Subject: San Gabriel Mts 50k
From: DPALLETTE@aol.com
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 20:45:28 EST

San Gabriel Mts 50k - A short report.

      It couldn't have been a more perfect day to run Jim O'Brien's San 
Gabriel Mts 50k located just north of Pasadena, California. The race was run 
this last Saturday. The temps ranged from a low of around 32 degrees at the 
start at the top of Mt Wilson with a high of around 65 at the lower 
elevations. For those of you who haven't run this race, its a blast, with 
scenic views and forest filled canyons with cascading water falls and rushing 
creeks. I'd never run it before, so all was new for me. 

      The race starts on top of Mt Wilson (5500 ft) where there was still 
snow from the storms earlier in the week. It drops 3000 ft down the mountain 
side in 8 miles of trail to Chantry Flats (2500ft), does several loops around 
Mt Zion (3500 ft) and finishes back at the top on Mt. Wilson. There are lots 
of great views of the San Gabriel's and the run though Winter Creek and 
Cascade Creek is gorgeous with lots of water falls, fern lined trails, mixed 
oak, sycamore, and pine forest. Much of the race is in heavily forested areas 
making the run cool in temperatures.  Aid stations are every 3-5 miles and 
there is a 9 hr caught off. 

I cruised along a relatively decent pace (at least for me), enjoying the 
views and people. My strategy was to go slow, have fun, and hammer the last 
3-5 miles if I had anything left in me. The strategy worked until mile 28 at 
the last loop of Mt Zion at Sturtevant Camp. This was where I was supposed to 
kick it in gear and finish off the race in good form. No one told me about 
those last three miles! They should have a warning sign telling runners that 
the final 3 miles is where the race begins and is going to kick some major 
butt because in that last three miles you climb 2500 ft in elevation on 
nothing but switch backs. You are definitely a happy camper by the time you 
reach the finish line on top of Mt Wilson.

In talking with a few fellow San Diego runners that I saw at the race 
including Shawn McDonald, and Steve and Betty Frankin, they all agreed that 
SGM50k is tougher than some of the other Southern California 50k races such 
as Cuymaca/Laguna, Holcomb, and Bulldog but not as tough as Baldy Peaks. 
Shawn figures you add 20 to 30 minutes on to your average 50k time. Shawn 
came in 8th place overall, and Betty won her division while Steve and I 
survived to run another day. There were about 70 starting runners. It was a 
great time and I highly recommend the race to all that haven't run it before. 
I think Shawn will be posting a more detailed race report once the results 
are available. Congratulations to Jim O'brien and all the volunteers that 
made the race such a wonderful expierence!

Drew Pallette
Encinitas, CA