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COURSE

KNOW YOUR COURSE

Starting in 2023 the SPACEROCK Trail Race features four distances to run, a Half Marathon+, 15K, 10K, and 5K race through the spectacular trails of Vasquez Rocks, PCT, and Agua Dulce trails.

This is a trail race that contains a good amount of physical challenge with elevation gains at 3000 ft for Half Marathon+, 1800 ft for 15K, 1000 ft for 10K, and 500 ft for 5K runners. It is recommended that runners train for these elevation gains in the weeks leading up to the race.

Below you will find course details for each distance including a course map, elevation profile, details, and GPS tracks. Take a few moments to become familiar with your course so you are well-prepared and informed. This allows you to get the most out of the experience, focus on having fun and enjoy a spectacular trail race.

2023 COURSE UPDATE

The Vasquez Rocks Park has closed off a section of the park for restoration and preservation. This impacted a small section of the 5K loop in the North West corner that had to be removed and re-routed, making the loop a bit smaller. To make up the distance, we have added a new section near the end of the loop before the finish to ensure all the distances remain accurate. This change also drops about 100 feet of total elevation from the original course and impacts all course's total elevation.

We think the adjusted routes actually improve the experience as the new sections introduce some cool new areas and terrain in Vasquez Rocks. Below are updated maps, elevation profiles, GPS data, and files to reflect this change.

JUMP TO COURSE

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COMBO COURSE MAP

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TERRAIN SATELLITE

HALF MARATHON+ COURSE

HALF COURSE: VIDEO | MAP | WALK THROUGH | STATIONS | ELEVATION | FACTS | GPS

Half Course Fly-Through Video

Note: Fly thorough video is from the original 5K loop before 2023 changes.

Half Marathon+ Map

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TERRAIN SATELLITE

Half Marathon Course Colors:
 Orange > Purple > Orange

Course Difficulty:

Cut-off Time:
5-hours

Half Marathon+ Walk Through

The Half Marathon is an advanced course and provides the most challenge for runners, the purple loop features several challenging elevation climbs and descents. Runners should prepare in the weeks leading up to the race with elevation training to ensure they are ready for a spectacular race.

The Half Marathon trail course consists of two separate loops, the orange loop, and the purple loop, these two combined create a slightly longer Half Marathon course at approximately 13.9 miles (22.3K) distance.

Going from the start Half Marathon runners will follow the orange course to the first aid station. From this point, half runners will take the LEFT fork to begin the purple course into the canyon section, then into the "black hole" tunnel. After coming out of the tunnel half runners go RIGHT at the fork and follow the course trail markings guiding runners onto the challenging mountain section climbing three large peaks and passing three additional aid stations before returning to the PCT trail that heads back to the tunnel and returning to the first aid station to complete the purple course.

Note: At station #4, Half Marathon runners are required to pick up a special race item and bring it back to the finish line as proof of completing the course.

After completing the purple loop and returning to the first aid station, half marathon runners now go LEFT to continue to the orange course going around Vasquez Rocks park to the next aid station and into the finish line to complete the orange loop.

The course will be marked with flagging throughout and signs at key locations, the flagging color will match the course colors from the map.  Half marathon runners need to follow the orange and purple flagging.

Half Marathon+ Aid Stations

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Half Marathon+ runners will visit a total of 6 aid stations throughout the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station for the Half Marathon course.

IMPORTANT: The back half of the purple loop from Station #4 to #1 is the longest distance between stations, approximately 5-miles on the PCT trails with a large climb. Please make sure you stop and properly fuel up at Station #4 before proceeding. Half Marathon runners are required to carry at least one runner's water bottle or hydration pack.

SEQUENCE STATION MILE* GAP* NOTES
1. Start 0 0.8 Start orange course
2. Station #1 0.8 1.8 Fork: go left to start the purple course
3. Station #2 2.6 1.5 Purple course, start of the mega hill
4. Station #3 4.1 2.6 Purple course, start dirt road section
5. Station #4 6.7 4.9 Purple course, end dirt road section, long distance to #1
6. Station #1 11.6 1.7 Second time at the station. Fork: go left to finish the orange course
7. Station #5 13.3 0.6 Final station
8. Finish 13.9 Finish line

Stations will contain water, electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, and other essential items such as a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. We highly recommend that you plan to run with a runner's bottle or hydration pack, you can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.

