Race Report - Granite Head Trails & Ales

Granite Head Trails and Ales is a race that fit into my training plan for Ragnar Napa in November and also keeps me having fun and on track for my California International Marathon Relay in December.  I've run this race before and, since it's practically in my backyard, decided to sign up again this year for the long course (11.2 miles).

This race is put on by Fleet Feet and begins and ends at the Granite Bay Main Beach area of Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, California.  They offer two course options, the long course and a shorter version that is a little over 6 miles.  The parking is abundant, although getting through the entrance into the State Park can take a while.  If you don't have a State Parks Pass, the parking will cost you $10 at the gate.

Pre-Race organization was very good.  The check-in process on site was quick and easy.  There were plenty of fresh new porta potties to keep the lines short.  Runners get their bibs and shirts right in the parking lot, so it's convenient to dash back to your car to stash your shirt or stay out of the chill air of the morning.

There is a short walk to the starting line, which is along the waterfront.  I ran the long course, so this race report is specific to that route.  We start out along the waterfront and are soon in the trees. We head north along a lot of single track out to Oak Point, then following the waterline up to Beek's Bight (bathroom available here).  There were plenty of water stops along the way, so I didn't bother wearing my pack or carrying a handheld water bottle.  The race organizers offered water or Nuun. The weather was cool, so I knew I didn't need to pack water.

The route to the north is mostly single track, hard packed trail.  There are some technical spots with
clusters of rocks and even an area with big granite boulders to run over.  While there aren't any big climbs on this end, there are a lot of gradual climbs.  The climbs combined with the variety of surface makes for a tough combination for the average recreational runner.  You definitely want to have trained on some trails before hitting this race!  If you don't, be prepared to take it slow and plan to enjoy the scenery.  If you're a recreational road runner and you sign up for this one without training on trails, your legs are going to feel it!

Once we finished the northern loops, we hit the equestrian trail for the route back to the southern end.  This is also single track, with a few soft sandy stretches for variety.   As you pass through the equestrian staging area, there is another bathroom opportunity.  We continue south past the main entrance to the park.  At the base of the one steep climb up to the Water Tower (also known as Mooney Ridge), there is a water stop that also had some fuel options.  Then it's straight up to the top.  I have yet to make it all the way to the top of that darn hill at a run, so I gave myself a break and walked it.  I think the climb is about a 8-9% grade.  It's a service road, so there's plenty of room and it's hard packed.  It's just steep, so I walked it and tried to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest.

Once we reach the top, we basically just head right back down the other side.  Back along the water's edge at the furthest southern point of the race, we run along the rolling hills of the service road. No major climbs, but it's a challenge for tired legs at this point.  We follow the water around the ridge that we had just climbed and end up back at the water stop at the base of the Water Tower climb.  It's the last hydration spot until the end.  The rest of the route becomes flatter.

You'll experience some single track hard pack, a rubble rutted old service road that is a psyche out as you basically run north past the finish.  You feel done, you see the end and the parking lot where you started, but you actually have 2 miles to go!

Hoka One One set up a flat sprint zone ("Time to Fly") at the end.  I'm sure some of the better runners love these little zones.  Every time I see one, I just feel gassed.  This one was the last 200 yards of the race and I was just done.  On the plus side, the zone was totally hard packed, wide and flat.

The race bling is a stainless steel pint glass with the race logo on it.  This year, Ruhstaller was
pouring a porter and an IPA for the over 21 crowd.  Fleet Feet also had a great build-your-own burrito set up that was delicious after that ambitious course.

Overall, this is a race that is well supported on a tough course that will continue to challenge me.  I'm definitely signing up for this one again in years to come.