25K – Female	Danielle Moreno	23	2016	1:46:55