Kirkwood 5K & 10K Trail Adventure

Today was the 5K & 10K race. The drive was a beautiful one, about 45 minutes. We got there in plenty of time to pick up our numbers and get ready to race. We watched the kids races and then it was time for both the 5K & 10K to start.

Nancy and Marsha ready to run.

The 5K duo, Nancy & Jan.

We are ready for our Kirkwood adventure.

This was a benefit run for the
Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department.

My race path.

The pictures below are the scenery I enjoyed on my run.

The only aide station, we did an out and back here so we
visited it twice.

Here I am at the top, it was mostly downhill from here.

These wildflowers were so thick I could smell them.

At the end of the race my cheering section consisting of Jan, Nancy, Glitter, Chip, Gizmo, Aiden and Tinkerbell greeted me.

In the home stretch.

Making good time. 

Crossing the finish line.

All the Camp W racers finished! We now each have our "unique ceramic medals."


5K
Nancy Berry  50:04
Jan Monson  52:27  Age group 3rd!


10K
Marsha Monson  1:38.20  Age group 3rd!


Stats for the run: Mile1: 18:11 Mile2: 18:21 Mile3: 15:56 Mile4: 17:14 Mile5: 14:23 Mile6: 15:04


Elevation Gain:1,047 ft
Elevation Loss:1,028 ft
Min Elevation:7,790 ft
Max Elevation:8,569 ft


Running at a Higher Level

Come join us for the 31st anniversary of the Kirkwood 5K and 10K Trail Adventure Run on Saturday, September 3, 2011. Unique ceramic medals to all finishers.

5K Course

The course is on single track trail and dirt roads with only a small portion of pavement at the Start and Finish line. This is a multi-use trail and is used by mountain bikers, hikers, and runners. If you are a slow runner, be aware of bikers sharing the trails. Be sure to wear trail shoes and bring a camera.

10K Course Map

The 5K and 10K will now start together across from the swimming pool. The first ¾ mile of the 10K race is fairly steep and rocky. Watch your footing, but be sure to enjoy the wildflowers and terrific mountain views of Kirkwood. Bear left onto Whiskey trail to Caples Crest dirt road. If you have anything left at this point, you have space to open the throttle and pass other runners. This is a grueling climb to Iron Horse Road where you will find the aid station. Iron Horse Road is the out and back portion of the course. You catch a glimpse of Caples Lake and mountain peaks on the descent to the turn around. When you come back up Iron Horse Road to the aid station for the second time, you will be halfway through the course. 

Only a few more small hills up Caples Crest Road brings you to the single track Vista trail which is just short of the top of Chair 2. This is the TOP of the course! The Vista trail is well named with its gorgeous views of all of Kirkwood where you are actually running down the ski slope. This is where you might feel like you are in the “Sound of Music” with the majestic views.

From this point on, the course is mostly descending, but can be treacherous with loose rocks and shale. Watch your footing in this section as you cross under the chair lift and enter a woodsy section. You will make a left turn onto Lower Corral trail and then a right to stay on Lower Corral. This is a meadow with wildflowers, dry creek beds, rocky cliffs, and maybe a waterfall if it is not dried up by race day. Watch your footing on the small bridges.

Another woodsy area brings you to Snowkirk Road, another dirt road to the right. This brings you back to Caples Crest Road at the bottom of Chair 2. Ascending Caples Crest Road, you cross under Chair 2 then turn left on Red Cliffs trail. This is a rocky trail with a few small streams to cross. Bear left on Whiskey trail.  On the way back to the finish line the crowd will cheer you on from the deck of the lodge. 
You will see the finish line but you still have to loop around under several of the chair lifts at the bottom of Kirkwood Mountain Resort. You finally come to pavement for a short sprint to the finish line.

This 10K course is now truly a trail adventure with a little bit of everything to give you a feel for the essence of Kirkwood Mountain Resort. The first half of this race is a real challenge as you climb from 7800 ft. at the bottom to 8500 ft. while sucking air! Enjoy the awesome views and the natural beauty of Kirkwood.


Website: http://www.tahoemtnmilers.org/kirkwood/KWindex.html

ONLINE REGISTRATION
Go to www.race360.com /15171 to register online.