The idea of having an "easier" 50km race for novice ultrarunners and those in early season form has been floated about for a few years now. The idea became a reality with the first running of this race, in 2004. You will find much information on the event in the pages below. If you have any questions, contact Race Director Shawn McDonald via email at smmcoach@hotmail.com or via phone at (619) 265-8931. You can check the SURF email list, web site, and newsletter for details on the race in the weeks before the event, and for info about any training runs being held on the race course. We usually get out 3-4 times in the three months before the race to cover most of the race route. Upon receipt of your completed race entry form and entry fee check, you will be sent a packet with all the race info and maps you will need. The 2005 race will be the second running of the event so please give us your feedback following the race.
The likely weather for this race is sunny with cold temperatures at the start (high 30's to 40's F), and warming to the 60's to low 70's during the afternoon. If the weather is rainy, temps can be in the high high 40's to upper 50's with wind in some of the open areas. Click on the weather link above to get the current forecast and weather conditions for Escondido, CA, which is a few miles from the race course.
The race route starts from near the entrance of Del Dios park off Lake Drive. First, head east on the trail, paralleling the access road of the park, about 1 mile to the main parking lot. Proceed across the parking lot and back onto the dirt trail, going another 0.2 mile, and turnaround, and retrace your route back to the entrance of Del Dios park, where the race started. There will be an aid station here. Next, head west on the trail, going past Hernandez Hideaway restaurant, with a stream crossing right after that, and then on past the boat launch and another 0.5 mile to the turnaround at the dam aid station. Then retrace your steps back to Del Dios Park. Next head east on the trail parelleling the park access road, across the main parking lot, back onto the trail, and go another 2.8 miles, then turn right onto the concrete bike path that goes under the freeway, and then around in a horeshoe shape another 1/2 mile to the turnaround at the the Sunset Drive aid station. Turnaround and retrace your steps back to the aid station at the entrance of Del Dios Park. Again head west on the trail 2.5 miles to the turnaround at the dam aid station, retrace the route back to the entrance to Del Dios Park. Finally, head east on the trail from Del Dios Park, parallel to the park access road for the first 3/4 mile, then across the main parking lot, back onto the trail, another 3.3 miles further to the aid station at Sunset Drive. Turnaround and go back on the trail to the finish near the entrance of Del Dios Park. The course has been wheel measured and should be within 0.5 miles of 50km. There are mile posts on each section of the trail, measured relative to the trailhead at Sunset Drive. The posts are about knee high and are painted brown and have the mile number written on the top.
| Miles to Start | Miles From San Diego Airport | Name of Motel or Campground | Street Address | Phone |
| 12 | 20 | Mariott Spring Hill Suites | 13032 Scripps Highlands Dr. | (858) 740-2020 |
| 5 | 30 | Howard Johnson | 515 W. Washington Ave. | (760) 743-1443 |
| 5 | 30 | Super 8 | 528 W. Washington Ave. | (760) 747-3711 |
| 5 | 30 | Rodeway Inn | 250 W. El Norte Pkwy. | (760) 746-0441 |
| 5 | 30 | Best Western | 1700 Seven Oakes Rd. | (760) 740-1700 |
| 5 | 30 | Comfort Inn | 1290 W. Valley Pkwy. | (760) 489-1010 |
| 5 | 30 | Holiday Inn | 1250 W. Valley Pkwy. | (760) 741-7117 |
| 15 | 45 | All Season RV Park and Campground | 30012 Hwy. 395 | (760) 749-2982 |
| 20 | 10 | Holiday Inn | 3805 Murphy Canyon Rd. | (858) 277-1199 |
| 25 | 8 | Days Inn | 543 Hotel Circle South | (619) 297-8800 |
| 25 | 5 | Motel 6 | 2424 Hotel Circle North | (619) 296-1612 |
All of these motels/campgrounds are in or just north of Escondido, except for the last three, which are located in Mission Valley which is situated only a few miles north of the San Diego airport and downtown San Diego. Escondido is located about a 30 minutes drive from downtown San Diego, or the San Diego airport.
Take I-15 North or South to the Via Rancho Parkway exit (one exit north of Pomerado Road exit, one exit south of El Norte Parkway. Drive west on Via Rancho Parkway about 3.2 miles. Turn left onto Lake Drive (100 yds. before intersecting the Del Dios Highway), and follow Lake Drive about 0.8 mile downhill to the park entrance just before the general store. Park either in the small paved lot just inside the entrance gate, or along the south side of Lake Drive opposite the general store. Parking is limited so please try to carpool with other runners.
Sunset Drive aid station:
From the start area, go back uphill on Lake Drive for 0.8 mile, turn right onto Via Rancho Parkway, head east on Via Rancho Parkway for 3.3 miles, cross over the I-15 freeway and take the first right onto Sunset Drive after the gas station. The turn is just prior to the golf driving range and across from the mall entrance. Take Sunset Drive 300 yds. south to the aid station which will be set up at the north end of the small paved parking lot near the fence to the storage company. Please park along along Sunset Drive and not in the small paved lot. Runners will pass this aid station twice, at miles 12.4 and 26.6.
Gas and groceries can be purchased at convenience stores in either off Via Rancho Parkway, or at the general store on Lake Drive near the Del Dios Park entrance. There are restaurants at the mall on the other side of Via Rancho Parkway from the golf driving range.
Cutoffs
| Aid station name | Mileage | Cutoff time |
| Del Dios Park (4th trip) | 22.0 | 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Finish Line at Del Dios Park | 31.2 | 8 hours |
All finishers will earn a finishers certificate, which will be
mailed to each runner along with race results about a week
after the race. Race t-shirts will be given out to each race entrant
at the pre-race check-in.
Awards will be given to the following runners:
Top 3 Men
Top 3 Women
Age group winners
39 and under
40-49
50-59
60+
The first place man and woman will earn a gift
certificate to Road Runner Sports along with a
first place plaque.
The second and third place male and female, and
age group winners will earn gift certificates from
Road Runner Sports. The awards are equal in number
and dollar amount for men and women. There is no repeat
of awards so the top three can't win an age group award
also. This means that up to 14 runners will earn
awards.
| Station Name | Mileages | Crew Access | Cutoff and time |
| Del Dios Park | 0, 2.8, 7.8, 17.0 22.0, 31.2 | Yes | Yes, 5 hrs. 30 mins. at mile 22, 8 hours at mile 31.2 |
| Hodges Dam turnaround | 5.3, 19.5 | No | No |
| Sunset Drive | 12.4, 26.6 | Yes | No |
| Male | Female | |||
| Year | Runners Name | Time | Runners Name | Time |
| 2004 | Nick Hamlin | 3:23:02 | Michelle Barton | 4:13:32 |
Age group records
| Male | Female | |||||
| Age category | Time | Runners Name | Year | Time | Runners Name | Year |
| 29 + under | 3:23:02 | Nick Hamlin | 2004 | None | ||
| 30-39 | 4:19:04 | Brian Luschwitz | 2004 | 4:13:32 | Michelle Barton | 2004 |
| 40-49 | 4:16:59 | Bruce Douglas | 2004 | 4:32:57 | Diana Rush | 2004 |
| 50-59 | 4:23:02 | Les Michalek | 2004 | 5:11:52 | Mary Lou Lackey | 2004 |
| 60+ | 6:14:26 | LeRoy Kessler | 2004 | None |