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Waddle Ranch Half Marathon Course Recap

June 20, 2017 by Mone' Haen Leave a Comment

The Waddle Rach Half Marathon took place on June 4th, 2017 and is part of the Truckee Running Festival and the Tahoe Trail Running Series put on by Big Blue Adventure.

If you’re a local Truckee runner, you have likely “explo-run-ed” Waddle Ranch. If you haven’t, you should as it’s one of the many local trail running/hiking treasures that the area has to offer. The half marathon starts and finishes at Riverview Sports Park in a mini “race village” amongst very high-energy event staff, volunteers, announcer (can I please have whatever coffee he drinks in the morning) and participants. Besides the fact that there are 5K and 10K options for family and friends to run, the Park is a great place for spectators and family to hang out as there’s plenty to keep them busy along the lines of a playground, bocce court, the Truckee Bike Park, etc.

Once the Big Blue crew gives the pre-race speech, and the very enthusiastic GO signal is given, you’re off. The first 1.6 miles of the course is very flat (not Tahoe flat) and is comprised of getting out of the park itself, running a short distance on pavement (Joeger Drive) and then on fire road. Here you pass behind the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Bus Dispatch Center. If you’ve ever been late to pick up your kid from the bus, you’ve likely been here to collect him/her (not that I would know anything about that). Anywhooooooo……   It’s a pretty meadow with scenic views to the east.

At 1.6 miles you begin a short climb on pavement which takes you up to Martis Creek Road. The climb itself is only about a quarter of a mile, but you then stay on pavement for about a mile. I know pavement – ew, but the views of Martis Valley, Martis Creek Lake and Waddle Ranch (where you’ll be running) are very pretty, so consider it an opportunity to look around before you have to pay attention to not tripping on rocks.

After you cross the dam (at about 2.2 miles into the race), you finally hit dirt via Matt’s Trail in the Waddle Rach Preserve. It’s relatively flat for about three-quarters of a mile and then you start to climb – for a solid mile. You’ll gain about 450 feet in elevation in this mile. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it will put your legs and your lungs to the test. The trail here is mostly single track with some wider sections that look like they used to be fire roads. Run as much as you can – it’s only a mile. You peak out where Matt’s Trail intersects with Sawmill Road (don’t let the term fool you – it’s a fire road) and then you descend.

The descent is fast since Sawmill Road is fairly “groomed” and doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear from runoff or loose rock. After about 1.2 miles, you divert off of Sawmill Road and back onto single track for a bit more technical running. This section lasts for just about a mile and then you re-connect with Sawmill Road and run just under a half-mile to the turnaround.

Now begins your second ascent. The whole half marathon course has about 1,200 feet in total elevation gain, so that 450 feet you descended down before, you now have to climb back up. This section spreads the climb out over two miles so while it’s a bit gentler than your first climb, it seems like it lasts FOREVER. At 7.9 miles into the course you veer off of Sawmill Road and back onto single track via Erika’s Trail. You climb for about a half mile here and then begin a pretty technical (read rocky) decent. I constantly have to remind myself here to watch my ankles, stay on my toes and don’t let the feet get sloppy. That steep, technical descent lasts for about 3/4 of a mile and then it opens up onto less technical ground. At 9.5 miles the course flattens back out, albeit at a very gradual climb out to the pavement. Once you’re on the pavement, it’s a fast and flat return into the park where family, friends and spectators will be awaiting your arrival along with beer and a BBQ!

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DPMR Weekly Social Run & Hangout @ Alibi Public House, Truckee @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
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DPMR Weekly Social Run & Hangout... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
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April Newsletter is out! Listen to board members R April Newsletter is out!
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Talking about plans for 2022, join us for the Summer Picnic on June 5 and the Newbies on Tuesday, lead by @_buelna_ and co-hosted by @tahoemountainsports 
(also don't forget track on Wednesday mornings!)
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#unafraid #trailrunning #runningcommunity #runninglife #runningmotivation #donnerpartymountainrunners #tahoe #tahoerunners #mountainrunners #DPMR #TruckeeTahoeTrailRunning #WeRunTrails #ultrarunning #raceseason #trailrace #canyons100k
The Donner Party Mountain Runners is excited to pr The Donner Party Mountain Runners is excited to present the inaugural Pt Mariah Trail Marathon.

