FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to the questions most frequently asked about the SPACEROCK Marathon.
The 2017 SPACEROCK Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, October 15th, 2017 with the start planned after sunrise.
Register today to secure your spot at the start!
Entry Includes:
- Run 5K, 10K or Half Marathon Course
- Official race shirt
- Collectible finisher medal
- Official finisher certificate
- Goodie bag
- Runner’s handbook
- Volunteer support
- Support on course aid-stations
- Finish line water, food, and ice cream
- Event insurance
- Special award for first place
- An awesome race experience!
The schedule is as follows:
10/14 - RUNNER CHECK-IN
- WHAT: Check-in and BIB packet pickup
- WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 14th
- WHERE: TBA
- TIME: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
10/15 - RACE DAY
- WHAT: SPACEROCK Trail Race
- WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 15th
- WHERE: Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park
10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350 - TIME:
5:00 AM - Event parking opens
6:00 AM - 7:00 AM - Last minute check-in
7:30 AM - Half Marathon Start
7:40 AM - 10K Start
7:50 AM - 5K Start
1:30 PM - Race Finish
The race start and finish line will be located inside the Vasquez Rocks Natural Park, the park address is 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350.
Yes. In order to receive your runner bib and goodie bag, you will need to turn in a signed waiver and show your ID. You may download and print the waiver ahead of time and bring it with you to help expedite your check-in.
Yes. If you are coming to the early check-in and want to pick up the bib and goodie bag for your friend or family member that is running the race, simply bring their waiver and copy of their ID.
Have them download and print the waiver, fill it out, put their bib number on it and sign it, then bring it the race check-in with a copy or picture of their ID to get their bib packet and goodies.
SPACEROCK Trail Race is trying to be as green as possible and create minimal waste. Please help us by bringing your own water bottle or hydration pack for the race. You can refill water on the course stations. Below you will find a list of recommended items for running the race.
Recommend Items
- All runners MUST at least 1-liter water bottle or hydration pack
- Minimum 500 calories of emergency food such as gels or energy bars
- Cell phone
- Course map or electronic map downloaded to phone
- Trail running shoes
- Running hat, visor, sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal medicine/salt capsules
- Elastic bandage
- Whistle
- Garmin/GPS tracking
- Camera (optional)
- Mind of a champion!
Post Race Items
- Water
- Recovery drink, we highly recommend coconut water!
- Refueling food or snacks
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Cash
IMPORTANT: Half Marathon runners are required to carry at least one runner's water bottle or hydration pack, preferably two bottles or a hydration pack and bottle.
The race will be arranging off-site parking nearby and shuttling runners from the parking location to the park and race staging area. We highly recommend carpooling with your friends and other runners. For complete details please review the directions and parking page.
Absolutely, we encourage everyone to participate! You can accomplish anything you want as long as you set your mind to do it. The SPACROCK Marathon trail course does provide some challenging climbs and technical running. However, the race is planned for participants of all abilities—including walkers. If you are new to running or this is your first trail race we suggest doing the 5K or 10K distance.
Yes. The course will be clearly marked using a combination of colored flagging tape and directional signs at key turning points. The signs and flagging tape colors will correspond to the course colors and BIB colors to match the respective distance being run. Additional details available on the course page.
Yes. The cut-off times are as follows:
- 5K cut-off is 2-hours
- 10K cut-off is 3-hours
- Half Marathon cut-off is 6-hours
Study your course map and elevation to best prepare for a spectacular trail race experience and meet the cut-off times.
Yes. There will be a few stations with water, gel packs, and salt tablets, snacks, and basic first aid if needed. At the finish line there will be water, fruit and food. We recommend you carry either a water bottle and/or hydration pack. Study the course maps to know where station locations are for your distance.
Proper hydration is essential when running any distance, but especially on trail races. One of the greatest dangers for runners is completing the race in a dehydrated state. We encourage runners to plan on being hydrated throughout the event.
Yes. There will be portable toilets by the start/finish line area. However as this is a trail race there will not be bathrooms available on the course. If you have to go while running and are unable to hold off until the finish, then simply jump off the course and go into the bushes. The stations will have toilet paper available if needed, but we recommend that you carry a few tissues just incase.
