Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Mt. Baldy 5000! It was another epic night on the mountain. Results and photos can be found linked above.
Race Day Instructions
Getting to Baldy: For GPS purposes please use 8401 Mt. Baldy Road to get to the starting line. This will take you past Mt. Baldy Village all the way up to the Mt. Baldy Resort. Please park in the lifts parking lots. There will be plenty of parking.
Cell Service/Gas: There is little to no cell coverage around Mt. Baldy. There is also no gas once you enter into the mountains. Please make sure you plan accordingly.
Checking-In: You can pick up your race bib right near the starting line below the lifts between 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm. The Race will start at 5:00pm (with an early start option at 4:30pm for walkers). If you purchased the BBQ dinner, you will also be given a wristband that you will need to show to get your meal at the Notch.
Preparing for the Heat: It's going to be hot on Saturday. We expect the temperatures to be in the mid-80s when the gun goes off. You're also going to be racing at altitude (6500 - 7500 feet). Please make sure you are staying hydrated between now and 5pm on Saturday, and please consider carrying water out on the course. There will be a water station around mile 1.8 and the good news is the temperatures will cool down the higher you get. It's also going to be a beautiful night at the top of the mountain for dinner!
Bag Check: If you want to have a small bag transported to the top, you must drop it at the Uhaul (that will be parked near the starting line) before 4:00pm. Space in the Uhaul is limited, so please do not check large bags, and do not use this bag check if you have friends and family meeting you at the top (give your change of clothes to them!)
The Course: The race begins at the bottom of the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts (elevation 6,400 feet) and contains roughly 1500 feet of total elevation gain. Runners will start in the parking lot and after about 1/4 mile they will make a right and head up the Manker Trail. This first part of the climb is very steep and challenging. Things level off a bit at the top of the Manker Trail, but it's a steady climb for the first 2.2 miles all the way to the Notch. Once runners hit the Notch, they continue up to the Mt. Baldy reservoir, for about another 1/4 mile. They'll loop around the reservoir then bomb downhill for a final 1/4 mile sprint to the finish. It's a tough course, but it's a fun one and we promise the views at the top will make it all worth it! (Please note that the first 2.2 miles of the course is the same as last year, but the final .9 miles after the Notch is different this year.) A Strava link can be found here.
Post Race Celebration: Every athlete that crosses the finish line will get a Mt. Baldy 5000 Bucket Hat, but the real reward is getting to spend a summer night at the Top of the Notch. In addition to the BBQ dinner, there is a full bar, and we'll have live music. We hope you stick around after the race, and friends and family are more than welcome to join us!
Getting to the Notch (and Back Down): Obviously the race will take all of our athletes from the ski lifts parking lots up to the Notch. After the race is over, you can take the lift back down to the parking lot simply by showing your race bib. Friends and family can also meet you at the top by taking the lift up. Please encourage them to purchase lift tickets ahead of time on the Mt. Baldy Resort website. Tickets can also be purchased at the bottom of the mountain on race day, but they will be more expensive. The ride is roughly 15-20 minutes. That means your friends can watch you start, and then take the lift up and meet you at the finish.