That’s a Wrap on the Lost Sierra Endurance Race!
- Sonya Z. Meline
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Downieville pulsed with grit, sweat, and trail shoes this weekend as the Lost Sierra Endurance Race took over town. Whether you were watching the runners fly down First Divide or sipping coffee while a finish-line story unfolded, there was no denying the buzz: This event is growing fast!
We’d like to extend a huge “Thank You” to the racers, organizers, and volunteers who brought so much energy to town. While many of us were busy running shops, inns, and aid stations over the weekend, we may not have had time to connect one-on-one, but we saw you, we cheered for you, and we loved having you here.
The race itself? Brutal. Beautiful. And unforgettable.
Organized by Bad Luck Run Club, a large social running group in Auburn. The club also hosts trail races throughout the year, drawing runners from all over Northern California.
With a laid-back approach and a focus on fun over competition, Bad Luck Run Club offers a fresh alternative to traditional running groups in Sacramento, Roseville, and Rocklin. There’s no need to sign up, just show up and run. And after five runs, participants get a free Bad Luck Run Club shirt.
This year’s event featured both a 50 km and 100 km ultramarathon starting and ending at the Downieville School field. The 100K route wound all the way to Blairsden and back with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain through some of the toughest and most stunning trails in the Lost Sierra.
Last year’s 100K champ, George Doolan, called it “sort of surreal” and that was before a few racers took wrong turns near Deer Lake and Packer Saddle. This year's race saw even more participants, more fans, and even more love for this wild, rugged course. According to one racer we interviewed, Alejandro from Seattle, who finished 6th in the 100K:
“It was a really difficult race, but I can imagine this race tripling in size next year. The excitement was palpable. The trail was stunning, and I loved the it ending in town. Being able to bring my dog everywhere made it even better.”
He stayed at the Downieville River Inn, and like many others, found out that local hotels were fully booked months in advance a great sign for Downieville’s future as a trail running destination (so book early).
Live tracking and a 25K option are in the works for next year, along with a post-race BBQ and even more community engagement. We’d love to be a part of that and we’re already thinking about how to help this event thrive right here in our remote little mountain town.
👏 Huge thanks again to Bad Luck Run Club and lead organizer Ken Krogsrud for pulling off a world-class event in one of the most logistically challenging locations imaginable.
If you’re reading this from elsewhere, consider this your sign to start training.
👉 Read last year’s full recap via The Mountain Messenger: George Doolan Triumphs in Grueling Lost Sierra Endurance Race👉 Learn more about the race: Lost Sierra Endurance Race Bad Luck Run Club
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