Big Chief 50K.
The Big Chief 50K near Tahoe City is an ultra that stays between roughly 1,900 and 2,400 metres from start to finish and saves its hardest work for the final third. Two long climbs beyond kilometre 30 decide your day here, and they are what your preparation should be built around.
Big Chief 50K 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop starts at around 2,000 metres and gives you little time to settle in. After a gentle first ramp, the longest climb of the day begins at kilometre 1.6: five kilometres and just over 340 metres of gain, with stretches that bite much harder than the average of nearly seven percent suggests. At the top an undulating section stays above 2,300 metres until about kilometre 10, the race's first high point, where the air is noticeably thinner than in the valley.
From there the course falls away in one long pull. It sheds around 500 metres by kilometre 22, interrupted only by a small rise near kilometre 15. Ten kilometres through the lowest part of the route follow, restless but without any sustained climbing, always just under 2,000 metres.
At kilometre 32 the race changes character. Three kilometres and nearly 190 metres of gain lead back uphill, then there is only a short breather before the steepest of the long climbs arrives at kilometre 40: almost three kilometres and just over 200 metres, up to about 2,350 metres. The last eight kilometres drop almost without a break back to where you began, closing the loop at the same height it opened.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.1 | 1.2 km | 3.8 % | 6.8 % | +44 m | — |
| km 1.6 | 5k | 6.9 % | 18.2 % | +344 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 14.9 | 0.6 km | 6 % | 10.4 % | +38 m | — |
| km 24.7 | 0.7 km | 4.9 % | 11.6 % | +33 m | — |
| km 31.4 | 0.7 km | 5.6 % | 10.9 % | +36 m | — |
| km 32.4 | 3.1 km | 6.2 % | 15.2 % | +189 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 37.8 | 0.7 km | 4.5 % | 10.3 % | +33 m | — |
| km 39.7 | 2.8 km | 7.1 % | 14.5 % | +202 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Big Chief 50K.
Start under control
The sums on this course all point to the closing stretch: the two late climbs add up to as much gain as the whole opening, yet they arrive after more than 30 kilometres. Take the early ascent so that you could still talk calmly at the top, and hike the steepest pitches rather than forcing them. At this height an overdraft does not clear as quickly, so judge your effort, not the pace on your watch.
Hold your rhythm
The real trap is downhill. The long fall between kilometres 10 and 22 almost runs itself, and letting it roll is paid for in the quads exactly where you need them later. Keep your steps short and give up the easy time gain. The undulating section after it is no place to make up ground either: use it to eat, drink and put your legs back in order for the finale.
Spend what is left
The race is decided between kilometres 32 and 43. The first climb there asks for patience, and on the steeper second one the runners ahead are those who can still hike briskly or jog rather than stop. Only at the top can you let go: the final descent rewards anyone who has held back until now.
Training plan for Big Chief 50K: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes can expect to be out for roughly six to eight and a half hours at the Big Chief 50K, depending on form. That is a long aerobic effort but not a steady one: only about an eighth of the course is flat, and the rest splits almost evenly between up and down. Your legs spend the whole day swapping between driving uphill and braking downhill.
Train race pace
Preparation has to mirror the final third above all. The core is long runs of 25 to 35 kilometres with the hardest climbing saved for the last hour, so you learn to go uphill on tired legs. Add hill intervals of 20 to 30 minutes on steady ramps to build the rhythm climbs of this length demand. Practise brisk hiking at a high cadence too, because on the steepest pitches running gains you almost nothing.
Rehearse the course
Downhill deserves the same deliberate work. Longer descents at the end of a long run prepare the quads for the big drop around mid-race and for the final descent after the last climb. Strength exercises for thighs and hips support this, and they belong in the whole build, not just the final weeks.
Arrive fresh
The other big condition is the setting itself. If you travel in from lower ground, expect familiar paces to feel harder on this course, and use your long runs to practise steering by effort rather than pace. Test your race nutrition over the full duration as well, so that it still works after seven hours. With the race in late June, the build-up of your long runs falls in spring.
Courses
Download the Big Chief 50K course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Big Chief 50K dynamically
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Everything about Big Chief 50K.
How long is Big Chief 50K?
Big Chief 50K is 50 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Big Chief 50K have?
Big Chief 50K has around 1,194 m of elevation gain over 50 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Big Chief 50K?
Big Chief 50K is classified as Mountainous, averaging 23.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 12% of the route is flat, 34% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 9% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Big Chief 50K have?
The hardest climb of Big Chief 50K starts at kilometre 1.6, runs for 5 km at an average of 6.9% and gains 344 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Big Chief 50K a loop course?
Yes, Big Chief 50K is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Big Chief 50K course?
Yes. The Big Chief 50K course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Big Chief 50K?
Preparation for Big Chief 50K should account for 50 km, 1,194 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Big Chief 50K?
The pacing strategy for Big Chief 50K should reflect 50 km, 1,194 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Big Chief 50K 2027 take place?
Big Chief 50K 2027 takes place on June 26, 2027.
Where does Big Chief 50K 2027 take place?
Big Chief 50K 2027 takes place in Tahoe City, United States.
How do I register for Big Chief 50K?
Registration runs through the organiser: tahoetrailrunning.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
