The Wilson River trail is spectacular, and you get to run the whole length of it in the 50K race. You’ll start at the western end, at the Keenig Creek campground, running east all the way to the other end of the trail, and turn around at the Elk Creek campground. You return the way you came, but peel off to the finish at Smith Homestead. The trail is fairly technical with rocks and roots but has a lot of very runnable sections. There’s 6000′ of gain and loss. In all the iterations of the 50K we’ve hosted, this is a new one and we think you’ll love it. The 50K does not go up Elk or Kings mountains, it stays on the Wilson River trail.
The 50K starts at Keenig Creek campground and finishes at the Smith Homestead – just east of the Tillamook Forest Center – on Highway 6. Runners will park at the finish, at the Jones Creek parking area and pick up their bib at Smith Homestead. They’ll ride a shuttle to the start at Keenig.
The course is entirely single-track. It has some very steep and very technical sections and involves scrambling, with your hands, up and down rocky trails with exposure. There is just over 7,500 feet of gain and loss with the two mountains you’ll summit. You will run through dense forests and cross small streams, and use fixed and manned ropes to descend from the top of Elk and on the backside of Kings mountains. This is a hard 50K and one you shouldn’t take lightly. This time of year the leaves could be in full color so expect a beautiful run.
Here is an interactive Caltopo map you can play with.
The cut-off time for the 50K is xx pm at the xx aid station (mile xx). You must leave this aid station by this time, or the volunteers will have to pull you from the race.
| Aid Station | Distance | Crew Access | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footbridge | xx | Yes | |
| Diamond Mill | xx | Yes | |
| Wilson | xx | No | |
| Elk Creek | xx | Yes | |
| Wilson | xx | No | xx PM |
| Diamond Mill | xx | Yes | |
| Finish | xx |
Go Beyond Racing is cupless. You’ll need to bring your own cup for liquid aid at all aid stations. You can refill bladders and bottles too. Read more about what it means to be cupless.
Aid stations are stocked with Precision Fuel gels, Precision Hydration electrolyte drink, water, soft drinks, PB&Js, potato chips, pickles, Fritos, gummy bears, Oreos, fruit, Fig Newtons, M&Ms, and other ultra fare.
Bees can be an issue during the month of October in the forest. If you are allergic to bees, you are required to carry an EPI-PEN during the race.