Yes. There will be a gear drop available at the start/finish line so you can quickly access your bag after finishing the race. However there is no gear drop on the course.
Yes and no. The 5K and 10K course are very close to accurate distances, while the Half Marathon course is a bit longer.
We have used a combination of Garmin GPS tracking and Google Maps route tracking to create the course for each distance. Usually, the GPS data is fairly accurate, however there are challenges in properly tracking the distance when going up or down hills and into canyons where GPS tracking can be lost. Because of this, there are always discrepancies in the final distance.
Often with trail races you have to work with what nature provides and sometimes that means that making a trail race course will sometimes be a little shorter or longer than the target distances. We want the course to cover as many unique trails as possible while being easy to understand and follow without getting lost. We feel this gives runners the best experience on the most variety of trails and sights while running the race.
Based on the GPS tracking data we have used to create the course, we are getting the following distances.
- 5K: 5.02 km / 3.12 mi
- 10K: 10 km / 6.21 mi
- Half Marathon: 22.04 km / 13.7 mi
Your GPS tracking data may show shorter or longer distances on race day. We have seen up to .75 km variances in our own tracking when running the same course sections.
Yes. You can download the GPS tracks from the course page. In addition to the tracks and to help better visualize the each course, we have created a course fly-through video for each distance that shows which way to run the course. Watch the videos for your distance on the course page.
As this is a trail race there is always the risk of coming across wildlife including snakes, tarantulas, coyotes, deer, and even a rare mountain lion. In particular Vasquez Rocks is known for having snakes.
What to do if you see a snake?
If you see a snake while running, do not panic! Back away slowly and carefully look for a way around. Also be sure to shout out “snake” and point out the location so other runners are aware and can carefully get around it. Snakes will generally leave you alone if they are not provoked. Simply left alone, snakes will continue on with their life, they do not actively seek out confrontations with any of their natural enemies, humans included. The number one reason people are bitten by venomous snakes throughout this country is because of the attempt to catch, kill, or tease them when we find them.
Not for 2016. Unfortunately, due to the Sand fire, several sections have been closed off until they recover and regrow. We will be monitoring closely and evaluate the possibility of adding an ultra distance in the future.
Please note the Half Marathon course provides ultra like trail challenges with over 3200 feet in elevation gain and descent over 3 peaks. The course is designed for seasoned trail runners ready for a challenge.
For your safety and the safety of all participants, we do not recommend wearing headphones while running a race. However, if you do, we ask that you keep the volume down at a safe level so you can hear other runners and instructions from event personnel. As this race takes place on narrow single track trails it is important for you to be aware of other runners coming up behind you as well as being able to hear potential wildlife animals or even rattlesnakes. The important thing is paying attention to everyone’s safety and maintaining basic race etiquette with other runners.
If you love to wear headphones while running then we can recommend using bone conducting headphones that do not cover your ears, these allow you to fully hear your surroundings while also listening to your favorite music or audio. To learn more take a look at Aftershokz Trek Titanium headphones from our vendor and sponsor Martin’s Cellphone Repair and Sales.
No. The event insurance policy does not allow dogs. We love dogs, but there are those who may not be comfortable around them and there are also dogs that are uncomfortable around hundreds of other people. We have no doubt that your dog is well behaved, but we simply have no way to be sure about all the other dogs and thus we have a “no dogs on course” policy.
No. This is an all trail course. Unauthorized bicycles, motorized vehicles, wheelchairs and strollers not permitted on the race course due to safety concerns.
Yes. The race is looking for volunteers to help out and create an awesome race experience. There are several positions available and volunteers get special perks such as a volunteer luncheon where we provide volunteer training for the race, volunteer swag, and even earn free credit to a future race, see the Volunteer page for additional details.
October usually starts to cool down from the summer heat, while still warm it is not unbearable. The average high temperature is 78º with the average low at 54º. Plan for awesome morning start with warming temperatures throughout the race. We recommend to check the weather forecast a week before the race so you can dress appropriately.
Yes, while there isn’t anything within walking distance to the Vasquez Rocks park, there are few options that are just a short drive away. The following are the closest to Vasquez Rocks. There are many additional options when searching for lodging in Santa Clarita or Lancaster.
