Dec. 11, 2012
For immediate release
New race traces gold miners’ route from Sutter’s Mill to Sutter’s Fort
The Sacramento Running Association’s newest race offers runners a chance to follow the path of gold miners and get in a great training run for a well-known 100-mile run.
The Gold Rush 100k, set for May 11, starts at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, where gold was discovered, and ends at Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento, where gold was stored.
It’s also the perfect training opportunity for runners preparing for the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile test from Squaw Valley to Auburn scheduled for June 29-30.
“We’re going to run the course, as much as possible, following the path of miners along the American River,” said Gold Rush race director Bill Hambrick, a veteran runner who has completed 89 ultras.
“I think people will grab onto that idea. It’s pretty cool.”
SRA Executive Director John Mansoor said the popularity of the Miwok 100K, held in Stinson Beach on May 4, was one factor in deciding to start this event.
“Miwok sells out in about 30 seconds,” he said. “The (SRA) board believes we should be doing all things related to running, whether it’s short or long.
“I said, ‘Let’s go from Sutter’s Mill to Sutter’s Fort. It should be about 100k.’”
Hambrick said 85-90 percent of the race would be on trails.
“It’s a very strong, runnable course,” he said. “I figure we’ll have some fast times out of it.
“We’re hoping to put on a quality event so people will want to run it.”
The 62-mile race begins at 5 a.m. Registration is $150, with the field limited to 300 entrants. The registration deadline is April 30.
For more information, visit www.goldrush100k.org.
The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.
Other SRA events include the recently concluded California International Marathon, the Super Bowl Sunday 10k Run on Feb. 3, the Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run on April 7 and the Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon on Oct. 27.
SRA beneficiaries include the American River Parkway, youth fitness programs, local running venues and aspiring young runners.