Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run.
The Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run is a point-to-point crossing of California Gold Country, from a trailhead near Coloma to Browns Ravine. Nearly all the sustained climbing sits in the first 23 kilometres, so the day comes down to how much running you have saved for the rolling miles that follow.
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is at the Magnolia Ranch trailhead near Coloma, a little above 230 metres. Two stiff ramps open the day before the longest climb begins at km 4.4: 1.7 kilometres and more than 100 metres of gain. Soon after, at km 7.2, comes the steepest sustained stretch at close to ten percent, which delivers you to the high point at around 370 metres. From there the course drops more than 150 metres within a few kilometres.
Three more climbs of just over a kilometre wait around km 12, 16 and 20, with a last short kick at km 23. After that the course has reached the low ground and stays between roughly 140 and 175 metres all the way in, short rollers rather than real hills. The final 21-odd kilometres are the same trail as the half marathon, which starts at Sweetwater Trailhead.
Underfoot it alternates between singletrack and the trails of Salmon Falls Ranch, through oak groves and across open grass meadows, with the finish at Browns Ravine. Six fully stocked aid stations break up the day, plus a self-serve water stop around mile 25.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1 | 1.1 km | 8.4 % | 12.7 % | +89 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 2.9 | 0.4 km | 11.4 % | 16.9 % | +40 m | — |
| km 4.4 | 1.7 km | 6.5 % | 10.5 % | +111 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 7.2 | 1 km | 9.7 % | 13.2 % | +92 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 12.2 | 1.1 km | 7.4 % | 15 % | +77 m | — |
| km 16.4 | 1.3 km | 6.4 % | 13.7 % | +82 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 20.3 | 1.4 km | 4.2 % | 8.1 % | +59 m | — |
| km 23 | 0.6 km | 6.8 % | 10.6 % | +37 m | — |
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 Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run.
Start under control
The first half is for managing, the second for running. Hike the steep pitches up to km 9 without guilt, especially the two long climbs to the high point, and keep the effort low enough to break straight into an easy jog at the top. The descent that follows spends quads you still need after km 23, so let it roll without braking hard or chasing it.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 30 and 45. The rollers there are harmless one at a time, but no long climb is left to justify a walking break, and anyone who overspent early loses rhythm on every small ramp. Your goal is to run this whole section.
Spend what is left
The trap is treating the high point as the end of the work, when you have not yet covered ten kilometres by then. The nine-hour final cutoff leaves plenty of room for hiking uphill; a collapse on the runnable last third is what costs the most time.
Training plan for Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners can expect around 5:30 to 7:30 hours on this course. The effort comes in two parts: first constant change, with your heart rate rising on the climbs and falling as you hike, then a long, steady aerobic run over short rollers.
Train race pace
The first part takes strength on hills and durable quads. Long runs with climbs of one to two kilometres mirror it most directly, and brisk uphill hiking belongs in them as a skill of its own. Practise downhill running deliberately too, since every climb here is followed straight away by a descent and the course loses more height overall than it gains.
Rehearse the course
The key session is the long run with a runnable finish. Put the hills first and cover the last one to two hours on rolling ground with no walking breaks, because that is exactly what the section after km 23 asks of you. Use those runs to find out what your stomach still accepts after several hours; six aid stations only help if you can actually use them.
Arrive fresh
A late February date puts your longest sessions in January, in the middle of winter. Schedule them early and run them on singletrack and meadow paths rather than pavement wherever you can, so your ankles and stride already know the surface.
Courses
Download the Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run.
How long is Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run?
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 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 Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run have?
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run has around 1,114 m of elevation gain over 50 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run?
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run is classified as Hilly, averaging 22.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 17% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 9% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run have?
The hardest climb of Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run starts at kilometre 4.4, runs for 1.7 km at an average of 6.5% and gains 111 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run a loop course?
No, Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run course?
Yes. The Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 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 Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run?
Preparation for Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run should account for 50 km, 1,114 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 Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run?
The pacing strategy for Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run should reflect 50 km, 1,114 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 Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 2027 take place?
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 2027 takes place on February 27, 2027.
Where does Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 2027 take place?
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run 2027 takes place in Coloma, United States.
Which distances does Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run offer?
Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run offers 4 distances — Salmon Falls 50K: 50 km; Salmon Falls Half Marathon: 21.1 km; Salmon Falls 10K: 10 km; Salmon Falls 5K: 5 km.
How do I register for Salmon Falls 50K Endurance Run?
Registration runs through the organiser: salmonfalls50k.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
