Races
Rio Del Lago
Folsom, California. Rio Del Lago. Ten thousand feet. Sacramento Valley foothill rollers.
- Start449 ft
- High1,635 ft
- Low105 ft
- Finish453 ft
- California at mile 0.0
- Rio Del Lago mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 6 hours
- Rio Del Lago mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 12 hours
- Rio Del Lago mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 18 hours
- Rio Del Lago mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 24 hours
- Finish California at mile 100, cutoff 30 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxFolsom Lake trail rollers in November (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Rio Del Lago runs 100 mi through California. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Folsom Lake trail rollers in November. High point near 1,670 ft. Low near 95 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 the 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.
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Sources (1)
- Qualifier: wser: https://www.wser.org/qualifying-races/