Jed Smith Ultra Classic
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February 16, 2010

First off, I'd like to apologize for taking so long to update this page!  My internet and phone service has been down for over a week and I haven't been able to post links to results or anything.  (Thanks AT&T!) 

Thank you to everyone who came out and ran this year's race!  Despite the uncertainties regarding the venue, and the iffy weather, we had a good field of competitors.  Complete results for all races are up at Capitol Road Race Management.  I'll work on getting them uploaded at Ultrasignup.com, soon.

We'd also like to thank our sponsors: Buffalo Chips Running Club (everything), Fleet Feet Sports (shirts), Mizuno (prizes), and Earl Wallace of SAM, store and move (the fabulous aid station storage container).  

Finally, we all owe a big "thank you" and a pat on the back to all the volunteers who really made this race possible.  

We should also mention that the Sacramento County Regional Parks folks did a great job of helping us with the venue and making sure the event went smoothly.  

We've had generally positive feedback regarding the new course.  From a race management standpoint, Gibson Ranch was as easy as it gets.  However, most of the runners seemed to prefere the longer loops at William Pond.  We appreciate all the feedback and suggestions we've received about how to improve the event.  We are listening and reading everything. We'll be sending out a survey in a week or so looking for even more feedback, as we'd like to build this race and improve upon our success.  We'd appreciate it if you respond to the survey.  There are so few fast ultras in Northern California; it's hard to imagine we can't significantly grow the field for this one.  The course could easily handle double the runners.  

We hope to see you again next year!

John Blue

 

January 29, 2010

Course photos are up!  I ran the course in the rain last Sunday, after a solid week of rain. As you can see from the photos, the course drains remarkably well.  Afterward, you couldn't tell I'd been off the pavement at all.  There aren't any showers at the park, but if you are a member, there is a 24-Hour Fitness approximately 3/4 mile from the venue.  There is also a pretty good local bakery/cafe in the same center (Bella Bru).  

 

January 24, 2010

Things are looking good for the event.  As soon as we figured out a course, we got word from the County (Transportation) that there would be bike trail closures near the West edge of William Pond Park.  As a result, we've had to create another, temporary course for 2010!  Here is a map of the new, revised course on Gmaps Pedometer.

I was out on the course today and took some pictures.  I'll try to have them posted for you really soon.  You can see them now on Facebook, if you do that sort of thing.

 

January 8, 2010

This year's race will be held at William Pond Park in Sacramento.   We are still finalizing and fine tuning the course, but it will be a 10km loop with the traditional mix of pavement and dirt.  The dirt portions are pretty fast and mostly wide horse trail or dirt road.  The soil is mostly sand loam typical of the river delta.  If there is rain, these trails drain well (definitely an improvement over the Gibson Ranch course).  There may be some puddles but nothing excessive.  If the weather is awful, and trails are terrible, we have the option of rerouting most all of the course onto pavement.  This will be at the discretion of race management.  We think this will be an overall improvement over the old Gibson Ranch course.  There will be parking right near the start/finish area.  

 

December 11, 2009

We have been informed by Sacramento County that Gibson Ranch Park, the site of the Jed Smith Ultra Classic, will be closed due to budgetary reasons.  The County has already offered us a couple of alternative venues to consider.  We are exploring these options and are scouring the area for other possibilities.  While the time-frame is tight, we are confident that another venue will be found in time to hold the race. 

We are hopeful that we can use this crisis to improve the race.  It is our intention that the race continue as a �PR� type ultra and a likely destination for folks needing a fast 50 mile/100K time to make the 100K National Team.  Any future venue we consider will include the following features:

Please check back here for updates.  Thanks for your patience!

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Sacramento's oldest and largest running club, running strong since 1974
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