Half Marathon+ Elevation

IMPORTANT: The Half Marathon+ course is very challenging, it is more like ultra trail conditions, with approximately 3000 feet of elevation climbing and descent over three large peaks. It is recommended that runners are conditioned and trained for elevation gains and similar distances on trails to ensure a great trail race experience.

Half Marathon+ Elevation Profile

Station #1 (0.8M)

Station #2 (2.6M)

Station #3 (4.1M)

Station #4 (6.7M)

Station #1 (11.6M)

Station #5 (13.3M)

Half Marathon+ Facts

13.9 Miles

Distance

2927 Feet

Climb/Descent

2297 Feet

Lowest Point

3163 Feet

Highest Point

Half Marathon+ GPS Track

A copy of the Half Marathon course map is available for viewing on Google Maps, Hello Drifter, and also for download as GPS track in the standard GPX or KML formats below. To Save GPX/KML files, right-click and choose Save Link As...

15K COURSE

15K COURSE: MAP | WALK THROUGH | STATIONS | ELEVATION | FACTS | GPS

15K Map

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TERRAIN SATELLITE

15K Course Colors:
 Orange > Blue > Orange

Course Difficulty:

Cut-off Time:
4-hours

15K Walk Through

The 15K is an intermediate to an advanced course that is designed for those looking for a challenge, but not ready for the Half Marathon+ distance. This course provides good challenges for runners, the blue loop features the mega hill climb with the biggest elevation gain and descent. Runners should prepare in the weeks leading up to the race with elevation training to ensure they are ready for a spectacular race.

The 15K trail course consists of two separate loops, the orange loop, and the blue loop, these two combined create a 14.25K course distance.

Going from the start 15K runners will follow the orange course to the first aid station. From this point, 15K runners will take the LEFT fork to begin the blue course into the canyon section, then into the "black hole" tunnel. After coming out of the tunnel half runners go RIGHT at the fork and follow the course trail markings guiding runners to aid station #2 and beginning the mega hill climbing section. When reaching the top of the mega hill 15K runners will go LEFT to descend, at the bottom turn LEFT onto the PCT trail that heads back to the tunnel and returns to the first aid station to complete the blue course.

Note: At station #2, 15K runners are required to pick up a special race item and bring it back to the finish line as proof of completing the course.

After completing the blue loop and returning to the first aid station, 15K runners now go LEFT to continue to the orange course going around Vasquez Rocks park to the next aid station and into the finish line to complete the orange loop.

The course will be marked with flags throughout and signs at key locations, the flagging color will match the course colors from the map. 15K runners need to follow the orange and blue flagging.

Tough Course

15K Aid Stations

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15K runners will visit a total of 4 aid stations throughout the course. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile mark for each station for the 15K course.

IMPORTANT: The back half of the blue loop from Station #2 back to #1 is the longest distance between stations, approximately 4-miles including the mega hill climbing and PCT trails. Please make sure you stop and properly fuel up at Station #2 before proceeding. 15K runners are required to carry at least one runner's water bottle or hydration pack.

SEQUENCE STATION MILE* GAP* NOTES
1. Start 0 0.8 Start orange course
2. Station #1 0.8 1.8 Fork: go left to start the blue course
3. Station #2 2.6 4 Purple course, start of the mega hill
4. Station #1 6.6 1.7 Second time at the station. Fork: go left to finish the orange course
5. Station #5 8.3 0.6 Final station
6. Finish 8.9 Finish line

Stations will contain water, electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, and other essential items such as a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. We highly recommend that you plan to run with a runner's bottle or hydration pack, you can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.

15K Elevation

IMPORTANT: The 15K course can be challenging with 1,800 feet of elevation climbing and descent over three large peaks. It is recommended that runners are conditioned and trained for elevation gains and similar distances on trails to ensure a great trail race experience.

15K Elevation Profile

Station #1 (0.8M)

Station #2 (2.6M)

Station #1 (6.6M)

Station #5 (8.3M)

15K Facts

14.3 KM

Distance

1804 Feet

Climb/Descent

2297 Feet

Lowest Point

3153 Feet

Highest Point

15K GPS Track

A copy of the 15K course map is available for viewing on Google Maps, Hello Drifter, and also for download as GPS track in the standard GPX or KML formats below. To Save GPX/KML files, right-click and choose Save Link As...

