Events

Dick Collins Firetrails

New Courses! Registration is LIVE!

Lake Chabot Marina, Castro Valley, CA

September 29, 2024

Overview

>> Keep up with what’s new at the Firetrails blog! Click here. 

>> NEWS! We are presenting an all new course in 2024 that includes a journey into Rancho Laguna Park in Moraga!

 

Download the 100k Athlete Guide     Download the 2024 50-mile Athlete Guide


Welcome to the 41st Annual Dick Collins Firetrails, run this year on September 29, 2024! When you step up to the start at Firetrails, you are stepping into history, one that goes back to when Dick Collins himself was the race director. You’re also standing on the shoulders of giants, including Dick, of course, who is remembered on a bench near Skyline Gate. And also, the great Ann Trason who still holds the course record. She had a special connection to Dick as did almost every trail runner in the East Bay when ultrarunning was being born. Now it’s your time.

Dick Collins Firetrails 2024 has 4 events: Bay Ridge 100k, Firetrails 50, and The Golden Hills Marathon, and Dinosaur Ridge 30k. Yes, the Bay Ridge 100k is BACK! 

UTMB Index. We are proud to say that all Dick Collins Firetrails races are UTMB Index events. 

P-USATF Grand Prix The Firetrails 50-mile race is part of the Pacific USATF Grand Prix.

 

The Courses

All courses are new to 2024. Starting this year, we will add more EBMUD trails that folks seldom run. The new out-and-back to Rancho Laguna adds to your adventure and also gives your crew and family even better access to your race. Click on ‘COURSE’ above to learn more about the details. For a taste of the fun, here’s a flyover of the new Firetrails 50!

 

 

Starting Time, Time Limits, Changing Distances

These are the starting times and time limits:

  • 100k: 5:00am start,  16.5 hour time limit
  • 50-mile: 6:00am start, 15.5 hour time limit
  • Marathon: 8:00am start, 13.5 hour time limit (you really shouldn’t need it!)
  • 30k: 8:30am start, 6 hour time limit

Our starting times and time limits are firm because of the curfew laws at the East Bay Regional Parks. And they are laws. If you’re in the parks in violation of the curfew, you stand to be ticketed. Really! 

 

Schwag and Awards

Bay Ridge 100k finishers receive the coveted rhino belt buckle, a Firetrails shirt, finisher’s hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finisher’s woodallion, and race pictures. Firetrails 50 finishers receive a Firetrails shirt, finisher’s hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finishers woodallion, and race pictures. Golden Hills Marathon runners receive a Firetrails shirt, finisher’s hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finishers woodallion, and race pictures. Dinosaur Ridge 30k runners receive a Firetrails shirt, finisher’s hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finishers woodallion, and race pictures. For Golden Hills and Dinosaur Ridge runners, you may purchase a hoodie separately.

Age Group Awards are given to the top finishers in each race by 10-year age groups.

 

Aid Stations, Crew Access, Pacers…and Bathrooms

Click on the “COURSE” link at the top of the page for maps, narrative, aid stations, and driving directions. Crew has access to many of these stations unless we have specified otherwise. Pacers are allowed for the 100k and 50-mile but they must register in advance.

 

 

Sponsors

 

 

  • Bay Ridge 100k

    Bay Ridge 100k is BACK and there's a lot new to share. This race starts at 5am outside the front gates of Lake Chabot Marina to give you every possible minute to race. Curfew is lifted at 5am. We start you there and bring your post-run bags and all you drop bags into the Cove Picnic Area. Click on Course Map to see an interactive version of the course with the altitude profile and net vertical along with notes and GPX data. Select Aid Stations to see locations for Crew, Pacers, Cutoffs, and Driving Directions.

  • Firetrails 50

    The Firetrails 50 leaves Lake Chabot Marina and takes you out and along Dinosaur Ridge on the Garin-Chabot Trail. You return to run to Skyline Gate. From there, you'll go on the new section of the course, along the East Side trail of Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park and out the 'I wonder where that goes?' gate that takes you to Rancho Laguna Park in Moraga.

    Click on Course Map to see an interactive version of the course with the altitude profile and net vertical along with notes and GPX data. Select Aid Stations to see locations for Crew, Pacers, Cutoffs, and Driving Directions.

  • Golden Hills Marathon

    Golden Hills Marathon is a looped course that starts at Lake Chabot and runs out the famous Dinosaur Ridge before returning to Anthony Chabot Regional Park.

    Click on Course Map to see an interactive version of the course with the altitude profile and net vertical along with notes and GPX data. Select Aid Stations to see locations for Crew, Pacers, Cutoffs, and Driving Directions.

  • Dinosaur Ridge 30k

    The Dinosaur Ridge 30k began with the 2023 race. This event will start at 8:30 and will follow the Dinosaur Trail up Dinosaur Ridge. This is a trail that folks don't often experience. It's tough and beautiful, with panoramic views of the entire East Bay.

