Anza Borrego Cuyamaca 50 (ABC 50)

December 7th, 2024

Cleveland National Forest, CA

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Course

Interactive Map and GPX File HERE
Turn by Turn Directions

FINISH LINE Parking Map

Point-to-point. 50 miles along some of San Diego's best and most scenic trails. 14 and 1/2 hours to finish.

The race takes you from the Sunrise Trailhead down into Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. You will ascend Stonewall Peak and then run along the wooded trails nearby the lake. The final drop down Oriflamme Canyon leads you onto the desert floor towards the finish at Stagecoach Trails RV Resort & Campground.

This race is family and crew friendly. Most of the aid stations offer easy access, plus the finish at Stagecoach Trails means you have the option of camping out and spending the night.

Pre-Race Shuttle

Due to the nature of this point to point course, a shuttle will be offered for an additional $15/runner. If you would like to take the shuttle from your car at the Finish Line TO the Start Line IN THE MORNING, please select this option as an add-on to your race entry. Please feel free to arrange an alternative for yourselves in unofficial channels if you do not wish to take the shuttle. There will be NO POST-RACE shuttle.

Start Line - PCT Sunrise Trailhead (Google Maps Link)

Finish Line - Stagecoach Trails RV Park (Google Maps Link)

General Info

Cut-off Times:

  1. Race begins at 6:30 a.m. from Sunrise Trailhead and finishes at Stagecoach Trails RV Resort & Campground in Shelter Valley. There is a 14-1/2 hour limit to finish (9:00 p.m.).

  2. There are two on-course cut-offs:

    1. Paso Picacho Aid Station at 2:00 p.m. (7 and 1/2 hours).

    2. Pedro Fages Aid Station at 4:30 p.m. (10 hours)

  3. NOTE: Race management reserves the right to pull any runner at any time.

Crew/Pacers:
There is no crew access at Museum, West Mesa, and S2 aid stations.  

Crew, family, and friends may see their runner at Sweetwater, Paso Picacho, and Pedro Fages aid stations. Further, while S2 has no crew access, crew can meet their runners in Blair Valley by entering the dirt road directly across from mile marker 24 on S2. (Bear right shortly after entering dirt road and follow for approximately ¼ mile to circular area. You will see signpost for California Riding & Hiking Trail).

Pacers are allowed and can join their runner at either Paso Picacho (24.6mi/39.36km) or Pedro Fages (35.4mi/56.64km).


​On-Course Race Management:

  1. Headlamps/flashlights: All runners leaving Pedro Fages aid station after 1 p.m. MUST carry a headlamp or flashlight. As such, if you are planning on using drop bags, include your lamp in the drop bag headed to Pedro Fages. Failure to have a light when attempting to leave this aid station after 1:00PM will result in a DNF and we will pull you from the race.

  2. Hydration: Water and Tailwind will be available at all aid stations. However, due to the nature of the course, all runners must carry at least 20 ounces of hydration with them

  3. Drop Bags: Drop bags NO LARGER THAN A ONE GALLON ZIPLOCK BAG and CLEARLY LABELED (Name. Bib Number. and Aid Station Location) are allowed at Aid Station 2 (Sweetwater), AS 4 (Paso Picacho) and Aid Station 5 (Pedro Fages). Drop bags will be submitted at the Registration table on race morning and will be delivered to their respective aid stations. Drop bags will be returned to the Finish Line for pickup by approximately 5:45PM. If you would like to drop some gear at one of these aid stations and would otherwise not use a drop bag, please submit an empty drop bag in the morning so your stuff doesn’t get lost. If you take the shuttle and would like a “Finish Line” drop bag for clothes to keep you warm in the morning that you will take off right before the race starts, you may do so as well.

  4. Jackets, gloves, etc.: Be aware of the weather forecast prior to race day. Average temperatures for this time of year range from a low of about 30 to a high in the low 50’s. As such, you may want to begin the race wearing layers (which you can dispose of in your Sweetwater drop bag, if you wish). Similarly, your Pedro Fages drop bag should include some sort of jacket, etc., as you will likely be out on the course after the sun has set.

  5. Food/nutrition: Aid stations, in addition to water and Tailwind, will carry the usual assortment of ultra foods, such as salty snacks, sweets, PB&J sandwiches, boiled potatoes, etc., plus gels, cola, and ginger ale.


