Sequoia Trail Run Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Lauren S.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-10-2010)

"I just love PCTRs! It's way low key, they were cool with me switching from teh 20k to the 10k (Brett- no bragging, M2 told me and Katya NOT to do the 20!) Trail was not marked, but relatively obvious, awesomely muddy, and breathtakingly beautiful. As always, they have fab snacks, including cokes, gummy bears, gold fish, pretzles, and healthy stuff too. Super fun! "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Brett M.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-03-2010)

"This was my first trail race since running cross country in High School. A little nervous with the major rain storm that blew threw the night before, but it all cleared up and it was a perfect morning for a race.

With the rain came some serious mud, so come prepared with trail shoes if the weather is the same. There were creek crossings due to the runoff as well as some massive puddles that were impossible to avoid.

I would get some practice taking technical descents on trails to help prepare you for some of the sections on this trail. They can get a little hairy, but everyone was having fun and taking it at their own speed.

I had a blast running through this park with the awesome tree canopy and views once you get to the top of the climbs. There is nobody around except for the occasional hiker, so don\'t expect any cheering. All the runners were really supportive of eachother, so I guess that counts.

Great race and I plan on doing some of the other ones planned by this company.

Lastly, while the 20k didn\'t demand that I hit up the on course refreshments, they looked amazing with pretty much anything you would want to recharge over the longer distances. Make sure you bring water on course though as you only get a chance to hit the aid station every 5-6 miles. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Julianne W.
Morgan Hill, CA

  (09-08-2009)

"Just the Facts, Ma’am:

Elevation Gain: 5030′

Course Description: The course travels through the Oakland Hills by way of Joaquin Miller Park and Redwood Regional Park. It is a fairly technical course (at least based on my experience) that wanders primarily through forest, with an abundance of canopy, a smattering of creeks, and a balanced combination of single track and open spaces.

My Experience:

This was my second 50K, my first being Way Too Cool, but my third time to run this trail.

My experience was great! I came in at 6 hours and 10 minutes, a proud 20 minutes faster than I had expected. I placed 2nd in my age group and just made it into the top 10 females.

Granted, I had no intention of finishing in the top 10 or anything. My goal was just to finish, not too battered, and enjoy myself. I finished. I enjoyed myself. I am a bit battered.

What I like about this run is that the elevation gain is spread out enough that you never have long stretches of walking. A few minutes here and a few minutes there and you are back running again.

What’s tough about this run is that some of the downhills are really steep and rocky. Toward the end of the run, I found myself slowing on the descents because I was tired and afraid I would slip or trip.

The 50K is basically two 20K loops and one 10K out and back. I didn’t think I was going to like doing the same loop twice. However, I actually found advantage in knowing what was coming. I was able to easily monitor my effort, based on what was ahead of me.

PCTR trail runs come in many flavors. Every race has some combination of a 10K, 20K, 30K and 50K. This too I found advantageous. For three hours I ran with quite a few people, including a handful from my running club. After the 30kers were done, and it was just us ultra-freaks, everything went very quiet and peaceful. This was my favorite part. For 10 miles or so I got in a nice groove, and ticked the miles off one at a time. There were three to four people I stuck with for that back 20K. You pass each other along the way, but it is sort of nice to “be in it together”.

And as always, the PCTR team did a wonderful job of marking the trail and taking care of everyone. The aid stations and post-run food can’t be beat.

(Although, you can over do it at the aid stations. I found my club mate, Matt, struggling a little at mile 16. He is a fast runner, so to catch him was very unusual. He looked at me and simply said, “Too many jelly beans.”)

My next PCTR event is Skyline to the Sea, and I already can’t wait.
"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009