2013 Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon

Update:

Congratulations to all you Muddy Finishers!!!!!!! If you have any questions or concerns with your results please contact Julie at julie@sdri.net.

Also if you did not receive a race t-shirt you can come by SDRI to pick up a shirt.  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR BIB AND ID!!!

Look forward to seeing all of you in April at the Foxy Half Marathon.

Click Here to View the 2013 Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon Results

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The race was a BLAST! Thanks so much to the staff and volunteers for the well-organized event. The mudfest merely added to the fun! I am ready to sign up for the Cougar Half! (Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the Foxy Half as it’s the same day as the Big Sur Marathon :( ) I am hooked on trails!

- Cindy C.
View More Testimonials 

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Update: Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon Video!

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Update: Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon Pictures!

Click Here to View Pictures from the Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon!

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Date: Sunday, January 27, 2013
Race Start: 7:00 am (PST)
(Mandatory Race Day Check-in: 6:00 am)
(Parking Lot opens at: 5:30pm)

Location:
Otay Lake County Park – Boat Launch
2234 Wueste Road
Chula Vista, CA 91915

About This Race:

The Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon is brought to you by Dirt Devil Racing.com and kicks off the 2013 race season. It is also the very first of four races in the Half Marathon “Animal Series”. Being one of four trail half marathons (and probably the friendliest course), Wild Horse promises to deliver the ultimate in a trail running experience. If you plan to do the series, do NOT miss this first race! (If you do NOT plan to do the series … this is still one of the best Half Marathon courses we offer. It sold out in 45 days last year, and we expect the same this year!

So act fast and don’t delay on registering thru Active.com at:
http://www.active.com/half-marathon/chula-vista-ca/wild-horse-trail-half-marathon-2013

Course Map:

View Larger Map

Click Here to view elevation and other data on this race course.

Course Description:

Situated around Otay Lakes and the USA Olympic Training Center, the Wild Horse Trail Half Marathon traverses some of the most spectacular surroundings that can be found in San Diego County. Runners will park in the North Boat Launch Parking lot, and pin their bibs on. At mandatory check-in they will show their bibs to ensure they have an official start time. As the gun goes off, the racers will start on the Southwest side of Otay Lakes with sweeping views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. As the race begins, runners can take advantage of the flat, fast start for the first mile following the dirt/gravel road around the lake towards the Olympic Training Center. Once there the trail dips down along the lake edge offering well groomed single track on the way to the first of many footbridges and aid stations. After the first aid station the trail bends around the lake and continues on single track trail right along the lake shore. The trail remains flat and fast winding amongst the trees until aid station two at mile 3.7 near Otay Lakes Road. Depending on the lake water level runners will either continue along the lake shore or be diverted onto Otay Lakes Road for a brief period of time before continuing around the lake. Runners arrive at the turnaround and 3rd aid station and should pause to take in the view of this inspiring San Diego resource. The views from the third aid station are amazing. On the return trip, runners will be diverted to Upper Otay Lakes (and the smaller of the two) and then return onto the single track going back the way they came. The race finishes back at the Start/Finish area where you will be cheered and greeted by the Dirt Devil Racing staff and crew, in addition to family, spectators, and a Finisher’s Award Medal. After re-hydrating at our Sponsor’s Tent, or being tended to for any minor aches, you are encouraged to give that Victory pose to our Professional photographer with beautiful Otay Lake in the back-drop. Photo opportunities are free of charge for all runners, and their families. Photos are available for viewing at the Awards After Party, and for purchase a few days following the event.

Post Race Awards Ceremony & Breakfast Buffet: The Awards Ceremony & Post Race All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet is being held at Rock Bottom Brewery (make it a hyperlink) located just 15-20 minutes from the race site …. in downtown San Diego with plenty of free parking.

Google Map Here: http://goo.gl/maps/T9HDO

The Buffet menu sounds delicious. Eggs, Chorizo (sausage), Potatoes, Fruit, Toast, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Water … all for only $12 per person at the door. (Those who pre-paid when they registered for the race will have wristbands and do not need to wait in the line. Wristbands will be given at Packet Pick-up to pre-paid racers only.) Alcoholic beverages will be offered at Happy Hour prices in honor of your race accomplishments!! $3 craft beers, mimosas, bloody-mary’s, etc.

There is a SPECIAL raffle at this After Party and all you have to do is be present to win!! Additionally … there is a $100 cash prize for the Highest 5-Card Draw Poker Hand. Rules are easy … as you pass thru each Aid Station you will take a playing card. At the finish line you will turn in your 5-card hand. The prize will be awarded to the highest poker hand “present” at the After Party. (Yes, that means you MUST be present to win!!!)