Packet Pick-Up:
Top 3 male and female winners will receive awards.  You may pick up your bib at the start the morning of the race.  All runners MUST check-in at the start.

Finish Line:

The race finishes at Stagecoach Trails RV Resort & Campground in Shelter Valley. There is a dining hall and kitchen where you can relax after the race and enjoy a hot meal, which will be provided to you. Further, there are showers available. Should you and your crew wish to spend the night, you can make reservations at http://www.stagecoachtrails.com


Accommodations:
Nearest hotel accommodations for the start are in Julian, about 8-10 miles drive: http://www.visitjulian.com/lodging/hotels-inns/  Cuyamaca Rancho State Park offers camping at Paso Picacho Campground (about a mile from the start) and Green Valley.
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/cuyamaca-rancho-sp/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=CA&parkId=120023

Mt. Laguna Lodge (about 10 miles to the south): http://lagunamountain.com

Alternately, you may choose to spend Friday night at Stagecoach Trails RV Resort & Campground, where the race will finish on Saturday. Of course, you can make reservations for Saturday night, as well. http://www.stagecoachtrails.com


Directions to the start:

  1. From San Diego: I-8 East.  Exit Sunrise Highway. Turn left off exit. Proceed approximately 20 miles. Parking area is on west side of the road (your left) shortly after mile marker 34. For Google map directions, type in: 14833 Sunrise Highway, Julian, CA

  2. From North County: Highway 78 through Julian. Turn right onto Highway 79 towards Cuyamaca. Proceed approximately 6 miles. Turn left onto Sunrise Highway (S1). Proceed approximately 4 miles. Parking area will be on your right. For Google map directions, type in: 14833 Sunrise Highway, Julian, CA

Directions to the finish from Julian (intersection of Highway 78 and 79):

Head down Banner Grade (Highway 78) towards the desert floor. Continue on Highway 78 once on the desert floor until you see a sign for I-8 on your right. Turn right onto S2 (Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849) – note there is no left turn at this intersection. Follow S2 for several miles until you see the Stagecoach Trails RV Resort & Campground on your right. Google address: 7878 Great Southern Overland Stage Route Of 1849, Julian, CA 92036

ABC 50 is a qualified race in the SoCal Ultra Series!

Official Training Partner of ABC 50 2023

Run Ultra Strong is very familiar with the terrain and full course, so if you're looking to tune up your training for race day, check out the coaching services they offer. Members receive personalized coaching, sweet perks, including discounts on SWTR race registration fees and team accountability. Run Ultra Strong can help you achieve you trail running goals.

Words from Coach Cass:
The biggest question asked. Why should I be your coach?

I will help you create achievable goals. Not just for ABC50 but for many seasons to come. I will help you be more effective, efficient, and productive during your workouts. Allowing you more time with family friends, and recovery. I will be utilizing what I learned in my classes and on the trails to benefit you and your training. Focusing on Prehab, strength, and nutrition in addition to running. Eliminating the costs (emotional, financial, time) of making the same mistakes I have accumulated over the past two-ish decades and passing on all successes.

I have developed many deep personal and business relationships with those I’ve coached. I have enjoyed building lasting, empowering relationships.

Email: runultrastrong@gmail.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cassmilke

Training Runs

  • Run #1: The Climb - Oct 15, 2023 7:00AM - MEET HERE and PLEASE RSVP HERE

    • 11 miles- Out and back from West Mesa Aid Station (Mile 19.2) to Paso Picacho Aid Station (Mile 24.6)

  • Run #2: The Beginning- October 29, 2023 7:00AM - MEET HERE and PLEASE RSVP HERE

    • 15 miles - Loop Museum Aid Station (Mile 5.9) to West Mesa Aid Station (Mile 19.2) and a mile or two extra to get back to the car.

  • Run #3: Desert Section- Nov 12, 2023 7:00AM - MEET HERE - IF PARKING AT THE FINISH, DO NOT PARK AT STAGECOACH, PARK HERE and PLEASE RSVP HERE

    • 15 mile Point to Point from the Pedro Fages Aid Station (Mile 37) to Stage Coach finish line (Mile 52).

Our trails are proudly maintained by the volunteers at Trailfit, led by Ken Bonus. If you are looking for ways to give back, please consider volunteering for one of their trail work days.

You can also email Ken via the Trailfit website to report areas where trail work is needed.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT TRAILFIT

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Race Agenda

Thanks to all of the organizations that

supported this year’s ABC 50: