Event Information
Date:
Sunday, November 8
Location:
99 Woodmere Rd, Folsom, CA 95630
Parking Information:
Free parking is widely available on race morning. Please refer to the blue highlighted areas on the event map for designated parking locations. Drivers may enter through Woodmere Road & Folsom Boulevard or Blue Ravine Road & Folsom Boulevard.
Bib Pick-up
Bibs will only be available race morning from 6:00AM – 7:30AM. Please arrive early to avoid long lines. Bring your QR code to ensure a speedy bib assignment. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION
Start Time:
7:30am – Half Marathon & 20-Mile
7:35am – Untimed Nature Walk
Race Cutoff Times:
- Half Marathon: a 4hr 35min finish time (21:00 minutes/mile)
- 20-Mile: a 4hr 35min finish time (13:44 minutes/mile)
Finish Festival:
A Finish Festival featuring food, a beer garden and a beautiful and vibrant post-run celebration for everyone awaits all finishers. Hours are 8:00am-12:30pm. (Please Note: Please bring your ID so we can serve you your free beer in the beer garden.)
Awards:
- We reserve all finishers medals for finishers only and do not provide extra medals or ‘buddy’ medals for any of our events.
- Please note: There are no overall or age group awards at Run the Parkway. It’s a training run–save your race for CIM!
Course Information
Experience one of Northern California’s most scenic race courses as you run the rolling hills of the American River Bike Trail surrounding beautiful Lake Natoma in Folsom.
The Half Marathon and 20 Mile races will start at the same time and finish in the same location on Woodmere Road. Runners will access the main loop on the American River Bike Trail via the Parkshore Trailhead access trail off of Parkshore Drive. At that intersection, all runners will turn left and proceed south on the main trail to make their way around Lake Natoma. Half Marathoners and 20 Milers will share the same course for the full loop around the lake until returning to this same intersection, approximately 12.4 miles into the race.
Upon completing the loop, Half Marathoners will turn left off the main trail back onto the Parkshore Trailhead access trail to return to the finish line via Parkshore Drive. 20 Milers will stay on the righthand side of the trail and continue straight ahead on the same course they previously traveled and will run to a turnaround point at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center entrance at approximately 15.8 miles.
At the turnaround point, 20 Milers will make a U-turn and return north on the course back to the intersection of the main trail and the Parkshore Trailhead access trail, where they will make a right turn to return to the finish line via the same route as the half marathon.
Runners are encouraged to keep to the right-hand side of the trail for the entirety of the loop. After the Half Marathon and 20 Mile courses diverge at approximately 12.4 miles into the race, all 20 Mile runners are to remain on the right-hand side of the trail at all times during the out-and-back section of the race, to accommodate the two-way runner traffic that will occur along that stretch of the course. Please be mindful of keeping to the correct side of the trail while running in groups to ensure a safe race for all participants!
Runners entered in the 20 Mile who reach the Half Marathon / 20 Mile course split at 12.4 miles after 10:20 AM (13:44 per mile pace), will be directed left to the finish line to complete the half marathon distance at that time.
20-Mile Course Map
Half Marathon Course Map
| Aid Station | Location | Mile | Water | Precision Hydration: Carb & Electrolyte Drink | Precision Fuel: PF 30 Energy Gels, PF 30 Caffeine Gels, PF 30 Chews, & Fruit | Toilets |
| #1 | Willow Creek Recreation Area | 1.8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| #2 | Nimbus Flat Recreation Area | 4.1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #3 | Main Avenue Access Road | 5.9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| #4 | Black Miners Bar | 9.3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #5 | Folsom Historic District | 10.9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| #6 | Willow Creek Recreation Area | 13.4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| #7 | Nimbus Flat Recreation Area | 15.7 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| #8 | Willow Creek Recreation Area | 18.4 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where do my race entry fees go?
Proceeds from this race benefit the American River Parkway Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to maintaining the American River Parkway for everyone’s enjoyment.
Can I run a distance other than what I signed up for?
If you have signed up for the Half Marathon or the 20-Mile, you can switch between these distances by emailing runtheparkway@runsra.org before race day. There is no fee to switch between these two distances.
I am signed up for CIM, so why do I have to pay for this official training run?
This event is a fantastic opportunity for you to try out the official CIM nutrition in a race situation, and is your chance to give back to the Parkway, the “crown jewel” of Sacramento parks and a treasured training venue for local runners. It costs money to maintain such a valuable natural resource for our community to access. Each time you are on the Parkway, you have an impact on the area—whether you use the restroom, throw away an energy gel wrapper, or run on the dirt trails. Trash removal, trail maintenance, and land restoration are just a few of the activities required so that you can enjoy your American River Parkway. Also, there are medals for all 20-Mile and Half Marathon finishers and a well-stocked “recovery zone” with massage and food. And, of course, don’t forget the free beer provided by Firestone Walker Brewing Company for all runners at the Finish Festival!
Are there awards for top finishers at this event?
There are no overall or age group awards at Run the Parkway. It’s a training run–save your race for CIM! There are medals for all 20-Mile and Half Marathon finishers and ribbons for all youth (14 & Under) Nature Walk finishers.
What does it mean that Run the Parkway is the “Official California International Marathon Training Run?”
The Run the Parkway 20-Mile and Half Marathon are perfectly timed for runners looking to get in that last quality long run before the CIM. Additionally, because Run the Parkway is organized by the Sacramento Running Association, who also organize the CIM, it will feature amenities like the same nutrition and hydration products as you’ll see on-course at the CIM, as well as the same Pace Team! Basically, Run the Parkway is the perfect way to test your CIM race plan before the big day!
I am injured and/or cannot run the event (family commitment, work obligation, etc.). Can I get a refund, defer my entry, donate my entry or transfer my entry to someone else?
No. Per our official event rules and guidelines: Sale, transfer, or duplication of race entry/bib is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events. All entry fees are non-refundable.
What if the race is cancelled?
RTP will go on rain or shine–a little weather won’t stop us! However, the Sacramento Running Association reserves the right to cancel the race at any time at its sole discretion. Causes for race cancellation may include (but are not limited to) hazardous and potentially dangerous weather, unsafe course conditions, or governmental intervention. In the case of an event cancellation, registrants are not entitled to a refund.