Big Basin Marathon/50K

Location

Start: Saratoga Gap, Skyline Boulevard (CA-35) at Hwy 9, Los Gatos, CA.

Driving Directions

Course

The popular Skyline to the Sea Trail runs from the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains at Saratoga Gap through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the oldest park in California (est. 1902), and ends at the Pacific Ocean at Waddell Beach. It travels through tall redwoods and high chaparral along the way.
(Distances are accurately measured using a Rolatape® surveyor's measuring wheel.)

Weather

Boulder Creek

Lodging

Hotels

Time Limit

There is a 8-hour time limit for all distances. (No hikers allowed)

Aid Stations

Fully-stocked aid stations every 7 - 14 km. You can expect fresh fruit, salty snacks, assorted candy, water, and electrolyte sports drink. It is highly recommended that runners carry at least 20 oz. of water between aid stations.

Awards

T-shirts will be given to all pre-registered runners. All full-marathon finishers will receive a medal and 50 Km finishers a custom coaster.

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(Pre-registration ONLY through 5 p.m. Thursday, June 6th.)

Entry Fees
(Add $5 after 5/25/13. No race-day registration.)

Hi-tech shirt included!

Marathon - $70 (includes shuttle to the start)

50 Km - $80 (includes shuttle to the start)

You might qualify for a Coastal discount, click to learn more.

If you would like to make amendments* to your registration, please Contact Us as soon as possible.
*Cancellation Policy

Directions

The Big Basin 50 Trail Run will start at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 9th at Saratoga Gap (Skyline Blvd & Hwy 9). No parking at Saratoga Gap. Runners should either be dropped off at Saratoga Gap or take the shuttle service from Hwy 1 (1.8 miles South of RdO entrance gate).

Click on the blue icon for driving directions:

View Big Basin 50 in a larger map

Shuttle

For those who signed up for the shuttle service, the buses leave from Hwy 1 at 6:45 a.m. (Location: 1.8 miles South of RdO entrance gate. Please click on Google Map above for directions.) The ride is approximately 85 minutes to the start at Saratoga Gap. We'll have plastic bags at runner check-in for your extra clothing. Please write your name and bib # on your bag and we'll transport it to the finish area.
After the finish, there will be a shuttle from the RdO entrance gate to the parking area (1.8 miles south on Hwy 1).

Bib Number Pick-Up

Sun - 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Saratoga Gap, Skyline Blvd. (No parking at Saratoga Gap. Runners should either be dropped off at Saratoga Gap or take the shuttle service from Hwy 1.)

Weather: Boulder Creek

Course

The course will be marked with pink ribbon approximately every 400 meters. The Gazos Loop will be marked with orange ribbon. We will give you a special rubber band after you complete the Gazos Loop to take to the finish line.

The most important course marking is the polka-dot ribbon. It indicates a turn at an intersection. There will be at least two polka-dot ribbons before a turn in the course. The polka-dot ribbon will be placed before and on the same side as the required turn. As you approach an intersection, look for any polka-dot ribbon before the turn. Waiting until you're in the intersection to determine the correct direction may be confusing and you may go the wrong way. After you complete the turn, there will be orange and/or pink ribbon indicating the correct route. We also hang blue ribbons at critical junctions indicating the wrong way. Blue is bad!

If you don't see a orange or pink ribbon for 10 minutes, you are off course. If you get off course, you should retrace your path until you find where you left the course and then continue along the marked course.

Please be courteous on the trail. If you're passing another runner or hiker, announce "on your left" as you approach.

Headphones are allowed on dirt road sections only. Please do not wear headphones on single-track trail, while crossing paved roads, when getting aid at aid stations, or while crossing the finish line.

Your bib number indicates the distance that you're running. If you want to change your distance, please send us an e-mail or let us know by check-in, at the latest.

Many of the parks in California have poison oak. We recommend staying on the trail and washing with Tecnu after your trail run. Occasionally, bees or yellow jackets may be active and precautions should be taken if you're allergic.

No dogs allowed in the park. Dogs are not allowed at Rancho del Oso nor on Waddell Beach at any time. Dogs will not be allowed at the Finish Line. Please do not leave dogs in your vehicle.

Elevation Gain

Gain - 3,190'

Loss - 5,790'

(Elevation changes determined using an Avocet altimeter.)

Aid Stations

Fully-stocked aid stations every 7 - 14 lilometers. You can expect fresh fruit, salty snacks, assorted candy, water, and eectrolyte sports drink. If you would like to be sure that you have any other specific item at the event, you should carry it with you. Additionally, it is highly recommended that runners carry at least 20 oz. of water between aid stations.

50 Km	Distance (Km)	Next Aid	Cut-off
1. Waterman Gap	10.5	7.4
2. China Grade	18.0	7.5
3. Gazos Creek	25.5	7.2	1:00 p.m.*
4. Gazos Creek	32.7	13.9
4. Twin Redwoods	46.6	2.7
5. RdO Headquarters (Finish)	49.3		5:00 p.m.

* Those not making the 1 p.m. cut-off at Gazos Creek (25.5 Km) will bypass the Gazos Loop and head directly to the finish (42 Km, marathon).

Post-Run Activities

There will be post-run snacks at the finish line.

Award medals are given to the 1st female and male finishers overall and top three finishers in each age group. All full-marathon finishers will receive a medal and 50 Km finishers a custom coaster.

Message Board

The Coastal Message Board is for information about Coastal events. Please post messages regarding places to eat or stay, sharing rides with fellow runners, etc. Go to Message Board (opens in a new window).

Check In

8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. at Saratoga Gap, Skyline Blvd. (No parking at Saratoga Gap. Runners should either be dropped off at Saratoga Gap or take the shuttle service from Hwy 1.)

Coastal Trail Runs
events@CoastalTrailRuns.com

Course Surface
Course Map
Elevation Profiles
Course Description

Course Surface (Elevation changes determined using an Avocet altimeter.)

Top of Page

Distance	Elevation Gain	Single Track	Dirt Road	Asphalt
Marathon	2,420'
50 Km	3,190'

Course Map (click on image for a bigger map.)

Top of Page

Elevation Profiles

Top of Page

Marathon Elevation: Gain - 2,420', Loss - 5,020' (Per Avocet Altimeter)

50 Km Elevation: Gain - 3,190', Loss - 5,790' (Per Avocet Altimeter)

Results '12, '13

Course Records

Marathon	Jussi Utrianen, 34, Helsinki, Finland ('13)	3:00:47
	Pauliina Utrianen, 38, Helsinki, Finland ('13)	3:28:27
50 Km	Galen Thompson, 28, San Francisco, CA ('13)	3:57:09
	Emilia DeMarchis, 28, Portola Valley, CA ('13)	4:31:25

2013 Big Basin 50KM & Marathon (Twin Redwoods A/S by AL)

Peter B's Pictures

Kowsik G's Report

Robert L's Report

Erich W's Report

Jennifer M's Report

2013 Big Basin 50KM & Marathon (2nd Road Crossing)

2013 Big Basin 50KM & Marathon (Gazos Creek A/S by Tan L.)

2012 Skyline to the Sea

Norbert's Pictures (Gazos AS)

Vlad's Pictures (Twin Redwoods AS)

Lia's Report

Liz's Report

Click on picture to view album (opens in new window).
If you have photos or reports you would like to share, please send us the links via Contact Us.

	Date:	Sunday, June 9, 2013
	Time:	9:00 a.m.
	Events:	50 Km Marathon


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