The Groves Trail Run

2024 THE GROVES HAS BEEN CANCELLED. ALL ENTRANTS NOTIFED VIA EMAIL ON 7/26/24. REFUNDS WILL BE SENT TO ALL WHO ENTERED. Pacific Coast Trail Runs (https://pacificcoasttrailruns.com/) is proud to present the 3rd Annual event in the Pescadero Creek Park Complex in San Mateo County. The inaugural event happened in 2019. Then CZU - Big Basin Fire of 2020 caused damage to this day has left trails unopened on Butano Ridge and Old Haul Road. The winter storms of 2023 have left more trail closures. We finally got confirmation that there are clear trails through Pescadero Creek to allow passage to Sam McDonald Park and back to Memorial Park. Be rest assured that we have plenty of trail to redesign an amazing course. The course will go through three parks including Pescadero Creek, Sam McDonald Park, and Memorial Park. This area is northwest of Big Basin Redwoods State Park and southwest of Woodside and Skyline Blvd. You will all enjoy late summertime running or hiking under the canopy in some of the largest redwood groves in the world… this is THE GROVES. Multiple distances will be offered including Trail Half Marathon and 50K. “Hikers Welcome!” to enjoy the half marathon with 8 hour time limit for 13.31 miles of pleasure. Entrants Receive the Following: Hoodie: Yes, a "PCTR/The Groves" branded Hoodie!!!  Hoodiepalooza is on for all 2024 events. Trucker Hat: "Go run a trail." Trucker Hat Finisher Medal by Trailblazer Designworks. Post Race Meal by Food Network Celebrity Chef Yaku Moton-Spruill. Always Vegetarian Option Available. Podium Award: "Big Azz Check Presentation" if Qualified. First Place - $125 in Race CreditsSecond Place - $100 in Race CreditsThird Place - $75 in Race Credits Age Group Award: Pacific Coast Trail Runs "Age Group Winner" branded award presented by Race Director if qualified. Ultramarathon Finisher Awards: Pacific Coast Trail Runs "Ultramarathon Finisher" branded award presented by Race Director if qualified. Free Downloadable On-Course Photos of your event. 2023 Photos (By Emi Ito & Greg Lanctot) - https://crowdpic.com/events/1034 2019 Photos (By the late great Robert Rhodes) - https://crowdpic.com/events/325   How to Get to the Start and Finish Line (PLEASE ENTER THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS in to your Map APP): Memorial Park in San Mateo County 9500 Pescadero Creek Rd Loma Mar, CA 94021 From the Beach - California HWY-1: Head East on Pescadero Creek Road. Turn Right into the park. From the San Francisco - California HWY-101 South: Head West on HWY-92. Left on HWY-9. Right or HWY 84. Left on Pescadero Road. Turn Left in to the park. From San Jose - California HWY-101 North. Head West on HWY-84. Left on Pescadero Road. Turn Left in to the park. PARKING: There you will be greeted at the gate to pay $6 for parking.Please bring cash to expedite the line to enter the park.We kindly ask that you bring a $5 & $1 bill to make the line move even quicker :-) 50K Course Description: The course is mostly single track and 90% under the canopy of amazing groves of Redwoods, Oaks, Pine, and Conifers. You will be running two identical 15.94 mile loops starting and finishing at Memorial Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You will enter the groves of trees in Pescadero Creek County Park and start your climb towards Sam McDonald Park. Once you reach the aid station at the Sam McDonald Park parking lot, you will then proceed to complete a stunning 3-mile eyelet loop in one of the most amazing parts of the course. The trees provide ample shade and cooling before you return to the same aid station. Then, the fun begins as you run mostly downhill (with a one mile climb) to the start/finish area to regenerate for the second loop and on your way to completing an ultramarathon. Distance: 31.88 Miles Elevation Gain: 6,714 feet Time Limit: 9.5 Hours Cut-off: 4h 30m to complete first loop. (16:55 min/mile pace) Drop/Finish Line Bags: Yes. At start/finish line only (Mile (15.9) Pacers: No Pacers Allowed Safety Runners: Yes. $30 (includes a post race food/bev) Shall you need a safety runner, then please email RD: g r e g @ t h e t r a i l p o r t a l d o t c o m Course Link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3119397363197092920 Aid Stations: Full Aid Stations featuring FLUID ELECTROLYTE (Blueberry-Pomegranate), Water, Ice, Coke, Ginger Ale, Bananas, Tangerines, Watermelon, Uncrustables (PB&J), and an assortment Sweet & Salty snack packs. 5.9m - Sam McDonald Aid Station (A/S)8.9m - Sam McDonald A/S15.9m - Memorial Park A/S20.8m - Sam McDonald A/S23.8m - Sam McDonald A/S31.8m - Finish Half Marathon Course Description: The course is also mostly single track and 90% under the canopy of amazing groves of Redwoods, Oaks, Pine, and Conifers. You will be running one 13.31 mile loop starting and finishing at Memorial Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You will enter the groves of trees in Pescadero Creek County Park and start your climb towards Sam McDonald Park. Once you reach the aid station, then you will head back towards the finish line. This is mostly down hill with a one-mile climb from 7.6m to 8.6m before descending towards the celebration under the glorious redwoods at Memorial Park.  Distance: 13.31 Miles Elevation Gain: 2,582 feet Time Limit: 8.0 Hours Cut-off: No Cut-off.  We are hopeful you can hike at 36 min/mile pace :-) Drop/Finish Line Bags: Yes. At start/finish line only. Pacers: No Pacers Allowed Safety Runners: Yes. $30 (includes a post race food/bev) Shall you need a safety runner, then please email RD: g r e g @ t h e t r a i l p o r t a l d o t c o m Course Link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3119386642377411640 Aid Stations: Full Aid Stations featuring FLUID ELECTROLYTE (Blueberry-Pomegranate), Water, Ice, Coke, Ginger Ale, Bananas, Tangerines, Watermelon, Uncrustables (PB&J), and an assortment Sweet & Salty snack packs. 5.9m - Sam McDonald Aid Station (A/S)13.31m - Finish   OTHER INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Race Day Info Link: https://pacificcoasttrailruns.com/race-day/ Race & Trail Etiquette: https://pacificcoasttrailruns.com/rules-and-trail-etiquette/ Volunteers Always Needed: https://pacificcoasttrailruns.com/volunteer/ Run For Lucas: https://pacificcoasttrailruns.com/run-for-lucas/ Rhodes Photo Scholar: https://pacificcoasttrailruns.com/robert-memorial/ What are Safety Runners: Safety Runners are not Pacers.At our races longer than 50 miles we allow Pacers.Safety Runners must be approved on case-by-case basis.The reason is for safety. We are the firm believer that not all entrants have the same ability or mindset when on course.Safety Runners must be behind the entrant.If you are in front of your runner, and they have an issue (fall, vision, or cardiac issues), then being in back is better than front.Safety Runners cannot "mule": carry personal belongings or food of entrant.Safety Runner is required to sign waiver at start/finish line.Regardless of when the Safety Runner fee is paid, they must sign a waiver at the start/finish area.If you have two Safety Runners, then that is $60.