Races

Rio Del Lago

CaliforniaNovember

Folsom, California. Rio Del Lago. Ten thousand feet. Sacramento Valley foothill rollers.

100 mi+592 ft-598 ft30 hours812 ft to 862 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookFolsom LakeWSER qualifierNovemberWSER qualifier
Distance100 mi
Gain+592 ft
Loss-598 ft
Altitude812 ft to 862 ft
Technicality5/10
Air45°F to 85°F
Gradient profileOfficial race GPX
  • Start820 ft
  • High862 ft
  • Low812 ft
  • Finish814 ft

Geometryderived

Steepest drop49 ft-0.4% over 2.1 mi
Night miles52 misunset near 17:00 local

The cruxFolsom Lake trail rollers in November (near mile 65)

Course DNA

The Course

Rio Del Lago runs 100 mi through California. +592 ft gain and -598 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Folsom Lake trail rollers in November. High point near 862 ft. Low near 812 ft. November temps run 45°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.

The Work

Train for 592 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 30 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 65.

Kit

November in California: plan for 45°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 30 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Folsom Lake trail rollers in November near mile 65 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 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Sources (1)

Rio Del Lago