| Welcome to the 18th Annual Leona Divide 50 Mile Run!
CONGRATULATIONS TO BENJAMIN BERKOWITZ, 25, OF LOS ANGELES FOR HIS SMOKIN' 6:47:08 WIN, AND TO KRISTIN MOEHL, 31, OF SEATTLE, FOR CRUISING IN AT 7:25:37, 1ST WOMAN, 3RD OVERALL, AND 3RD VICTORY AT LEONA!! Kristin also had the fastest time of any woman ever at Leona Divide! Congratulations to Donald Caldwell, 65, from Pasadena, with his 4th Spring Chicken Sprint 28.4 Mile win, in 4:39:20!
Congratulations also to all finishers at the 2009 edition of the Leona Divide 50 and the Spring Chicken Sprint!
Thank you to all the volunteers who make this race possible, and to the sponsors who supported us this year.
The Leona Divide 50 was the brainchild of Bob Kimmerly who in late 1991 with his friends John Swallow and Don Hughes mapped out a 50 mile course through the beautiful Angeles National Forest near Lake Hughes. A portion of the race traveled the Leona Divide Truck Trail and passed through Leona Divide twice, hence the name. Losing his battle with cancer in January of 1992, Bob never saw his dream, but his family and friends made sure it became a reality in April of 1992.
Be sure to enjoy the view and the shade at the split cedar memorial bench, hand carved by Don Hughes and installed by Don and friends near mile 14 on the Pacific Crest Trail. Next to the bench you will see more of Don Hughes' handywork - a wooden sign listing past Leona Divide winners and their times.
Trail work, race organization, aid stations, radio communication, and finish line are all done by volunteers, to whom we are deeply indebted. For 18 years many of the same people have given their time to help make the Leona Divide what it is today. The majority of our volunteers are from the Santa Clarita and High Desert Running Clubs. My heartfelt thanks to all of you!
For a really entertaining re-cap of the 2008 Leona Divide check out what LD finisher Charlie Nickell has to say on The Run Down website.
About
The Race
The Leona Divide Fifty Miler began 18 years ago and is now
one of the premiere Ultra Marathons in California. As a
Non-Profit event, it is supported by generous sponsors
and many volunteers, without
whom the race would not be possible. A generous
portion of the proceeds are donated to the Painted
Turtle Childrens' Camp of Lake Hughes. They greatly
appreciate your support for the race.
The
course will remain the same as the last few years with about 34 miles of Pacific Crest Trail and 16 miles of dirt roads in the Angeles National Forest. As we did last year, we will offer a 28.4 mile option for runners 60+ years of age which follows the first 24.5 miles of the 50 miler, then heads directly back to the finish in Lake Hughes. 10 well-stocked aid stations cover the course of the 50 miler. The 28.4 miler passes through four of those before it returns to the finish. Runners may not switch races once the race has started.
Awards are presented to the first male and first female overall, as well as within each age group (18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+) for the 50 mile run. The number of awards in each age group will be determined by the number of entries in each age group. First overall male & female in the 50 will receive a lifetime free entry to the race and first male & female in each age group receive a free 2010 entry. Also, runners in either race receive a custom LD long sleeve shirt, and each official finisher receives a custom finisher medal. Special awards go to the 1st man and 1st woman overall in the 28.4 mile run. On top of all that, loads of great prizes donated by race sponsors are raffled off to runners.
Lodging
is available a 30 min. drive to Palmdale, also at the Rock Inn across the street from the race. No Camping
allowed at the Start/Finish.
Lake Hughes (across the street from the race)
Rock Inn (661) 724-1855, or www.historicrockinn.com
Palmdale
(30 min. Drive to Start):
Castaic
(40 min. Drive to Start):
Spunky
Canyon Campground:
Cottonwood
Campground:
- 21
Miles northeast of Castaic on Lake Hughes Rd
- 22
campsites, vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings;
No potable water. Adventure Pass required.
- Call for
info:www.FS.FED.US/R5/ANGELES
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