The Islay Wilderness Course. This exciting Islay The Islay Course is mind blowing island wilderness. The run starts at the red barn as usual. After feet we turn right up the oak studded canyon to the Central Valley.
This has never been run before in any race. The 2. It has 5 total creek crossings. Will I get my feet wet? Yes you will and you will love it!! When we tell you that this is one of a kind, nowhere else on the Pacific Coast of the United States we mean it. We have been going out surveying the course with staff from both organizations and every time our SAR rescuers come back they cannot stop talking about the wildness of course. The canyon has a lot of shady areas which is nice. Mugwort and Sumac, Island Poppy, Sages, buckwheats.
Run through hundred-year-old giant eucalyptus forest. When we come out of that forest there will be an aid station. Now is the Central Valley main climb. This climb reminds us of the original climb coming out of Scorpion Harbor on early races or twice the climb aspect of the main climb coming up and out of Prisoners Harbor on the traditional course. There are a couple switchbacks that offer shade and some rest. Like the other two courses.
This is the equalizer hill and every runner will be walking up this hill. The elevation gain is feet in roughly an eighth of a mile. Even the most elite runners will walk up this hill. It will take between minute to get up. Here you will be turning around and looking at the Santa Barbara Channel, the Mainland, the Island Fox course, the canyon you came up, the Central Valley and geological and ecological views that are gonna simply consume you.
(mh=qeHNE9wlkZKsnP8F)16.jpg "Teen girls in Santa Cruz")
In any case find a bad ass hill to get your training in. Run Hills. It will be hot. You will travel 2. Your views looking into the central Valley and towards Santa Rosa and the entire west coastline of Santa Cruz Island is epic. About feet of downhills and double that of relative moderate short uphills. At the end of that 2. It will be 2 miles all downhill Islay Canyon Trail. You will cross those original 5 Creek crossings that have water and your feet are going to love them.