5K / 10K COURSE

5K/10K COURSE: VIDEO | MAP | WALK THROUGH | STATIONS | ELEVATION | FACTS | GPS

5K / 10K Course Fly-Through Video

Note: Fly thorough video is from the original 5K loop before 2023 changes.

5K / 10K Map

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TERRAIN SATELLITE

5K/10K Course Color: Orange

Course Difficulty:

Cut-off Time: 5K 2-Hours / 10K 3-Hours

5K / 10K Walk Through

The 5K / 10K course is great for first-time trail runners, hikers, or walkers looking to experience the beauty of Vasquez Rocks. It will provide light to moderate challenges for participants.

The 5K trail course consists of one loop, the orange loop, which makes the 5K distance. 10K runners will complete 2 loops.

Going from the start 5K / 10K runners will follow the orange course to the first aid station. From this point, 5K / 10K will take the RIGHT fork going around Vasquez Rocks park to the next aid station and into the finish line to complete the orange loop.

10K runners will pass through the start/finish line and begin their second lap. When they return the second time they will be finished.

The course will be marked with flagging throughout and signs at key locations, the flagging color will match the course colors from the map.  5K / 10K runners need to follow orange flagging.

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5K / 10K Aid Stations

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5K loop has 2 aid stations throughout the course, 10K runners will hit each twice for a total of 4 stations. Below shows the sequence and approximate mile/kilometer mark for each station for the 5K course.

5K STATION SEQUENCE

SEQUENCE STATION MILE* GAP* NOTES
1. Start 0 0.8 Start orange course
2. Station #1 0.8 1.7 Fork: go right following orange course
3. Station #5 2.5 0.6 Final station
4. Finish 3.1 Finish line

10K STATION SEQUENCE

SEQUENCE STATION MILE* GAP* NOTES
1. Start 0 0.8 Start orange course
2. Station #1 0.8 1.7 Fork: go right following orange course
3. Station #5 2.5 0.6 Second station
4. Lap #1 Finish 3.1 0.8 Complete first lap
5. Station #1 3.9 1.7 Second time at station, fork: go right following the orange course
6. Station #5 5.6 0.6 Second time at station, final station
7. Finish 6.2 Finish line

Stations will contain water, electrolytes, GU gels and chomps, salt capsules, and other essential items such as a first aid kit, ice packs, and toilet paper. We highly recommend that you plan to run with a runner's bottle or hydration pack, you can refill them at each station with water and electrolytes.

5K Elevation

5K Elevation Profile

Station #1 (0.8M)

Station #5 (2.5M)

10K Elevation

10K Elevation Profile

Station #1 (0.8M)

Station #5 (2.5M)

Station #1 (3.9M)

Station #5 (5.6M)

5K Facts

5 Km

Distance

538 Feet

Climb/Descent

2310 Feet

Lowest Point

2628 Feet

Highest Point

10K Facts

10 Km

Distance

1079 Feet

Climb/Descent

2310 Feet

Lowest Point

2628 FEET

Highest Point

5K / 10K GPS Track

A copy of the 5K / 10K course map is available for viewing on Google Maps, Hello Drifter, and also for download as GPS track in the standard GPX or KML formats below. To Save GPX/KML files, right-click and choose Save Link As...

Course Markings

The course will be marked with colored flagging tape that matches the course map colors. Follow your colors and you won't get lost.

  • 5K = ORANGE ONLY
  • 10K = ORANGE ONLY
  • 15K = ORANGE > PURPLE > BLUE > PURPLE > ORANGE
  • HALF MARATHON+ = ORANGE > PURPLE > ORANGE

In addition to flagging tape, there will be signs at key locations to help make sure you turn the right direction.  Study the map colors for your distance and then follow those colors at the race!

Course Conditions

The SPACEROCK Trail Race course is almost all single-track trails for each of the race distances. Only the Half Marathon+ course from station #3 to #4, approximately 2.6 miles, goes onto fire access roads.

The course trails offer a wide variety of conditions from packed dirt, loose rocky gravel, large boulders, soft dirt, soft sandy creek beds, small ravines, and trail stairs.

For 15K and Half Marathon+ runners, the tunnel going under the 14 freeway, aka the "Black Hole", is rough paved concrete. It is dark, there will be glow sticks placed in the tunnel to help provide lighting. Take extra care when passing through.

Sponsors

We are currently accepting sponsors for the 2024 race, grow your business as a sponsor at the 8th annual SPACEROCK Trail Race!

Run Long and Thrive