Races

Cuyamaca

CaliforniaOctober

Cuyamaca Rancho. San Diego County high country. Stonewall Peak. October sun on exposed ridges.

62 mi+415 ft-418 ft17 hours810 ft to 864 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookCuyamaca RanchoWSER qualifierOctober
Distance62 mi
Gain+415 ft
Loss-418 ft
Altitude810 ft to 864 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 90°F
Gradient profileOfficial race GPX
  • Start820 ft
  • High864 ft
  • Low810 ft
  • Finish817 ft

Field, 2025 · 13-year samplescraped

Starters239
Finish rate86%
Median14:37
Sub-24205

Geometryderived

Steepest drop46 ft-0.4% over 2.2 mi
Night miles21 misunset near 18:00 local

Course records

Men8:32:41Gabriel Kline2022 scraped
Women11:08:07Ashley Nordell2012 scraped

The cruxStonewall Peak climb in October heat (near mile 40)

Course DNA

The Course

Cuyamaca runs 100 km through California. +415 ft gain and -418 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% fire road. Stonewall Peak climb in October heat. High point near 864 ft. Low near 810 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 415 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.

Sources (3)

Cuyamaca