Quicksilver 25K/50K/50M Races
Join us for the 30th edition of the race!
The 25K, 50K, and 50 Mile races are run on scenic, hilly trails and fire roads. You will run through peaceful oak forests, wide-open meadows, and along ridges with spectacular views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Although the course is very challenging, the friendly aid stations and beautiful scenery make Quicksilver an excellent choice for a first trail ultra-marathon. The outstanding post-race barbecue is a fitting reward after you’ve met the challenge.
Be sure to check out the elevation profile, in addition to reading all the information below. Take a look at past years’ results to get a feel for typical times to finish the race. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about the race or training for it.
Have a good training and see you on race day!
Volunteer Information
Volunteers are always needed on race day to help out at the aid stations and at the start/finish
area. There are a variety of jobs and hours are flexible. Volunteers get a T-shirt, lunch at the great post-race barbecue, and they are guaranteed a lot of fun and "thank-yous" from the runners. If you or someone you know is interested, just email the RD.
Entry Information
You can register online here and pay by credit card. THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. Sign up early, as we limit the field to 330 runners.
Entry fees:
- 25K: $60 ($75 after April 10)
- 50K: $85 ($100 after April 10)
- 50M: $95 ($110 after April 10)
As with most races, entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE as we incur expenses long before the race date. Goodies are guaranteed at check in only for those who register by April 10.
Where does your money go?
Quicksilver strives to be one of the “best runs for your buck”. We are a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization. There are a lot of hours and no one gets paid. You can feel good as part of the proceeds go to charities and good causes. For example we fund schools to help them get sports equipments and foundations to keep parks open and create more trails.
Quick Facts
- Races start at 6:00am (50K/50M) and 8:00am (25K)
- Start/Finish: Mockingbird entrance of the Almaden Quicksilver County Park (see map)
- Course map: click here
- 25K: 2,300' elevation gain, high 1,200', low 500' (profile)
course record holders: Gary Gellin 1:44:00, Rosemarie Lagunas 2:03:10
- 50K: 5,540' elevation gain, high 1,700', low 360' (profile)
course record holders: Leor Pantilat 3:30:10, Kami Semick 4:17:15
- 50M: 8,530' elevation gain, high 2,000', low 360' (profile)
course record holders: Leor Pantilat 6:01:45, Ann Trason 6:45:56
Course
The first 2.7 miles are on a wide fire road that includes a steep climb and descent before the turn onto single-track trail. The single-track rolls up and down for about 6 miles. The rest of the race is on fire roads with several major climbs and descents, some of which are steep. The 50K and 50M share the same course to mile 31.5, and 50-milers then do an out and back that includes 8 miles in the beautiful and shady Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
Aid Stations
There are 3 aid stations for the 25K, 6 for the 50K and 12 for the 50 mile. Aid stations will have water, an electrolyte drink, coke, fruits, cookies, pretzels, chips, and candies. Some aid stations will have gels, potatoes and sandwiches. There will be water only at Webb Canyon (6.4 miles).
YOU SHOULD CARRY AT LEAST ONE WATER BOTTLE—the weather is often hot and it can be a long time between aid stations if you are moving slowly and out of water.
You can use this chart to follow the course on the park map.
of San Jose: Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Congratulations to our Quicksilver Ladies winning the 2012 PA USATF Grand Prix Series Team Award for two consecutive years!!!
Addionally the following QRC Age Divison Winners; Amy Burton, Clare Abram, Karen Bonnett, Kat Powell, Marc Laveson, Toshi Hosaka, Jean Pommier and Dan Decker.
What a Team!!! Go Quicksilver as we look forward to an exciting 2013. Come join in the fun.
Weather and Hazards
Normal starting temperatures are 45-60 degrees; afternoon temperatures can be anywhere from the 60s to the 90s. While the temps are normally moderate, it can feel very warm when it gets into the mid-70s. Rain is possible though not likely. Although we work very hard to keep the trail itself free of poison oak and tall grass, there is poison oak along the course. Be alert for rattlesnakes and ticks.
For your safety, we will have an EMT at the start/finish area and emergency kits at each aid station.
Number Pickup
Numbers and goodie bags may be picked up from 5:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday, May 10 at Sports Basement in Campbell (Pruneyard shopping center: 1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell, CA 95008). New this year: we will have a pasta feed thanks to our sponsors Sports Basement and Buca di Beppo. It's a great way to avoid the rush of race day to get your goodies and bib, get 10% off in the store, and meet other runners while carbo loading. Please respond to the Evite if you are joining the pasta feed. Numbers can also be picked up at the starting area Saturday morning from 5:00 to 5:45am (50K/50M) and until 7:45am (25K).
Parking
The parking lot at Mockingbird fills early on race day. THERE IS NO PARKING ON THE STREET ADJACENT TO THE MOCKINGBIRD PARKING LOT. Once the lot is full, cars will be directed to park on residential streets about 1/4 mile from the start area. It is about a 5-minute walk to the starting area from the residential parking area, so allow plenty of time in case you don’t get into the lot.
Drop Bags
Drop bags will be taken from the starting area on Saturday morning to the Dam Overlook aid station (miles 9.7, 19, and 23.7) for both 50K and 50-mile runners, and to the Hicks Road aid station (miles 37.5 and 45.5) for the 50-mile runners.
Runners may also leave a bag at the Mockingbird start/finish area (mile 31.5 of the 50). Write your name and the name of the aid station clearly on your bags. Bags from the Dam Overlook will not be accessible after 12:30pm so that they can be returned to the start/finish area by about 1:00pm; bags from Hicks Road will not be returned until about 6:00pm, so plan accordingly.
Start
The 50K/50M race will start at 6:00am sharp (8:00am for 25K) at Mockingbird. ALL RUNNERS MUST CHECK IN AT THE START BY 5:45am (7:45am for 25K), even if you picked up your race packet on Friday night. We need to know who is actually starting the race so we can accurately keep track of all runners on the course.
Rules
1. Race numbers must be worn on the front so they are visible to checkpoint personnel.
2. Race numbers cannot be transferred to another runner.
3. Crews for 50-milers may see their runners at the Mockingbird start/finish area (mile 31.5) and
at Hicks Road (miles 37.5 and 45.5). There is no other road access to the course, but observers
are welcome to run or hike into aid stations. No aid may be given outside of aid stations.
4. No pacers are allowed in the 25K and 50K. Runners in the 50-mile may have pacers from Mockingbird (31.5 miles).
5. 50-mile runners may stop at 50K and be counted as a 50K finisher, but will not be eligible for awards. If a 50M runner decides to continue beyond the 50K point and does not complete the 50 miles, he/she will be a DNF (Did Not Finish). However PAUSATF members will not be scored in the Ultra Grand Prix if they do not finish the race in which they are entered officially.
6. Trekking poles are not allowed on the Single Track trail. Therefore, you may wish to put
them with a drop bag at Dam Overlook (mile 9.7).
7. No ties will be allowed for awards.
Cut-Off Times
There are no cut-off times for the 25K and 50K.
The following cut-off times for 50-mile runners will be strictly enforced (they correspond to a pace of about 15 mn/mile):
- Mockingbird (31.5 miles): 1:50pm,
- Hicks Road (37.5 miles): 3:20pm,
- Hicks Road (45.5 miles): 5:25pm.
Any runner who refuses to leave the course after missing a cut-off may be refused entry to the race in future years.