Registrations are open for Mammoth Trail Fest, a new festival dedicated to trail running taking place this September. The four-day event will allow runners to explore the mountains surrounding Mammoth Lakes in California's Eastern Sierra.
There are three races planned for the festival. Things kick off on September 23 with the relatively beginner-friendly McCoy 26K, followed by the Mammoth 50K (which includes the 11,053ft Dragon's Back trail) on the 24th. Both are single-loop courses that start and end in the village plaza.
For anyone who's only interested in defeating the biggest climb, there's the short but brutal Dragon's Back Ascent on September 25. Lace up your best trail shoes, grit your teeth, and be cheered on by cowbell-wielding supporters as you climb 8,500ft to the summit. A final-day party awaits once you've dragged your weary body to the top.
You can also expect live podcasts hosted each day in the festival village plaza, plus a mini film festival with screenings of trail running movies each evening. The organizers promise free live entertainment, storytelling, and great local food as well.
“What we have here in the Eastern Sierra is incredible high alpine trail running, with Europe-style peaks overlooking the course, and so it’s cool that you can be in California and have that experience.” founded Tim Tollefson tod iRunFar.
Early bird prices for the races start at $65 for the Dragon Ascent, and are scheduled to rise on July 31.
