Chanoko Race Report March 2019
Chanoko is a Total Body Fitness Race that starts at the Auburn Dam Overlook park and hugs the North Fork of the American River following the Pioneer Express Trail. In Ultra circles around here, the Pioneer Express is a major artery for big name races like the Western States. Chanoko is a smaller run, less than 75 people were entered into this distance (31k) the day I ran it. I like that because the trail is yours, for the most part. We aren't back-to-back people chugging along, worrying about our pace because we don't want to hold up the group. It's easy to spread out, with the fasties taking the (considerable) lead, then everyone else finding their pace and enjoying the solitude of nature. The overall elevation change of this route was 1,629 feet. That number is deceptive (as it always is). The beginning of the race is up on the overlook and the first three miles are spent moderating speed as you wind your way down to the river. We are three miles ...