Join us on Saturday, August 6th in Truckee / Soda Springs, CA for the Point Mariah Trail Marathon! There is a full marathon option as well as a 2-person "partner" marathon option.

With immense gratitude to @truckeedonnerlandtrust, the course will primarily run through the protected Royal Gorge land near Soda Springs, CA. Special thanks to our other land use partners at @skisodasprings and @tahoenationalforest.

Point Mariah offers expansive views of the Granite Chief Wilderness, the Pacific Crest Trail between Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley, and the breathtaking Royal Gorge of the North Fork of the American River (one of the deepest canyons in the western US).

All the details for this fun, unique, and challenging trail race can be found on our website: https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/point-mariah-trail-marathon/

Sign up on UltraSignup: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=93003

We hope to see you in August -- as a racer or volunteer!

#unafraid #trailrunning #runningcommunity #runninglife #runningmotivation #donnerpartymountainrunners #tahoe #tahoerunners #mountainrunners #DPMR #TruckeeTahoeTrailRunning #WeRunTrails #ultrarunning #trailrace #trailmarathon #sodasprings #royalgorge
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A highlight of Angela Stark who recently joined the board. 
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#unafraid #trailrunning #runningcommunity #runninglife #runningmotivation #donnerpartymountainrunners #tahoe #tahoerunners #mountainrunners #DPMR #TruckeeTahoeTrailRunning #WeRunTrails #ultrarunning #bookofthemonth #racereport #pointmariah #trailrace #trailmarathon
Racing Gnome was back this weekend. Congrats to al Racing Gnome was back this weekend. Congrats to all the runners and thanks to the volunteers who made this possible. And who knows, maybe a snow race also called for a short break in the dry streak...?

📸: @travelwoo @ispyfred 

#unafraid #trailrunning #runningcommunity #runninglife #runningmotivation #donnerpartymountainrunners #tahoe #tahoerunners #mountainrunners #DPMR #TruckeeTahoeTrailRunning #WeRunTrails #ultrarunning #snowshoe #racing #flurries
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Add your name to our email newsletter list on the website to make sure you receive it. Enjoy!

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Always a fun and challenging event– join us for the return of the Racing Gnome Snowshoe on February 13th! There will be two events- a 5K and a 10K distance race. All experience levels are encouraged to race!

As a benefit of membership- this event is FREE for DPMR members and just $10 for non-members.

Thanks to a generous donation by Alpenglow Sports, as another benefit of membership we have a limited number of snowshoes that are available for use. These will be available on a first-come-first-served basis and we cannot guarantee they will be available for your race. Several local Truckee-Tahoe shops also rent snowshoes if you don’t already own a pair.

Check out details 
https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/snowshoe-races/

📸: Helen Pelster

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Thanks to Helen Pelster for capturing the moment 📸. 
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Thanks @keeptruckeegreen for the reusable plates. 

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Yeah, it's last minute but that's how we roll (and run) these days! The weather forecast looks great and we'd love to see you this Sunday for some good old-fashioned DPMR socializing.

We'll meet for a group run of up to 10 miles: out and back from Truckee Regional Park - along the Legacy Trail and onto the dirt road along South River Street or maybe the Sawtooth Trail.

Catered picnic starts at noon. Look for us along the river at the Lower River BBQ site. Special thanks to Keep Truckee Green for providing the reusable dishware for this event!

**Date: Sunday, Nov 21st
Time: Group run at 10am, Picnic 12pm-3pm
Location: Lower River BBQ/Picnic Area, Truckee River Regional Park**

This event is FREE for members and their families! No one goes hungry ... so please RSVP to help us get a count for food and drink.

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dpmr-end-of-season-picnic-extravaganza-tickets-34187454597

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See website and Facebook event for details. 

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Check out the post on Facebook or on the website. 

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