Hi Brett,

I've run a couple of races put on by the Domans - rd's of Pacific Coast
Trail runs. Their events are very low key and have well stocked aid stations
and are generally a lot of fun running in some terrific, challenging
terrain. However, don't expect a fully packed goodie bag or awards 3 deep
for every age group. They are more into introducing people to trail running
in the areas they love to run but at $50 (or less with your 15% discount) it
will be good value.

As for Mt Diablo itself, it is a great place to run. September is likely to
be hot and dry so be prepared to run in 90+ heat. Of course, it could also
rain & be cold and windy too!! Altho Diablo summit is just under 4,000 feet
in elevation it stands alone and if the weather does get nasty, it can be
very windy, cold, foggy & miserable up there. There will be big, long climbs
and steep knee jarring descents.

Comparing it to the Knee Knackering course, it will be every bit as tough
terrain wise, just add on an extra 20 miles!! However, like most California
trails, they will be much faster, less rooty, more runnable and much wussier
than the Vancouver north shore trails - but a few very steep, rocky ones
will keep you from getting too bored. They advertise over 13,000ft
elevation gain so I'm guessing it will be a "slow" course, probably not an
easy WS100 qualifier!

Clayton itself is commute distance from the Bay area, less than an hour
drive from San Francisco and about 1.5 hours drive from Sacramento. Drive
time for me from Auburn, CA to Vancouver usually runs around 14 hours so I'm
guessing to Clayton would be an hour less. Of course, that's at my speed, a
few miles an hour over the limit so adjust yours accordingly!

At any rate, I highly recommend the event, whether it's worth the time and
effort making the trip is entirely your judgment, but I don't think you'd be
disappointed if you like challenging, low key races. Thanks for asking about
this race, now you're getting me motivated, might see you there.

Deborah Askew
daskew@...

----- Original Message -----
From: <bc-ultrarunning@yahoogroups.com>
To: <bc-ultrarunning@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: August 06, 2003 4:38 AM
Subject: [bc-ultrarunning] Digest Number 386


>
> There is 1 message in this issue.
>
> Topics in this digest:
>
> 1. Diablo 50 mile trail run
> From: "bdaly000" <brettdaly@...>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2003 00:54:37 -0000
> From: "bdaly000" <brettdaly@...>
> Subject: Diablo 50 mile trail run
>
> Hello,
>
> I was just wondering if anyone had any feedback on this Diablo 50
> miler in Clayton California on September 20th.
> http://www.pctrailruns.com/Diablo_50_Mile.htm
> I wanted to know if you think it would be worth the drive to do this
> run as it's part of the Pacific Coast trail run series. I'm not
> familiar with the PC trail series or with Clayton California. I was
> hoping someone here might be able to give some info on the race from
> personal experience or from talking to people who've done it.
>
> Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
> See you guys at Stormy.
>
> Brett
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
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