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Join us on September 24, 2022 as we continue the tradition of Dick Collins Firetrails. This race has been run in one form or another for decades, going way back to when Dick Collins himself was the race director. Firetrails for many years was directed by the great Ann Trason, who had a special connection to Dick and considered him a mentor. Dick Collins is remembered on a bench near the turnaround for the 50-mile race, in the camp below Skyline Gate.
Dick Collins Firetrails 2022 has 2 events: Firetrails 50 and The Golden Hills Marathon. We will not be running the Bay Ridge 100k this year.
Training Camp! There will be a two-day training camp. It was supposed to be on Labor Day weekend but has been reschedule to the weekend of September 17 because the parks were all closed due to the heat (that didn’t really materialize, it turns out. These rescheduled runs will be shorter because of the closeness to the race and designed to give you a few of the more remote parts of the course and key climbs. Saturday will start at Cull Canyon. Sunday is TBA but will cover the MacDonald Grade. Click here to sign up.
UTMB points. We are proud to say that Dick Collins Firetrails offers them for both Firetrails 50 and the Golden Hills Marathon. We are saddened to say that UTMB doesn’t seem to reflect this on their website and not sure what kind of issues they are having with event listings. These are sanctioned events though.
P-USATF Grand Prix The Firetrails 50 mile race is part of the Pacific USATF Grand Prix.
NOTE to Runners: If you plan to check out the course on your own from Cull Canyon, beware that you’ll pass through EBMUD land which requires you to have a day-use permit. They’re cheap and worth having! You can find them here. You do NOT need a permit to run the race or to take part in our training camps.
The Courses
Again in 2022 will start and finish at Cull Canyon Regional Park, just minutes from Lake Chabot. Select ‘Course’ at the top of the page for information on Aid Stations, Elevation Profile, and Maps. Information and instruction for crew and drop bags will be found under Aid Stations.
Firetrails 50 is an out-and-back courses along the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Firetrails 50 turns around at Skyline Gate and has a total elevation of 8,700ft.
The Golden Hills Marathon is a point-to-point race. Runners meet at Cull Canyon Regional Park and check in there. You’ll board a bus to the Chabot Space and Science Center on Skyline Blvd in Oakland at 7 AM for the race, which starts at 8 AM. Runners may also be dropped at Chabot Space and Science but there is limited check-in. You are strongly encouraged to pick up your bib on Friday afternoon at Golden Squirrel. The total vertical for the marathon is 4,000 ft.
Starting Time, Time Limits, Changing Distances
The Firetrails 50 mile starts at 6 am at Cull Canyon, where you’ll park. You will be able to enter to park at 5 am. You will see areas for your drop bags as you enter the main event area in the parking lot. There will also be space for your post-race bags.
The Marathon starts at 8 am. Runners park at Cull Canyon and are bussed to the start. Busses leave at 7:15 sharp.
Time limits are:
>> 50 mile (6am start) = 15.5 hours
>> Marathon = 13.5 hours (you really shouldn’t need it!)
Contact us for more info. Cutoffs are firm because of our permits and the general curfew in the East Bay Regional Parks. All cutoffs are firm and you will be removed from the course if you miss them.
Changing distances will not be allowed during the race. If you wish to change distances, you must do so before the start.
Because of the generous time limit, there are no early starts in this event.
Schwag and Awards
Each finisher receives a shirt, cupless cup, and a medal. 50-mile runners receive a custom hoodie or jacket which marathon runners can purchase separately. Age Group awards are for winners in each 10-year age group. As of 2022, we have discontinued wine glasses as a finishers award.
Aid Stations, Crew Access, Pacers…and Bathrooms
Click on the Course link at the top of the page for maps, narrative, aid stations, and driving directions. Crew has access to many of these stations unless we have specified otherwise. For the 50-mile races, pacers will be allowed from Lake Chabot Marina on the return route only. No pacers are allowed for the marathon.
Sponsors