Sierra Pelona Motel
12117 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 252-1700
Travelodge
17843 Sierra Hwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91351
(661) 252-1716
Super 8
17901 Sierra Hwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91351
(661) 252-1722
No. At this time the park does not allow camping within the park. However, there are a few campgrounds located approximately 15 minutes from the park entrance on Soledad Canyon Road.
Acton / Los Angeles North KOA Campground
7601 Soledad Canyon Road
Acton, CA 93510
(661) 268-1214
KOA Campground is offering SPACEROCK participants a discount rate of $15 per tent. If you plan on camping, please contact Jennifer to add your name to the list so they can plan accordingly.
Soledad Canyon RV & Camping Resort
4700 Crown Valley Rd
Acton, CA 93510
(661) 269-1740
White Rock Lake
10645 Soledad Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 268-1011
Yes. It is fine for friends and family to come spectate as you run the race. In addition to the start/finish line area, there are a few locations that are easily accessed on the orange loop, most notably areas from the start to station #1 and from the last station to the finish line.
Parking is very limited, please carpool with friends, family, and other runners to the race.
No. Unless there is sever weather in the days leading up to and on the race day, the SPACEROCK Trail Race will be held whether it’s sunny, raining, snowing or anything in between. The weather only adds to the adventure to make for an awesome race experience!
Yes. Distance change requests are available, the cut off for all changes is 10/10/2017. Submit change request from the contact page.
No. Entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and entries are NON-TRANSFERABLE. Sorry, no exceptions. Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. You may not give or sell your number to anyone else. Submit a cancelation request from the contact page.
No, it is not. While the Vasquez Rocks Natural Park is open to the public, and running at the same time as an event is totally fine. Those entering into the start/finish area or intentionally jumping into the race just after the start, using the marked course, racing against other runners, etc. are essentially freeloading off of the race and the other runners, regardless of whether they take aid station supplies, medals or other race supplies.
Permits, insurance and race materials for the event are obtained with set numbers of participants planned and accounted for. Costs for events are also planned, taking into account those numbers and sharing the race costs among all entrants.
When people “hijack” a race they jeopardize the race’s ability to come back, create potential for problems for other runners trying to determine their place in the race and for support personnel to identify participants and (if necessary) provide emergency support. Like shoplifting, being a race bandit does not cost the person taking anything, but the cost ultimately goes to the people who follow the rules and pay to run the race.
The virtual runner registration option is a service for runners who are physically unable to make it to a race, but still wish to train for and achieve a running goal as part of the race. This includes persons who live far from urban areas with races and those with schedules that simply will not allow them to be present. Runners receive race materials via mail and then can report back on their run and share their accomplishment with other runners in the community. This can be done alone or with a group of runners.
Running remotely will never be as good as running in person at the actual event, but for those with no other options, it offers a way to stay connected to their running community to help them commit to and celebrate their running achievements.
Please note that race information here represents what is planned for the SPACEROCK Trail Race. Locations, course variations, and changes may apply depending on conditions, availability, and improvements. We strive to make the best experience for the runners. Thank you for your understanding.
Eric Sorenson
The Inaugural Spacerock Trail Race was literally an out of this world event. A very scenic, challenging and fun race that will become an annual event for my friends and I........you definitely took trail racing to a whole new level.
Race Date
October 15th, 2017
Permits & Insurance
The SPACEROCK Trail Race is an insured and permitted event. Thank you to the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation and the USDA Forest Service for their support for permits, and to Star Financial via Road Runners Club of America for event insurance coverage.
Can't Find The Right Answer?
If your question is not listed above, please contact us with your questions and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Check this page in the future as we will add more questions and answers as we get closer to finalizing the details for the SPACEROCK Trail Race event.
Race Day: Sunday, October 15th, 2017
Register today to secure your spot, we look forward to seeing all the runners for an out-of-this-world trail race!
2017 Sponsors
The SPACEROCK Trail Race would like to thank our 2017 sponsors, partner, and vendors for their support to create an awesome trail race experience for you! Please visit each and support them. Grow your business by being an official sponsor.
