Races
Cuyamaca
Cuyamaca Rancho. San Diego County high country. Stonewall Peak. October sun on exposed ridges.
62 mi+13,894 ft-13,832 ft17 hours3,425 ft to 6,496 fttech 5/106 stationsCuyamaca RanchoWSER qualifierOctober
Distance62 mi
Gain+13,894 ft
Loss-13,832 ft
Altitude3,425 ft to 6,496 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 90°F
- Start4,094 ft
- High6,377 ft
- Low3,434 ft
- Finish4,157 ft
- California at mile 0.0
- Cuyamaca mile 12 at mile 12, cutoff 3.4000000000000004 hours
- Cuyamaca mile 25 at mile 25, cutoff 6.800000000000001 hours
- Cuyamaca mile 37 at mile 37, cutoff 10.2 hours
- Cuyamaca mile 50 at mile 50, cutoff 13.600000000000001 hours
- Finish California at mile 62, cutoff 17 hours
Field, 2025 · 13-year sampleresults
Starters239
Finish rate86%
Median14:37
Sub-24205
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,220 ft-11.9% over 2.0 mi
Night miles21 misunset near 18:00 local
Course records
Men8:32:41Gabriel Kline
Women11:08:07Ashley Nordell
The cruxStonewall Peak climb in October heat (near mile 40)
Course DNA
The Course
Cuyamaca runs 100 km through California. +13,894 ft gain and -13,832 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% fire road. Stonewall Peak climb in October heat. High point near 6,496 ft. Low near 3,425 ft. October temps run 40°F to 90°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.
The Work
Train for 13,894 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 17 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 40.
Kit
October in California: plan for 40°F to 90°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 17 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Stonewall Peak climb in October heat near mile 40 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Cuyamaca finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=122715
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=89442
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=15751