Montana de Oro Trail Run

Montaña de Oro
Welcome to the 20th Annual “MdO Trail Run". Montaña de Oro State Park is located just outside of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay in Los Osos California. The "Mountain of Gold" is a coastal treasure. It offers a mix of rugged, rocky cliffs, coastal plains, sandy beaches and streams. The start-finish line for all distances will be at Spooner's Cove Beach.

This year, we bring you a brand new course named "Three Peaks" after Hazard Peak, Valencia Peak, and Oat's Peak. You'll be running on trails as old as the Chumash people as you explore one, two, or three peaks nestled in the flora with epic views of the Pacific Ocean, nearby beaches, and Morro Bay.

Saturday, March 30, 2023

Distances & Elevation Gains
- 50K: 6,270 ft
- 36K: 4,452 ft
- Half Marathon: 2,237 ft
- 12K: 1,835 ft

Start Times*
- 50K: 8:00 AM
- 36K: 8:30  AM
- Half Marathon: 9:00 AM
- 12K: 9:30 AM

ABSOLUTELY NO EARLY STARTS.
*Start times subject to change for any reason.

Time Limits
- 50K: 8 Hours 30 Minutes
- 36K: 8 Hours
- Half Marathon: 7 Hours
- 12K: 4 Hours

Cutoffs
- 50K: Cut-off will be strictly enforced at  2:20 PM (6 hours 20 minutes / 16:00 min/mile pace) after first two loops.
- You will then need to complete the final 7.4 miles in 2 hours 10 minutes (17:30 min/mile pace).

We take great pride in knowing that when you finish a PCTR trail run, it is of the highest importance that you have a meal and tasty beverage to reward your finish. All entrants receive a "post-race meal ticket" to get the nutrients your body needs right after you finish. You will have the option during registration to purchase additional meal tickets. Our post-race meal chefs are in tune with incredible creations to meet all palates and will always provide a vegetarian option. We have served amazing tacos, incredible fajitas, delicious sliders, killer cowboy/cowgirl BBQ treats, and more. In the cold months, and night races, you will always be able to enjoy our super tasty soup creations. So bring a chair, a friend, and relax a bit with us.

Effective in 2018, Pacific Coast Trail Runs is following the lead of other trail races by taking steps to "green" our events. We recommend that all participants carry hydration devices on them during the race. We will sell HydraPouch portable cup with Universal carry clip – hooks easily to shorts, tights, number belts, hydration belts, etc. These are available at checkout for $10. You will receive it when you check-in for the event. We will also have a few for purchase for $10 the day of the event.

Start/Finish
Montana de Oro State Park
Spooner’s Cove (plug this name into your map app)
3550 Pecho Valley Rd
Los Osos, CA 93402

Getting There
Plug the above address into your favorite app. For those technology challenged. From San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, you will take HWY 1 to S. Bay Blvd South. Right on Los Osos Valley Road. This turns in to Pecho Valley Road which will take you to the park. You will see PCTR trail run parking signs when you arrive.

Parking Info
Parking is Free. If you arrive early enough to park in the main lot near the start/finish, please be mindful of the parking attendants that will guide you in to your parking space.

If you park on Pecho Valley Road along the bluff, please park perpendicular to the coast. In other words, please do not park parallel. Perpendicular parking can fit more cars in. Also, please park as close as you can to the car next to you so we can fit more cars. We may or may not have parking attendants atop of the bluff, so please be as courteous as you normally would be in a grocery store parking lot.

More Montana de Oro State Park info Click Here

Runner Check-In:
All runners must check-in race day. Your specific distance check-in opens one hour before your event start time. You must be prepared to show ID to pick up your own bib and swag. You may not pick up for any other runners.. Any changes to distances should be made at this time and there is a $15 fee for changing registration 

Race Briefing:
15 minutes before your event at the Start Line. It's very important for the safety of you and others to be present and alert for the Race Director Pre-Race Briefing. Here you will learn about how to have fun, be safe, and not get lost.

All events will start and finish at Spooners Cove Beach at Montana de Oro State Park.

50K: The 50K course will run all three loops. Oats Peak Loop, then Hazard Peak Loop, and then the Valencia Peak Loop. The course is absolutely stunning with 360 degree views. The course is run entirely without canopy of trees, so please be prepared with sunblock and proper attire. Pace yourself, because the final climb up Valencia Peak will need all you got.

36K: The 36K is two loops: Oats Peak and Hazard Peak Loops. You may wish to upgrade to the 50K to enjoy Valencia Peak. Or, simply you wish to relax at the beach a little earlier.

Half Marathon: The Hazard Peak Loop only and Chef will be waiting to reward your belly.

12K: Valencia Peak is the shortest, but you get more elevation gain per mile.

Oats Peak Loop is a gentle warm-up on the Bluff Trail before crossing to the beautiful Coon Creek Trail. Your first big climb comes on Oats Peak. The cover photo shows you the ridge line run that everyone talks about. After the ridge, you will enjoy a fluid run to the bottom and the start/finish aid station. Make sure you cross the timing mat before you go out on your next loop.

