SoCal Wine Country Women’s Half Marathon & 5k

Course highlights

Half Marathon

The course begins with approximately .5 miles of paved road before entering a mix of double and single track trails. Once you arrive on the primary trail system, you will start a gradual climb. The next 1.5 miles will be rolling terrain including a short but steep downhill. Be sure to use caution on this section, it is steep and rocky. Next, you will have a nice descent that will take you on a loop. Then, you will head to the one significant and sustained climb on the course. (Just remember, what goes up must come down.) The climb will be on some very nice single track trail and will be followed by a fast, fire road descent to loosen the legs back up. It will be a challenging section but very well worth it!

After the descent you will turn right to stay on the fire road and follow it up with two quick lefts. Here you will veer right off the double track and make a short quick climb to rolling single track. This will end with another steep downhill (USE CAUTION) that will return you to double track trail where you will take a sharp left and begin heading back towards the trails you ran earlier.

You will bypass the long climb section of the course and head back to the previous loop. You will then continue on the trails you ran earlier which means this time you’ll have to climb that short, steep hill you were cautious going down earlier. This will be a tough little hill and remember, there is no expectation to run the entire course in a trail race; power walking or hiking some sections is highly recommended!

From here, you return to the double track trails to the out and back section along the lake. This will consist of rolling hills, beautiful views of the lake, and a 1/4 mile steep climb to the turnaround. After the return trip you will make a hard right that will take you to a flat section and will lead you back past the resort.

At the end of the trail, you will be back on the pavement as you run flat through the campground. From here it’s a gradual paved climb to the finish line and all the glory!

5K

The 5k course is an out and back route.
The 5k course begins with approximately .5 miles of paved road. Once you reach the primary trail system, you will take a right and start a rolling out-and-back section along Vail Lake on a wide fire road.

Stay alert for the “5K Turn Around” sign that will be located at the halfway point. From that sign, you will return using the same route that you have already run.