LOST SIERRA ENDURANCE RACE
-

100 KM
Our 100K distance is a challenging out-n-back course starting in downtown Downieville, traveling up towards the Sierra Buttes then to Plumas-Eureka State Park (PESP), Blairsden, CA where the turnaround is. There are 5 unique aid stations (a total of 9 stops along the course) with three crew access points: Aid #2, Aid #4, and Aid #5.
-
50 KM
The 50K distance is a moderately challenging point to point course starting in Plumas-Eureka State Park (PESP) in Blairsden, just outside Graeagle, traveling up towards the Sierra Buttes then turning south to Downieville where the finish is. There are 4 unique aid stations with crew access at Aid #4 and Aid #2.
-
25 KM
Our 25K distance is a perfect course for those looking to get deep in the canyons without having to summit a mountain. Its a looped course starting in downtown Downieville, traveling up through the canyons on the First, Second, and Third Divide Trails. There is a brief water stop at mile 4.2 and one formal aid station at Aid #1.
-
Summit VK+
Our Summit VK+ distance is literally the most brutal yet rewarding summit challenge in the Sierra! Its 7 miles with 4,300ft / 1.3K vertical gain with an epic 360 view of Northern California. This takes place on Friday July 23 from Sierra City (20 mins away from Downieville). Free shuttles are available from the top to the bottom.
RACE DETAILS
-
Friday July 23, 2027
Bib Pickup (Summit VK+): 8:00 - 10:00 AM at Sierra City
Summit VK+ Start: 10:00 AMFriday July 23, 2027
Bib Pickup (25K, 50K, 100K): 3:30 - 8:00 PM at Downieville School / Finish LineSaturday July 24, 2027
Bib Pickup (25K, 50K, 100K): 4:15 AM - 6:00 AM at Downieville School / Finish Line
100K Start: 5:00 AM
25K Start: 6:00 AM
Bib Pickup (50K): 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM at Plumas-Eureka State Park
50K Start: 8:00 AM
-
-
There are 5 unique aid stations along the course. Each station is fully stocked with water, hydration mix, and light food. Aid #1, #2, and #5 have warm foods. The 25 KM utilizes Aid #1. The 50 KM utilizes Aid#1-4. The 100 KM utilizes Aid #1-5.
See chart below.
Aid Stations on Google Maps:
Aid Station #1 - Lavezzaro
Aid Station #2 - Golden Valley
Aid Station #3 - Lots-O-Lakes
Aid Station #4 - Smith Lake
Aid Station #5 - Plumas-Eureka -
Start Time: Friday July 23 at 10:00 AM
Start Location: Sierra City
Finish Location: Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout
Aid Station: Finish Line
Cutoff Time: 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 4,330ft / 1.3K
Course Description: Mostly gravel roads with short segments of single track trail. Metal stairs at the end.
-
Start Time: Saturday July 24 at 6:00 AM
Start Location: Downieville School
Finish Location: Downieville School
Aid Stations: Mile 11 (Aid #1)
Cutoff Time: 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 2,330ft
Course Description: Mostly single track trail, little gravel roads with no major climbs.
-
Shuttle Time: Saturday July 24 at 6:30 AM in Downieville
Start Time: Saturday July 24 at 8:00 AM
Start Location: Plumas-Eureka State Park
Finish Location: Downieville School
Aid Stations: Mile 6 (Aid #4), Mile 12 (Aid #3), Mile 17 (Aid #2), Mile 26 (Aid #1)
Cutoff Time: 11 hours
Elevation Gain: 5,360ft
Course Description: A mix of rocky & smooth trails, nearly all single track trail. Two major climbs at mile 2 and at mile 8. Long decent from mile 17 to the finish.
-
Start Time: Saturday July 24 at 5:00 AM
Start Location: Downieville School
Finish Location: Downieville School
Aid Stations: Mile 5 / 58 (Aid #1), Mile 14 / 47 (Aid #2), Mile 19 / 44 (Aid #3), Mile 26 / 37 (Aid #4), Mile 31.5 (Aid #5)
Cutoff Time: 20 hours
Elevation Gain: 10,780ft
Course Description: A mix of rocky & smooth trails, nearly all single track trail. Four major climbs at miles 5, 26, 33, and 41.
Mandatory Items: Space blanket, pack / hydration vest, and headlamp.
Pacers: 100K runners may have pacers on the return trip at Aid #5 (Mile 30) or Aid #2 (Mile 47), there will be no event shuttle to/from these locations for pacers.
-
Downieville and Sierra City are remote and a very small towns, yet a popular tourist towns. Hotels, motels, AirBnB, and camping are in short supply all year, particularly during the summer. We recommend booking your travel as soon as you register. Runners may utilize the starting area for tent camping but note that this is NOT a campground, there are no firepits, parking spaces, or bear boxes available.
-
Can I utilize a drop bag? Yes. 50K runners have one drop bag access point at Aid #2. 100K runners have three drop bag access points at Aid #2 and Aid #5. All drop bags are required to have your name on it and be dropped off at the finish line by 6:00AM Saturday morning.
Will there be ice? Yes, all aid stations will have ice. Aid #3 may have a limited amount due to remoteness and weight.
Can I have two pacers? No, you may not have more than one pacer at any given time. Although you may swap pacers at Aid #2 if you’d like. There are no shuttles for pacers. Only 100K runners may have pacers.
Can I utilize trekking poles? Yes, poles are allowed.
Where can I car / van camp? We do not organize or promote participant car / van camping. You can try parking anywhere legal to park in Downieville or try at the North Yuba Trailhead Lot at your own risk.
Where do runners park during the race? There is no formal parking lot assigned to participants. We strongly recommend arriving early and securing a spot where legal (space is limited in this very tiny town). Please don’t block driveways or park illegally. You may also park at the North Yuba Trailhead Lot, about 0.3 miles from the finish line.
What is the trail surface like? 70% is alpine singletrack (rocks, roots, fair bits of clear trail), 20% is mountain bike singletrack (smooth, twisty dirt with some features), 10% is dirt / gravel / paved road.
-
We do not refund registration for any reason, including due to personal cancellations, inability to attend, by acts of God, or race day permit cancellation (by city, state, federal agencies), although credit may be awarded to participants at the discretion of the RD / staff. You may receive rollover credit by canceling your registration online, credits & rollovers can be attained through UltraSignup by editing your ticket. Emails to the RD / staff to cancel and request credits will not be accepted unless you are evoking our pregnancy policy (see below). Credit schedule below:
100% rollover credit if cancelled prior to 60 days from the event.
70% rollover credit if cancelled prior to 30 days from the event.
50% rollover credit if cancelled prior to 10 days from the event.
No credit will be given for cancellations made 9 days or less before the event, due to incurred event costs.
Pregnancy Policy:
While the Lost Sierra Endurance Race has a strict no-refund policy, we offer an exception for those who are pregnant, become pregnant, or are the partner of someone who is pregnant. Eligible participants may request a free deferral to the following year or a full refund if requested at least 7 days before race day. A brief confirmation is required, and all requests will be handled with care and confidentiality. -
All runners will score a Lost Sierra tee shirt and sponsored gear, while supplies last.
25 KM & 50 KM runners will receive a custom wood medal upon finishing. 100 KM runners will receive a custom Lost Sierra bronze belt buckle upon finishing. Top finishers will receive a custome wood plaque or standing award. Additionally, DFL in the 100 KM will receive unique medal.