Hazard Peak Loop after a slight flat journey, you will climb to the top of Hazard Peak and then down the back side to the Hazard Canyon Aid Station. From here you will run around the mountain along Islay Creek through the campground and back to Spooners Cove.

Valencia Peak Loop is the most dramatic of the three loops. After a run along the Bluff Trail, you will transition to the Rattlesnake Flats Trail and begin your ascent to Valencia Peak joining the gentle climb up Badger before the rugged and steep climb up Valencia Peak Trail. Don’t forget to grab your blue PCTR branded bracelet atop the peak. Don’t forget your phone for a great pic. After snapping a few pics, you will fly down the mountain in record speed on your way back to party with your new trail running friends.

Course Map
Click Here  for the course map and aid station sheet

Course Markings
- 50K: Orange Loop to Pink Loop to Blue Loop
- 36K: Orange Loop to Pink Loop
- Half: Pink Loop
- 12K: Blue Loop

Aid Stations (A/S) Information
Bluff, Hazard Canyon, and Start/Finish are full aid stations.

Full Aid Station consists of H20, FLUID HYDRATION Electrolyte Drink, Coke, Ginger Ale, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Bananas, Tangerines, and GU Electrolyte Capsules. Snack Pack assortments including lays potato chips, trail mix, Rice Krispy Treats, Oreos, Nutter Butters, Ritz/peanut butter or cheese.

Oats Peak H20 Only:
- Highest point of loop. All downhill to start/finish line.
- Water had to be walked in and no volunteer will be present.
- Please limit intake to 10 ounces per runner.

Crew & Pacer Information
- Crews are allowed and welcomed on the course with some restriction.
Please see map for locations.

Oats Peak Water Stop can be accessed by foot only.
Hazard Canyon Aid Station - No Crews Allowed.
Start/Finish Line Aid Station - Runner access.

Pacers are not allowed.

Drop & Finish line Bags
- Drop Bags: Allowed at Start/Finish line area only. There will be no “Drop Bags” on course.
- Finish line Bags: There will be a designated area at the Start/Finish Line Area to place your bag. 50K and 36K runners will find this option as a drop bag location. Please note this area will be near people and protected from the rain, but will not be secure or protected and PCTR will not be responsible for any lost or misplaced items.

Restroom Locations
- Start/Finish Line: Port-a-Potties and nearby campground facilities.

Woof Alert
- Park Policy: No dogs allowed on course.
- PCTR & Park Policy: Dogs are allowed at the start/finish line area and must be on a 6-foot leash and under control at all times.

Hikers Welcome
- Hikers are welcome! We kindly ask all hikers are trained and select a distance that reflects their ability to complete the course within the cut-offs and/or time limits.

Blind Athletes & Sighted Guides
Since 2018, PCTR has embraced visually impaired and blind athletes. We add a question to registration so that we can fully prepare for your race and sighted guide with proper race bibs. If you need a "Guide Runner", please email us at RunPCTR@gmail.com.

Awards
- All finishers will receive a swag item or finishers medal 
- Age group awards to be presented to the top 3 male and females in each of the following categories:
- 12 and under
- 13 to 16
- 17 to 19
- 20 to 29
- 30 to 39
- 40 to 49
- 50 to 59
- 60 to 69
- 70 +

If you would like to change distance, please do so by emailing us at help@thetrailportal.com at least 72 hours before the event and will incur a $15 fee.  We assign event distance specific bibs with timing transponder at this time and it makes the event less complicated for you, volunteers, and Team PCTR.

Shall you want to change distances on race day, then you must notify us prior to the event starting and will incur a $15 fee. All entrants who change distance during the event will earn a finisher medal. However, you will not be eligible for "Overall Standings & Age Group" awards. For example, if you entered the Headlands 100 mile event and stopped after two 25 mile loops, then you will be given your finisher medal and credited with an "Unofficial Finish". Similarly, if you enter the Headlands 50 Mile race and decide after two loops that I want to continue on and finish 100 miles, then you will earn a finisher medal or in this case a belt buckle. But, it will be termed an "Unofficial Finish" in your ultrasignup.com rankings. The reason this is done is to prevent other runners from being pushed out of a podium finish, overall standings position, or age group award because someone decided that they wanted to run a different distance during the race. This is the ultrasignup.com terminology commonly used in running and racing events.

WITHDRAWING: No Refunds, Transfers, or Rollovers
Entry fees associated with Pacific Coast Trail Runs Events are non-refundable, non-transferable, and we do not provide rollovers to future events. The amount of time and expense that goes into a PCTR event is high. Contracts, permit fees, awards, shirts, insurance, food/beverage and all things associated with your event happen a long time before your race day. Surely, if many of you wanted a refund because you got injured, become sick, have to attend a family function or your babysitter fell through, then all trail running companies would be out of business. We also do not transfer entries for numerous reasons including liability. You are not allowed to sell or give your bib to someone else. If we find out about this, we will ban you from our events. We do, and will provide race credits for a future PCTR event (less Ultrasignup.com registration fees) shall something come up that prevents you from attending the event you paid for. Please see our Race Credit Policy.

