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The Jed Smith Ultra Classic

February 3, 2024

View photos here.  (Credit: Tim Nelson) - Joe McCladdie's photos here.

Notable: Bill Mertens broke the national 50 mile AG (55-59) record at 5:48:51. That's an incredible pace of 6:59 over 50 miles!


2023 50k Start with Jennifer Schmidt (#84), Billy Mertens (#73), Jacob Nur (#76), Peter Bromka (#40), and Daniel Button (#43)


join us for the 46th edition of the Jed Smith Ultra Classic on Feb 3, 2024

 

We are looking forward to welcoming back many regular past runners and to meeting many new ones.

As always, all Runners receive a shirt in men's & women's sizing. And our finishers' medals are known for their beauty.

  • Looking to try a longer race distance adventure?
  • Trying to get a BQ qualifying Marathon time?
  • Need an early training run for your A race later in the summer?
  • Want a little extra time to finish? The course is open all day; i.e. the marathon race has 9 ½ hours time limit.

Then this race is for you. Enjoy the beautiful and fast course. Several USA and Canadian age group records have been set here.

Registration

 

Click here to register online through Ultrasignup. 

Registration Details

Take advantage of our low Early Bird registration fees. Online registration opens on November 13, 2023 and closes on Jan, 31, 2024 at 11:59pm. Bear in mind that online registration prices will increase on December 4, 2023 and again on January 8, 2024. The is capped at 230 and sells out quickly.

PA winner discounts apply automatically when you register as long as we have the correct email address on file. Members of the Buffalo Chips Running Club receive a 10% discount.

Race Day registration and packet pick-up is between 6:30 and 9 am at the start line. Packets include a T-shirt and bib numbers. There is no pre-race day packet pick-up.

All finishers receive a beautiful hand-crafted wooden medal.

The race will be held rain or shine, and there are no refunds.

Registration Fees

Jed Smith is capped at 230 participants and sells out early. The race will be held rain or shine. There are no refunds.

Distance

Until Dec. 3

 

Dec. 4 - Jan. 7

 

Jan. 8  - 31*  Race Day
50 Miles $105 $115 $125 $140
50K $ 95 $105 $115 $130
Marathon $ 90 $100 $110 $125
30K $ 75 $ 85 $ 95 $110
Half Marathon $65 $75 $ 85

$100

* Online registration closes at midnight of January 31, 2024.

Packet Pick-up

Packet pick-up and Race Day registration is at 6:30 am - 9:00 am in the Start/Finish area. Look for the U-Haul truck and tents at the far west end of the parking area. There is  no pre-race day pick-up.

Start Times

7:30 am   50 M

8:30 am   50K and Marathon

9:30 am   30K and Half Marathon

6:00 pm   All events close

Cut-off: All runners must start their final lap no later than 4:40pm.

Course Description

The 46th edition of the Jed Smith Ultra Classic is held on USATF certified courses (BQ) that is nearly identical with the record-setting course used for the 2011 World Masters Championship Marathon.

Runners cross the Guy West Bridge at the Sacramento State University campus and Watt Bridge at Watt Avenue at the other end of the 4.85 mile loop. The fast and mostly flat course follows a paved bike path and some wide dirt trails along the beautiful American River Parkway. Local parkway rules: Runners/Ped on left side and Bikes on the right side.

This is the right event for all runners with a lot of support along the course. Come just to finish and enjoy the beautiful area along the American River or to aim for your PR or any regional or national record.

Course marshals will be placed at crucial turns to assist you.

Aid Stations

There will be two aid stations, the main one at Start/Finish line area and the other, about 3 miles away, on the north side of the river next to the Howe Avenue Bridge. Aid Stations will be well stocked with soda, water & GU sports drink, single serve candy, gel, salty snacks and other Ultra grub. We will have limited cups available and encourage runners to bring their own.  

Note: With our loop course setup, you will be running through the Watt Ave parking lot several times and are welcome to set up your own chair or table, off to the side, for a personal mini aid station.

American River Parkway Bike Trail Local Rules

Runners and pedestrians use the LEFT side shoulder or lane, and bikes use the RIGHT side lane. Do not run in groups that block a line; single file is best. Remember that the bike path will not be closed for the Jed Smith race. You you will be sharing the Bike path with the local neighbors. We all need to be courteous to others and aware of our surroundings during the race. We don’t want to risk losing the privilege of using this public space. 

Directions and Parking

Free parking (covered w/race entry) is available in the American River Parkway area right next to the start and finish line. (Address: 8713 La Riviera Dr., Sacramento, CA 95826.) Carpooling is always recommended and encouraged, especially since we have a record number of registered runners. Should the Watt River access parking fill up, there is always plenty of parking on the other side of La Riviera in the Big Lots parking area. 

Contact the Race Director With Questions or Concerns

John Feeney

Buffalo Chips Running Club

2023

The 2023 race was held with a record number of participants in perfect weather conditions with plenty of sunshine in the morning and only a few showers in the afternoon. 

New course records were set in the 50k event:

New Record Old Record
Jennifer Schmidt, F31, (F30-39): 3:25:02 Camille Herron 3:35:02 (2017) 
Peter Bromka, M41, (M40-49); 2:58:14 Rich Hanna 3:13:07 (2014)
Jacob Nur, M67, (M60-69): 3:49:33  Ray Piva 3:50:02 (1992)

 

Billy Mertens set a new USATF National Record in the M 55-59 age group with a time of 3:20:36. Billy is also the Jed Smith 50k record holder in the men's 50-59 age group, set in 2017 with a time of 3:16:29. 

Check race results here. 

View 2023 photos here.