Goodies & Awards: All Half Marathon Finishers receive a unique Finisher’s Medal. Schwag (or the race goodies you get for registering) are a surprise this year … ones that you won’t want to miss.

Course cut-off: The course cut-off time is 3 hours. No Finisher Awards will be given for any racer not completing the course within 3 hours. Also, please be sure to click on the new “FAQ” (frequently asked questions) drop-down page on our website for a complete list of “RACE RULES.”

Special Invite:  Any runner that breaks 2 hours in the Cougar Half will automatically qualify for an invitation to the “Dirty Invitational Marathon” being held on September 29^th 2013.  This exclusive full Marathon is by Invitation ONLY and limited to the first 200 Qualified Races to register.

Race Capacity: 400

Registration: Now available online at Active.com by clicking here: http://www.active.com/half-marathon/chula-vista-ca/wild-horse-trail-half-marathon-2013

Half Marathon Entry Fee:

• $55 Early Bird Savings NOW until November 15th!
• $65 November 16 thru November 30th
• $75 December 1st until the event sells out

THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPOTS LEFT (as we get cancellations, we open up those spots.)  Please note, all shirts have been ordered, so there is no shirts guaranteed for those that Register after January 6^th.  Any shirts that are left over will be given out on a first come, first served basis.  Sizes cannot be guaranteed.

Registration closes on January 20th, 2013 … or while space remains.

If you plan to run the Animal Series (Half Marathons) … and earn your MEGA SUPER INTERLOCKING MEDAL, you MUST run this Wild Horse Race!!

Aid Stations: There will be 5 aid stations along the course that will be well stocked from our Race Sponsors with Electrolyte Replenisher Drinks, various Energy Gels, and water. The aid stations will be located at approximately miles 2 … 3.6 … 6 … 9.5 … and 11.

It is MANDATORY that all runners carry at minimum 12 oz. hand bottle for hydration. This is a trail race and we are trying to eliminate the use of cups at Aid Stations to truly go green. We need you to do your part. We will meet you half way this year … but may go completely green in 2014. So get your practice runs in now!

Trail Map: The Course is being GPS’ed in the weeks to follow. We need to allow for rain flow and increased lake levels. Check back by December 1st for an exact GPS’ed map of the race course. {insert map}

Directions to Start: The race parking & start area will be at the Boat Launch at Lower Otay Lake. You can use this map (http://bit.ly/mWWf4D) to get directions. It is highly recommended that you use one of the following routes to get to the race start. Taking Olympic Parkway all the way may take an excessive amount of time due to traffic lights. To avoid confusion on race morning, look at a map and plan your route at least a week in advance. There are TWO roads of the exact same name and spelling in the area, and both will be used by those driving to the start (Wueste Road).

Route 1:

• Take Interstate 805
• East on Telegraph Canyon Rd
• Continue East on Otay Lakes Rd
• Right on Lake Crest Drive
• Pass the first turn for Wueste Rd and Make SECOND Left on Wueste Rd

Route 2:

• SR-125 (Toll Road … be sure to have exact change.)
• East on Otay Lakes Rd
• Right on Lake Crest Drive
• Pass the first turn for Wueste Rd and Make SECOND Left on Wueste Rd

Parking: Parking will be available at the race start in the Northwest Boat Launch parking lot only. Space is limited, so carpooling (as always) is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Additional parking may be found nearby at the Olympic Training Center. Please make prior arrangements, as this is private parking.

Packet Pick-up Location: Packet Pick-up will take place at the San Diego Running Institute (SDRI) on the Friday and Saturday before the race:
Friday, January 25 from 11AM – 6PM
Saturday, January 26 from 10AM – 4PM ONLY!!! (The store is open until 6pm on Friday, but ALL race gear will be gone by 4PM!!!)

8525 Gibbs Drive, #205
San Diego, CA 92123

Google Maps - http://goo.gl/maps/fW9uF

Office: (858) 268-8525

For detailed directions and a map of the pickup, Click Here

Cannot Make Packet Pick-up: Pre-pay for it during Registration and you will have a special line on Race Morning to get your bib and schwag. If you already registered and failed to pre-pay … OR …. you cannot make the listed Packet Pick-up dates/times … you are welcome to send a friend or family to get your bib & schwag. They must have a printed copy of your Driver’s License, or a photo copy of it on their smart-phone in order for your gear to be released. This is a free option.

