SKY ISLAND Trail race

50K + 25K

@ DAVIS MOUNTAINS STATE PARK: Fort Davis, TX

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 

 

Schedule:

50k       (6:30 am start)        $105

25k       (6:30 am start)        $85

Sunrise @ 7:40 am         Sunset @ 8:00 pm       

*No pacers allowed.  *50k cut off: must be through start/finish line (mile 23) by 2:00 pm (19:30/mile pace)

 

  • Friday night (8:30 pm): McDonald Observatory Star Party      *Reserve/purchase your $12  tickets online at McDonaldObservatory.org  
  • Saturday morning: RACE  (6:30 am start for both distances)   
  • Saturday evening: visit Marfa + camping at Davis Mountains   
  • Sunday: take a dip in Balmorea Springs on your way back home
Friday Star Party at the McDonald Observatory

Friday Star Party at the McDonald Observatory

Marfa lights, galleries, shops, and great eats

Marfa lights, galleries, shops, and great eats

Sunday dip in Balmorea Springs

Sunday dip in Balmorea Springs

course:

For 2017, the 50k course is the same as last year. The 25k course covers new trail!

50k Course: Skyline Loop (7.5 miles), Primitive Loop (12 miles), Indian Lodge Loop (4 miles), then repeat Skyline (7.5 miles)

25k Course: Primitive Loop (12 miles), Indian Lodge Loop (4 miles)

Location:

Davis Mountain State Park

TX - 118,    Fort Davis, TX     79734

 

lodging:

Camping Options:   Camping at the start/finish area is full. You can still reserve a tent site or RV site anywhere in the Davis Mountains State Park for approx $25/night. Visit the state parks website here to make your reservation: http://texas.reserveworld.com/                       

Stay just a short drive from the race at Prude Ranch or Mountain Trails Lodge for around $100/night. Marfa also has many options, but the drive is slightly longer. 

***Indian Lodge will be closed Sept - Dec 2017 for renovations. The good news is that this beautiful, newly renovated lodge will be the site for our start/finish for 2018!

results:

2016 Complete Results Link:   edsresults.com/skyisland16/

50km Course Records:        Steven Moore   5:05:56           Ashley Rollins  8:12:43

25kn Course Records:         Josh Cross    2:33:18             Kate Leugers  2:44:31

 

Photos:

Complete photo album:   http://azulox.zenfolio.com/p673117031

RULES TO RUN BY:

 

  1. You absolutely MUST take off with a headlamp or flashlight, as you will be running in dark for the first 45-60 minutes of your race.

  2. Every racer MUST have a water bottle or hydration vest. The primitive loop requires that you run 6 miles without aid across exposed terrain. The temperatures get into the 80s, and those who don't carry water for that loop will be hurtin'.

  3. We love dogs, cats, parakeets, and goldfish just as much as you, but they won't be allowed to join you on the race course. For a few reasons: one of which is that some of the land we race on are working ranches, with strict no pet rules. 

  4. Pacers are not allowed for this race, due to the limit of number of racers (150) that we can have on the course. 

  5. You get a finishers medal only for finishing. We have some amazing hand-made, recycled wood medals that we will be thrilled to throw around your neck...but only after you cross that finish line. And earn it!

  6. We can't give refunds or transfers. Once you purchase your race entry, we pay the land owners for your park pass, buy your t-shirt or hat, pay the insurance company,  pay the timing company and photographer,  and on. That said, we're still very reasonable people and want to help you out. If you write a compelling request, we'll give you a discount to a future race.

  7. No cutting the course (ie CHEATING). Some days just aren't your day to race well. Realizing and respecting that bad race day by dropping out is WAY cooler than getting caught cheating. Oh, and if (when) we catch you, you will be asked to not race with us again. Ever.

  8. We prefer you run without them, but if you're going to wear headphones, use only one earbud or turn it way down. You have to hear people trying to communicate with you. We have had a runner take off in the complete wrong direction just because she couldn't hear us screaming at her to stop. Her loss.

  9. Most of the trails are single track or very narrow, so get used to saying "ON YOUR LEFT" when you pass. It also never hurts to tell that person something encouraging like, "NICE JOB". And while you're on a kind streak, a big "THANK YOU" to the volunteers is golden and earns you an extra beer.

  10. If we have to postpone the race due to weather, we will push the race back to that afternoon or into the next day. We aren't afraid of a downpour, but we don't mess with lightning or hurricanes...or Sharknato.