2007 race photographer:

Welcome to the 14th annual Run on the Sly 50K, 20M, 8M to be held Aug. 31st on Labor Day weekend.

Please note the new start times for 2008. The 50K and 20M will start at 7:00 a.m. and the 8 miler will start at 8:00 a.m. Twilight/sunrise is from 6:05-6:32 which means that most of you will be arriving in the dark and parking very carefully by following the Search and Rescue people directing traffic (8 milers you will be in daylight if you arrive an hour before your appointed 8:00 start). There is a well-lit market and gas station at Fresh Pond turnoff, so I don’t think anyone will have problems finding the area. Fresh Pond exit is located a couple of miles past the Sly Park exit. Do not exit at either of the two Pollock Pines/Sly Park exits. Continue on until you see a turn lane that goes directly into the parking lot at Fresh Pond Market.

This year your bib numbers and information will be mailed to you prior to race day if you register in time for me to get the mailing out (about a week before the race - the 25th). Otherwise you can pick up your bib number the day of the race. Tee shirts and any other goodies will be available after the run.

Please make a special effort to get to the starting line 10 minutes prior to your race start so you can participate in the race briefing. Please be sure you know your correct start time for your event as we get confused at the finish line if the 8 milers start rolling in an hour too early. :)

The 8 miler is an out-and-back up to the first aid station. You will follow dual colors (blue/red) for the ribbons. Pretty much a straight shot, no turns, and up hill. The good news is the downhill on the way back.

The 50K and 20M start on this same fire road and then over to Jenkinson Lake and around the south side over to a road crossing at Mormon Emigrant Rd. This will be marked with dual blue/red ribbon. The 50K runners will enjoy the Fleming Meadows Loop (blue ribbon only) before continuing on the same course as the 20 milers who are headed north for a short distance (mile or less) before crossing Mormon Emigrant Rd. again and running on the north side of Jenkinson Lake. Be aware of a creek crossing on this short section; your shoes will probably get wet (we are not taking the wood bridge). Be aware of the water spigots on the north side of the lake. You may get water there if necessary (it is highly recommended). On the north side of the lake, the 50K runners will split off and do an extra 1.2 mile trail (pay attention! Blue ribbon only), and then rejoin the course where both the 50Kers and the 20 milers continue on to Tank Stop aid station. After reaching Park Creek Rd. on the way back, the 50Kers continue to the finish the same way they came. The 20 milers turn left to follow red ribbons to a right hand turn - a cut-off that shortens the distance to the finish.

The weather in September can be hot and the trails dusty. There are 7 aid stations for the 50K course and 4 aid stations for the 20 miler. The 8 miler has one aid station as it runs up the canal fire road to the 4 mile turn around at the Overlook aid station and returns to the start/finish. The longest distance between aid stations is 6 miles for the 50K and 4.8 for the 20 miler. This part of the course does offer water at the faucets in the park. It is a fairly long stretch with some sun exposure. Be sure to load up on water before you set out on the 6 miles after Mormon Emigrant aid station in case you decide not to use the park faucets. Other distances are less. It is recommended you carry at least one 20 ounce bottle (or two smaller bottles). Aid stations will have Gatorade and S! Caps for electrolyte replacement and also the usual array of salty and sweet foods.

There are overall awards for each race, and age group awards in the 50K and 20M races. They will be the top three in 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over.

The Fresh Pond Market where you will be parking welcomes your business if you so desire. Please do not use their restrooms for bathing and dressing. Normal facility use is acceptable. Just don’t tie them up, mess them up, and get carried away. They have generously provided parking and water for us. In the event of disrespecting their property in any way, we could lose the privilege of using everything - and there would be no race in the future.

Drop bags for only the 50K may be dropped off at the start that morning and will be taken to Mormon Emigrant Aid Station, miles 10.7 and 18.9. We will try to get them to the finish as quickly as possible, but no guarantees.

This year we’re removing the cutoff times at the aid stations (except for a 2:30 p.m. cutoff at Tank Stop), since most runners had no problems in previous years. However, the course will still close after 9 hours (4:00 p.m.) for safety reasons.

Race day registration and RUNNER CHECK IN begins at 6:00 a.m. Please check in and tell us you are here and running that morning!!! If you’re not running and just want your T-shirt, please let us know.

We have reserved a campground at Jenkinson Lake for anyone preferring to rough it. Please note that on the entry form and send in the additional $15. It is located in the Group Area, number “2”.

All proceeds will benefit Search and Rescue of El Dorado County. We greatly appreciate all their help in putting this event on. Between them and our other volunteers, we have a wonderful community event!

Ellen Crouse
Race Director