PRE-PAID Packet Pick-up: Unless you have pre-paid for Race Day Packet Pick-up during your registration on Active.com, ALL packets must be picked up from the San Diego Running Institute during the packet pickup hours listed above.

Last Minute Race Day Pick-up: If you cannot or have not done any of the above, you will only have until Thursday, January 24th at 6:30pm to pay over the phone via credit card for the $20 LATE Race Day Pick-up fee.

Anyone who fails to follow the simple options above, will ONLY be allowed to get their Bib on race morning. No schwag will be available at the race, nor after the race. Please make it easy on yourself … plan ahead.

MANDATORY Race Day Check-in: All race participants MUST check in on race morning. Race check in begins at 6:00am. Failure to check in prior to starting the race will result in automatic disqualification, meaning no time will be posted in the Race Results. Sounds harsh? … we know … but think of it this way; if you forget to print your airline boarding passes, or check-in with the gate agent, will your flight wait for you … or refund you if you miss it?! Nope. (Us neither.)

Refund Policy: Refunds are allowed up to one month prior to the race date minus a $10 Refund Processing fee. Absolutely NO refunds will be given beyond that date for any reason … and there are never bib swaps allowed for any Dirt Devil Races….. (Again, see the airline analogy above.) If you would like to request a refund prior to the cut off deadline, please email our Race Director: Krista@SDRi.net ….. tell her you need a refund, and be sure to supply the “COMPLETE DETAILED ACTIVE REGISTRATION” … this is the only way a Refund is possible. You can find this by going to Active.com and searching for your name and the races you have registered for. The Detailed Registration will contain all the fees you paid, your mailing address, and the shirt size you ordered. Emails that fail to contain the required information will not be responded to. (Do NOT request refunds via any other method, like facebook, SDRI phone calls, etc. Those requests do not make their way to the Race Director.)

Bib Transfer Policy: Bib Transfers are NEVER ALLOWED for any Dirt Devil Racing event for Liability and Insurance reasons.

Canceling: If you can no longer run the race and it is too late to receive a refund, you are encouraged to let the Race Director: Krista@SDRi.net know that you are canceling. This will “potentially” allow another Wait Listed racer the opportunity to run if there is enough lead time. Sure you don’t get your money back, because all the race expenses have already been paid out, including the schwag and goodies, porta-potties, permits, insurance, etc that we have purchased on your behalf … but it does net you some great “running karma” for your next successful race!! And who doesn’t need that, right?!!!

Wait List Option: Once the race is sold out …. (and it will) …. you can email the Race Director: Krista@SDRi.net and request to be Wait Listed. This is the information that will be required to complete that process. You will get a “Wait List Confirmed” email once you have successfully completed the process. Further instructions will follow. All fields must be filled out in order for your Wait List to be entered in the system:

Once your completed info is received you will be waitlisted in the order your ‘original’ email request was received. Do NOT send duplicate emails, unless it contains separate racer info. All fields MUST be filled out completely.

Be sure the EMAIL ADDRESS you use in your answers is one you can check 24/7.

As cancellations come in, the next on the Wait List will be EMAILED and offered the chance to call SDRI and pay for the race. Once payment is complete you are in. You will NOT be required to pick up your bib until race morning.

Racer’s First & Last Name:
Racer’s Phone Number:
Racer’s Email (that you can check any day of the week)
Racer’s Birthdate (mm-dd-yy)
Racer’s Age on Race Day:
Racer’s Gender:
Racer’s City & State & Zip (Country if non-USA)
Racer’s Pace on Trails at the Half Distance (6-7 min mile/ 8 min mile / 9 min mile/ 10 min mile/ 11+ min mile)
Racer’s Shirt Size (Unisex style) = Small, Medium, Large, XL) *

* Schwag may NOT be available in your size or at all. (Believe it or not, some people actually turn in their bib and drop from the race, but still pick up their shirt and schwag prior to doing so. We try to reorder the Wait List shirts in the size you request, but often there is not enough time to get more shirts prior to the race.) But if we have them on hand, you will get it. Promise!! Sorry, this is one pitfall all Wait-List’ers have to contend with.

Traveling to San Diego for the Wild Horse Half Marathon?
San Diego has a long list of great attractions and activities for you and your family to enjoy. Just be sure to plan well ahead of time regarding your transportation to/from the race. There is not a great deal of public transportation in this particular race location.