Old West Trail Runs

The desert in spring displays its scenic wonders at their finest, and brings the most comfortable weather for running, camping, and other fun activities which are planned for you, your friends, and your family. All Old West Trail Run courses lead you through Anza Borrego Desert’s most diverse and pristine lands. Temperatures range from the low 40s overnight, to daytime highs in the low 70s. The nearby heights of the Laguna and Cuyamaca mountains often stop spring rains from reaching the sheltered basin of our event. Mountain rain makes desert rainbows!
Your adventure includes sharing ancient trails with the ghosts of the Kumeyaay People, this region’s earliest known residents. Travelers and adventurers of yesteryear also included: Spanish colonials, explorers & settlers from Mexico, Kearney’s Army of the West (guided by the legendary old west scout, Kit Carson), and the Mormon Battalion. During the famous gold rush era, prospectors and settlers often chose this southern overland route to reach California and its fortunes! Many came via the Birch or Butterfield Stage lines, from St. Louis via Santa Fe, and El Paso! “Catch the Spirit” – come run in their tracks and enjoy the lands which gave them all renewed hope and shelter.
Old West Trails Fest courses are welcoming and runner friendly. Many Old West runners achieve new personal records. Throughout the entire 50K and marathon courses, runners will experience only about 2500 feet of gain & loss! The 1/2 Marathon course is considerably less “daunting”, with only 670 feet of elevation gain & loss. Generous time allowances are provided to encourage runners who are new to trails, and older geezers to come on down and join the fun! All participants will receive a tech t-shirt. Medals to all finishers.