    Click on Course Map to see an interactive version of the course with the altitude profile and net vertical along with notes. Select Aid Stations to see locations.
Updated 5/29/24

Times, Getting Here, Where to stay

RACE BRIEFING

The digital race briefing will take place on Friday, September 20 at 7pm on Zoom and Facebook. You'll receive links when you signup. You can watch the recording on the blog starting the next day.

BIB PICKUP

Pre-Race (recommended):

There will be packet/shirt/bib pickup on Friday, September 27. from 2-5pm.

Location: Sports Basement Berkeley (2424 Milvia St, Berkeley).

Yes, you can have someone pick up your bib and you can pick up for others.

Race Day:

We have bib pickup starting at 5am for the 50 mile race and between 6 and 7 for the marathon and 30k on race day.

In 2024, there will be race day registration.

PACERS: You can pickup your bib at bib pickup at Sports Basement between 2pm and 5pm Friday, or on race day at Lake Chabot at any time.

START TIMES - SUNDAY, September 29

5:00 AM: Bay Ridge 100k

6:00 AM: Firetrails 50 mile

8:00 AM: Golden Hills Marathon - please note in 2024 we will be running from Lake Chabot Regional Park, so no bus will be necessary.

8:30 AM: Dinosaur Ridge 30k

Getting Here

The race will be held at 17936 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546

This location is a short 20-minute drive from downtown Oakland and approximately 40 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Click here for driving directions

Where To Stay

If you're coming from outside of the Bay Area, there are a number of places to stay nearby. Please use this link to see the closest hotels to the starting point.

Parking

Parking is $5 at Lake Chabot. You can also park on the street and walk into the park. The gate opens at 5:00AM. 100k runners can park on Lake Chabot Road, as the park opens at 5am when you start your race.

Drop Bags, Pacers, Time Limit

GEAR BAGS

We support drop bags at Big Bear. Bring your bags to the start on the morning of the race and we'll transport them to the aid station in time for your arrival. Please be sure to clearly identify your name and bib number on your bag. Also bear in mind, your drop bag will not be returned to the Start/Finish until after 7pm when Big Bear closes. If you don't care to wait, you can pickup your drop bag the following week at our HQ in the East Bay (greater Oakland).

PACERS

Pacers are allowed for the 100k and 50-mile race and can enter the course at Rancho Laguna and Big Bear (returning only). No pacers are allowed for the Golden Hills Marathon. Pacers must provide their own transport to these locations. There are no shuttles provided by the race.

TIME LIMITS, CUTOFFS, EARLY STARTS

The time limits are:

100k = 16.5 hours

50 mile = 15.5 hours

Marathon = 13.5 hours

30k = 6 hours

All time limits and cutoffs are firm. You will be removed from the course if you miss them. Additionally, runners are not allowed to change distance during the race and receive an official finish. If you wish to run a different distance, you must do so when signing in for the race. To see the cutoff times and locations, go to the Course section of this site and look under Aid Stations for each of the races.

Awards

Bay Ridge 100k finishers receive the coveted rhino belt buckle, a Firetrails shirt, finisher's hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finisher's woodallion, and race pictures. Firetrails 50 finishers receive a Firetrails shirt, finisher's hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finishers woodallion, and race pictures. Golden Hills Marathon runners receive a Firetrails shirt, finisher's hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finishers woodallion, and race pictures. Dinosaur Ridge 30k runners receive a Firetrails shirt, finisher's hoodie, the 2024 Firetrails wine glass, custom bib, and finishers woodallion, and race pictures. For Golden Hills and Dinosaur Ridge runners, you may purchase a hoodie separately.

Age Group Awards are given to the top finishers in each race by 10-year age groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sport drink will there be?

We will be serving Skratch sports drink and Gu gels.

>>Will the course be marked?

Yes, all our courses are marked. Always. Don't participate in an event that doesn't have a marked course. Scena uses ribbons on clothes pins and occasionally flour on the ground. We also selectively use directional arrows and wrong way signs.

>>Can I carry and use hiking poles?

Poles are permitted. All runners using poles are asked to use common sense. Any athlete misusing their poles or delaying other runners will be disqualified.

Are there places where my friends and family can crew or watch?

Most of the aid stations are vehicle accessible. Look under Aid Stations under the Course link for each race and many of them have a link to driving directions. Any aid station that does NOT have 'No Crew" next to it is open for spectators. Many of these locations are tight on parking. Make sure you're crew knows to leave plenty of time to park and get to you.

Do you need volunteers?

Our races depend on the generous spirit of the running community to ensure every participant is well supported. Volunteers who give more than 6 hours of service will receive free entry to a future Scena Performance event if they pre-arrange their service with us. Free entries are not offered for volunteers who use the race to meet a service requirement for another event.

Please fill out the volunteer form to indicate your interest and we'll get back to you with more information.

Dick Collins Firetrails