Diablo
Marathon & 50 Mile Endurance Run
Run-day Instructions
Directions
The Diablo Marathon & 50 Mile Endurance Run will start at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11th at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead. Park entrance fee is $3 per vehicle.
From Walnut Creek, take Ygnacio Valley Rd. toward Clayton for 7 miles. Turn right on Clayton Road. Go 1 mile to Mitchell Canyon Road and turn right. Follow Mitchell Canyon Road for 1.5 miles into the Park. Click on the blue icon for more detailed driving directions.
Weather: Clayton
Course
The course will be marked with pink ribbon approximately every 1/4 mile. The marathon course follows the 50-mile course to the Summit and, on the descent, follows Yellow ribbon directly to the Rock City aid station. It then does a short out & back spur to Gibraltar Rock along "Trail Through Time" and returns along the 50-Mile course (pink) to the finish.
The most important course marking is the striped ribbon. It indicates a turn at an intersection. There will be at least two striped ribbons before a turn in the course. The striped ribbons will be placed before and on the same side as the required turn. As you approach an intersection, look for any striped ribbons before the turn. Waiting until you're in the intersection to determine the correct direction may be confusing and you may go the wrong way. After you complete the turn, there will be pink ribbons indicating the correct route. Green glow sticks will be hung starting at the Summit aid station (mile 42).
If you don't see a pink ribbon or a glow stick for 10 minutes, you are off course. If you get off course, you should retrace your path until you find where you left the course and then continue along the marked course.
Many will finish in the dark. Please plan on carrying a flashlight and a backup light on the final 8-mile section.
No dogs allowed on the course. Please don't leave pets in your vehicle.
Marathon - 7,950'
50 Mile - 13,340'
(Elevation changes determined using an Avocet altimeter.)
Aid Stations
Fully-stocked aid stations every 4 - 8 miles. You can expect fresh fruit, salty snacks, assorted candy, boiled potatoes & salt, water, and Clif Shot Electrolyte sports drink. If you would like to be sure that you have Clif product, SaltStick capsules, or any other specific item at the event, you should carry it with you. Additionally, it is highly recommended that runners carry at least 20 oz. of water between aid stations.
Marathon |
| Aid Station | Distance (mi) | Next Aid | Cut-off | Crew Access | Drop Bags |
| Juniper Campground | 5.9 | 5.9 | Yes | Yes | |
| Rock City | 11.7 | 1.4 | Yes | Yes | |
| Rock City | 13.1 | 3.5 | Yes | Yes | |
| Juniper Campground | 16.6 | 1.6 | Yes | Yes | |
| Summit | 18.2 | 8.0 | Yes | No | |
| Mitchell Canyon (Finish) | 26.2 |
50 Mile |
Aid Station | Distance (mi) | Next Aid | Cut-off | Crew Access | Drop Bags |
| Juniper Campground | 5.9 | 4.2 | Yes | Yes | |
| Juniper Campground | 10.1 | 4.2 | Yes | Yes | |
| North Gate Road | 14.3 | 5.0 | Yes | No | |
| North Gate Road | 19.3 | 5.2 | Yes | No | |
| Rock City | 24.5 | 6.2 | 2:30 p.m. | Yes | Yes |
| Finley Road | 30.8 | 6.2 | No | No | |
| Rock City | 37.0 | 3.5 | 6:15 p.m. | Yes | Yes |
| Juniper Campground | 40.5 | 1.6 | 7:45 p.m. | Yes | Yes |
| Summit | 42.1 | 8.0 | Yes | No | |
| Mitchell Canyon (Finish) | 50.1 | 11:00 p.m. |
Drop Bags
We will have drop bags at Juniper (miles 6,10 & 40) and Rock City (miles 25 & 37) aid stations. Prepare a bag(s) or container(s) with your items (flashlight, clothes, special food, etc.) Put your name & aid station on the drop bags and we will take them to the aid stations for you. We will transport your drop bags back to the finish at the end of the day.
Pacers
Pacers are welcome after 25 miles and encouraged for the final 8-mile section. Please use the PCTR Message Board to share rides. Note that the main park entrances (i.e., access to Rock City, Juniper, & the Summit) close at sunset.
Post-Run Activities
There will be hot soup and chili at the finish line.
Patagonia Capilene shirts & sandstone coasters (50 Mile), and Dri-release shirts & coasters (Marathon) will be given to all finishers. Awards will also be given to the first female and male finishers.
We will have Vasque trail running shoes, Ultimate Direction bottles & packs, Clif Bar products, and PCTR merchandise available for purchase.
PCTR Race Series
Participants are automatically included in the race series and points are awarded to the first 8 finishers in each age group. To learn more, please click: PCTR Race Series
Message Board
Please post messages regarding places to eat or stay, sharing rides with fellow runners, etc. on the: PCTR Message Board
Check In
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of your event on Saturday to check in and receive your bib number.
Wendell and Sarah
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