Races

San Diego 200

Escondido, CaliforniaOctober

Two hundred miles around San Diego County. Coast, city, mountains, desert. First half has stores. Second half does not. Crew is not optional.

200 mi+12,657 ft-12,657 ft82 hours2,299 ft to 6,048 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookcounty circumnavigationcrew anywheremulti-dayOctober
Distance200 mi
Gain+12,657 ft
Loss-12,657 ft
Altitude2,299 ft to 6,048 ft
Technicality5/10
Air45°F to 95°F
Gradient profileCourse GPX
  • Start5,505 ft
  • High6,048 ft
  • Low2,299 ft
  • Finish5,505 ft

Terrain

trail50%road50%

Field, 2023 · 2-year samplescraped

Starters0

Geometryderived

Steepest drop1,532 ft-10.3% over 2.9 mi
Night miles94 misunset near 17:00 local
Longest climb3,205 ft179 mi at 0.3%

The cruxSecond hundred from Cuyamaca into Anza-Borrego with no gas-station bailouts (near mile 130)

Course DNA

The Course

San Diego 200 runs 200 mi through Escondido, California. +12,657 ft gain and -12,657 ft loss. Surfaces skew 50% trail / 50% road. Second hundred from Cuyamaca into Anza-Borrego with no gas-station bailouts. High point near 6,048 ft. Low near 2,299 ft. October temps run 45°F to 95°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 100.

The Work

Train for 12,657 feet of climbing across 200 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 82 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 130.

Kit

October in Escondido, California: plan for 45°F to 95°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 82 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 50. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 50% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 100.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 50. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 100. Second hundred from Cuyamaca into Anza-Borrego with no gas-station bailouts near mile 130 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 66 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Train for your race

Train for San Diego 200

Course-specific plan, fuel segments, gear kit, and race morning for San Diego 200.

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San Diego 200

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