Does anyone have any experience for either of these Sacramento area races? Looking to take a group up to an olympic in June and we have friends in this area for free lodginig!
Any pros or cons for either one? Looks like the Folsom race had about 4x as many people in it last year. I am guessing both would be flat and fast and good for a PR, but couldnt really find elevation maps.
I’ve done a bunch of TBF races, always dus. Both at Folsom Lake and Rancho Seco where that one is. Never done the other one, but I’ve done a half marathon around Lake Natoma.
I am guessing both would be flat and fast and good for a PR, but couldnt really find elevation maps.
HA!
In Folsom, the race would head out Prairie City rd which has a pretty nasty hill. In the first 6 miles, you gain 150’, all in 2 hills - Prairie City rd and Iron Point rd at the outlets. The run course is all rollers with 2 bigger climbs.
In Rancho Seco, the bike has a decent downhill at the start (and uphill at the finish), but CA-104 is pretty flat. Some rollers. The run is dirt and all rollers.
Does anyone have any experience for either of these Sacramento area races? Looking to take a group up to an olympic in June and we have friends in this area for free lodginig!
Any pros or cons for either one? Looks like the Folsom race had about 4x as many people in it last year. I am guessing both would be flat and fast and good for a PR, but couldnt really find elevation maps.
Any insight would be great. Thanks!
Both companies put on a good race. TBF is slightly lower budget but not by a ton. Free beer at the end of the USA Prod race Rancho Seco is a small lake with not a lot going on around it. Its a bit of a trek to get to race morning. Folsom on the other hand has nice accomodations and food very nearby.
If I were coming from far away, I would choose Folsom Int for sure, because the same day are Sprint and a HIM and that will mean a larger group of people will want to come with you if multiple options exist for racing that weekend. Expect water to be on the chilly side, that lake fills from the bottom of the lake above it. In June it can be 60 degrees. However this year the lake above it is at only 7% capacity so I would think the water would not be so darn cold.
Also, if you bring any trail runners, there are TONS of awesome trails to run while others are racing or the next day.
The Folsom bike course is fast but not super flat. On challenging hill at the turn around, rollers the rest of the way. First and last few miles are flat and fast (out and back course). Run is rollers on a paved multi-use trail.
Well if you had never done either and someone could only do one which one would you recommend ?
Knowing you I bet you have files for both the bike and run for both courses. Mind sharing?
Not really sure what’s going to make us pick one or the other, just trying to get some info on both.
Any other races in that area in the first three weeks of June I may have overlooked?
Rancho Seco is in the middle of nowhere about 45 min. South of Sacramento. The run course is hot, exposed red dirt most of the way. TBF races are hand-timed, so splits aren’t necessarily accurate. Unfair transition area with some racers having to cover more distance than others. If sanctioning is important to you, know that at least once TBF advertised a race as being sanctioned when it was not. Fine races for local beginners or those looking for a training day, but nothing I would suggest as a “destination” race.
All TBF races are 5 point timing system this year.
What was wrong with hand timing. My wife was one of the main timers for the last 10 years and they never had an issue. For the USAT races, they always did hand timing splits also for all 5 locations.
As far as transistion, this is why at any race the early folks get the best spots. Very very few races ever meet the letter of the rule in the transistion area, let alone the spirit.
TBF is one of the best run race organizations around. Been racing with them for 15 years, and my family helps at probably 20 races a year. Will be there helping Sat at the Xterra. Stop by and say Hi.
Rancho Seco is in the middle of nowhere about 45 min. South of Sacramento. The run course is hot, exposed red dirt most of the way. TBF races are hand-timed, so splits aren’t necessarily accurate. Unfair transition area with some racers having to cover more distance than others. If sanctioning is important to you, know that at least once TBF advertised a race as being sanctioned when it was not. Fine races for local beginners or those looking for a training day, but nothing I would suggest as a “destination” race.
the course is the same for everybody - trails, dirt road, etc. I wouldn’t say either of those are PR courses, but, not the slowest either. I just wonder if the “lake” at Rancho Seco will have water. Anybody know?
I have done a few races at Rancho Seco and I always have a blast (Tri for Fun and Tri for Real events). The water is nice and warm and the bike course has enough rollers to keep you interested, but no real climbs.
Rancho Seco is a small lake with not a lot going on around it. Its a bit of a trek to get to race morning. Folsom on the other hand has nice accomodations and food very nearby.