SoCal Series

The XTERRA SoCal Trail Run Series has a simple formula for its success – great trails, great runners and great weather. That combination has made the SoCal Series the largest and most popular series on the XTERRA Trail Run circuit.

The XTERRA SoCal Series consists of seven races – more than any other series in the nation – and it drew more than 4,000 trail runners last year. Given the choice between dodging traffic on the roads of Southern California, or heading for the uncrowded hills, it’s easy to see why the trail races are growing in popularity.

“There are obviously a lot of people living in Southern California, and because of the weather, a lot of them like to be outdoors,” series director Brennan Lindner said. “We’ve been fortunate to find a bunch of trails that people enjoy and we try to make it fun so they keep coming back.”

Each race in the series offers a short course for beginners and sprinters, and a long course for experienced endurance runners. The short courses usually range between 5 and 10 kilometers; the long courses range from 15 to 22 kilometers and feature some of the most challenging – and scenic – trails in Southern California.

All of the races in the SoCal Series are open to runners of all ages and skill levels. “All the good things you hear about it from everybody else are true,” said Amy Galbraith, a 69-year-old runner who enters nearly every race in the SoCal Series. “You’re outside, so it’s more of an adventure. And it’s more of a challenge with all the terrain.”

To register for a race in the SoCal Series, or to learn more about it, please visit www.trailrace.com.

Here is the list of 2012 XTERRA SoCal Trail Run Series champions:

Age group	Name	Age	Hometown	State
Female 15-19	Hannah Rae Finchamp	17	Altadena	CA
Female 20-24	Prineha Narang	23	Studio City	CA
Female 25-29	Carlyn Peterson	29	San Diego	CA
Female 30-34	Erin Gunn	31	San Diego	CA
Female 35-39	Melissa Vazquez	36	Chino Hills	CA
Female 40-44	Nina Jack	41	Culver City	CA
Female 45-49	Denise Ingram	48	San Diego	CA
Female 50-54	Dancoise Clayborn	53	Fountain Valley	CA
Female 55-59	Erin Fry	57	Anaheim	CA
Female 60-64	Kathleen Rydgig	60	Oxnard	CA
Female 65-69	Amy Galbraith	69	Venice	CA
Male 15-19	Will Hubsch	16	Pasadena	CA
Male 25-29	Aaron Flynn	27	South Pasadena	CA
Male 30-34	Matthew Dixon	32	San Diego	CA
Male 35-39	Patrick Baldwin	36	Encinitas	CA
Male 40-44	Travis Burrell	44	Los Angeles	CA
Male 45-49	Tom Geha	45	Los Angeles	CA
Male 50-54	Ron Paquette	54	Los Angeles	CA
Male 55-59	Robert Morrison	56	Laguna Niguel	CA
Male 60-64	Harold Kennedy	61	Apple Valley	CA
Male 65-69	Gary Valle	65	Canoga Park	CA
Male 70-74	Michael Mosesman	71	La Crescenta	CA
Male 75-79	John Williams	75	Culver City	CA

Here is a brief rundown of each race, courtesy of series director Brennan Lindner:

XTERRA Boney Mountain Xduro Trail Run

The grand daddy of them all - the hardest and most rewarding race of the series. Remote single track trails underneath the crags of Boney Mountain, creek crossings, and maybe some wildlife. Truly a gem.

XTERRA Mission Gorge Trail Run

Home of the “thousands steps.” This is a gem in San Diego. The park is just east of La Jolla, so you can hang at the beach, and then drive 20 minutes for some amazing running. The thousand steps section of the course is located at mile six --  and it features a grueling stair climb up the side of the mountain.

XTERRA Black Mountain Trail Run

The newest race of the series. This is the Rally Car event of the series --  15 kilometers of rollers, twists, turns and creek crossings at Black Mountain Regional Park. With only 300 feet of total elevation gain, this will be the fastest course of the series.

XTERRA Malibu Creek Trail Run

The grandma event of the series (Boney Mountain is the grand daddy). This is the race that started it all, 14 miles of pure fun. You run past the old MASH site (filming location for the old television show), which also served as a backdrop for the Planet of the Apes movie and numerous other movies/TV shows. The 'highlight' is the Bulldog climb - over 3 miles and 1,800 feet of climbing that takes you to some amazing views of the Pacific.

XTERRA Point Mugu Trail Run

Just a great course. The first mile is extremely technical with a rock scramble up a waterfall. You round around Point Mugu with views of Oxnard and the Channel Islands. After that you drop into La Jolla Canyon, an unspoiled and delightful grassland. The last 2 miles is a gnarly (yet beautiful) singletrack trail called Ray Miller Trail - Ray Miller was one of the 'original' hikers of the Santa Monica Mountains. He created a lot of the trails and helped preserve the park areas.

XTERRA Turkey Trot Trail Run

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with a grueling run along the trails at Trippet Ranch? The 15k and 10k courses go to the summit of Eagle Rock and the 15k goes on the little known/traveled Garapito Trail, which favors short people due to low hanging branches. This course covers everything - single track, rocks, fire road.

XTERRA Crystal Cove Trail Run

One of the most popular races in the series (sells out every year) - the 17k course loops this park, one of the jewels of the California Park System. With views of the Newport Coast, it can't be beat. Great climbing and descents.

Photo courtesy Supersports Photography

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