PCTR has a very friendly race credit policy. With some of our races requiring signing up well in advance, we understand that life happens and you may be prevented from attending the event. Here are the days of notice we require you to provide us shall you want to withdraw and earn PCTR race credits for a future event.

- 45 plus days from the event date = 100% PCTR Race Credits
- 15 to 44 days from the event date = 50% PCTR Race Credits
- 14 days to 72 hours from the event start time = 25% PCTR Race Credits

Consider Volunteering to earn race credits. By volunteering, you can earn up to 100% of your entry and more depending on how many hours you volunteer.

Race credits are required to be used within one year from the time you earned them. This means you need to have signed up for an event by the one year date, not necessarily have completed the event. You also, also cannot extend the credits shall you sign up for a race and need to withdraw again. Race credits are not transferable to anyone but yourself.

Race Fees associated with Run Sign Up, our registration provider, at the time of your registration are not included in your Race Credits.

Runners, their families, crews, volunteers and Team PCTR safety is our first priority. Pacific Coast Trail Runs events will run come rain or shine, with the exception of park closures, threatening or extreme weather conditions. When conditions present a danger to our runners, their families and our volunteers. PCTR maintains the right to cancel or postpone the start of each of the events. Parks may also shut down the event if the trail or weather conditions are so bad that first responders will also be challenged.

If any event is cancelled less than 24 hours prior to the official start time, all participants will be notified via email that you provided in your registration, and the information will be posted on our Facebook page.

PCTR reserves the right to move the event to another venue, change the course & start time, cancel, and/or reschedule the event. PCTR will always try to reschedule before cancelling an event. Shall the event be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, and not rescheduled, then we will offer race credits to a future PCTR event to be used in one year.

Threatening weather conditions at PCTR events may be cancelled or delayed if any of the following weather conditions exist: Fire Danger, Poor Air Quality (Air Quality Index (AQI) >150 = Unhealthy), Flash Flood Watch, Extreme Thunderstorms, Tsunami Warnings, and lightning in the vicinity of the race.

The Race Director, in accordance with the Land Managers, City, County, the State of California, and the National Park Service, has the authority to cancel the event. If threatening weather conditions force cancellation of the events, no refunds will be provided, since funds were already spent in preparation for race day. However, if the race is cancelled outright and not rescheduled than 100% of race credit value (less ultrasingup.com registration fees) will be provided to use at a future event in one year from the time earned.

Notification of cancellation will be done as early as possible. You will be notified via the email address you used when registering for this event. We will also post updates on our Facebook page regularly: https://www.facebook.com/pacificcoasttrailruns/

Volunteering
Volunteer Policy
- Earn $10 in PCTR Race Credits for every hour worked. (For example: 4 hrs = $40; 3.5 hrs = $35, etc.)
- Volunteer 8+ hour shift and earn $40 bonus credits for event.
- Earn 2X Credits for bad weather volunteering in rain.
- Earn 2X Credits from 8pm to 6am. (Headlands & Night Sweats Only)
- Receive the coveted PCTR "Go Run a Trail!" shirt. *Must volunteer a minimum of 5 hours to get the shirt. If you already have too many of these shirts and want a race shirt instead, then come by the finish line tent to see if we have any more in your size.
- Enjoy a meal from our Post Race BBQ Chef Team.
- You will not earn credits for volunteering unless you sign up to volunteer.
- If you sign up to volunteer and bring one or more friends with you to volunteer (who have not signed up), then they will not earn credits.
- If you are entered in an event and bring a friend or family to help volunteer a few hours or more, then you can earn their credits for another race... that is if they don't run. ??
- All credits must be used in one year from the time earned or they will expire.

If you are unable to participate in the event you paid for and miss the 45-day or 15-day withdraw notification window because you are unable to run due to whatever reason, then consider volunteering to earn race credits. By volunteering at the intended event or another event within 30 days before your event, you can earn up to 100% of your entry and more depending on how many hours you volunteer. Email PCTR at help@thetrailportal.com

1. Trail running is a very special sport that shares trails with the public including hikers, bikers, horses, and even dogs. Please be kind to all. Because we have a permit and you paid for the event, does not give you more right of way than others. Please be courteous of others and share the trails as you would a store aisle at your neighborhood store.
2. Absolutely no littering. "Leave No Trace."
3. When passing a runner announce yourself politely by saying ""May I please pass? or "On your left please."
4. All runners must wear bib on front of person. (Not on your back, pack, hat, butt, or calves).
5. Downhill Runners have the right of way. Uphill runners and hikers, please keep your head up
6. If you quit before or during the event, then you must turn in your bib and/or notify a race official at the start line or aid station when applicable.
7. Volunteers give up their time to make your day special, so please thank them many times over.

We pledge to support clean sport by inviting to athletes to compete at our events who are committed to training, racing and living clean and not inviting athletes to compete who have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. We are in favor of random drug testing, especially when there is prize money offered at the event. Our organization also chooses to not work with coaches and agents that have athletes that are currently working with athletes that have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. We understand we have a responsibility to protect a level playing field and we will be role models in the community as ambassadors and advocates for clean sport. We pledge to honor clean sport by inviting and supporting clean athletes at our races.