You are in for a real treat if you like single-track trail, crossing bridges, running through old-growth forests, ascending and descending mostly short, moderate climbs – all along an emerald green river. All but 3.25 miles of the race is on the North Umpqua Trail. Ninety percent is single-track trails. You will run less than a mile of pavement.
This is a 64-mile uphill course with over 11,000 feet of gain. The start is at the Swiftwater Park and the finish is at Lemolo Lake.
There is an interactive map where you can zoom in and out and change the layers to view the course.
The BLM also has an interactive site that explains the different trail segments.
Start to Aid Station 1 (Tioga Bridge)
The 100K starts at the Swiftwater Park. Runners will start running right away on the North Umpqua River Trail, passing through old-growth forests of Douglas-fir, hemlock and sugar pine, with trees over six feet in diameter.
Aid Station 1 to Aid Station 2 (Wright Creek)
Here the course meanders along the North Umpqua River going up and down a number of brief, moderate climbs.
Aid Station 2 to Aid Station 3 (Mott Bridge)
This is a relatively flat portion, but slowly gains a little elevation as you work your way up into the mountains. You will cross many creeks via bridges.
Aid Station 3 to Aid Station 4 (Calf Creek)
You will encounter a few short, steep climbs to rocky bluffs away from the river.
Aid Station 4 to Aid Station 5 (Marsters)
In this section, the trail stays near the river and passes along the edge of the 17,000-acre Apple Fire of 2002. You will see burned trees and the beginning of the regrowth process. The North Umpqua River stopped the fire from spreading north. You will pass Horseshoe Bend/Calf Trailhead mid-way through this segment. The trail then winds through moss-covered rock bluffs, fern-covered hillsides, lush forests and then passes above an old-growth Douglas-fir grove over 800 years old. You will arrive at the aid station on a dirt road below Weeping Rocks.
Aid Station 5 to Aid Station 6 (Medicine Creek)
After the aid station, you immediately cross the highway (the only time you will do so). After the crossing, a short, but steep climb awaits before losing the elevation just gained. In this section, you will run along an old roadbed, into Dark Canyon, through a forest of Douglas-fir and big-leaf maple, and below the volcanic remnants of Eagle Rock and Old Man Rock. You will pass several side trails. About 2 miles from the aid station at Soda Springs Trailhead, you make a sharp left and pass under a water viaduct (be sure to lower your head!) and climb a steep section of trail with views of the Soda Springs Dam and Reservoir below.
Aid Station 6 to Aid Station 7 (Toketee Lake Campground)
You immediately drop down and then ascend ~800ft in less than 1.5 miles before hitting some really nice single-track trail with great views. Next is a slight descent to the paved road for ~1/4 mile, arriving at Toketee Lake Campground aid station where your crew awaits (if you have crew).
Aid Station 7 to Aid Station 8 (Dread & Terror)
Just after the aid station, you pass over the North Umpqua River and turn left, following the river. About 1.7 miles into this segment, you hit a gravel road (Road 3401). You will run along this dirt/gravel road for 1.5 miles before meeting the trail again at the Hot Springs Trailhead. This is the longest stretch of road you will run on. This needed to happen as a bridge crossing on the North Umpqua Trail at Deer Creek is washed out. After the Hot Springs Trailhead you enter into the “Dread and Terror” section for the North Umpqua Trail – named by two rangers in 1908 – in reference to the disagreeable possibility of fighting forest fires in the impenetrable thickets of white thorn brush in the area and the steep canyon. You will pass Surprise and Columnar Falls and other unique forms of flowing water.
Aid Station 8 to Aid Station 9 (Canal)
You continue following the river in the narrow canyon slowly gaining elevation. There are a few steep and longer climbs a couple miles out from the aid station, the last being immediately before crossing the North Umpqua River for the last time on a bridge. The climb is steep. Be prepared. It will surprise you. The aid station is near the canal you’ll cross before heading to the finish.
Aid Station 9 to Finish
The White Mule/Lemolo Falls Trailhead is just across from the canal where you’ll run about three-quarters of mile, before hitting Road 2610, crossing Lemolo Lake Dam, climb a short, steep hill and run along the lakeside to the finish!
Total gain: ~11,200
Total loss: ~7,900
There are nine aid stations along the course. The first eight are full aid stations and the last is limited aid. Aid stations offer your typical ultra fare: PB&J, crackers and cookies, pretzels, pickles, fruit, GU gels, GU electrolyte drink, soda, and water. Aid station #8 will have warm broth too. Runners are welcome to carry their own food too.
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 Station | Segment Distance | Cumulative Distance | Crew Access | Drop Bag | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tioga Bridge | 7.8 | 7.8 | |||
| Wright Creek | 8.0 | 15.8 | |||
| Mott Bridge | 5.5 | 21.3 | |||
| Calf Creek | 8.7 | 30.0 | Yes | Yes | 1:30 p.m. |
| Marsters | 3.5 | 33.5 | |||
| Medicine Creek | 5.8 | 39.3 | |||
| Toketee Lake Campground | 7.4 | 46.7 | Yes | Yes | 6:00 p.m. |
| Dread & Terror | 7.8 | 54.5 | |||
| Canal | 8.1 | 62.6 | |||
| Finish | 1.3 | 63.9 |
There are two cutoffs for this race. The first is at 1:30 pm at Aid Station #4 (Calf Creek) and the second at 6:00 p.m. at Aid Station #7 (Toketee Lake Campground, mile 46.7). Runners who do not depart prior these aid stations prior to the cutoff times will not be allowed to continue.
There is crew access at two aid Aid Stations #4 (Calf Creek) and #7 (Toketee Lake Campground). There is no crew access at any other location on the course. Crews accessing their runners elsewhere, and runners accepting aid from crew elsewhere will be disqualified.
Pacers are not allowed.
Due to the shuttle requirement at the start, runners are able to drop gear at the start.
There are two drop bag locations on the course, at aid station #4 (Calf Creek) and #7 (Toketee Lake Campground). All drop bags will be returned to Lemolo Lake/finish by 8 p.m.
Because drop bags are transported a few different times during a race, here are some best practices and restrictions around the size, quantity, and contents for Go Beyond Racing races.
