Lake Sonoma 50
Lake Sonoma 50 is a 50-mile ultra marathon race held near Healdsburg, California. The course circumnavigates the Warm Springs arm of Lake Sonoma on hiking trails. It takes place annually on the second Saturday in April.[1] The race was first run in 2008. In recent years it has become one of the most highly competitive ultra marathons in the United States.[2][3]
Registration[edit]
Registration is limited to only 400 runners. As a result, entry into the race is determined by lottery.[4]
Race and elevation profile[edit]
The Lake Sonoma 50 has a 14 hour time limit, with the gun-time being 6:30am on the day of the race.[1]
According to the official course website, 86% of the course is single track, 9% dirt roads, and the first 2.4 miles on a paved road.[5] There are twelve creek crossings and around 10,500 ft of elevation gain throughout the race.[1]
Aid stations[edit]
| Aid station name | Mile | Next aid station (miles) | Cut off time | Crew Access | Drop Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island View | 4.3 | 7.3 | No | No | |
| Warm Springs Creek | 11.6 | 5.3 | Yes | Yes | |
| Wulfow | 16.9 | 1.9 | No | No | |
| Madrone Point | 18.8 | 6.4 | Yes | No | |
| No Name Flat | 25.2 | 5.7 | 1:15 PM | Yes | Yes |
| Madrone Point | 30.9 | 1.9 | Yes | No | |
| Wulfow | 32.8 | 5.3 | No | No | |
| Warm Springs Creek | 38.0 | 7.5 | 4:45 PM | Yes | Yes |
| Island View (full) | 45.5 | 4.8 | 7:10 PM | No | No |
| Finish | 50.29 | 8:30 PM | Yes | Yes |
Stocked with normal ultra aid station fare including GU energy gels and products.[5] The race directors ask that participants limit their drop bag to the size of a small shoe box.[5]
Race rules[edit]
Rules:[6]
- No littering
- Be nice
- Have Fun!
If a participant violates the no littering rule or is observed being rude or unsportsmanlike they will be disqualified from the race.
Furthermore, there is a zero tolerance policy regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
No pacers are allowed during the duration of the race.
Western States Endurance Run Golden Ticket race[edit]
The first two men and women finishers of the Lake Sonoma 50 mile race are rewarded a guaranteed entry into the Western States Endurance run.[7] Because of this it is considered highly competitive in the ultra running community.
Results[edit]
Key: Current course record
| Edition | Year | Male winner | Country | Time (h:m:s) | Female winner | Country | Time (h:m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 2022 | Matthew Seidel |  United States
|
7:07:14 | Brittany Charboneau | United States
|
7:27:14 |
| 12 | 2021 | Mario Mendoza | United States
|
7:10:13 | Keely Henninger | United States
|
7:40:20 |
| - | 2020 | race cancelled due to pandemic | |||||
| 11 | 2019 | Jared Hazen | United States
|
6:08:29 | Anna Mae Flynn | United States
|
7:13:55 |
| 10 | 2018 | Jim Walmsley | United States
|
5:51:16 | Keely Henninger | United States
|
7:13:55 |
| 9 | 2017 | Sage Canaday | United States
|
6:17:55 | YiOu Wang | United States
|
7:22:34 |
| 8 | 2016 | Jim Walmsley | United States
|
6:00:52 | YiOu Wang | United States
|
7:14:45 |
| 7 | 2015 | Alex Varner | United States
|
6:09:39 | Stephanie Howe Violett | United States
|
7:08:23 |
| 6 | 2014 | Zach Miller | United States
|
6:11:10 | Emily Harrison | United States
|
7:26:15 |
| 5 | 2013 | Sage Canaday | United States
|
6:14:55 | Cassie Scallon | United States
|
7:47:42 |
| 4 | 2012 | Dakota Jones | United States
|
6:17:27 | Joelle Vaught | United States
|
7:52:44 |
| - | 2011 | race cancelled due to bad weather conditions | |||||
| 3 | 2010 | Hal Koerner | United States
|
7:08:20 | Devon Crosby-Helms | United States
|
8:26:53 |
| 2 | 2009 | Jonathan Olsen | United States
|
7:30:58 | Suzanna Bon | United States
|
8:43:30 |
| 1 | 2008 | Dan Barger | United States
|
8:24:31 | Clare Abram | United States
|
9:44:13 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Lake Sonoma 50". lakesonoma50.com. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ^ "2013 Most Competitive Fields". UltraRunning magazine. 33 (8): 35. January 2014.
- ^ "2014 Most Competitive Fields". ultrarunning.com. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ^ "Lake Sonoma - April 13, 2019". ultrasignup.com. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- ^ a b c "Course & Aid". Lake Sonoma 50. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "Rules". lakesonoma50.com. Lake Sonoma 50. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "Altra Golden Ticket Races – Western States Endurance Run". wser.org. Retrieved 2018-11-12.